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Looking to try something different or adventurous, but don’t want to make an expensive mistake? Decanter’s tastings director Christelle Guibert has done the hard work for you, picking out 25 exciting and accessible wines available in the UK for £25 or less...


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Best wines for under £20 to try

Value wines for spring and summer drinking...

Valentin Zusslin, Brut Zéro, Crémant d’Alsace, Alsace, France

My wines

89

If bone-dry fizz is your style, then this zero dosage with no sulphur added is one to try. The nose opens up to ripe fruits with notes of apricots and peaches. A nicely refined style with quite pronounced acidity, a gentle seam of minerality and a tangy finish.

AlsaceFrance

Valentin ZusslinCrémant d’Alsace

Larry Cherubino, Laissez Faire Field Blend, Pemberton, Western Australia, Australia, 2014

My wines

91

Named after their philosophy of minimal intervention, this is a field blend of Pinot Grigio, Gewurztraminer, Sauvignon Gris and Riesling. Delightful, with seductive, aromatic notes of ripe apricot, peach and pineapple.

2014

PembertonAustralia

Larry Cherubino

Bodega Colomé, Torrontés, Salta, Argentina, 2016

My wines

91

Founded in 1831 and bought by Donald Hess in 2001, this is not only Argentina's oldest winery but also the owner of some exceptional high altitude vineyards - in fact the highest in the world at 3,111 metres above sea level. This wine is made from grapes grown at 1,700 metres, which lends a tangy and refreshing aroma with bright floral notes mixed with citrus and spice. This aromatic white is an absolutely cracker, more refreshing and vibrant than a Gewürztraminer and making it ideal as an aperitif or to pair with Asian food.

2016

SaltaArgentina

Bodega Colomé

Berry Bros & Rudd, Frankland Estate, Chardonnay, Frankland River, Western Australia, Australia, 2016

My wines

91

Fresh, lean, crisp and elegant, with ample clean acidity and persistence. Textured oak is balanced by crisp apple character and mineral tension. Fabulous value.

2016

Frankland RiverAustralia

Berry Bros & Rudd

Reichsgraf von Kesselstatt, Goldtröpfchen Riesling Kabinett, Mosel, Germany, 2014

My wines

90

An exquisite Riesling at a great price. Aromatic floral and juicy lime intensity. It may have 42 grams of residual sugar, but thanks to the pristine acidity, it doesn’t feel that sweet. The low alcohol makes it a perfect garden-party wine.

2014

MoselGermany

Reichsgraf von Kesselstatt

Waterkloof, Sauvignon Blanc, Stellenbosch, South Africa, 2016

My wines

91

This is Waterkloof’s flagship white, sourced from coastal vineyards certified biodynamic since 2015. A very restrained and elegant style with a vivid mineral core. A serious Sauvignon Blanc with refreshing acidity.

2016

StellenboschSouth Africa

Waterkloof

Domaine Cordier Père et Fils, Vieilles Vignes, Mâconnais, Mâcon-Charnay, Burgundy, France, 2015

My wines

90

Part of Christophe Cordier’s small négociant range, this cuvée is always sourced from his neighbour’s vineyard. An elegant Mâcon dominated by flowers and ripe apple. The palate is ripe and concentrated but retains good focus and precision.

2015

BurgundyFrance

Domaine Cordier Père et FilsMâconnais

Costers del Sio, Petit Sió, Costers del Segre, Costers del Segre, Spain, 2016

My wines

90

From Catalonia, this fresh and juicy offering is bursting with white flowers, exotic fruits and citrus blossom. Mostly Viognier, blended with Chardonnay and a hint of Muscat. Made from organic grapes, this is a fresh and zesty aperitif tipple and also a good match for spicy Thai food.

2016

Costers del SegreSpain

Costers del Sio

Hill-Smith Estate, Chardonnay, Eden Valley, South Australia, Australia, 2015

My wines

90

Over five generations, Hill-Smith has become one of the most respected names in the Australian wine industry. This is a very elegant Chardonnay, with subtle stone fruit and citrus aromas combined with warm bread notes. It is creamy and textured on the palate with well-judged oak and an acidity-driven finish.

2015

South AustraliaAustralia

Hill-Smith EstateEden Valley

Symington Family Estates, Altano, Douro Valley, Portugal, 2016

My wines

90

Best-known for producing Graham’s Port, the Symington stable also includes this fresh and zingy white from local varieties grown in high-altitude vineyards. Crisp and dry with plenty of citrus character, it’s an easy-drinking wine.

2016

Douro ValleyPortugal

Symington Family Estates

Royal Tokaji, Dry Special Reserve, Tokaj, Hungary, 2015

My wines

89

Founded in 1990, this winery is a partnership between a small group of investors, including Hugh Johnson, and local growers. This delicate, fresh and fruity wine is an ideal aperitif. The palate is quite weighty with underlying acidity. Makes a great alternative to Sauvignon Blanc.

2015

TokajHungary

Royal Tokaji

Bouza, Viñedo Pan de Azúcar, Riesling, Uruguay, 2015

My wines

89

A relative newcomer, Uruguay is starting to make a name for itself with red Tannat but also with its aromatic whites. This is a restrained style of Riesling with crisp apple and lemon zest flavours. A focused wine with bright acidity and a rich and weighty texture, leading to a taut, lemony finish.

2015

Uruguay

Bouza

Susana Balbo, Signature Rosé, Uco Valley, Mendoza, Argentina, 2016

My wines

91

Made by the talented Susana Balbo, this is exquisite, with wild strawberry and floral aromas. The palate shows tension and complexity with fine acidity and pure red fruit. This is a fine and serious rosé to rival Provence. Great on its own or with Mediterranean-style dishes.

2016

Uco ValleyArgentina

Susana Balbo

Domaine Camp Galhan, Amanlie, Duché d’Uzès, Rhône, France, 2015

My wines

92

This is from a relatively new appellation located east of the picturesque town Uzés, just north of Nîmes. A typical Rhône blend of Viognier, Grenache Blanc and a dash of Roussanne, it’s opulent with ripe peach and apricot fruit flavours, and a hint of honey. Deliciously juicy and mouthwatering; very approachable and enjoyable. A perfect match for roast chicken.

2015

RhôneFrance

Domaine Camp GalhanDuché d’Uzès

Tanners, Rosé, Côtes de Gascogne, Southwest France, France, 2016

My wines

90

An expressive summer fruit blend with sweet strawberry aromas dominating. It’s quaffable, fresh, dry and moreish. The palate is surprisingly full-bodied, which makes it ideal to enjoy with Mediterranean starters. A great standby rosé to have at the ready in the fridge.

2016

Southwest FranceFrance

TannersCôtes de Gascogne

Domaine Carobelle, Gigondas, Rhône, France, 2016

My wines

91

Farmed organically with grapes sourced from old vines, this is a classic southern Rhône offering, opening up with red and black fruit and some sweet spice. Big and bold on the palate, it has a firm structure and tension, and will pair nicely with fillet steak. A great alternative to Châteauneuf-du-Pape which will easily age for another five years.

2016

RhôneFrance

Domaine CarobelleGigondas

Bodegas Muriel, Tempranillo, Rioja, Northern Spain, Spain, 2014

My wines

90

Muriel has a history of consistently creating great value Rioja dating back to 1926. With 100 hectares of their own vineyards, they complement their holdings with fruit bought from growers with whom they have long relationships. This is a textbook modern Rioja style, with an expressive nose of sweet and sour red cherry and a hint of vanilla. It has an elegant and refined palate accompanied by silky tannins, with a long finish of rich fruits.

2014

Northern SpainSpain

Bodegas MurielRioja

Cave de Roquebrun, Les Hauts de Saint Martin, St-Chinian, Languedoc-Roussillon, France, 2015

My wines

90

Undoubtedly the south of France is home to some of the best value reds, and this offering is full of flavour. It's packed with juicy black cherry fruit, spices and a slight leafy edge. An equal blend of Syrah, Grenache and Carignan with a dash of Mourvèdre, this is a typically flavoursome Mediterranean spicy red. With no interference from oak, it's a pure fruit expression with a very smooth finish. Enjoy with grilled meat.

2015

Languedoc-RoussillonFrance

Cave de RoquebrunSt-Chinian

De Forville, Dolcetto d'Alba, Piedmont, Italy, 2016

My wines

90

This is simply delicious, with bright, juicy, red cherry fruit aromas and spice. The uplifting palate has dark cherry notes, a juicy mouthfeel and a pleasing finish. This is friendly, easygoing and adaptable. Drink it alongside cold meats, Mediterranean salads or a midweek pizza.

2016

PiedmontItaly

De ForvilleDolcetto d'Alba

Waterkloof, Seriously Cool Cinsault, Stellenbosch, South Africa, 2016

My wines

90

Another winner from this very trustworthy estate. Made from old, dry-farmed bush vines, this medium-bodied wine is best served slightly chilled, when it exhibits subtle aromas of red cherry and raspberry. Complex and lively; a great alternative to Beaujolais.

2016

StellenboschSouth Africa

Waterkloof

Cerro del Masso, Poggiotondo, Chianti, Tuscany, Italy, 2015

My wines

89

An elegant, rose-scented wine with some red cherry notes. It is vibrant on the palate, with good intensity. The tannins are firm but well structured, with a freshness and finessed weight. Very enjoyable.

2015

TuscanyItaly

Cerro del MassoChianti

Il Colle, Rosso di Montalcino, Tuscany, Italy, 2015

My wines

92

A rustic nose, with vibrant fruit, macerated black cherry, black olives, a hint of mocha and sweet spice. A little sparkle on the palate at first, but decant the bottle and this will dissipate, leaving bright cherry fruit, smooth tannins and vivid acidity. A very characterful wine, this will benefit from being opened a few hours in advance, and will really come alive over the course of dinner.

2015

TuscanyItaly

Il ColleRosso di Montalcino