For big flavor crowd-pleasers that are smooth and easy-drinking, go with a Big House red (I'm drinking The Usual Suspects Cabernet right now, 8.99 that I found on sale elsewhere for 6.99; they also make the Cardinal Zin), or for anything from Charles Smith winery in Washington. I think Charles Smith makes some stuff in the $10 range, though they also have stuff that runs up to the low 20s.
For a dollar or so over $10, anything from Cline in Sonoma is going to be good. Their entry-levels are 10 or 11 and some of their next-level-up is about $14. We really like their zinfandel.
If you have drinkers who don't like California fruit bombs, and want a spicy French wine, Whole Foods has one called La Vielle Ferme. It's a southern Rhone blend with chickens on the label. Comes in red or white, costs 7.99 or 8.99.
Anything from Blackstone is also good at about 8.99.
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