5 Great Wines Under 20 Dollars

The following wines are all considered 90+ point wines, and all have been rated highly by various sources. They are all different varieties, from different regions, but they have one thing in common. They can all be found for under $20. Don't spend a fortune on wine this holiday season before you try these winners:

1. Sh. Ste. Michelle Eroica Riesling, 2007

This is my favorite Riesling bar none. It is made in Columbia Valley, Washington, and exhibits the crisp acidity typical to the region (2007 was the best year for this type of wine in over 5 years). Orange and lime aromas and flavors are present, along with mineral notes. Rated highly by Wine Enthusiast, Connoisseurs Guide, and many others, this Riesling will not disappoint. Serve this paired with a crab dinner and I promise you will have some happy guests.

2. Kim Crawford Sauvignon Blanc 2008

Produced in Marlborough, New Zealand, this wines citrus and tropical fruit nose is accented by the traditional New Zealand herbal notes. Nice acidity balances the sweet passion fruit with a crisp finish. The Kim Crawford 2008 Sauvignon Blanc can be found online for under $15. Pair this with shrimp, scallops, oysters, crab, or smoked fish!

3. Geyser Peak Cabernet Sauvignon 2005

Geyser Peak is known for great Cabs, and this is one of their best. It has everything I like in a big, lively Cabernet: bright, fruit forward character balanced by oak. Black cherry and blackberry dominate the aromas, with underlying dark chocolate and spice notes. The palate is well-rounded, with berry fruits paired with vanilla and a hit of spice. It has a nice long, lingering finish. Pairs well with a hearty steak dinner.

4. Gloria Ferrer Blanc de Noirs

You will notice that this rose` is the only sparkling wine on my list. To be honest, I don't drink sparkling wines very often, but I really did enjoy this Napa Valley sparkler, and it was very well received at my last dinner party. So, here it is! It is an 8% Chardonnay, 92% Pinot blend, light-bodied, with a pink color. It exhibits cherry and strawberry aromas, lemon, cherry, and cola flavors, carbonated, with a lasting finish. It has been rated a 94 by Wine News and a 90 by Robert Parker's Wine Advocate. A great carbonated party sipper!

5. Langmeil Valley Floor Shiraz 2006

This Australian red boasts high ratings by every major source, along with a complex aroma of plumb and raspberry cut by pepper, spice, and chocolatey oak. The palate's jamminess is offset by a subtle spiciness, fine tannins, and chocolate. It has a nice long finish. Pair this Shiraz with a big, bold lamb chop or meat stew for full effect.

I could really go on and on reviewing the fantastic wines that can be found for under $20, but I would soon be out of room in this article and fast asleep at my computer, so these five will have to do for now. Search the net or your local wine store for these five excellent picks, and feel free to send me your own recommendations.

Cheers!
- Matt from Wine-In-A-Glass.com

- Matt is an author on EzineArticles. He has published many articles online and in print about various wine and food topics. View his website for more wine tips and information.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Matt_Coughlin