If you love Italian wine then you’re in luck because a plethora of the country’s best bottles made our list of Top 100 Best Buys this year.
To help make your shopping a little easier, we narrowed down our Top 100 list to bottles from Italy. Below, you’ll find classics like Pinot Grigio from Trentino and Prosecco known for delivering high quality at a low price, as well as secret deals from Sicily and Chianti. And all these finds are $15 or less.
Here is your definitive guide to the best deals from Italy.
The best Italian wines to look for
Inama 2018 Vin Soave (Soave Classico); $15, 91 points. Crisp and savory, this refreshing white has lovely aromas of white stone fruit and wild flowers. Showing classic varietal flavors, the tangy palate doles out ripe pear, apple and citrus before a white-almond finish. Dalla Terra Winery Direct. Best Buy. —Kerin O’Keefe
Bricco dei Guazzi 2018 del Comune di Gavi (Gavi); $15, 90 points. Aromas of white stone fruit and honeysuckle lead the way in this savory white. It’s crisp and tangy, with a saline note accenting flavors of green apple and honeydew before closing on an almond note. Montcalm Wine Importers. Best Buy. —K.O.
Castello Monaci 2019 Kreos Negroamaro Rosato (Salento); $14, 90 points. A slick nose of wet stone, papaya and watermelon starts off this well-balanced rosato. The flavors build on the palate, beginning with a melon tone that leads to crushed strawberry and blood orange. There’s a gentle tannic grip and fresh acidity to house all the fruit, with a lick of peppery spice to add depth, while crushed cherry skins linger on the close. Frederick Wildman & Sons, Ltd. Best Buy. —Alexander Peartree
Pizzolato 2018 Fields Brut Frizzante (Prosecco); $15, 90 points. Made with organically farmed grapes, this opens with enticing aromas of citrus blossom and Bartlett pear. The bright palate delivers white peach, lemon zest and almond alongside crisp acidity and refined bubbles. Natural Merchants, Inc. Best Buy. —K.O.
Tenute Rubino 2018 Primitivo (Salento); $15, 90 points. Showing the earthier side of the variety, this red starts off with aromas of turned soil, crushed black pepper and violet on the nose, yet there’s plenty of added appeal in the ripe berry core. It’s rounded and full on the palate without being overblown, giving way to juicy blackberry and dark-plum flavors that linger nicely on the finish. Soilair Selection. Best Buy. —A.P.
Caruso & Minini 2018 Terre di Giumara Nero d’Avola (Sicilia); $14, 89 points. Ripe black-skinned berry, wild mint and carob aromas take center stage in this round red. The aromas carry over to the juicy, smooth palate along with blackberry jam and a hint of baking spice. Soft tannins offer light support. Drink soon. Massanois Imports. Best Buy. —K.O.
Mezzacorona 2019 Estate Bottled Pinot Grigio (Trentino); $11, 88 points. One of the best value whites coming out of Italy, this enjoyable wine has aromas of spring blossom and white stone fruit. Crisp and savory, the fresh palate offers yellow pear and juicy citrus before a hint of white almond signals the close. Mezzacorona. Best Buy. —K.O.
Piccini 2019 Mario Primo (Chianti); $13, 88 points. Fresh, easygoing and utterly enjoyable, this easygoing red has vinous aromas of just pressed grapes, fresh red berry and violet. On the supple palate, bright acidity and relaxed tannins accompany juicy Marasca cherry, white pepper and wild herb. Serve chilled for a perfect summer red or as an aperitivo. 8 Vini, Inc. Best Buy. —K.O.
Umani Ronchi 2018 Podere (Montepulciano d’Abruzzo); $13, 88 points. Aromas of crushed, mentholated herbs, blackberry and black pepper are lifted and pure on the nose. This light-bodied Montepulciano offers a succulent core of cherry and blackberry flavors on the palate, all framed by fine yet supportive tannins. It’s a great everyday red that would be a welcome addition to the dinner table. Vineyard Brands. Best Buy. —A.P.
Published: October 23, 2020
