The Best Wines $20 and Under

• SPARKLING •

1. Domaine Bousquet, Sparkling Rosé | Argentina

Origin: Valle de Uco, Mendoza, Argentina
Varietals: 75% Pinot Noir, 25% Chardonnay
Price: $12.99
ABV: 12%

The Bousquet family hail from the city of Carcassonne, in the South of France and have four generations of history in the winemaking tradition. A 1990 vacation in Argentina was all it took for winemaker Jean Bousquet to fall in love with the Gualtallary Valley, a scenic, remote, arid terrain high in the Tupungato district of the Uco Valley in Argentina’s Mendoza region, close to the border with Chile. There, where the condors fly and without a vine in sight, Jean discovered his dream terroir, an ideal location to nurture organically-grown grapes in sandy soil – a rarity. Sandy soil makes for elegant wines, its low fertility gives desirable vine stress; it is permeable for good drainage and has no salinity issues, often a problem in arid areas.

This wine’s visual displays fine bubbles and a delicate pink color. The bouquet reveals Pinot Noir fruit, black cherry and strawberry notes. The palate opens with soft red fruit coming from the Pinot Noir, while the Chardonnay grape gives the wine its elegance, fine fruit and structure.

> For more information, visit Domaine Bousquet official website.

2. Zardetto, Prosecco Rosé, Extra Dry 2020

Origin: Veneto, Italy
Varietal: Glera with up to 15% Pinot Noir
Price: $17.99
ABV: 11%

Located in the heart of the famous Prosecco territory between Conegliano and Valdobiadene, Zardetto has been a leader in sparkling wine for more than 40 years. Zardetto’s vibrant and refreshing Proseccos are produced from carefully selected grapes grown on the finest hilltop vineyards, after which Zardetto’s state-of-the-art winery blends modern techniques and traditional practices that result in a collection of acclaimed Prosecco Brut.

The wine has a pale and delicate pink color obtained from the short contact with Pinot Noir skins. The nose is fruity with aromas of apple, strawberry, orange zest and white peach. The palate is lively, fruity and creamy with a refreshing acidity and a vibrant finish.

> For more information, visit Zardetto official website.

• WHITES •

3. Cannonball, 2022 Sauvignon Blanc | San Luis Obispo, California

Origin: California
Varietal: 100% Sauvignon Blanc
Price: $16.99
ABV: 13%

Morning fog and cool breezes characterize the favorite growing regions for Sauvignon Blanc, and Cannonball’s approach is to blend across compatible regions to layer in signature varietal character. From the silty soils and delta breezes of Clarksburg to the predictably foggy corners of San Luis Obispo, they sought distinctive parcels that express the cool climate fruit, mineral and acidity.

This wine shows a bright light yellow color and a complex bouquet of lemon zest, white flowers and minty herbs with grassy notes. The palate bursts with juicy acidity, citrus, mineral and melon, all evolving in a long finish.

> For more information, visit Cannonball official website.

RELATED: The Best Sauvignon Blancs

4. King Estate, Pinot Gris 2021 | Willamette Valley, Oregon, USA

Origin: Willamette Valley, Oregon
Varietal: 100% Pinot Gris
Price: $19.99
ABV: 13.5%

King Estate was founded in 1991 by the King family with a deep commitment to sustainable farming. Their uniquely integrated ecosystem of vineyard and woodland, grasslands and wetlands, orchards and culinary gardens located in Oregon’s prestigious Willamette Valley, led them to first obtain certified organic status followed by the biodynamic standard in 2016. Today, King Estate is the largest certified biodynamic vineyard in North America.

This wine has a pale straw color with aromas of peach, pear, apple, lemon zest and mineral. There are fruit flavors of peach and ripe pear, silk cream and juicy acidity, all lingering into a long and weighty finish.

> For more information, visit King Estate official website.

• ROSÉS •

5. Planeta, Rosé 2021 Sicilia DOC | Sicily, Italy

Origin: Sicily, Italy
Varietals:  50% Nero d’Avola, 50% Syrah
Price: $18.99
ABV: 12.5%

The Planeta Family has been involved in Sicilian agriculture for five centuries and seventeen generations. Their work on the island has contributed to the revitalization of Sicilian winemaking. All of the company’s activities have a single theme: environmental sustainability. Through the use of solar panels and biomass production, principally pruning residues to produce energy, reusing and recycling of all materials used in the production cycle, and the exclusive use of recycled paper for packing and printed materials. Because the land is a collective benefit, Planeta considers it is a duty to make every effort in preserving it.

This wine has a light pink color with a slight trace of orange. The nose is very floral with hints of strawberries and rose petals. The mouth fills with flavors of wild red berry fruit, some mineral, melon and zesty citrus. The finish has soft creaminess and balanced acidity.

> For more information, visit Planeta official website.

RELATED: The Best Rosé Wines

6. Jolie Folle 2023 Rosé Vin de Pays de Méditerranée | France

Origin: Provence, France
Varietals: Cinsault, Grenache
Price: $13
ABV: 12.5%

This rosé is made from grapes cultivated on a family estate in the Sainte Victoire AOC in Provence, France. It is composed of 50 percent Grenache and 50 percent Cinsault, and displays a pale pink hue.

The wine boasts a bright palate featuring flavors of strawberry, watermelon and white peach.

• RED •

7. Finca Flichman, Reserva, 2022 Malbec | Argentina

Origin: Mendoza, Argentina
Varietal: 100% Malbec
Price: $15.00
ABV: 14%

Finca Flichman is a renowned winery located in the Mendoza region of Argentina. It was established in 1910 by a Hungarian immigrant named Sami Flichman. The winery began as a small family operation but has grown significantly over the years. The vineyards are located in the Medoza region, specifically in the districts of Barrancas (Maipú) and Tupungato. Mendoza is renowned for its ideal grape-growing conditions, with high altitude, abundant sunshine and well-draining soils.

Flichman Malbec is an intense red colored wine with attractive notes of blackberries, red currant, spice and violets. There is a captivating fruity mouthfeel with mature tannins and a touch of oak on the finish.

> For more information, visit Finca Flichman official website.

RELATED: The Best Malbec Wines

8. Highlands 41, 2021 Black Granite | California

Origin: Paso Robles, California
Varietals: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petite Syrah, Tempranillo
Price: $15.99
ABV: 14.5%

Highlands 41 is a brand of wine produced by Riboli Family Wines, which is well-known for its commitment to quality and sustainability in winemaking. The brand is named after Highway 41, a historic route that runs through the Central Coast wine region of California.

This dark crimson colored wine reveals aromas of ripe berries, spice and a touch of oak. The smooth mouthfeel is packed with bold red berry fruit, soft tannins and good acidity.

> For more information, visit Highlands 41 official website.

RELATED: The Best Cabernet Sauvignon

9. Askaneli, 2019 Saperavi | Georgia

Origin: Georgia
Varietals: 100% Saperavi
Price: $12.00
ABV: 12.5%

Saperavi is the leading red grape varietal from the country of Georgia. Translating to “dye” in English, Saperavi is a beautiful teinturier varietal (red-fleshed grapes with dark skins) that is versatile to create different styles of red wine. Over the past few years, under the radar regions have been trending among wine lovers, and Georgia has been gaining more awareness for its wide range of traditional European-style wines, including its Saperavi red wine expressions.

This dark ruby wine exhibits aromas of dark red fruit, spice and savory. Ripe red fruit returns on the palate, completed by fine tannins and racy acidity.

> For more information, visit Askaneli official website.

10. Viña Progreso, Revolution, 2020 Tannat | Uruguay

Origin: Progreso, Uruguay
Varietal: 100% Tannat
Price: $18.00
ABV: 13.5%

The village of Progreso, 15 miles north of the ocean, is in the center of what is probably the best grape growing area of Uruguay. Old traditions of European heritage meet the powerful Uruguayan personality to produce wines of outstanding quality.

The wine shows a deep purple color. The nose draws you in with loads of red fruit, spice and a touch of oak. Ripe red fruit returns on the palate, finished off with soft tannins and juicy acidity.

> For more information, visit Viña Progreso official website.

11. Ron Rubin 2022 Russian River Valley Pinot Noir | California

Origin: Sonoma County, California
Varietal: 100% Pinot Noir
Price: $19,99
ABV: 13.7%

Using grapes sourced from the coolest, foggiest region in Sonoma County, this Pinot Noir has aromas of cherry and plum with hints of cocoa and baking spices.

On the palate, it offers a round mouthfeel with toasty vanilla oak notes blended with berry flavors.

> For more information, visit the Ron Rubin official website.

RELATED: The Best Pinot Noir Wines

12. Marietta Cellars, Old Vine Red, Lot Number 74 | California

Origin: California
Varietal: Primarily 2021 Zinfandel, Syrah, Petite Sirah and Merlot. Small amounts of Grenache and Barbera complete the wine.
Price: $14.99
ABV: 13.5%

Marietta Cellars is a California winery located in the Sonoma County region. It was founded in 1978 by Chris Bilbro, who named the winery after his great aunt, Marietta. The winery is known for producing high-quality wines, particularly Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Rhône varietals.

Marietta Cellars has garnered a reputation for crafting wines that showcase the unique characteristics of the region’s terroir while also reflecting the Bilbro family’s commitment to sustainable farming practices and traditional winemaking techniques. One of their most renowned wines is the “Old Vine Red,” which is a blend mainly based on Zinfandel and Syrah, complemented by, depending on the vintage, other Southern Rhône grape varietals sourced from old vines. This wine has become a flagship offering for Marietta Cellars and has gained a loyal following among wine enthusiasts.

The wine has a medium red color. The nose offers intense cherry, black pepper, licorice and sweet spices. The palate reveals nice intensity, with lots of juicy red fruit notes, spices, refreshing acidity and gentle tannins.

> For more information, visit Marietta Cellars official website.

13. Cellers Can Blau, Montsant 2020 | Montsant, Spain

Origin: Montsant, Spain
Varietals: 20% Grenache, 40% Carignan, 40% Syrah
Price: $16.99
ABV: 14.5%

Although it only recently achieved formal recognition, the D.O. Montsant, part of a larger historic region, has a long tradition of producing wonderfully robust, yet elegant wines. The winery, Cellers Can Blau has several vineyards in the hills of Montsant. Each vineyard was chosen for its particular soil and microclimate. The blend of the different varietals with their distinct terroirs, produces a wine with great complexity.

This dark ruby wine reveals lots of ripe red and blue fruit, lavender, spices and a hint of smoke. Fruity on the palate with soft tannins, juicy acidity, all leading towards an elegant, long finish.

> For more information, visit Cellers Can Blau official website.

14. La Petite Perrière Pinot Noir 2023, Saget La Perrière | France

Origin: Touraine, Loire Valley, France
Appellation: Vin de France
Varietal: 100% Pinot Noir 
Price: $15.99
ABV: 12.5%

Saget La Perrière has been family owned since 1790, which represents nine generations. Their knowledge of Pinot Noir has led them to explore every aspect of the varietal and fully reveal its potential. 

La Petite Perrière Pinot Noir is largely sourced from the Saget family’s estate vineyards in Touraine (Loire Valley). The grapes are picked by hand. After spending three weeks in vat, the wines are aged in barrels for six months before being bottled.

The wine displays crimson hue with ruby tints. On the nose, you will find red and black fruit. This well-balanced wine is light on the palate with silky tannins and notes of blackberry.

Food Pairings: Pairs well with prime rib and duck breast.

> For more information, visit Saget La Perrière official website.

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