Ask a Sommelier

Ask a Sommelier is a new weekly post answering your questions about food, wine, spirits or anything related to being a Sommelier.

"What are the best values in today's wine world? Think price and quality. What is your best bet right now in an under $20 bottle of wine that could be found in most states?"

                  - Jon, TX

 

This is actually a more difficult question than it seems. I am often asked what is the "best value" on my wine menu. I always have to answer with a question, "What does value mean to you?" or "Define value". The word value can many things to many different people so help your sommelier out by defining your idea of "value".

There are values to be found throughout the entire world of wine but I still find the best quality to value ratio in Italy, France and Spain. Italy, France, and Spain offer a wide variety of wines from light and crisp whites to dense and dark reds that all can be found under $20.

It is difficult to give my "best bet" but here are regions that you should be on the look out for:

Italy

Roero Arnies (White)- Piemonte

Langhe Nebbiolo (Red) - Piemonte (this is for when you can't splurge on Barolo or Barbaresco)

Barbera (Alba and Asti - Red) - Piemonte

Sicily - All sorts of great wines from Nero d'Avola to Frappato!

Verdicchio di Castello di Jesi (White) - Marches

Montepulciano d'Abruzzo (Red) - Abruzzo

France

The Loire Valley - here you will find a plethora of great wines at great prices from primarley Chenin Blanc, 

                             Sauvignon Blanc and Cabernet Franc. 

South West France - very cool wines from places like Bergerac, Cahors, and Juraçon

Spain

The entire country has great value with my favorites being from Rias Baixas, Bierzo, and Rijoa

 

The final note on finding the wines of the highest quality to value ratio is to know your importers. I had written about some of my favorite imoporters a year ago. Here is the LINK to check it ou

 

 

 

 

 

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