10 wines with great value for money

In our Vini d’Italia guide we have a special section dedicated to the Tre Bicchieri owning the best value for money, i.e. wines whose cellar price never exceeds 10 euros, and in some cases even well below this threshold, costing the end customer an extremely accessible figure considering the quality expressed in the glass. Here's a selection of 10 wines awarded in the 2020 guide that can't be missing from your wine cellar, wines that have everything: character, typicality, elegance and even the surprising ability to age.

10 wines with great value for money

Lambrusco di Sorbara Paltrinieri Leclisse 2018 Paltrinieri

Here at the heart of Cristo di Sorbara, on alluvial soil surrounded by the Secchia and Panaro rivers, lies the best area for cultivating Lambrusco di Sorbara. The 2018 Leclisse is an elegant, pink-hued Sorbara with superb floral aromas, close-focused fruit, savoury, clear, scented and sharp, making for an impeccable interpretation. What striking drinkability! Thank you, Alberto.

Falanghina del Sannio 2018 Fontanavecchia

Libero Rillo makes valuable contributions in Sannio both as a producer and as President of the local wine consortium. The Falanghina Del Sannio '18 brings together penetrating acidic vigour and a summery character. Intense in its mineral sensations and citrusy nuances of grapefruit, while the palate is supported by a firm acidity and marked salinity, only to close deep and elegant.

Verdicchio di Matelica 2018 Bisci

Ten years of work by Mauro Bisci (heir of the founding family) and oenologist Aroldo Bellelli have definitely pulled the company out of the transitional stylistic phase that characterised the start of the new century. Their Verdicchio di Matelica '18 stole the show from its more renowned brothers. A great year made for a memorable version in terms of transparency, territorial identity, sapidity and extraordinary drinkability.

Pompeii Bianco 2018 Bosco de’ Medici

The winery's vineyards are on the southern part of Vesuvius and extend more than eight hectares, in the heart of the Pompeii archaeological excavation. Here the ancient history of Roman wine intertwines with that of the Florentine Medici dynasty. For the first time the producer takes home the Tre Bicchieri. It's all thanks to their Pompeii '18, a monovarietal white Caprettone that’s rich in personality. On the nose it exhibits mineral sensations supported by aromas of wheat and almonds. Complex and stylish, on the palate it betrays its force and flesh, all set to a slow, extremely long pace.

Cerasuolo d’Abruzzo Rosa-ae 2018 Torre dei Beati

Adriana Galasso and Fausto Albanesi's adventure began in 1999 when they both decided to leave their professions to produce wine with vineyards near Loreto Aprutino. Torre dei Beati is among the region’s most top-performing producers, as evident by the impressive range of wines that features an incredible Cerasuolo Rosa-ae ’18. With floral and red fruit sensations of pomegranate, it reveals typical Montepulciano smokiness and earthy verve on a juicy, spicy palate.

Cesanese di Olevano Romano Silene 2017 Ciolli

Damiano Ciolli has become a symbol of Cesanese and of a territory that is often overlooked and misunderstood. Tre Bicchieri for Cesanese di Olevano Romano Silene '17, which exhibits good body played on fruit. Vegetal and undergrowth notes give way to hints of blueberry and mulberry, which capture the fresh, long and pleasant palate. Pair it with amatriciana pasta.

Aglianico del Vulture Gricos 2017 Grifalco

The story of a winery that fell in love with and will continue to love this region wholeheartedly. Lorenzo and Andrea now carry on their father's legacy with the same great passion. Their Aglianico del Vulture Gricos '17 takes the gold: its intense, elegant nose is notable for nuances of ripe red berries and tobacco. The same finesse follows on its sapid, harmonious palate with delicate tannins and featuring a big finish.

Barbera d’Asti Lavignone 2018 Pico Maccario

The winery founded in the late 1990s by ambitious brothers Pico and Vitaliano Maccario avails itself of a virtually contiguous 70-hectare estate. Here in Mombaruzzo, in the Nizza winemaking zone, we find a proper ‘grand cru’ for Barbera. Among the many interesting options available, once again their Barbera-based reds stand out, starting with their Barbera Lavignone '18. Contoured by fresh aromas of red berry and cooking spices, it boasts a lovely, fruity sweetness and suppleness on the palate. Best Value for Money Wine in Vini d’Italia 2020.

Chianti Classico Etichetta Bianca 2016 Lamole di Lamole

Hallmarks include clear personality and territorial identity — wines that are austere but never banal. The Chianti Classico Etichetta Bianca '16 stands out for its lovely aromatic finesse, with red berries alternating with flowers, hints of grass and flint, adorned by spices. On the palate it does even better, proving sapid, energetic and full of contrast before giving way to a rising finish. What an elegant wine!

Castel del Monte Rosso Vigna Pedale Riserva 2016 Torrevento

Francesco Liantonio's Torrevento boasts an impressive park of vineyards. Approximately 250 hectares of owned property mostly within the Parco Rurale della Murgia and on the area’s typically rocky limestone, karst-type soil. The Castel del Monte Rosso Vigna Pedale Riserva ’16 offers up superb notes of black forest fruits and spices, while the palate impresses for its persistence and freshness, proving long and sapid. It’s a Tre Bicchieri — no ifs, ands or buts. Great ageing potential here.