Not all of us are popping bottles of the finest wine every night—sometimes, you just grab what’s affordable and hope for the best. But even a cheap bottle doesn’t have to taste, well, cheap. With a few simple tricks, you can bring out the best in that budget wine and give it a flavor upgrade that’ll make it feel a little more special.

Four people clinking glasses of white wine outdoors in a celebratory manner, with a warm sunset in the background.
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Let it Breathe

A man pours red wine into a glass while a woman smiles as she slices a red bell pepper. They are in a kitchen with various fresh vegetables on the counter, suggesting meal preparation.
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Pour your wine into a glass or a decanter and let it sit for 15-30 minutes before drinking. Exposure to oxygen softens harsh flavors and brings out aromas, making the wine taste smoother and more refined.

Use a Decanter

A person in a blue shirt and apron is pouring red wine from a bottle into a glass decanter. The focus is on the decanter and the pouring wine. The setting appears to be a bar or restaurant.
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Decanting wine, especially reds, can instantly elevate flavor. The wide surface area allows oxygen to mix with the wine, mellowing any bitterness and bringing out hidden notes that taste more “high-end.”

Add a Pinch of Salt

A wooden bowl filled with salt and a scoop on a concrete surface.
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A tiny pinch of salt can balance overly acidic or bitter flavors in cheap wine. Salt enhances other flavors, smoothing the wine’s rough edges, but use sparingly—just a pinch is enough to make a difference.

Chill It Slightly

Three wine bottles lie horizontally in a curved metal wine rack inside a refrigerator. The bottles have cork stoppers and are nestled neatly in a shelf designed to hold them securely.
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Serving wine at a cooler temperature can mask harsh flavors that are more noticeable at room temperature. For reds, try around 60°F, and for whites, 50°F. It can make the wine taste more balanced and refreshing.

Serve with the Right Glassware

An assortment of wine glasses filled with red, white, and rosé wines on a table. Cashews, popcorn, and fresh herbs are scattered around the glasses against a gray background.
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Using proper glassware, like a wider glass for reds and a narrow one for whites, can enhance aromas and flavors. The right glass shape lets the wine open up, giving a more enjoyable and “expensive” experience.

Add a Splash of Sparkling Water

A hand holds a glass with lemon slices as water is being poured into it from a pitcher.
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Adding a small amount of sparkling water to white wine creates a refreshing spritzer, lightening harsh flavors. It adds a fun, fizzy twist that can make budget whites feel more sophisticated and refreshing.

Use an Aerator

Close-up of red wine being poured from a bottle into a glass. The person's hand holds the glass, and the background is blurred with greenery, suggesting an outdoor setting.
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A wine aerator is a quick way to add oxygen to the wine as you pour, softening the tannins and enhancing aroma. It’s a handy tool for cheap wine, instantly making it taste smoother and richer.

Freeze Grapes as Ice Cubes

A group of grapes with water drops.
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Drop frozen grapes into your wine to keep it chilled without diluting it. Regular ice cubes can water down wine, but grapes add a subtle sweetness and keep the wine tasting rich and undiluted.

Pair with Food

A long wooden board is topped with a variety of fresh fruits, vegetables, cheeses, dips, cured meats, and breadsticks. In the center, there is a dish of dip with a spoon.
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Certain foods, like cheeses or dark chocolate, can elevate wine’s flavor. Pairing wine with food complements and enhances flavors, making even the cheapest wine feel complex and enjoyable.

Swirl Before Sipping

A hand holds a glass of red wine against a blurred background. The wine swirls inside the glass, catching the light. The setting appears to be outdoors with soft, natural lighting.
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Swirling wine in the glass introduces oxygen, which can release aromas and soften flavors. It’s a simple move that brings out more depth in cheap wines, making them feel a bit more sophisticated.

Add a Touch of Sugar

A hand is pouring salt from a green and gray container into a glass bowl. A white plate with additional salt is visible in the background.
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If your wine is overly acidic, a tiny bit of sugar (or even a splash of juice) can balance it out. Just a small pinch will soften the sharpness, creating a smoother, more enjoyable sip.

Age It a Few Days

Man opening wine.
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Open the wine a day or two before you plan to drink it, then recork it and let it sit. This softens the wine’s rough edges, and with a little time, it will taste smoother and more complex.

Use a Blender

A blender with a gold handle and a blender with a gold handle.
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This may sound odd, but blending wine for 30 seconds can mimic the aerating effect of hours of decanting. It’s a quick trick to smooth out tannins and bring out flavors, giving cheap wine a more polished taste.

Add a Citrus Twist

A sliced orange is displayed among several whole oranges, one of which has green leaves attached, with a wooden surface in the background.
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A small twist of citrus zest, like lemon or orange, adds a burst of fresh aroma to the wine. It can brighten up dull flavors and add a touch of complexity, especially for inexpensive whites.

Store at Proper Temperature

A wine cooler with two wooden shelves displaying bottles of wine lying horizontally. The digital temperature display reads "14.1". The brand name "EuroCave" is visible at the top.
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Cheap wine can quickly lose its quality if stored improperly. Keeping reds around 55°F and whites around 45°F helps preserve their flavors, ensuring they taste as good as they can when served.

13 Hacks to Make Your Booze Binge Healthier

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We all love a good drink, but nobody wants the next-day regret or the extra calories. Fortunately, you can make your booze binge a bit healthier without sacrificing fun. With a few clever tricks, you can enjoy your night out and still feel great the next day. If you’re ready to sip smarter and party guilt-free, here are some fun hacks to keep your boozy nights a bit healthier.

Read it Here: 13 Hacks to Make Your Booze Binge Healthier

No Booze, All Fun: 24 Mocktails For Sober Sipping

A glass of blackberry lemonade with ice and mint.
Blackberry Lemon Mocktail. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Looking for refreshing drinks to enjoy this summer without the buzz? We’ve got you covered with 24 amazing mocktails that are perfect for any occasion. Whether you’re cutting back on alcohol, hosting a party, or just want something tasty to sip on a hot day, these recipes will hit the spot.

Read it Here: No Booze, All Fun: 24 Mocktails For Sober Sipping

*Select images provided by Depositphotos.

Founder and Writer at Running to the Kitchen | About

Gina Matsoukas is an AP syndicated writer. She is the founder, photographer and recipe developer of Running to the Kitchen — a food website focused on providing healthy, wholesome recipes using fresh and seasonal ingredients. Her work has been featured in numerous media outlets both digital and print, including MSN, Huffington post, Buzzfeed, Women’s Health and Food Network.

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