I'd just go to the store and ask for a recommendation. The shop assistant will know the inventory.
If not, Santa Margherita pinot grigio is around $18 and a nice go-to, though IMO it's overpriced because it has built up a bit of a name brand.
Robert Mondavi makes nice wines.
Bogle is my go-to cheap wine maker...their petite syrah is my favorite cheap red wine but it's not easily identifiable as a cheap wine.
Or...bring beer to friends' houses. Why bring something you don't like? There's nothing wrong with bringing a six pack of good beer.