One year of wine trade shows, dozens of personal tastings and more than 100 bottles sent by wine agencies. It was from that very long list, plus a handful of submissions from Niagara wine expert Rick VanSickle, that the 2023 edition of the TOP 40 UNDER $20 was distilled.
Some picks were no-brainers. But dozens were close calls, with several very good wines being left on the cutting room floor.
So that’s what this list is all about! What follows are 15 wines that both their representing agency and I deem as excellent values under the $20 mark—but which just happened to be edged out of this year’s Top 40.
Who knows? You might like them even more!
SPARKLING
Bottega Vino dei Poeti Prosecco 2022 — Treviso, Italy ($18.90)
White peach, apple, acacia and bread notes, followed with a foamy, persistent mousse. At 15 g/L, it’s edging into the off-dry category, but it still comes across as crisp and refreshing. An excellent aperitif to greet guests with. 88
Cavit Roscato Rosso Dolce Vino Frizzante — Lombardy, Italy ($14.95)
The tiny bubbles perfectly offset the sweetness (85g/L) of this dark Italian red blend—an ideal summer patio wine meant to be served well chilled. Red berries on the nose and savoury raspberry/plum on the palate. Just 7% abv. This was one of the final cuts to the 2023 TOP 40 Best Values list. 88
WHITE
Bollini Pinot Grigio 2022 — Trentino, Italy ($19.95)
With a wet sidewalk minerality in its veins, this is a near-medium-bodied Pinot Grigio with floral green apple, pear, cantaloupe and honey notes. Crisp and clean and ever-reliable. 88+
Tawse Sketches of Niagara Riesling 2021 — Niagara Peninsula, Ontario ($19.95)
A gold medal winner at the 2023 National Wine Awards of Canada, this perennially impressive Riesling opens with a vibrant nose of Granny Smith apples and stonefruit and carries forth with a drooling, savoury, silky palate with a mineral backbone. It says a lot of a winery when this is considered its entry-level wine! 89
Tussock Jumper Chenin Blanc 2022 — Western Cape, South Africa ($14.95)
A mouthwatering fruit salad here—nectarines, ripe green apples and pineapple—with grassy notes. It’s a little thin for a Chenin Blanc, but fresh and bright and with just enough body to go beyond a simple sipping white and move into food-pairing ability. This one sorta grew on me as I got deeper into the glass. 87
RED
Berton The Black Shiraz 2021 — Southeast Australia ($16.95)
Rustic, bold, dark and mysterious, with an eye-catching metal label. It’s like drinking Shiraz as you’re walking into a cave by torchlight. Smoky, rich black cherry, blackberry and blueberry fruit with additional notes of mocha and cassis. There’s no mistaking it as a Shiraz. 4g/L of residual sugar. 14.5% abc. 88+
Bersano Costalunga Barbera D’Asti — Piedmont, Italy ($16.95)
This straightforward, medium-bodied Barbera brings a juicy, bright pomegranate-cherry-plum to the glass, with a sprinkling bay leaves, tobacco and herbs. And the dry 3g/L of sugar should make many happy too. 88+
Cecchi Chianti 2021 — Tuscany Italy ($15.90)
An easy drinking, medium-bodied Sangiovese. Juicy cherry/red currant with soft tannins. While it’s not a wine to ponder in depth, it is a very safe, food-friendly crowd-pleaser at a very good price point for the quality. 88
Fairview Goats Do Roam Red 2021 — South Africa ($15.90)
A spicy, medium-bodied Côtes-du-Rhône-styled blend of Shiraz, Grenache and Mouvedre. Dark, earthy cherry and raspberry with silky tannins. It’s a drink-now affordable red that’s perfect for burgers, pizza, chocolate and sipping. The fact that I enjoyed it even more on day two was a reminder that it never hurts to decant. 88
Illuminati Riparosso Montepulciano D’abruzzo 2020 —Abruzzo, Italy ($16.90)
Tobacco, leather, dark cherry with a hint of licorice on its lengthy finish. Nice structure to this Montepulciano. It craves a food pairing, so marry it up with aged cheeses, brazed beef or lamb. 88+
Palacios Remondo La Vendimia 2021 — Rioja, Spain ($19.95)
This is such a bright and cheery medium-bodied Grenache/Tempranillo blend, with cherry/raspberry bouncing all over the place, with rose petals and subtle herbs also adding to the nose. Hard to believe it registers a 14.5% abv. given the lack of heat on the nose, but I guess it’s hidden in there somewhere. 89
Pascual Limited Edition Malbec 2021 —Mendoza, Argentina ($20)
The oak is obvious on the first smell, with charcoal smoke, cedar, herbs, baking chocolate, blackberry, blackcurrant, black cherry all up front as well. The texture is next level at this price point. A little charcoal on the finish. 14% abv. and a very dry 2g/L of sugar. Still wondering if this one should’ve made the TOP 40. 89
Susana Balbo Crios Torrontes 2022 — Argentina ($17.95)
Looking for something punchier than a Pinot Grigio with the defined flavours of a decent Sauvignon Blanc? This Torrontes, sourced from the highest Andean vineyards—Valle de Uco and Cafayate—is worth a try! It’s high-acid and lemony fresh with a nose of passionfruit, white flowers and a hint of grapefruit. Pair it with Asian fare and fish. 88
Vicente Faria Animus Douro 2021 — Douro, Portugal ($15)
Dark, dark and more dark red fruit (primarily black plum and blackberry) with residual notes of vanilla, oak and chocolate. There’s more of that stewed plum bathing in the full-bodied palate, with a touch of licorice on the finish and lively tannins adding structure. 10 g/L of sugar. 88+
Vicente Faria Lisbon By Night Red Blend — Lisboa, Portugal ($10.95)
This juicy Syrah-led red blend is rich in cherry, plum and red currant, with a dusting of spice and menthol, and just enough tannins to add some framing. Amazing for the price! 87+
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