A pair of red wines—both under $20—arrived on my doorstep from Majestic Wine Cellars earlier this month. Both are great values from regions that are packed with ’em.

The first is from Bordeaux, France. Yes, you can find some seriously premium wines in this esteemed wine region, but if you shop beyond the famous first-growth names and focus on lesser-known appellations and mid-tier estates, there’s super bang for the buck to be found.

Bordeaux’s huge production base means you’re not just buying trophy wines; you’re also buying a lot of solid, traditional wine made by smaller growers and négociants (wine traders who buy grapes, juice or finished wine from growers rather than growing their own, then blend, age and bottle the wine under their own label).

The second wine is from the Lisboa wine region, which runs north and west of Lisbon along Portugal’s Atlantic coast, stretching from the capital area up toward Leiria. Lisboa offers a multitude of great-value wines thanks to its large-scale production, an Atlantic-influenced climate that keeps wines fresh and balanced, and lower land and labour costs than many famous wine regions. It also lacks the huge brand premium of places like Bordeaux or Burgundy, so the quality-to-price ratio stays strong.

Chateau Hyot Castillon 2022 — Côtes de Bordeaux, France ($17.95)

From the Right Bank of the Garonne and Gironde rivers comes Chateau Hyot blend of 70% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon. It shows blackberry, black cherry, cedar, olive and a touch of earth and cocoa, with tannins that give it shape without feeling harsh. The main appeal here is balance: enough fruit to stay generous, enough firmness to feel properly made. It drinks well now, especially with food, and a short decant should help it open up a bit more. 3 g/L sugar. 13% alcohol. 89

Quinta do Espírito Santo — Lisboa, Portugal ($14.95)

Composed of Tinta Roriz and Castelao grapes, this is a crowd-pleasing Portuguese red. A little shy of full-bodied, it offers smooth tannins, with notes of blackberry, cherry, plum, mocha/chocolate and a sprinkle of baking spices. But it fights an alcohol content that is neither shy on the nose nor the palate, throwing the final product a bit out of balance. Still, it’s a solid value for under $15. 5 g/L sugar. 15% alcohol. 87