High-quality wines under 35 euros able to compete with emblazoned labels with unacceptable costs? It's possible. James Suckling, an authoritative and highly followed American winemaker, traveled far and wide around the world together with his collaborators and tracked them down, drafting the “Top 100 Value Wines ($35 or less)” a list of 100 wines that prove to be a real discovery for the cost-quality ratio, i.e. excellences to be paid no more than 35 dollars, therefore 31 euros at the current exchange rate and among these 19 are Italian. Among other things placed in an excellent position for the scores. The Foradori Manzoni Bianco Vigneti delle Dolomiti Fontanasanta 2020 which occupies fourth place in the classic is valid for all.
“Some say that the best wine in the world – says Nathan Slone, editor of the guide – is the wine you like best and which costs the least. By this metric, it's never been a better time to be drinking wine, considering the related deals you can find today. We understand that rare and fine wines that get some of the highest ratings on JamesSuckling.com can cost a fortune, but we also taste literally thousands of wines that cost $35 or less that can taste as good as a $100-plus bottle.” .
This year's Top 100 Value Wines include wines from 15 different countries. “Italy has proved to be – underlines Stone – the first source of fine wines” having placed 100 labels in the list of 19 wines followed by Spain and the United States, a dozen each, followed by Argentina, Chile and France, with ten wines, South Africa (6), New Zealand (5), Germany (4), Australia and Austria (3), Israel and Portugal (2) and, lastly, Uruguay and Hungary who placed one wine each in the rankings.
The guide attests to Italy, as offering “a wide variety of different styles and varieties at affordable prices, from southern Sicily to the Veneto and everywhere in between. The best Italian wine in our list of values – underlines the curator – is the Foradori Manzoni Bianco Vigneti delle Dolomiti Fontanasanta 2020, which ranked No. 4. It's a Demeter certified biodynamic wine that Senior Editor Stuart Pigott described as “possibly the greatest natural white wine I've ever tasted. And it costs only $25 to $35 at any reputable wine merchant.”
Overall the Top 100 Value Wines ($35 or less!) è dominated by red wines, with 58, but the wines whites are well represented with 40, and there is also a sparkling wine and a fortified wine.
This year's podium was taken by the Australian Eden Valley, with high quality riesling: the Pewsey Vale Riesling Eden Valley 2021. which even has an average price of $16 and is available practically everywhere!
Below is the list of the Top 100 Value Wines
1 PEWSEY VALE RIESLING EDEN VALLEY 2021
2 MICHEL GUIGNIER MORGON VIEILLES VIGNES 2019
3 JEAN-MARC BURGAUD MORGON CÔTE DU PY 2019
4 FORADORI MANZONI WHITE VINEYARDS OF THE DOLOMITES FONTANASANTA 2020
Score 98. The Guide's judgment
“Perhaps the best natural white wine I've ever tasted. The glass releases complex and surprisingly original aromas of lemon peel, smoke and dry chamomile. Then comes the concentrated but very refined palate, followed by a very long finish which is a cascade of wet stone minerality. He doesn't want to stop! From grapes grown in biodynamics with Demeter certification”.
5 EL ENEMIGO SEMILLON MENDOZA 2019
6 JEAN-MARC BURGAUD MORGON GRANDS CRAS 2019
7 DOMAINE FL SAVENNIÈRES CHAMOUREAU 2018
8 DOMAIN ANITA MOULIN-À-VENT LA ROCHELLE 2019
9 MICHEL GUIGNIER MORGON CANON 2019
10 BODEGA NUMANTHIA TINTA DE TORO TORO TERMES 2018
11 INAMA SOAVE CLASSICO VINEYARDS OF FOSCARINO 2019
Score 96
“The nose is quite reserved, showing some hints of melon, pear and lavender. Then, on the palate, the expansion begins on a base of velvety almond cream and builds slowly and steadily through the long, long finish. Aftertaste of lemon cream. Never exuberant, but medium-bodied, layered and silky, this is a quiet sophistication that flexes its muscles. Total judgement. Well done. Everything is fine. The best ever.
12 SUAVIA SOAVE CLASSICO MONTE CARBONARE 2019
Score 96
“Amazing fruit melange on the nose here. Fresh pear, melon, peach and more exotic notes of papaya and even banana. Add to that aromas of dried flowers and river stones. Medium to full bodied and layered with bright, fresh exotic fruit at the front and a dense bed of sweeter, more mineral fruit at the bottom. The intensity does not burn out for minutes. Best decanted.
13 POCKET D'ALMERITA NERELLO MASCALESE ETNA RED TASCANTE BLACK GRAVEL 2019
Score 95
“Subtle aromas of orange peel, cherries and dried flowers follow a medium body, fine tannins and a fine, subtle finish. Such beauty. So drinkable and fine.
14 MÜLLER-CATOIR MUSKATELLER PFALZ HAARDT TROCKEN 2020
15 FEUDO MACCARI GRILLO TERRE SICILIANE FAMILY AND FRIENDS 2020
Score 96
“A seriously concentrated and very silky Sicilian dry white that is clearly inspired by the white Grand Cru Burgundy. Wonderful bouquet of citrus flowers with just a hint of vanilla. Enveloping yet graceful on the palate, the long and complex mineral finish beautifully supported by a touch of oak tannin. From grapes from organic farming.
16 KUENHOF PETER PLIGER SÜDTIROL EISACKTAL KAITON 2019
17K VINTNERS SYRAH WAHLUKE SLOPE THE DEAL 2018
18 JULIEN SUNIER MORGON 2019
19 TOLAINI TUSCANY AT THE PACE 2018
Score 95
“This is a fantastic red with lots of cherry, currant, ash, tobacco, earth and nut aromas. It is full and layered with firm tannins that provide shape, texture and structure. Linear and long. Really great for the vintage. Give him two or three years to be together, but already a beauty. Must try after 2024.
20 LAURENT GAUTHIER MORGON CÔTE DU PY 2019
21 CASTLE OF MONSANTO CHIANTI CLASSICO RESERVE 2018
Score 95
“Cedar, dried flowers, cherries and spices on the nose. Medium to full bodied with very smooth and refined tannins and excellent length. This has a wonderful structure. It needs two or three years to soften. Great potential. Try after 2023.
22 DÖNNHOFF RIESLING NAHE NIEDERHÄUSER KLAMM KABINETT 2020
23 DOMAINES DOMINIQUE PIRON MORGON LES CHARMES 2018
24 FIRRIATO NERO D'AVOLA SICILY CHIARAMONTE 2018
Score 94
“Red and black plums, as well as the delicate chocolate character, make this full-bodied and silky nero d'avola very attractive. A certain concentration, but in a little demonstrative form. Long, luxurious finish that I just want to sink into.
25 PALACIOS REMODO RIOJA FINCA LA MONTESA 2019
26 SCHLOSS GOBELSBURG RIESLING KAMPTAL ZÖBING 2020
27 CLOS DE LOS SIETE VALLE DE UCO BY MICHEL ROLLAND 2018
28 BINDI SERGARDI TUSCANY ESTATE I COLLI GOVERNMENT ALL'USO TOSCANO NICOLÒ 2019
Score 94
A lot of blackberry and black cherry crushed on the nose and on the palate, together with many walnuts and more bitter nut shells. Medium to full bodied with well integrated tannins and a dense, fruity and nutty finish that pushes on and on. Lots of character. Something very special. Let it develop for a while in the bottle.
29 FIRST DROP SHIRAZ BAROSSA MOTHER'S MILK 2020
30 MALBEC VALLE DE UCO GUALTALLARY AGGIE 2019
31 RUCA MALEN PETIT VERDOT VALLE DE UCO TERROIR SERIES 2019
32 ENVÍNATE ALMANSA ALBAHRA VINOS MEDITERRÁNEOS 2019
33 MASTROBERARDINO FIANO DI AVELLINO ROOTS 2020
Score 95
“It's like lying in a meadow on a hot summer day, absorbing the aromas of wild thyme, buttercup, lemongrass and chamomile. Lime citrus punctuates summer meadow on the medium-bodied palate, adding focus and direction. It all comes together on the long finish. That's what the top, young fiano is all about.
34TORNATORE ETNA WHITE ZOTTORINOTTO 2019
Score 95
Lots of heather and lavender to the nose, but there's also a smoky intensity to this that makes it stand above most Etna whites. This really takes you to the mighty volcanic mountain and makes you feel its primal power. Deep bass notes to the very long finish. Drinkable now, but better by 2022.
35 DOG POINT SAUVIGNON BLANC MARLBOROUGH SECTION 94 2019
36 KUENHOF PETER PLIGER GRÜNER VELTLINER SÜDTIROL EISACKTAL 2019
37 JOHAN VINEYARDS PINOT NOIR VAN DUZER CORRIDOR 2019
38 WAGNER-STEMPEL RIESLING RHEINHESSEN SIEFERSHEIM PORPHYR TROCKEN 2020
39 TAPIZ CABERNET SAUVIGNON VALLE DE UCO SAN PABLO ALTA COLLECTION 2019
40 MALBEC LUJÁN DE CUYO AGRELO CHACRA 2019
41 TE WHARE RA GEWÜRZTRAMINER MARLBOROUGH SV5182 2020
42 GRANBAZÁN ALBARIÑO RÍAS BAIXAS ETIQUETA ÁMBAR 2019
43 ARTADI ALAVA VIÑAS DE GAIN 2018
44 KAIKEN MALBEC VALLE DE CANOTA AVENTURA 2019
45 VILLARD SYRAH VALLE DE CASABLANCA GRAND VIN 2018
46 PANDOLFI PRICE CHARDONNAY VALLE DE ITATA LOS PATRICIOS 2018
47 KUMEU RIVER CHARDONNAY KUMEU SUMMER 2020
48 COMMAND G VINOS DE MADRID LA BRUJA DE ROZAS 2019
49 KUENHOF PETER PLIGER SYLVANER SÜDTIROL EISACKTAL 2019
50 RENIERI CHIANTI CLASSICO GRAND SELECTION 2018
Score 95
“A strong and silky red with cherry, blackberry and chocolate. Hints of coffee and toffee, too. Medium body with round, creamy tannins and a flavorful finish. Tasty and delicious with pure fruit. To drink or store
51 LAGAR DE CODEGUA CABERNET SAUVIGNON ALTO CACHAPOAL 2018
52 FRANÇOIS LURTON PINOT NOIR VALLE DE LOLOL HUMO BLANCO ORGANIC LIMITED EDITION 2020
53 BODEGAS LA CAÑA ALBARIÑO RÍAS BAIXAS 2020
54 LOS VASCOS CARMENERE VALLE DE COLCHAGUA CROMAS GRAN RESERVA 2019
55 JOÀO PORTUGAL RAMOS ALVARINHO MONÇÃO E MELGAÇO VINHO VERDE 2019
56 BARON PHILIPPE DE ROTHSCHILD CHILE VALLE CENTRAL ESCUDO ROJO GRAN RESERVA 2019
57 HERMANN J. WIEMER RIESLING SENECA LAKE DRY 2016
58 SHAW + SMITH SAUVIGNON BLANC ADELAIDE HILLS 2021
59 MUGA RIOJA RESERVA 2018
60 BODEGAS LA HORRA RIBERA DEL DUERO CORIMBO 2016
61 BENEGAS MALBEC MENDOZA FINCA LA ENCERRADA ESTATE SINGLE VINEYARD 2018
62 STERLING VINEYARDS CHARDONNAY NAPA VALLEY HERITAGE COLLECTION 2018
63 EARLY MOUNTAIN PETIT MANSENG VIRGINIA 2019
64 MONTEVETRANO CAMPANIA CORE 2018
Score 94
“Super balance in this deep red with exquisite mixed berry spice on the nose, followed by a full body with fine and well integrated tannins, succulent fruit and a long, elegant and flavorful finish. All good and delicious to drink now, but better by 2023.
65 ZUCCARDI CABERNET SAUVIGNON VALLE DE UCO Q 2019
66 ALZINGER GRÜNER VELTLINER WACHAU RIED LOIBENBERG SMARAGD 2020
67 BODEGA GARZÓN ALBARIÑO GARZÓN SINGLE VINEYARD 2020
68 SAN PEDRO PINOT NOIR VALLE DE MALLECO 1865 TAYU 2019
69 KANONKOP PINOTAGE STELLENBOSCH KADETTE 2019
70 ARBOLEDA CABERNET SAUVIGNON VALLE DE ACONCAGUA 2019
71 SIEGEL VIOGNIER VALLE DE COLCHAGUA NARANJO 2019
72 CONTI ZECCA BIANCO DEL SALENTO LUNA 2020
Score 93
“A dense white with aromas and flavors of apples and pears, sweet herbs and flowers. Full bodied with a very silky texture bordering on oily, with a clean package of long lasting fruit flavors, thanks to the driving acidity. Salty notes in the aftertaste. Impressive blend of chardonnay and malvasia here. Drink now.
73 BODEGA VOLCANES DE CHILE GRENACHE PETITE SIRAH MOURVEDRE CENTRAL VALLEY TECTONIA 2019
74 TAYLOR'S PORT 10 YEAR OLD TAWNY
75 DESCENDENTS OF J. PALACIOS BIERZO PÉTALOS 2018
76 MARTIN RAY CABERNET SAUVIGNON SANTA CRUZ MOUNTAINS 2019
77 TESTALONGA SWARTLAND EL BANDITO SKIN 2020
78 GRANJA DE OUR SEÑORA DE REMELLURI RIOJA LINDES DE REMELLURI VIÑEDOS DE LABASTIDA 2018
79 DOMAINE DE BARONARQUES CHARDONNAY LIMOUX 2017
80 VITKIN CARIGNAN ISRAEL OLD VINES 2018
81 GREYWACKE SAUVIGNON BLANC MARLBOROUGH WILD 2019
82 DOMAIN DE PINGUS RIBERA DEL DUERO PSI 2017
83K VINTNERS SYRAH WAHLUKE SLOPE MILBRANDT 2018
84 HERMANN J. WIEMER RIESLING SENECA LAKE HJW VINEYARD 2019
85 CRAVEN CHENIN BLANC STELLENBOSCH KARIBIB VINEYARD 2019
86 PEGASUS BAY SAUVIGNON SEMILLON WAIPARA VALLEY 2018
87 ARENDSIG CHENIN BLANC ROBERTSON INSPIRATIONAL BATCH 3 2020
88 MATIAS RICCITELLI MENDOZA BLANCO DE LA CASA 2020
89 MORIC RIESLING FURMINT BALATON HIDDEN TREASURES A MORIC PROJECT NR2 2019
90 TWO ANGELS PETITE SIRAH RED HILLS LAKE COUNTY 2018
91 VILAFONTÉ PAARL SERIOUSLY OLD DIRT 2019
92 CLEMENS BUSCH RIESLING MOSEL MARIENBURG KABINETT 2020
93 GEYSER PEAK CABERNET SAUVIGNON SONOMA COUNTY ALEXANDER VALLEY WALKING TREE 2019
94 MORIC BLAUFRÄNKISCH BURGENLAND 2019
95 BANFI BOLGHERI ASKA 2018
Score 93
“A very nice Bolgheri red with aromas and flavors of currants, chocolate and hazelnut. It is full and layered with firmness and freshness. Tight in the finish, with a nice texture and finesse to the tannins. Drink or hold.
96 PAX GAMAY SIERRA FOOTHILLS ALPINE PEAKS 2020
97 UPCHURCH CABERNET SAUVIGNON RED MOUNTAIN LTL 2018
98 YARDEN (GOLAN HEIGHTS WINERY) CABERNET SAUVIGNON GALILEE BAR'ON VINEYARD 2017
99 CHARLES FOX ELGIN MÉTHODE CAP CLASSIQUE CIPHER BRUT 2015
100 ZENI AMARONE DELLA VALPOLICELLA CLASSIC 2018
Score 93
Nice balance of fresh and dried fruit, lightly dried here, complemented by hints of sweet herbs and spices and a little orange smudge that enlivens the flavors on the full bodied palate. The tannins are well integrated and the fruit pushes well. Drink or hold.
