7 wines under $20 and a Sparkling

This crisp white is a pure expression of Arinto from vineyards north of Lisbon. It is vinified in stainless steel vats and aged on the lees for five months before bottling to soften the bracing acidity of the Arinto grape. Sandra Tavares da Silva -behind Quinta de Chocopalha- is a true inspiration among Portuguese winemakers and one of the Douro Valley’s first female winemakers. Sandra, her sister, and their parents manage Quinta de Chocapalha, her family’s property. Pair this with Buttered Scallops or New England Fried Cod.

This Pinot Grigio from Veneto has traditional citrus and floral flavors in a balanced, elegant manner. A historic family winery that produces this Pinot Grigio is also known for its Amarone. While her brother Alberto is in charge of the winemaking, Nadia Zenato, who spent her childhood playing in the vines, now manages the company. Pair this with Pizza Margarita.

This robust Sauvignon Blanc has a fruit-forward bouquet with notes of passionfruit and fresh citrus aromas. The source of this Private Bit Sauvignon Blanc is the vineyards throughout the Marlborough region. As a founding member of Sustainable Winegrowing New Zealand in 1997, Villa Maria has carried out many sustainability initiatives, including developing underground irrigation systems to use less water and planting 700 kilograms of native wildflower species in their vineyards to improve soil health. The Billion Oyster Project, a nonprofit organization working to restore oyster reefs in New York City, is another project the winery sponsors. Pair this with Pan-Fried Cod, Green Salad or Argentinean Empanadas with Chimichurri

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A Bordeaux White, Yes? I saw the great value of this wine and was astonished. Contrary to the general belief, there is much more than Bold Reds in Bordeaux. For instance, The vines at Château de Fontenille in Bordeaux have grown on gravel terroirs since the 13th century. Among the grapes was a pilgrimage route to the neighboring Benedictine monastery, Abbaye de la Sauve Majeure, whose monks had long taken care of the vines. As a result, around 42 acres are now devoted to growing Sauvignon Blanc, Sémillon, Muscadelle, and Sauvignon Gris grapes present on this Bordeaux White. Pair it with Sushi, Sashimi, or Risotto.

The Librandi family still protects the native vines in their home Calabria and has been doing so for the past four generations. They have a “varietal garden” with vines of over 200 different types set out in a unique spiral-shaped vineyard. The most significant grape in the Cir appellation, Gaglioppo, is used exclusively in producing this wine. To maintain the wine’s crisp, youthful quality, it is fermented and matured in stainless steel tanks. Pair this with Caccio e Pepe, Spaghetti with garlic butter, or Hummus and Vegetables.

The Y Series Sangiovese Rosé 2021 features red stone fruits with cherry and watermelon aromas also present on the palate and is produced from the traditional Italian Sangiovese type. A crisp citrus finish complements the wine’s flavors with pomegranate and cranberry notes. Pair this with Thai Food or Fresh Cheese such as mozzarella or Caprese.

Chateau White is a blend of Chardonnay and Viognier that can only happen in the wild west of winemaking: Mexico. This atypical blend has wine with a yellow straw color with gold flashes. Because of the time in the barrel, the nose has notes of tropical fruits and white flowers perfectly integrated with toasted notes, vanilla, and dairy. The palate is velvety and dense, with pineapple, banana, and peach flavors—it pairs well with shellfish, semi-mature cheeses, and butter-based sauces.

Its soft dusty rose color is only a hint of the beauty that this wine possesses. Elegant aromas of raspberry, strawberry, and cranberry mingle with notes of freshly baked bread and lemon peel. Persistent bubbles in the glass transforms into a lively and refined feeling in your mouth, and the f is long and clean with mineral hints coated in lemon and tart raspberries. Pair this with Salmon over a bead of rice.