Four Italian wines enter one of the most followed international wine columns, that ofauthoritative Eric Asimov winemaker of the New York Times among the most influential wine personalities in the world which every year among its various high-level publications publishes one highly followed research on quality world wines under 20 euros. And in this year's edition, out of 20 wines selected from all nations, 4 are Italian.
I'm the Vaona Valpolicella Classico 2022 sold in the USA for $17.99 which Asimov places in fifth position. “Valpolicella – comments Asimov – has become increasingly larger and richer over the years. Those bottles are generally labeled Ripasso, but I gravitate towards the lighter, more delicate Classico style. I was particularly a fan of Valpolicella di Vaona. It comes and goes on the market, so when I see it available I buy it.” It is therefore three distances from Valpolicella Torre Alle Tolfe Chianti Colli Senesi 2020 sold for 18.99 dollars which stands in 8th position. The company has 13 hectares of vineyards, interspersed with olive groves, woods and meadows. The winemaking is entrusted to Giacomo Mastretta, an oenologist of notable fame, especially in the world of natural winemaking. Under his guidance, six wines are produced: Chianti Colli Senesi, Chianti CS Riserva, Rosato Lunella, Ciliegiolo, Canaiolo and Colorino. Sixteenth on this list we therefore find the Jasci Montepulciano d'Abruzzo 2020, cost 19.99 dollars, A company whose lands have been cultivated respecting the rules of organic farming for over 40 years, “even before there was official recognition. Today – they say with satisfaction – we have clean, healthy lands. This result comes from the profound respect for nature which has always been the reference point of the Jasci family".
In eighteenth position the Mongarda Colli Trevigiani Glera Col Fondo Frizzante 2021 for $19.99. The grapes are harvested manually. The pressing is soft with separation of the free-run must followed by static decantation for 18-24 hours. Then fermentation in steel tanks with a pied de cuvée produced from the cellar's grapes. The second fermentation in the bottle is with fresh must set aside during the harvest and added in spring. Not disgorged and not dosed.
For Eric Asimov, great wines are very important but can never overshadow the daily pleasures of a good bottle
How it is possible that one of the most prestigious international wine critics, accustomed to juggling the very great and very expensive wines of the earth, dedicates himself to wines for an economic target can be understood from a statement of his which is worth more than one hundred thousand reviews: «I don't consider myself a connoisseur – at least, not in the way the term is generally used to mean a person who cares deeply about old, expensive wines – because great wines are very important especially for the discussions they provoke and the context in which they are tasted, but they can never overshadow the daily pleasures of a good bottle."
Just to know the first wine on the list is Portuguese and costs a staggering 10 euros. Yet, for Asimov «It is rare that such economical bottles can offer these levels of depth of taste or pleasure».
The best wines in the world under twenty euros chosen by Eric Asimov
1 – Ramilo Wines Jackpot Vinho Regional Lisbon 2021 — $10.99
2 – Celler Credo Penedès Miranius Xarello 2020 — $15.99
3 – Pépière Muscadet Sèvre et Maine Sur Lie La Pépie 2022 — $16.99
4 – Fabien Jouves Cahors Haute Côt de Fruit, 2022 — $16.99
5 – Vaona Valpolicella Classico 2022 — $17.99
6 – Brunnhilde Claux Notre Terre Vin de France Rouge 2021 — $18.99
7 – The Whole Shebang California Fifteenth Cuvée — $18.99
8 – Torre Alle Tolfe Chianti Colli Senesi 2020 — $18.99
9 – Brand Riesling Trocken Landwein Rhein 2022 — $18.99
10 -Carlos Raposo Dão Impecável Tinto 2021 — $18.99
11 – Domaine de Majas Côtes Catalanes Blanc 2021 — $18.99
12 – Aphros Vinho Verde Loureiro 2021 — $19.96
13 – Hornillos Ballesteros Ribera del Duero Mibal Joven 2021 — $19.96
14 – Château Peybonhomme-Les-Tours Blaye Côtes de Bordeaux Le Blanc Bonhomme 2021 — $19.96
15 – Domaine Yohan Lardy Vin de France Poppy Gamay 2021 — $19.99
16 – Jasci Montepulciano d'Abruzzo 2020 — $19.99
17 – Lise and Bertrand Jousset Vin de France Éxilé Rosé Pétillant 2022 — $19.99
18 – Mongarda Colli Trevigiani Glera Col Fondo Frizzante 2021 — $19.99
19 – Domaine Dupeuble Père et Fils Beaujolais 2022 — $19.99
20 – Filipa Pato and Williams Wouters Bairrada Dinamica Baga Tinto 2022 — $19.99
