Introduction: Italy's Best-Kept Value Secret
Italy is full of great wines on a budget. This guide picks the best Italian reds, whites and sparkling wines under $20, with pairings and shopping tips.
Barolo and Brunello make the headlines and charge for it. But Italy also makes a huge range of very good wines at low prices. It has hundreds of native grapes that most drinkers have never heard of. Less demand means more value in your glass.
The trick is to look past the famous names. Try the grapes and areas that Italian growers have worked for centuries, but that collectors have not yet chased.
Barbera d'Asti DOCG is one of Italy's best values. Barbera gives bright ruby wines with juicy red cherry and blackberry fruit. It has fresh, high acidity and soft tannins. And it costs a fraction of Barolo. Piedmont families drink it at the table every day, and with good reason.
The DOCG label sets quality rules. Even basic Barbera d'Asti gives more pleasure per dollar than almost any wine. Look for "Superiore" on the label for a bit more depth and aging.
Dolcetto is the signature grape of Dogliani DOCG, but it grows all over Piedmont. The name means "little sweet one," but the wines are dry. Dolcetto is deep purple, with plum, cherry and licorice notes. Its soft tannins make it easy to drink young. Serve it lightly chilled with antipasti or pizza.
Cannonau di Sardegna DOC is made from Cannonau, the Sardinian name for Grenache. Some researchers think the grape started in Sardinia and later spread to Spain and France. The wines are medium-bodied, warm and spicy, with red berries and Mediterranean herbs. Some studies link Sardinians' long lives in part to drinking this wine, which is high in resveratrol.
Primitivo di Manduria DOC from Puglia is made from Primitivo, the Italian name for Zinfandel. These wines are very rich: ripe plum, jam, dark chocolate, dried fig and spice. And the prices are friendly. Puglia's hot, dry climate and old vines give ripe, concentrated grapes, so good wine comes easily even at low prices.
Salice Salentino DOC comes from Puglia's Salento peninsula. It is made from Negroamaro with small amounts of other local grapes. These wines have real depth: dark fruit, tobacco, leather and spice. They are medium to full-bodied, with soft tannins. It is an overlooked wine that tastes better than its price.
Montepulciano d'Abruzzo DOC is made from the Montepulciano grape. Don't confuse it with the Tuscan town of the same name. It is one of Italy's most reliable value reds. Expect deep purple color, plummy fruit, soft tannins and a smooth finish, all for $10–15.
Soave DOC from the Veneto is made from Garganega. It offers real quality at low prices. It is light, fresh and lightly almondy. Good Soave, especially from the Classico zone, goes well with seafood, light pasta and aperitivo snacks.
Vermentino di Sardegna DOC, made from Vermentino, is one of Italy's best-value whites. It has fresh citrus, white peach, herbs and a typical bitter almond finish. It is ideal in warm weather and with seafood. You get a lot of wine for the money.
Pecorino wines come from the Marche and Abruzzo. They are often sold as Marche IGT or under DOC labels. This grape almost died out, but it was revived in the 1990s. It is now one of Italy's best recent white wine success stories. Expect crisp, fragrant, herbal whites with good acidity and citrus notes, at very low prices.
Falanghina from Campania is often sold as Campania IGT or DOC wine. It has fresh floral aromas, citrus fruit and an easy style. That makes it perfect for a weeknight. At under $15, it is great value from southern Italy.
Prosecco DOC from the Veneto is made from Glera. It is the world's most popular sparkling wine, and for good reason. It is fresh and fruity, with white peach, pear and floral notes. Extra Dry is the most popular style. At $10–15 a bottle, it is the go-to for aperitivo and casual parties.
Lambrusco di Sorbara DOC from Emilia-Romagna is Italy's great food-wine bargain. It is light ruby and gently sparkling, with bright cherry fruit and fresh acidity. It cuts through rich Emilian food like nothing else. You can often find it for under $15.
Signs of good value:
1. DOC over IGT: DOC rules set minimum quality standards
2. A named area over a generic label: a basic Barbera d'Asti beats a generic "Rosso" every time
3. Southern Italian reds: Puglia, Sicily, Campania and Sardinia offer great value
4. Lesser-known regions: Emilia IGT, Marche IGT and Umbria IGT wines often beat their price
Grapes to look for:
- Reds: Barbera, Dolcetto, Montepulciano, Primitivo, Cannonau, Negroamaro
- Whites: Vermentino, Pecorino, Falanghina, Garganega
These wines go well with everyday meals:
| Wine | Type | Price Range | Why Buy It |
|---|---|---|---|
| Barbera d'Asti DOCG | Red | $12-18 | Best Piedmont value red |
| Cannonau di Sardegna DOC | Red | $10-16 | Unique and complex |
| Montepulciano d'Abruzzo DOC | Red | $8-14 | Reliable everyday red |
| Primitivo di Manduria DOC | Red | $12-18 | Bold, rich, food-friendly |
| Soave DOC | White | $8-15 | Classic Italian white |
| Vermentino di Sardegna DOC | White | $10-16 | Best-value Mediterranean white |
| Prosecco DOC | Sparkling | $10-15 | Best-value party wine |
| Lambrusco di Sorbara DOC | Sparkling | $10-16 | Unique red sparkling wine |
Production rules and official information from the consortia of the wines in this guide: