10 Terrific Summer Wines for Under $20

No, there’s not been a typo.  All of these wines are not only well made but represent excellent QP/R at price tags of less than 20 bucks.   With only one exception (the very first wine), all of them made the Wine Spectator’s most recent list of the World’s Top 100 Wines.   None are Rosés as these wines were discussed last week.

80% are white wines with Sauvignon Blanc (SB) being the most common grape.  Gruner Veltliner garnered two spots on the list.  80% are wines from outside the US (Austria, France, Italy, New Zealand and Spain), and are bargain priced because Americans don’t know the varietals.   One of the two reds is perfect for summer quaffing as an aperitif.  The other red is the ideal match for a summer dinner of BBQ chicken or meat.  There's also one sparkling wine in the mix.

(Listed in random order):

~ Joel Gott SB (California):  a perennial personal fave for quality-price/ratio, this producer sources his grapes from northern California.

~ Quivira Alder Grove SB (California):  this succulent wine even received a 90 point score from Robert Parker.

~ Mt. Beautiful SB (New Zealand):   Great aromatics and a full-bodied flavor abound in this Kiwi wine.

~ Bernard Ott Am Berg Gruner Veltliner (Austria):  Wine-Knows always visits this producer for his lineup of stunning Gruners.

~ Meinhard Forstreiter Kremser Kogl Gruner Veltliner (Austria):  Mineral-driven, this Gruner is phenomenal for the price.

~ Godeila Mencia (Bierzo, Spain):   This mencia grape wine is complex & pairs beautifully with grilled meats.   

~ Planeta Cerasuolo (Sicily, Italy):   A blended red wine of two varietals (neither grown in America) this one can easily work as an aperitif or with a summer meal (especially BBQ fish or pork).

~ Dom Pierre Luneau-Papin “Clos de Allees” (Loire Valley, France):   made from old vines of Melon de Bourgogne, this rendition of an obscure varietal is so yummy that it was scored a 91 by Robert Parker.

~ Jean Perrier Cuvee Gastronomic (Savoie, France): gorgeous fruits juxtaposed with minerals with this unknown grape called Jacquere.

~ llopart Reserve Brut Rosé Cava (Catalonia, Spain):  the family has been producing wine since 1385.  This sparkler makes me want to shout “Olé!”

Make no mistake about it.  If these above wines were blind-tasted, one would never come close to guessing their super reasonable price.  If you can't find them locally, all are available for purchase on the internet...just make certain to order them soon so they're not transported during the summer's hottest temps.

Giving Thanks...

This upcoming week reminds us to give thanks for our blessings.   I have many, most of them big blessings like great health and wonderful family/friends. On a less serious note, here’s my list of wines for which I am thankful.

Tropical Sauvignon Blancs

I love Sauv Blancs that offer a tropical profile (usually from in warmer climates).   I don’t find cool climate Sauv Blancs with their green, grassy, herbal notes particularly appealing (but many do).   Merry Edwards is my current fave Cali rendition.

Buttery Chardonnays

Yes, I’m going to buck the trend of those shying away from these wines and put in a plug for a well-crafted Char with a voluptuous, velvety texture and other subtle nuances that stem from Malo-Lactic fermentation.  

Wines with a great finish

While many concentrate on a big fruit forward wine that offers enticing aromas and a great palate, one of the most important things for me is a lengthy finish.

Wines that offer a great bang-for-the-buck

I don’t mind paying some serious money for a killer wine.   That being said, my faves are those that provide killer price/quality ratios.  One of the best producers for quality/price is Joel Gott (Napa Valley) who sources all of his grapes.  His wines are in the 20 bucks range.   Another great producer is Barrel 27 (Paso Robles) which offers off-the-chart-values for their well-crafted wine in the same price range.

Wines with fruits and minerals

I’m falling in love with subtle mineral nuances, especially if they are layered with fruits.  Suggestions:  Assyrtiko (a wine from the Greek island of Santorini), or Nero di Avola (from the Mount Etna region of Sicily).

Obscure varietals

I am so excited to learn about new varietals, especially indigenous varieties that aren’t available anywhere else.  Look for the Torrontes (a white fruit-bomb) from Argentina, or Bierzo (a heavenly red) from Northern Spain.  Be adventurous!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Best Value Wine Producers

The New Year is approaching and I can’t think of a better way to ring it in than addressing the subject of value in wine.  It’s true that value is in the eyes of the beholder.  That being said, here’s what my eyeballs tell me about wineries from around the globe that consistently have wines in their portfolios offering marvelous values >$20.

California

• Joel Gott:  While located in St Helena, this producer sources grapes from all over the state, in addition to Oregon and Washington.   I particularly like his Sauv Blanc ($12), but I’m also a fan of his Cabernet “815” which sells for the bargain price of $18.

• Churchill & Claiborne:  If you love bone-dry Alsatian wines, put this producer on your list for 2016.  I love their Gewurztraminer, but their Riesling also offers a good quality/price ratio.  Both wines are about 20 bucks.

• Barrell 27:   This winery, located in Paso Robles, reminds me of “the little engine that could.”   Owned by a young, edgy group of friends, they deliver superb value over and over again.  With wine names like “Take the Bull by the Horn” and  “Head Honcho” you gotta love these wines.  $15-20 

Chile

• Los Maquis:  Owned by a family that has been growing wine grapes for >100 years, this one knocks it out of the park with value.  Imported by Global Vineyards in the San Francisco’s Bay Area, Los Maquis has scores in the 90’s from Robert Parker, as well as high scores from a host of critics around the globe.  Try the Lien for just under $20.

• Montes:  If Montes is on the list in a restaurant and you’re looking for an inexpensive wine, this one is a sure bet.  Made by one of South America’s top winemakers, Aurelio Montes, his “Alpha” series is a blockbuster.  I especially like the Alpha Cab Sauv.  $20

Argentina

• Montes:  Aurelio Montes has been so successful that he has expanded his winemaking operations across the Andes.  There is no finer value than his Kaiken made from the Malbec grape at about $15.

• Catena Zapata:   This producer is synonymous with quality and value.  One of South America’s most innovative, you can count on it to deliver a great bang for the buck in the $15-20 range. 

Australia

• Yalumba:   The dollar is now strong once more in Australia so bargains abound if you know which wines to choose.  If you don’t know Australian wines well you can always bet on Yalumba. While this winery produces offerings in every price point, they offer a consistently good value in their >$20 wines.  My fave is their rosé which is crafted from Sangiovese.  

Portugal

• Cabriz:  Portugal offers some of the best red wine values in the world and Cabriz is a stellar example.  At >$10 a bottle, this producer knocks it out of the park.

France

• Domaine Felines Jourdan:  Bargains are present in this country, however, you need to get off the beaten track to find them.  The Languedoc-Rousillion, located in France’s southwestern corner along the Mediterranean, is pushing the quality/price envelope.  This producer’s Picpoul de Pinet is one of the best value whites I know.  $10

Italy

• Poggio Tesoro:   Tesoro means “treasure” in Italian, and this winery is truly one.  While their reds are a little too pricey for this article, their Solosole Vermentino qualifies hands-down as a terrific buy at $15.

Wishing you a value-filled New Year.