Chasing Gems: The Hunt for Value Bottles
Like many wine lovers on a budget, I always seek occasions to splurge on wine. Christmas and New Year's Eve are among the best opportunities to indulge without guilt—or maybe just a little. My birthday falls between these festivities, so I feel no remorse in adding an extra bottle to the mix. However, every year I struggle to find wines that offer great value for money. Such bottles are becoming rarer by the day, like a breed on the brink of extinction. While I'm open to discovering new areas for value-driven wines, I remain a fan of the classic wine regions and tend to gravitate towards France and Italy for my purchases. Unfortunately, prices for wines from these places have been on a seemingly unstoppable upward trajectory for a while now. Burgundy’s Côte d’Or exemplifies this trend. Even wines from new winemakers in fringe appellations fetch high prices as soon as they hit the market. Despite the frustration, this opens the door to exploring less-renowned areas capable of offering excellent products at reasonable prices, as well as “second-tier” wines from top winemakers in the most famous regions of the world. My selection criteria prioritize low intervention in the cellar and vineyard, respect for local terroir, and environmentally conscious practices. This year, my goal—proudly achieved—was to stay within a 50 Euro cost per bottle (approximately $52), resulting in this lineup:
2018 Pierre Morey Bourgogne Pinot Noir — an excellent example of entry-level Red Burgundy from a prestigious domaine and terroir. Fruit is sourced from four parcels in the commune of Meursault.
2022 Domaine des Ardoisières Vin des Allobroges “Schiste” — a mineral-infused white from a steep, terraced vineyard in the Alpine region of Savoie. A blend of Jacquere, Roussanne, Malvoisie, and Mondeuse Blanc.
2023 Ca’ dei Zago Valdobbiadene Prosecco — a true expression of the stunning Valdobbiadene territory. Ca dei Zago perhaps offers the DOCG’s best interpretation through this Glera re-fermented in the bottle.
2018 Marcel Deiss Alsace Grasberg — a gorgeously textured wine from a hillside above the Altenberg de Berghmein Grand Cru in Alsace. A field blend of Pinot Gris, Gewürztraminer, and Riesling.
2018 Ronco del Gnemiz Friuli Colli Orientali Friulano “San Zuan” — Friuli’s eastern hills are likely Italy’s best-kept secret for stunning whites, and this one is a top example of how complex and age-worthy Friulano can be.
2021 Cantrina Benaco Bresciano Passito Bianco “Sole di Dario” — a stunning sweet nectar of Sauvignon, Semillon, and Riesling grown in the morainic hills of southern Lake Garda. A wine that walks the fine line between lushness and tension.
2020 Domaine Jamet Côtes-du-Rhône Rouge — If you can’t afford a top Côte-Rôtie, this might be your next best option. This excellent example of Northern Rhône Syrah is sourced from the higher section of the hillsides in Ampuis.
Cheers