Around the World in 40 Wines: Summer Markets

For most of 2020, we learned how exhausting it is to stay in one place. Now, our imaginations are alive with the possibilities of small summer gatherings.

To make al fresco gatherings easier, we’ve gathered a list of brands you can count on for good drinking at $20 or less. Each of them has outperformed the competition in our focus tastings over the last 12 months, with affordable wines gaining high accolades.

Here are 9 of our Value Brands of the Year, matched with a day-trip idea that we’ve been dreaming about, from our June 2021 Edition.

Catania, Sicily

Catania sits in the shadow of Mount Etna, surrounded by some of Sicily’s great citrus groves, and you’ll find plenty of that fresh produce next to the morning catch at Catania’s famous fish market. If you go in February, make a daytrip to Palagonia for the Blood Orange Festival. Summertime visitors should grab a picnic basket and head to the beach at Taormina—don’t forget to pack a lightly chilled bottle of Frappato or an Etna Rosato. —Stephanie Johnson

Côté Mas

France | Languedoc-Roussillon

In a liter, at the plage, under an umbrella.

Vin de France Blanc de Blancs Chardonnay $19
2020 Pays d’Oc Sauvignon Vermentino $15/liter
2020 Pays d’Oc Syrah Grenache $15/liter

Taub Family Selections, Boca Raton, FL

Cottanera

Italy | Sicily

Quenching your thirst, high up Mt. Etna, after a hike.

2019 Sicilia Barbazzale Catarratto $17
2019 Etna Rosso Barbazzale $18
2019 Etna Rosato $18

Indigenous Selections, Ft. Lauderdale, FL

Darting

Germany | Pfalz

On a bench, after a Wandern, in the Pfälzerwald nature park.

2019 Pfalz Dürkheimer Hochbenn Riesling Kabinett $18
2019 Pfalz Dürkheimer Fronhof Riesling Kabinett Trocken $18/liter
2019 Pfalz Dürkheimer Feuerberg Riesling Kabinett Halbtrocken $17/liter

Skurnik Wines & Spirits, NY

Feudo di Santa Tresa

Italy | Sicily

Hunting for prawns, at the mercato di Ortigia, in Siracusa.

2018 Cerasuolo di Vittoria $13
2019 Terre Siciliane Rina Russa Frappato $13
2018 Terre Siciliane Frappato $14

Vias Imports, NY

Dr. Loosen

Germany | Mosel

Freshly arrived, at a hiking hut, above the Mosel.

Loosen Bros. USA, Oregon City, OR

Buy this Wine

2019 Mosel Dr. L Riesling $12
2019 Mosel Dr. L Dry Riesling $12
Mosel Dr. L Sparkling $16

Indigenous

Italy | Puglia & Sicily

In Bari’s Old Town, down an alleyway, with panzerotti.

2019 Salento Primitivo $17
2018 Puglia Nero di Troia $17
2018 Sicilia Nero d’Avola $17

Indigenous Selections, Ft. Lauderdale, FL

Kruger-Rumpf

Germany | Nahe

Along the Rhine, spotting castles, on a river cruise.

2019 Nahe Estate Riesling $18
2019 Nahe Estate Riesling Trocken $18

Skurnik Wines & Spirits, NY

Gérard Bertrand

France | Languedoc-Roussillon

Outside Les Halles, in Narbonne, after a food-shopping spree.

USA Wine West, Sausalito, CA

Buy this Wine

2020 Languedoc Côte des Roses Rosé $18
2020 Pays d’Oc Côte des Roses Sauvignon Blanc $16
2019 Pays d’Oc Côte des Roses Pinot Noir $18

Ktima Voyatzi

Greece

In view of Lake Polyfytou, by the grill, with lamb chops.

2017 Velvento Red $16
2019 Macedonia Kyklos Rosé $12
2018 Velvento Xinomavro $20

Celina Imports, Old Bethpage, NY

Murgo

Italy | Sicily

In Taormina, dining al fresco, with bottles on ice.

2018 Etna Rosso Nerello Mascalese $17
2019 Etna Bianco Carricante $17
2019 Etna Rosato $20

North Berkeley Imports, Berkeley, CA/Skurnik Wines & Spirits, NY

The wines in this newsletter were chosen by our editors, from the 2021 Value Brands of the Year in our June 2021 edition. After our editors made their selections, we offered wineries the opportunity to promote their recognition with a bottle image and brand links.