“Price is what you pay; value is what you get.” This quote, attributed to Warren Buffett, can certainly be applied to wine. Producers, importers and retailers have an interest in charging as much as they can, and over the past two years there have been plenty of price increases. Less expensive wines tend to come from less well-known regions, although if a producer receives more money, they can make better wine, which can in turn justify the premium.
Today and for the next two weeks, we will feature 10 great wines that I believe offer real value for money. All of them were bought in 2024 and all cost less than €30. First up we have white wines. The two prices for some of the wines represent the regular selling price and the promotional price. Wines that are only available for part of the year have been excluded. These are just a selection; it would be easy to add lots more favourites, but let’s focus on value.
Muscadet offers outstanding value for money. Lidl, Aldi, Dunnes and O’Briens all have good inexpensive versions for €10-€15. Moving up a notch, Whelehan’s, Wines Direct and Searsons all have some great Muscadet priced at €20-€40.
[ Are half-price wines really half price?Opens in new window ]
Regular readers will know that I am a fan of most Laurent Miquel wines. I think this albariño is superb, and offers exceptional value for money when on promotion. I list a second albariño, this time from its native home in Galicia.
From Domaine Begude, a small estate in southwest France, James Kinglake and his team craft a range of excellent white and red wines. If I am feeling flush, I go for the Etoile Chardonnay (€22.95) but the Terroir 11300 makes a regular appearance on our dinner table.
Italy makes some great individual white wines; the Verdicchio below is just one example. The same could be said about Portuguese white wines. I cannot recommend the Xisto below highly enough.
Alvaro Palacios makes outstanding white wines. If you can no longer afford quality white Burgundy, then the Louro makes a very fine alternative.
Tasting the wines of Austrian producer Georg Prieler is always a pleasure. It is beautifully crafted and a joy to drink, and both reds and whites are very reasonably priced given the quality.
At the risk of sounding predictable, I have been buying the wines of André Bonhomme for more than 20 years. I don’t think I have had a disappointing bottle yet.
Muscadet de Sèvre & Maine Sur Lie Château de l’Auberdière 2023
12%, €9.20/€11.50
Low in alcohol, smooth with lively green fruits and a tangy minerality. The perfect match for seafood.
From Dunnes Stores
Laurent Miquel Cote 238 Pech Gentille Albarino
13.5%, €12.80/€16
Citrus aromas, nervy pure pear and green apple fruits with a stimulating bone-dry finish.
From Dunnes Stores
Domaine Begude Chardonnay Terroir 11300, 2023, Organic
13%, €14.95/€18.95
Chablis-like in all but price with zesty, plump green apples and a lip-smacking dry finish.
From O’Briens
Cullerot Celler del Roure 2023, Valencia, Organic
12.5%, €20-€23
Light, aromatic and refreshing with succulent ripe stone fruits, an attractive spicy note, and slightly pithy tannins.
From Pinto Wines, D9; Clontarf Wines; Mac Curtain Wine Cellar, Cork; Lilith, D7; Blackrock Cellar; Martin’s, D3; The Fumbally, D8; Baggot Street Wines; La Touche Wine, Greystones
[ My 40-year-old body is in a constant state of recovery from moderate drinkingOpens in new window ]
Lagar de Costas Albariño 2023, Rías Baixas
13%, €21.95/€17.95
Floral with broad textured mouth-watering green fruits and a distinctive saline finish. A very superior Albariño.
From O’Briens
La Marca di San Michele Saltatempo Verdicchio 2022
12.5%, €22.95-€25
Light to medium-bodied with delicious bracing pure, grapefruit, fresh green fruits and a persistent dry finish.
From Sheridans Cheesemongers; siyps.com; Lennox Street Grocer, D8; MacCurtain Wine Cellar, Cork; Fallon & Byrne, D2; Lilith, D7
Xisto Ilimitado Douro Branco, Luis Seabra, Portugal
12%, €24-€26
Delicate and refined with intense linear yellow fruits and mineral acidity. A very special wine from a great winemaker.
From Blackrock Cellar; Pinto, D9; Lilith, D7; Fallon & Byrne, D2; Green Man, D6; thenudewinecompany.ie; BaRossa, Sandymount; Loose Canon, D2; Redmond’s, D6; Martin’s, D3
[ When in doubt should I order the second-cheapest wine on the wine list?Opens in new window ]
Prieler Schutzen am Gebirge Ried Seeberg Pinot Blanc Burgenland, Organic
13%, €28
Ignore the long name, this is a great wine. Rich textured luscious nectarines and pears balanced by a fine harmonious acidity.
From Martins, D3; Mitchell & Son, D1, D2, Sandycove; Eleven Deli, Greystones; Pinto Wines, D9
Alvaro Palacios Louro
€27-€30
A medium- to full-bodied wine with herby aromas and layers of rich textured ripe fruits offset by a bracing acidity. Great wine.
From Blackrock Cellar; Lilith, D7; Whelehan’s, Loughlinstown; 64 Wine, Glasthule; Green Man, D6; Baggot Street Wines; Pinto, D9; Martin’s, D3; Jus de Vine, Portmarnock
Bonhomme Viré Clessé Les Pierres Blanches 2023
13.5%, €29.95
A producer I have been following for many years. The Pierre Blanches is fresh and lively with luscious rounded tropical fruits. Perfect with seafood or white meats.
From theallotment.ie; Baggot Street Wines; Green Man, D6; MacGuiness Wines, Dundalk; Mitchell & Son, D1, D2, Sandycove; 64 Wine, Glasthule; Jus De Vine, Portmarnock; thenudewineco.ie
