(Sicily, Italy) $25
From the slopes of Sicily’s Mt. Etna—Europe’s largest active volcano—comes this super star crisp white with fantastic minerality, limeyness, and a sea spray kind of saltiness. Made mostly from the leading white grape variety on Mt. Etna—carricante. Think: French Chablis meets Sicilian style.
92 points KM
Available at Bounty Hunter
(Lower Austria, Austria)) $20
If you’ve never had Austria’s refreshing white gruner veltliner, now’s the time to try it. Nigl is one of the top producers, and this wine’s creamy and delicious with streaks of white peppery pizzazz.
90 points KM
Available at Empire Wine
(Trentino Alto Adige, Italy) $16
A pinot grigio with character. Lively and fresh with notes of citrus and almond. Alois Lageder is one of the leading practitioners of organic viticulture and biodynamics in Italy.
91 points KM
Available at Empire Wine
(Vinho Verde, Portugal) $17
A super fun, super crisp white with Vinho Verde’s characteristic fizziness. Stellar with anything fried—from fried chicken to spring rolls.
Available at Portugal Vineyards
(Montefalco, Umbria, Italy) $19
From sangiovese, sagrantino and merlot comes this powerful savory/fruity red with terrific notes of wild mushrooms and bitter cherries. A wine calling out for a rich meat-sauced pasta.
89 points KM
Available at Toast Wines by Taste
(Rioja, Spain) $20
If you like Old World flavors, this will be the best $20 wine you’ve tasted in a long time. A good example of traditional Rioja, and full of earth, mushroom, tea, spice, and vanilla notes. Fantastic with lamb.
89 points KM
Available at Artisan Wine & Spirits
(Sicily, Italy) $17
You might not think of Sicily when you’re in the mood for syrah, but the island makes some terrific ones that are steals. This wine, a bit peppery and earthy, is like a good Cotes-du-Rhone.
89 points KM
Available at Saratoga Wine Exchange
(Vittoria, Sicily) $21
Floral, fruity, fresh, spicy and light-bodied, frapatto is one of Sicily’s indigenous red grapes. Chill it, and it’s summer in a glass. This fun wine will transport you to some patio overlooking the sea in southern Italy
89 points KM
Available at Flatiron Wines
(Sicily, Italy) $18
What a wine for a little over $3 a glass! Mouth filling and fresh with a full body and notes of vanilla and citrus.
89 points KM
Available at Saratoga Wine Exchange
(Valle de Guadalupe, Mexico) $20
A simple zesty sauvignon blanc from the Guadalupe Valley in Baja, Mexico just south of California. Cool and limey, would be a fun match for guacamole and chips (or just about any appetizer, Mexican or not). 88pts. KM
88 points KM
Available at Mexican Wine
(Marlborough, New Zealand) $17
Fresh, citrusy, salty, and snappy. As refreshing as a margarita (without the tequila). Plus, nice notes of passionfruit and melon.
89 points KM
Available at Total Wine
