How To Choose A Go-To 'House Wine,' According To Wine Pros

Forbes

a day ago

A young woman is getting a bottle of white wine from her wine cooler at home getty
There are few higher honors in my writing than when I say something should become 'your new house wine.' As a wine writer and consultant, I have been fortunate enough to taste through some pretty spectacular wines throughout my career. But when it comes to what I actually drink at home? I'm looking for a repeat performer—something that is delicious, easy to love and low-key affordable. I also want something versatile enough to pour with everything from dinner among friends to your kids' leftover chicken nuggets that you eat standing in the kitchen, staring off into the middle distance while contemplating your life choices.
Curious if other wine pros had their own go-tos to sip when no one's watching (read: judging), I asked a handful of sommeliers, winemakers, educators and consultants what bottles they drink on repeat. Their answers are equal parts thoughtful and spontaneous, and packed with real insight into how the people who live and breathe wine actually drink it. From Costco Barolo (no, really) to Finger Lakes riesling to California rosé by the case, here's what they're pouring on repeat—and why it all works.
friends eating pizza with sparkling wine at home getty
Bubbles are the ultimate house wine cheat code: They elevate everyday moments, pair with just about anything (fried chicken, movie popcorn, awkward conversations with that aunt) and somehow make Tuesday feel like a soft launch for the weekend.
In my own fridge, you'll often find a bottle of Graham Beck Brut from South Africa. This is a méthode Cap Classique wine (aka the champagne of South Africa) that punches way above its sub-$20 price point. It's toasty, citrusy and easy-drinking, and gets a 'Yum! what is this?' anytime I serve it.
Renée Sferrazza, a certified sommelier and founder of Wine by Renée, swears by sparkling as a category for house wine. 'Okay, I'm basic—it's always bubbles,' she said via email. 'My top pick? Hinterland Winery Rosé Sparkling from Ontario, hands down. But honestly, I'll take any bubbles I can get my hands on—champagne, Cava, Prosecco…you name it.'
Jim Peterson, owner of The Texas Wine Pilot, echoed that champagne doesn't have to be reserved for New Year's Eve. 'A local source had G.H. Mumm Brut Grand Cordon and Nicolas Feuillatte Reserve Exclusive Rosé for $30. Total no-brainers,' he told me in an email interview.
Crawford McCarthy, principal of The Best Ceats, opts for grower champagne with Gaston Chiquet Brut Tradition Premier Cru, a classic Brut that delivers on quality without the flash. 'A friend turned me onto it a few years ago and I've never looked back,' he told me by email. I've also had this wine many times and have to agree with Crawford; it's sensational.
For a non-champagne pick with some flair, Trina Plamondon, a wine consultant and importer based in Alberta, recommends Crémant from the Loire, Cava and Franciacorta—all affordable classic-method bubblies that also offer delicious value.
Bottom line? Don't sleep on sparkling for all occasions. It's versatile, festive and guaranteed to infuse any moment with a pop of joy. I recommend keeping one bottle on-hand at all times—but, let's be honest, you're going to need three. House Reds
Couple enjoying a casual glass of red wine getty
House red wines are the ultimate wine workhorses—capable of handling pasta night, movie marathons and visits from that one friend who 'doesn't drink white.' The best ones are juicy, food-friendly and not overly contemplative.
At my house, I'm all about Fontanafredda Briccotondo Barbera, a fantastic producer in the Langhe region of Piedmont in northern Italy. It's bright, a little rustic and full of red fruit with that telltale barbera zip. For under $20, it's an easy pick and plays nice with pizza, roasted veggies or whatever protein I remembered to defrost.
For Erin Di Costanzo, owner of Di Costanzo wines in Napa, it's all about Pruneto Chianti Classico. 'It's straightforward, classically styled, and delicious,' she told me via email. 'We've been known to buy it by the case.' Organically farmed and nestled in the same neighborhood as the legendary Montevertine, it's one of those best-kept secrets for fans of savory, food-loving reds.
If you're still underestimating Costco's private-label program, Erik Segelbaum, owner of luxury wine club GoodSomm, is here to correct you. 'People are always shocked when I say my favorite house wine is the Kirkland Signature Barolo,' he told me via email. 'Same juice as a $50 bottle, but at Costco it's $19.99.' Yes, you read that correctly.
Lighter reds also have their place in the rotation. Samantha Capaldi, a certified sommelier and founder of Samantha Sommelier, reaches for juicy, low-tannin styles like her Faff Wine Co. Couch Crusher Pinot Noir when she's cooking—or ordering in (especially late-night Taco Bell). 'It doesn't require overthinking,' she said in an email. 'It's so easy to drink and goes with literally everything.'
Santa Barbara came up more than once as a source for high-acid, light-to-medium-bodied reds that overdeliver. McCarthy recommends pinot noir from Piazza Family Wines Pinot Noir and grenache from Future Perfect—both wines he says he always has on hand 'unless I've already opened them for myself.' Occupational hazard, obviously.
Ultimately, when it comes to red house wines, it all comes down to approachability. Whether it's Italian reds with zip, pinot with lift or a delicious Costco surprise (just decant it if the label isn't sexy enough for you!), these reds aren't here to make a scene. They're just here to taste great, effortlessly. House Whites
Woman enjoying white wine with snacks getty
If red wines are your go-to for cozy nights in, whites are the life of the house wine party. House whites tend to skew crisp, clean and crowd-pleasing—think wines that cut through a rich pasta sauce, refresh the palate after too much charcuterie (e.g. your kid's Lunchables scarfed between Little League games and homework) or punctuate the day perfectly after your 'slams laptop shut' moment.
Personally, I keep Pine Ridge Chenin Blanc + Viognier in heavy rotation. It's a wildly reliable white that blends aromatic viognier with zesty chenin in a way that's fresh but not boring, floral but not flabby. At under $15, it's your house white that will quickly become everyone's house white.
Many of the pros I spoke to agreed: When it comes to house wines, you really can't go wrong with high-acid whites. Capaldi said she's 'definitely in her bubbly and crisp white wine era.' She's particularly partial to Sancerre, Chablis and Vinho Verde—fresh, zippy, often mineral-driven white wines that are always a hit with guests and suitable for all occasions. Los Angeles-based certified sommelier and wine educator Brianne Cohen is on the same page. 'For whites, they tend to be high acid with little to no oak influence,' she told me in an email interview. 'Things like Albariño, value-priced Portuguese whites and easy-drinking Sicilian whites.'
Segelbaum also name-checked Nortico Alvarinho, a Vinho Verde standout from Portugal's Monção e Melgaço subregion. 'It's about $15 and just gorgeous,' he said via email. 'We even served it at our wedding.' If it's good enough for a sommelier's nuptials, it's probably good enough for your average Tuesday.
McCarthy keeps Luna Hart Grüner Veltliner from Santa Barbara on hand for guests. 'It gives people something familiar but just different enough flavor-wise,' he explained in an email. Grüner, with its notes of lime, white pepper and herbs, is one of the great under-the-radar white wine options for food pairings—from asparagus to pork schnitzel to Thai takeout.
Plamondon gave a shout out to pinot grigio from Friuli, viognier and riesling in multiple styles and climates. The common thread? 'They're all high acid and super versatile,' she said in an ea Kris Pinot Grigio (another sub-$15 gem) and Lamoreaux Landing Riesling are great examples of how drinkable doesn't necessarily mean forgettable.
Whatever you're doing or serving, these whites bring lift, brightness and that very specific sense of relief that comes from not having to think too hard about the wine while still somehow nailing it. House Rosés
Pouring rose wine at a dinner party with friends. getty
Rosé may have peaked in trendiness circa 2018, but for those of us in the know, it never stopped being the ultimate utility player. It chills quickly, drinks easily and looks cute on a table—and your Instagram feed. If your house wine lineup doesn't include a rosé, I'm not mad—just disappointed in you.
One of my all-time favorites is Weingut Ingrid Groiss Hasenhaide's Rosé of pinot noir and zweigelt. It's a crisp, crushable wine made by a small producer in Austria (the gorgeous label is worth it alone). Think wild strawberries and mineral lift with just enough texture to add a pleasant element of complexity, something not often found in entry-level rosé.
Di Costanzo had her 'house rosé' moment at the Clif Family tasting room in Napa. 'I asked for a bottle of their Rosé of Grenache to go with dinner,' she said via email. 'They poured me a splash and mentioned the case discount. I popped the trunk and upgraded to 12 bottles on the spot.'
McCarthy is loyal to Château Saint-Pierre Tradition Rosé from Provence, calling it 'elegant, easy-drinking, and year-round-worthy.' It's a classic blend of cinsault, grenache and syrah that pairs with everything and offends no one—a distinct personality trait for any self-respecting house wine.
Laura Falk, owner and operator of a touring and events company in the Finger Lakes leans local with dry rosé, especially for summer grilling. 'Little is better,' she wrote to me via wine community platform Grapeloop. And let's not forget about the viral 'chicken wine'—aka rosé from La Vielle Ferme. Another reliable sipper at well under $10 a bottle to keep around by the case for easy entertaining.
Rosé's strength is its range. Bone-dry and zippy? Great. Slightly floral with a touch of roundness? Also great. Slightly off-dry with high acid for balance? Yum. All it really has to do is show up cold and not suck. Bonus points if it comes in a magnum or with your besties. So What Makes A Great House Wine Anyway?
Across the board, the pros I interviewed via email, voice notes and DM exchanges on the fly agreed on a few things. A great house wine is delicious, repeatable and drama-free; it pairs with your lifestyle as much as your dinner; and it doesn't break the bank—whatever your bank looks like at any given moment.
'I want wines I don't have to think a lot about,' said Cohen. 'They're easy and breezy'—a perfect phrase for any bottle that's earned fridge-door status.
'Honestly, any wine can be a house wine if it makes you happy and brings a smile to others,' added Capaldi. That balance of approachability and authenticity is what elevates a wine from 'just something I opened' to 'something I always keep on hand.'
And yes, what's considered a house wine will differ depending on your palate, budget and Thursday night mood. Some lean local. Others trust importers. A few go straight for the warehouse find or case discount. As Sferrazza wisely put it: 'It's your by-the-glass list—and you're buying by the case.'