Present in the pages of The Essential Guide to Italian Wines 2026 are as many as 867 wines that have the “thumbs up,” that is, our symbol for the excellent relationship between the quality of the wine and the selling price: basically the wines to buy to drink well at very affordable prices, within 18 euros. Among these we have chosen 10 with the best quality/price ratio.

To make this final list of the 10 wines with the best value for money, we selected those that had a score above 90/100 and a cost within 9.00 euros. Contrary to what you might think, these are not all white wines, but there are also some reds and even a sparkling wine, so basically there is something for everyone.

Our champion this year proves to be the Basilicata Rosso Carolin Gold Edition 2022 Martino, a fresh and fragrant Vulture red with an enveloping, full-bodied sip. It reports an excellent tasting score (94/100) and a low cost: € 9. We recommend you try it.

Then we have, in second place (almost an ex aequo), a wine from Campania: Sannio Falanghina Anima Lavica 2024 Janare La Guardiense, a producer who “frequents” this ranking often and in the 2021 edition of the Guide won this award. In third place was the winner from two years ago, Erbaluce di Caluso Fior di Ghiaccio 2024 Cantina Produttori Erbaluce di Caluso, and in fourth place was last year’s winner Bianchello del Metauro Gazza 2024 Di Sante.

We then find a long line of ex aequo, all wines that are on sale at an average price of 9 euros and that in tasting achieved the fine score of 93/100. They range across different regions, proving that in Italy it is still possible to drink very well while spending little almost anywhere, you just have to know how to look.

Basilicata Basilicata Rosso Carolin Gold Edition 2022 Martino 94 € 9.00
Campania Sannio Falanghina Anima Lavica 2024 Janare La Guardiense 94 € 9.00
Piedmont Erbaluce di Caluso Fior di Ghiaccio 2024 Cantina Produttori Erbaluce di Caluso 93 € 7.00
Marche Di Sante Bianchello del Metauro Gazza 2024 93 € 8.00

Ex aequo:

Abruzzo Montepulciano d’Abruzzo Ilico 2022 Illuminati 93 € 9.00
Emilia Colli di Parma Malvasia Spumante Extra Dry Acuto 2024 Carra di Casatico 93 € 9.00
Friuli Venezia Giulia Collio Sauvignon 2024 Cantina Produttori Cormòns 93 € 9.00
Piedmont Barbera d’Asti Sopra Berruti 2023 L’Armangia 93 € 9.00
Umbria Orvieto Classico Vigneto Torricella 2024 Bigi 93 € 9.00
Umbria Orvieto Classico Belloro 2024 Custodi 93 € 9.00

And that’s not all: below is the link to pre-order your copy of The Essential Guide to the Wines of Italy 2026 and to book yourself at the events presentation events in Milan and Rome: