Let’s clear something up: good wine doesn’t have to cost a fortune.

In fact, some of the best bottles you’ll ever taste are under $25 — and we’ll happily raise a glass to that.

At Peg & Bull, we believe wine should be enjoyed, not decoded. It shouldn’t require a sommelier certification to understand or a platinum card to afford. Whether it’s a midweek dinner or a backyard get-together, a great bottle should feel right at home. That’s why we’re proudly flying the flag for approachable, affordable wine — and we’re not the only ones.

The Truth About Expensive Wine

You’ve probably heard it before: “The more you pay, the better the wine.”

Turns out, that’s not quite true.

Blind tastings — where people sample wine without knowing the price — have shown again and again that everyday drinkers often prefer cheaper bottles. One study even found that people actually enjoy the taste of lower-priced wine slightly more when they don’t know what it costs. Even some top critics admit: high price doesn’t always equal high quality.

Why the confusion? A lot of it comes down to marketing and expectation. When we think something is expensive, our brains are wired to believe it tastes better. But in reality, great wine is more about balance, freshness, and character — not cost.

Affordable Wine Is Better Than Ever

Thanks to better vineyard practices and smarter winemaking, today’s under-$25 wines are nothing like they used to be. Gone are the days of mystery blends and metallic aftertastes. These days, even supermarket bottles can be clean, fruit-forward, and flat-out delicious.

New world regions — like Australia, Chile, New Zealand, and South Africa — have driven much of this shift. With lower land costs and a focus on innovation, they’ve helped make high-quality wine accessible to more people. The result? More variety, more flavour, and better value in your glass.

Award-Winning, Budget-Friendly Bottles

Think only fancy wines win medals? Think again.

• [yellow tail] (Australia): A global favourite that’s topped lists as the world’s most powerful wine brand. Their Shiraz and Chardonnay regularly punch well above their price tag.
• Barefoot (USA): The most awarded wine brand under $15 in the U.S., including gold medals for their bubbly and Pinot Grigio.
• Casillero del Diablo (Chile): Named Wine Enthusiast’s New World Winery of the Year — and their Cabernet still sells for around $12.
• Kim Crawford (New Zealand): A $15 Sauvignon Blanc that’s made Wine Spectator’s Top 100 list four times. Bright, zippy, and seriously good.

These wines prove that affordable doesn’t mean inferior. It means smart. It means more wine for your dollar, without the intimidation.

Good Wine Should Feel Welcoming

There’s this weird idea floating around that wine has to be serious — that you have to use the right words, hold the glass the right way, or spend half your paycheck just to “get it.”

We’re calling time on that.

At Peg & Bull, we’re here for the weeknight pasta wines, the picnic Proseccos, the sneaky chips-and-Chardonnay pairings. We believe the best wine is the one you enjoy — not the one that costs the most or gets the most points.

Drink What You Like

So next time you’re wine shopping, don’t worry about the price tag or the pedigree.

Go for what speaks to you. Try that $15 bottle from South Australia or that zesty Portuguese white on sale. Trust your taste buds. You’re allowed to love wine without knowing every vintage.

And if you’re drinking Peg & Bull, know this: you’re sipping on award-winning wine made for real life — flavourful, easy-drinking, and proudly unpretentious.

Because good wine shouldn’t ask you to prove anything. It should just pour easy, taste great, and bring people together.