Great Wines Under $25

Fresh & Herbal

Andres Carull's family has been making wine in Alicante for decades. At a very young age, he already knew what he was going to dedicate himself to. However, a visit to Bordeaux in 2008 changed his course when he discovered natural wine; he decided to turn his winemaking towards this ‘old-but-new’ path.

The seed planted in Bordeaux in 2008 has now blossomed into a personal project dedicated to producing stripped-back, honest wines that truthfully express his countryside, heritage and people. Vibrant wines from living vines. Tragolargo Tinto is a delightfully easy drinking young red made from Monastrell grapes grown in Casa Balaguer Estate in Villena, Alicante.

On the nose, you'll find aromas of blackberry and strawberry, with some hints of eucalyptus and liquorice. Fresh and vibrant, on the palate Picofino is smooth, with structured yet soft tannins and a beautifully balanced acidity.

Enjoy it on its own or with a light dinner.

Juicy & Fresh

Punset is an innovator when it comes to organic wine. Inheriting the estate in 1982, Marina Marcarino is a fifth generation winemaker.

This red is called 'Neh! after a popular Piedmontese slang used to finish a sentence, similar to  'eh. It is a blend of Dolcetto, Barbera and Nebbiolo, the local red grapes in Piedmont.  This wine has deep fruity aromas with red summer fruits, like black cherry, strawberries and raspberries. The colour is dark ruby and the wine shows good structure, acidity and medium body with a distinct earthiness.

Punset Neh! is an everyday wine, perfect with all kinds of food and even by itself. Uncork this bottle any time and enjoy it!

Light & Earthy

The vineyards of Fattoria di Sammontana are located along the hills that border the Arno River, 20km to the south west of Florence. Today, the family - now in its fourth generation - runs the farm according to organic and biodynamic practices, with the intent to fully preserve and sustain the traditions and winemaking history of the land.

This wine is a nod to the old tradition that made Trebbiano a compulsory component of any Chianti blend. Almost entirely Sangiovese with just a touch of Trebbiano, Alberese is such a delicious, simple and easy drinking wine that it could go with just about anything. 

We particularly love opening a bottle of Alberese when cooking pizza or when having an aperitivo before dinner: a beautiful choice with cured meats, cheeses and olives. Any rich pasta dish made with bacon and tons of pecorino would also be a delicious option!

Bold & Earthy

Casa Los Frailes (“Cals Frares” in  the old local language) takes their name from the Jesuit Friars that used to live in the Estate over two centuries (XVII to XVIII). The Casa Los Frailes estate now belongs to the Velázquez family and has for over 250 years, today the 13th generation runs the winery. Frontrunners in organic agriculture and biodynamics, the estate consists of vineyards, Mediterranean forest, almond and olive trees.

A blend of Monastrell and Syrah, its personality makes it a dark, warm and complex wine. On the nose, it has intense aromas of red fruits, jam, cherries and plums; paired with smoky tones, notes of liquorice and coffee. On the palate, the fruit perfectly blends with the oak, showing sweet tannins followed by a round, rich and deep structure.

This bold wine begs for rich foods, that's why we recommend beef short ribs, lentils, shiitake and portobello mushrooms, lamb, rabbit, soy sauce and black pepper... Adding herbs to your dishes such as thyme, lavender and rosemary will also enhance the floral character of the wine.

Aromatic & Fresh

The vineyards of Fattoria di Sammontana are located along the hills that border the Arno River, 20km to the south west of Florence. Today, the family - now in its fourth generation - runs the farm according to organic and biodynamic practices, with the intent to fully preserve and sustain the traditions and winemaking history of the land.

Prunecchio is the name of an old vineyard plot on the Fattoria di Sammontana estate planted with Sauvignon Blanc, Trebbiano and Malvasia. It is has aromas of yellow plums, quince, gooseberries, and acacia flowers on the nose. On the palate, it's fresh and well balanced. 

This wine is perfect as an aperitif, or with fish dishes, pasta and all kinds of salads and green veggies. A must try with hrimp scampi!

Rich & Fruity

Located 50 km east from Saint-Émilion, the Barouillet family has been growing grapes for at least 8 generations in Pécharment, Monbazillac and Bergerac. Vincent Alexis, who joined his father in 2010, converted the vineyards to organic and is about to obtain the biodynamic certification. 

This is organic and low intervention at its best. With equal parts Cabernet, Malbec and Merlot the wine is filled with liquorice and ripe red fruit aromas. Notes of blackcurrant reveal a fruity and rich mouthfeel that still maintains freshness.

It matches perfectly with grilled meat, roast, charcuteries, or with spaghetti Bolognese.

Textured & Mineral

When Michel Muré settled in Rouffach and planted his vineyard in the 17th century, he surely had little conception of the beautiful adventure that he was setting in motion for his descendants. In 1935, Alfred Muré extended the property with the addition of the 12-hectare (25-acre) wholly owned Clos Saint Landelin, foreseeing already its potential for exceptional quality. He replanted the terraces, ideally situated with their sunny exposure and shelter from the rain.

Nowadays it is Alfred’s grandson René, together with his children Véronique and Thomas, the 11th and 12th generations of the family, who are responsible for running this exceptional, wholly-owned vineyard and its neighbouring terroirs, using biodynamic methods.

Muré's Sylvaner is a lovely wine.  On the nose, it delivers delicate aromas and flavours of quince, green apple and mineral. On the palate, it finishes long and clean with a soft refined perfume. 

Lovely as an aperitif; a must with shellfish and asparagus dishes.

Textured & Floral

Andres Carull family has been making wine in Alicante for decades. At a very young age, he already knew what he was going to dedicate himself to. However, a visit to Bordeaux in 2008 made him discover natural wine; turning his winemaking towards this ‘old-but-new’ path. The seed planted in Bordeaux in 2008 has now blossomed into a personal project dedicated to producing stripped-back, honest wines that truthfully express his countryside, heritage and people. Vibrant wines from living vines.

Tragolargo Blanco is made from Moscatel vines located in the Salinas de la Mata Natural Park in Torrevieja and Malvasía from Puerto de La Harina. Both plots have sandy soils located very close to the Mediterranean Sea.

This wine has zingy fresh aromatics, zippy acidity and a good degree of balance between pithy, dry tannins, fruit concentration and just the right level of funk. A glorious golden colour offering aromas of orange blossom and fennel with some delicate floral notes.

Pairs well with aperitivo, fish dishes and moroccan style cuisine, especially when spicy!