Erik Neilson on December 23, 2016 0 Comments One of the biggest misconceptions about wine that keeps people from enjoying the beverage to its fullest is that great bottles can only be had for large sums of money. This is a fallacy like no other, purported due to the fact that the media and collectors have hyped up bottles that cost thousands of dollars each with a folklore type of mystique. Sure, there are some amazing bottles out there that can fetch exceptionally high price tags, but to say that there aren’t also great bottles available for very moderate price points would be a lie. Tired of being told that you need to spend a veritable fortune in order to drink good wine? You’re not alone, and you absolutely do not. Here are some of the best-value wine regions in the world, all of which are known for producing stellar wines at budget prices. 1. The Loire Valley, France This is an interesting entry, as there are plenty of Loire Valley wines that sell for hundreds of dollars per bottle — some, even more. That being said, Loire wines aren’t all high in price, and there are a number of different types of grapes grown here that you won’t typically find in many other parts of the world at such budget prices. One is Chenin Blanc, grown heavily in South Africa and also popular in California. Loire Valley Chenin Blanc is some of the finest quality white wine in the world, and bottles can typically be had for under $20 if you look hard enough. Bone dry and fully of savory flavors like quince and white mushroom, Chenin Blanc is one of the more unique whites you can expect to stumble upon. 2. Piedmont, Italy The Piedmont region of Italy is not only one of the more beautiful wine producing areas in the world, but the wines that come out of the region tend to be absolutely stellar. They won’t blow you away in terms of expensive nuances, but for wines that will fit most people’s budgets and still offer a good deal of flavor and complexity, look no further than Piedmontese Barbera, Freisa or Dolcetto. These exceptionally dry red wines can typically be hard for between $15 and $20 per bottle, and even less if you take the time to scour your favorite wine shop. It should be noted that Piedmontese wine is very popular in Italy and is “what the locals drink,” in comparison to some of the highly expensive Barolos that are typically exported from the country. 3. Germany Germany, in general, can be a great place to look for stellar wine value. There are few white wines that can match both the complexity and ability to age for long periods of time that is inherent in Riesling, and the best examples of this grape can be found in Germany. They tend to drink well with no matter what type of food you might consider serving, and bottles can typically be purchased for extremely low prices. For those who are looking to stock their cellars with quality white wines that will last for many years without uncorking, look no further than the value that can be found in German Riesling. 4. Rioja, Spain There’s a lot to love about Spanish wine; in particular, wine from the Rioja region. Rioja wine is not only extremely delicious, but you can expect to find good value in it if you take your time and don’t make any quick purchases. One of the reasons why so many wine collectors look to the Rioja region is the fact that many of these wines have been aged for a considerable amount of time before being released, and given their price points, the value is through the roof. Rioja wines marry the flavors of the earth with fruity nuances and bold spices, and while you might spend slightly more on wines from this region than you would on others present on the list, you’ll never find a better quality over value than what is inherent in Rioja wine. 5. Santa Barbara, California When it comes to wine regions in the United States, there is perhaps none that can measure up Santa Barbara, California in terms of overall value. California is not known for being a state that produces exceptionally cheap wines; some Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon sells for thousands of dollars per bottle. Santa Barbara, on the other hand, is where many people look when they want a great California wine without the hefty price tag that can often accompany it. Anyone who loves Pinot Noir will find a lot to enjoy about Santa Barbara wines, as the Pinot produced in this region is up there with some of the finest in the world. Why is wine from Santa Barbara cheaper than that from other parts of the state, then? It simply comes down to land prices, which are reflected in the price of the wines. 6. Bordeaux, France If you thought Loire Valley wines were on the higher end of value for this list, you’ll likely think the same of Bordeaux. After all, isn’t Bordeaux home to some of the most expensive bottles in the world? Yes, and no. Truthfully, there’s a great deal of value to be found in Bordeaux wines, and it all comes down to sparklers. Sparkling wines that are labelled either with “methode traditionale” or “Crémant” are essentially made the same way as Champagne, and some of the best examples of these types of wine can be found in Bordeaux. They will come equipped with the complexity one might expect to see in Champagne, all at a much lower price and hence a better value. Looking for the perfect wine to bring to your next party? A sparkler from Bordeaux will fit the bill. Don’t just assume that great wine has to be expensive. If you know which parts of the world to look towards, you’ll have no problem finding an excellent value. For starters, check out wines from one of the wine regions listed above — you may just stumble upon a new favorite.
