The equation quality wine-high costs is not an immutable constant in the Italian wine world. There are at least 1000 labels of wine, along the entire peninsula, the fruit of peasant and artisan passion but also of the commitment of large companies that at a cost of less than 20 euros can satisfy our palate without having to take a checkbook to the wine shop. This is attested by the Bere Bene guide that Gambero Rosso produces every year on the eve of the end-of-year holidays with an eye on the pockets of Italians to drink with taste and satisfaction not only during the holidays but also throughout the year
The wines awarded in the 2025 edition of the Guida Bere Bene are exactly 937 and attest to the quality of production with great attention to the consumer.
In particular, the Guide edited by William Pregentelli has identified 64 sparkling wines and fizzy wines, 412 white wines, 69 rosé wines, 377 red wines, 15 sweet wines. There is therefore something for all tastes. The most awarded denomination is Barbera d'Asti (with 16 wines), which leads the list of winners of Piedmont, the region with the best offerings for fine drinking with 112 wines, followed by Veneto, with 92 wines and Tuscany, with 84.
And then there are the champions, the special prizes for the best of the best. With the surprise of finding good wines even at 10 euros. Here, then, are the special prizes for the six categories of wine:
The best Italian wines for different categories under 20 euros
Best Bubble: La Matta Dosaggio Zero '23, Casebianche
Best White: Falerio Pecorino Maree '23, Madonnabruna
Best Rosé: FCO Pinot Grigio Ramato '23, Sirch
Best Red: Chianti Cl. '21, Borgo Salcetino
Best Dessert: Canelli Tenuta del Fant '23, Il Falchetto
Best Wine under 10 euros: Barbera d'Asti Sup. Savej '21, Terre Astesane
The Guide has also selected the excellences divided region by region. Here are the indications:
The 21 Regional Champions:
Valle d'Aosta: VdA Petite Arvine '23, Les Crêtes
Piedmont: Barbera d'Asti Sup. The Three Bishops '22, Vinchio Vaglio
Liguria: Western Ligurian Riviera Vermentino '23, Durin
Lombardy: RGC Groppello '23, Cantrina
Trentino: Trentino Riesling '23, Maso Poli
Alto Adige: AA Pinot Bianco '23, Kettmeir
Veneto: Bardolino Montebaldo Delara '22, Rizzardi Warriors
Friuli Venezia Giulia: FCO Pinot Bianco '23, Roberto Scubla
Emilia Romagna: Romagna Albana Albena '23, Assirelli
Tuscany: Chianti Colli Fiorentini Sorrettole '22, La Querce
Brands: Bianchello del Metauro Sup. Rocho '22, Roberto Lucarelli
Umbria: Spoleto Trebbiano Spoletino '23, The Cimate
Lazio: Lepino '20, Donato Giangirolami
Abruzzo: Cerasuolo d'Abruzzo Baldovino '23, I Fauri Estate
Molise: Molise Tintilia '21, Martarosa Estates
Campania: Rosé '23, Cenatiempo
Basilicata: Aglianico del Vulture Synthesis '20, Paternoster
Puglia: Land of Otranto Negroamaro Red Night '22, Lands of Sava
Calabria: Cirò Rosso Superior Class Colli del Mancuso Res. '21, Ippolito 1845
Sicily: Sicily Giato '23, Centopassi
Sardinia: Vermentino di Sardegna Chlamys '23, Tenute Fois – Accademia Olearia
"From edition to edition, this Guide - says Lorenzo Ruggeri, Director of Gambero Rosso - has been able to ensure an increasingly large, attentive and competent segment of the public. The accessibility of Italian wine is the real issue of the moment, prices have risen a lot and have ended up alienating a young segment of the public. Fortunately, with a good critical spirit and research we can still find excellent bottles under 20 euros in all regions".
The Guide, now in its 34th edition, is the full demonstration of how Italy, unlike other wine-producing countries, offers excellent wines for every price range, all capable of conveying the identity of a wine-growing area, the characteristic trait of a vine, the production philosophy of a winemaker or a company. Starting from 92 excellent bottles under 10 euros.
