Two Greek labelsRetsina and Macedonian Xinomavro are among 20 wines under $20 recommended by renowned New York Times wine critic Eric Asimov.

As he notes in his article, inflation may have eased somewhat in recent months, but store prices remain high, leaving wines that would have been on his list a few months ago thanks to their price to now cost more than twenty dollars. .

Asimov notes that he found quite a lot of French and Italian wines, but not from popular and prestigious wine regions. On his list, the most “underrepresented” country is his country, which has only one American wine – Chambourcin from Virginia. “It was a delicious wine, but there were no American varieties of Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay or Riesling on the list.” notes.

As for its Greek variants, Asimov first isolated Gaia Ritinitis resin at a cost of $16.99.

“Retsina is a type that has been prepared since ancient times, in which wine is mixed with the resin of the Aleppo pine. Serious pitches like this one here are great. Gaia uses mountain-grown rodite and fresh resin to produce this fresh, intense and aromatic wine. Try it with any Greek or Middle Eastern food, or just experiment,” he writes of the Greek label.

The last on his list is the xinomavro negogost of the Tatsis brothers.

“The brothers Tatsis, Pericles and Stergios, run a biodynamic economy in Macedonia, a province in northern Greece, producing wines with minimal processing. This wine, made from a blend of Xinomavro and Negoska varieties, is a wonderful composition. It is fragrant with menthol and licorice flavors and, although from young vines, is structured enough for lamb chops or roasted meats,” he writes.

In detail, Asimov’s list of twenty wines under twenty dollars includes:

1. Maris Pays d’Oc Rouge IGP 2020 from the south of France, price $14.99
2. Bertha Cava Brut Nature Reserva 2020 Catalan Vineyards $15.99
3. Domaine Faillenc Sainte Marie Corbières 2020, from the south of France, price $15.99
4. Pedro Parra y Familia Itata Vinista País 2020, from Itata, Chile, price $15.99.
5. Brigaldara Valpolicella 2021, Brigaldara, Italy, price $15.99.
6. Luis Pato Portugal Baga Espumante Bruto Rosado NV, from Portugal, price $15.99
7. Gaia Retsina Ritinitis Nobilis NV, Greece, price $16.99.
8. Michel Guinier Beaujolais 2021 France $17.99
9. Muga Rioja White 2021, from Spain, $18.96.
10. Giordano Lombardo Gavi 2021, from Piedmont in northern Italy, $18.99.
11. Altos Las Hormigas Uco Valley Terroir Malbec 2019, from Mendoza, Argentina, $19.
12. Jasci Trebbiano d’Abruzzo 2021, Abruzzo, Italy, $19.
13. Château Peybonhomme-les-Tours Blaye Côtes de Bordeaux Le Blanc Bonhomme 2020, France, $19.96
14. Château de Chaintres Saumur Champigny Les Sables 2020 France $19.96
15. Orto Vins Montsant Les Argiles d’Orto Vins 2019, from Catalonia, $19.96.
16. Château Puech Redon Vin de France Apparente Rouge 2019, Languedoc, France, $19.96.
17. Nittnaus Burgenland Anita Red Blend 2018, from eastern Austria, $19.96.
18. Meinklang Burgenland White 2020, also from Austria, $19.96.
19. Early Mountain Vineyards Virginia Chambourcin Young Wine 2021, Virginia, USA, $19.99
20. Domain Tatsis Macedonia Xinomavro-Negoska Young Vines 2017, from Macedonia, $19.99

“I really like Retsina”

In a recent interview with Gastronomo, Asimov revealed how much he enjoys retsina at a new age. “I really like Retsina. I think this is a great example of wine and culture. And, unfortunately, it was downgraded a long time ago. Maybe now people will start turning to her again. He has his own audience. I don’t think it will become very popular, but I’m not sure if anyone expects it to happen. I think if it gets to the point where people appreciate what it is and what it offers, and it’s no longer considered a joke or a wine to be avoided, that would be a big step.”

Source: New York Times.