10 TERRIFIC Wines for $20 or Less! (Attorney Somm) 

Excellent recommendations, as always! Stellar wines at such compelling value! This video goes to show that “good wine can be inexpensive and inexpensive wine can be great.” I have enjoyed, in the past, some of the wines you mentioned, specifically Saint Cosme, CVNE Viña Real Crianza, and Zuccardi. I can personally attest to their superb taste and quality! Even if they cost more than $20 where I live because of higher taxes and importation cost, they still offer incredible value that’s difficult to match in this price range. As for the other wines in your list, I’m definitely going to start hunting them down as soon as possible. Also, I’m so happy that an Austrian wine made it to your list! There are so many fantastic wines in Austria that offer amazing value yet they aren’t available in Asia. Thank you for this impressive video! Terrific wines, indeed! And the footages are equally terrific; the content outstanding; and the presentation as brilliant as ever. Bravo, John!

That's a good list and just to prove I'm not just a Spanish wine nut I'd agree with the Frescobaldi. I do enjoy wine from other parts of the world and I'm glad to see a Californian zin in the mix for example. However, in my opinion the entire top 10 could easily be Spanish wines. At this price point they blow everyone else away for price/quality. Some of the Jumilla wines in Alicante are stunning value and would be 5x the price if they were French. The Crianzas from Ribera like Arzuaga and Pesquera can be found for under $20. Riojas like Marques de Murrieta or Tondonia's Cubillo are still below $20. There are so many excellent entry level wines by top producers, like Cubillo, but I think the pick are the Crianzas. They're often not far behind, and can be preferable to, the more expensive Reservas. Honestly, you can go to every wine region in Spain and find very good wine for $20. I really appreciate your description of the Zuccardi because I believe (I think like you do) that the future of wine blending does not rely entirely on oak. Whilst I love Spanish oak aged wine it is clear that in Spain there has been a huge emphasis in recent times on minimally aged wines in oak or none at all. I recently hedged a bet in a fine restaurant in Alhama de Granada and opted for their vino de casa (house wine) for $10 euro. It turned out to be a delicious young Ribera with excellent fresh red fruit. On a slightly more substantive issue, it raises the issue of price/quality for all wine. We are far past the period of what folk in Britain would call 'cheap plonk.' There's still plenty of bulk rubbish and most of my friends and colleagues are happy drinking this stuff which is nearly always below £10. I just can't convince them to spend £10 more (and they could easily afford to) to experience wine that is far superior. I think it's a leftover from the Rationing mentality after the war. People with ample money feel guilty for spending on what they perceive as a simple pleasure such as wine. Excellent content as usual. Here's a challenge for you. £10-15 recommendations. WT

I had a Zuccardi wine just days ago, and it was amazing. I’ll be seeking out more of these high altitude wines. Cheers. Now to research some of these ( cellar defenders ) wines.

Again and again you manage to select some of the best tips ! That category can be tricky , with a lot of room for personal taste. But you are spot on when you list some of the best white wines of the world . Thanks !

great video. the frescobaldi wine you mentioned is on many italian restaurant wine lists in south florida. excellent value and better than some of the more expensive wines from italy

Thank you so much for this well researched post. I love treating myself to your suggestions🍷

Thank you for these great wine recs!

Great recommendations. I’ve had a few Italian Syrah and Syrah blends from Tuscany and Sicily recently which were stunning too.

Superb video. Wine doesn’t have to be expensive especially among friends. This video is important for you to make because not everyone has an expensive budget. Wine should be fun, and not always about the testing notes and the history. Wine brings people together. well put video which will definitely broaden your audience. Bravo, John!

Great recommendations, many of these wines I personally know and would also highly recommend. Actually I was astonished to see how many of your recommendations were known to me and I appreciate them all. I am really looking forward to taste some of your recommendations I don't know yet.

Love the Trimbach, Balland and Saint Cosme. Buy those all the time. Will have to check out the rest! I think my favorite value at this price point is right now is the Jean-Marc Brocard Chablis, I can get the 2020 for $20 locally, but looks like it’s a few bucks more on average. Great video as always!

Thanks, John. Good video. Pleased you mentioned Alsace. Some great value wines here, including the wonderful Caves de Turckheim, which offers fantastic value for its entire range. I have been to Alsace many times and cycling the wine route is one of life's experiences. I have been to most of the famous wine houses there, including Trimbach. Caves de Turckheim is well worth a diversion, btw. One of my other favourite regions is Chianti - Rufina offers better value than Classico, whose prices seem to be rising. Rioja is also good value at the moment. Glad you mentioned GV. I enjoyed a glass earlier this evening as an aperitif - lovely. Keep up the good work. What's with the bonnet, btw?

Hi Attorney Somm, I had the Saint Cosme at a restaurant a few years back and enjoyed it so after watching your review I picked up a bottle of the 2020 (all they had) and thought it was terrific. Very concentrated, dark fruit driven, violets with a touch of minerality and leather. Very pretty full bodied wine that paired well with my grass-fed burger! Again thanks for the great suggestions!

The Nipozzano is truly impressive for the price. I’ve noticed I enjoy a milder Chianti that’s more red fruit driven elegance compared to ones that are too powerful or highly tannic. Chianti Rufina seems to be spot on with my preferences.

JJ- as always... AWESOME! A few things. 1- You said you're in your way to Willamette. Take a few hours to my Canuckland... Okanagan might shock you- not just the prices! (Canadian import taxes and foreign exchange rates). But, I think you'd enjoy the area, even if a leisure trip. 2- Great list and always incredibly grateful for the input description details! 3- I've bought your previously recommended books. Others? (just started my WSET 2 on your insight. Like you, it's not really needed, but a fun adventure) 4-maybe a video with discussion of grapes more like the Gruner, Alberino at whatever price, but you enjoyed? Or, one on Rieslings only, with from kabinett to TBAuslese etc? Either I think would be original and interesting. 5- these $ 20 wines etc- do you consider these cellar defenders? I mean, it's obvious they are because you're not consuming a 100 point Burgundy etc, and some are fabulous, but just interested in how you see these lower priced wines etc You amaze me every weekend. It's now must see TV, for me!

My friend as always a lot of effort, expertise, an study leads to a very good content and information, thank you so much for your dedication and passion, best regards from Brazil, Um grande abraço. Shared with friends.

Great recommendations. I love a wine that over performs. I’ve had that gruner n it definitely over delivers

Interesting picks. Have only tried Feudi di San Gregorio's rosé myself, which is pretty decent, so am intrigued wby the greco di tufo. I have had Seghosio's Zinfandel, however, and will second the recommendations, though a bottle does cost $30 on these shores (Norway).

Wonderful recommendations! I've finally gotten around to the Trimbach (only my second Riesling), and halfway through the bottle, it's exhibiting the "Petrol" aromas that I didn't get in my first (Chateau Ste. Michelle Dry Riesling). It's definitely a neat contrast and nice acidity. Speaking of Zuccardi, what do you think of their Torrontes? I just opened a bottle from another winery (Amalaya) which happened to blend with 15% Riesling, and I am enjoying it thoroughly!

pro tip for all my fellow saint cosme lovers, the negociant bottles are simply labeled "saint cosme", whereas the estate fruit stuff gets the full "chateau du saint cosme"

Thank you for your excellent recommendations. Finding these wines in North Carolina is challenging at best, and while shipping is possible, the weather limits the time when you can ship. Nevertheless, I appreciate your hard work. So, what's with the hat?

Cool different look with the hat!

Thanks for the recommendation. Fortunately, I think you can buy some and taste them in Korea! Of course, it's more than double the price. I want to go to America and drink cheap wine! I also followed you on Instagram!