Happy New Year!
Now that we’ve made it through the holidays, it’s time to carve out some self-care moments after what was likely an activity-packed and very social few weeks, taking down decorations and getting our houses back in order, and making plans to bounce back our bottom lines after all that gift-giving spending! January – the month so many of us take stock and make plans to right our ships – is always a good time to recharge.
For those wine lovers going into the new year with a new budget, we have some wine suggestions for you. You don’t always have to pay high prices for high-quality wine. Here are a few bottles of great-value vino that won’t break the bank as you embark on whatever 2024 has in store for you.
Barton & Guestier Les Petites Parcelles Vouvray, 2020
The Loire Valley in France produces some of the most iconic French white wines, and the region of Vouvray is no exception. Wines from Vouvray are made from the chenin blanc grape and may be dry or on the sweeter side. Chenin blanc is the main white grape in most of the central Loire and produces wines with high acidity with primary fruit flavors of peach, apple and pear. Some of the most age-worthy white wines in the world are made with this grape.
(Barton & Guestier)
Barton & Guestier’s Les Petites Parcelles Vouvray can be served as an aperitif, with seafood or even spicier dishes.
Les Petites Parcelles by Barton & Guestier is a refreshing off-dry Vouvray. It has flavors and aromas of sweet peach, pineapple and a delicate minerality. It can be enjoyed on its own, with cheeses or even spicier foods like curry. $15.99 at Total Wine
Chronic Cellars Sir Real Cabernet Sauvignon, 2021
Chronic Cellars is a fun and approachable brand out of Paso Robles in central California. With skeletons on the labels and quirky names like Sir Real, Purple Paradise and Sofa King Bueno, Chronic Cellars knows how to put the fun into wine drinking.
The blend for Sir Real is 87% cabernet sauvignon, 9% petite sirah and 4% syrah, and the wine spends eight months in French oak. Living up to its name, Sir Real keeps it real like you would expect from a Paso cab. Big juicy black fruit – like blackberries and currants – baking spices and integrated tannins create a lush texture in the mouth. No one will be disappointed when you bring this showstopping bottle to the next game night or weekend BBQ. $18.99 at Wine.com
Tormaresca Calafuria, 2022
We all know about rosé from France, but what about Italian rosato? It’s not quite as prevalent as its French counterpart, but you can definitely find some great-value Italian rosato, especially from the southern Puglia region, which is becoming the leading Italian region for this style of wine.
Puglia is easy to locate as it is the “heel” of Italy’s “boot,” with the Adriatic Sea to the east and the Ionian Sea to the south. Many of the wines here are made with negroamaro and primitivo (zinfandel) grapes. This is a sunny and warm grape growing area, and the wines express with bold and juicy fruit-forward flavors.
Tormaresca’s Calafuria is an authentic Puglian rosato made from negroamaro grapes from the winery’s Masseria Maìme Estate in Upper Salento. The wine is highly aromatic, with aromas and flavors of pink grapefruit, orange blossom, citrus and white flowers. Because it is from a seaside region, the salty air contributes a fresh minerality to the wine, making it a perfect chillable companion for those of us who regularly enjoy wine with our oceanside activities. $17.99 at Wine.com
Domaine Bousquet Alavida Malbec, 2022
Domaine Bousquet is a leading winery in sustainability and organic agriculture. This is Argentina’s largest producer and exporter of wines made exclusively from certified organic grapes grown in high-altitude vineyards in Mendoza’s Tupungato region.
Alavida is not only a USDA-certified organic wine, but it is also certified kosher. The name is a Spanish ode to the Hebrew toast “L’chaim” or ,“to life” (a la vida).
Kosher wines are made in the same way as other wines only using kosher ingredients (such as yeast) and handled only by sabbath-observant Jews under the supervision of a rabbi. This means that the winemaking team is double what it would be for other wines made at the winery, but the winemaking process follows all the same steps.
Alavida is a vibrant mix of black fruits and florals, with a round, full finish. It’s a perfect wine for a family feast to celebrate love, happiness and life. A la vida! $16.99 at Total Wine
Basile Cartacanta Montecucco Sangiovese DOCG, 2019
The best wine from Tuscany can indeed be expensive. However, you don’t need to splurge on a top-tier bottle from Brunello to satisfy that craving for sangiovese.
Sangiovese is the main grape in famous Tuscan regions such as Chianti and Brunello di Montalcino, but you can also get great-value sangiovese from Montecucco, located in the hills of the Maremma region, between the Brunello di Montalcino and Morellino di Scansano appellations.
Montecucco DOCG not only offers Tuscan wines at accessible price points, but it is also a region focused on organic production, fostering biodiversity and preserving the land’s integrity through environmentally friendly agricultural practices. As a DOCG, which is the highest appellation classification in Italy, the wines must be at least 90% sangiovese and aged a minimum of 17 months with at least 12 of those in oak.
Cartacanta has all those sangiovese characteristics we know and love, like bright cherries and spice, with floral, earthy-herbal undertones. It’s smooth and balanced, and ready to drink with your next Italian-inspired meal. $14.99 at Wine.com