The 10 best Italian red wines under 30 euros

There is a myth that to drink a good Italian red wine you have to spend a lot: fine bottles, collectible long-sellers or exclusive wine shop labels. But the truth is another: Italy offers a wealth of extraordinary wines even in the “affordable” range.

There are small treasures on the market capable of telling the story of territory, grapes, history and style, to buy without swooning. With this ranking we want to guide you on a journey to discover those reds that combine excellent value for money, immediate pleasantness and-for many-a surprising longevity in the glass.

We have chosen our top 10 wines based on tastings of thousands and thousands of red wines carried out to produce The Essential Guide to Italian wine 2026.
We anticipate it right away: the lion’s share of this ranking goes to the south central, with Sardinia (which places the highest scoring wine: 97/100, plus one more), Sicily (which has 2), Puglia (which offers the real champion, since with only 20 euros you can take home a 96/100 wine), Lazio and Abruzzo. But also Tuscany and Piedmont, reminding us that Italy needs to be toured to discover real wine-making gems.
We preferred to report wines whose production is not minimal, as happens with many excellent and affordable Sardinian wines, which are, however, difficult to find outside the island.

Versatility at the table

These are wines with good acidity, balanced tannins, a pleasant flavor profile and a balanced structure.
Such wines are perfect for accompanying everyday dishes or special dinners, with excellent adaptability-from pastas with rustic sauces to meats, cheeses or medium-structured main courses. Thus:

• If you wish to drink well without spending too much.
• If you are an enthusiast who wants to discover new territories and grape varieties without worrying about spending big bucks.
• If you want to give a good, risk-free bottle, capable of making a good impression even at this holiday season…

Here’s your list:

Cannonau di Sardegna Riserva Ballu Tundu 2021 Giuseppe Sedilesu

Score: 97/100
Average price in wine shop: € 30,00

100% Cannonau. Matures 20 months in barrel. Bright ruby. Aromas of spices, candied orange peel and herbs. The structure is powerful but agile, the tannins are well present but chiseled and the progression of great dynamism. Very savory, fresh and deep finish. (D.Ca.)

Castel del Monte Nero di Troia Riserva Ottagono 2018 Torrevento

Score: 96/100
Average price in wine shop: € 20,00

100% Nero di Troia. Matures 8 months in cement and one year in large barrel. Purplish ruby, very consistent. Spicy and intensely fruity bouquet, black cherry, sour cherry, roasting. Full-bodied yet agile, fresh and saline, broad and very elegant, with very fine tannins, very juicy progression and long, savory finish. (S.V.)

Cannonau di Sardegna Classico Dule 2022 Gabbas

Score: 96/100
Average price in wine shop: € 21,00

100% Cannonau. Barrique for 12 months. Live garnet. Crisp, intense aromas of myrtle and spice. Juicy, full and very elegant with velvety tannins and a relaxed, energetic drink. Long and enveloping finish. (D.Ca.)

Chianti Classico 2021 Vigneti La Selvanella

Score: 96/100
Average price in wine shop: € 25,00

100% Sangiovese. Large barrels for two years. Clear garnet ruby. Enveloping and ethereal on the nose with notes of strawberry, then cassis, herbs and hints of cherry. Saline, taut, elegant, dynamic, with dense but already integrated tannins. Very persistent finish. (D.C.)

Lessona 2020 Tenute Sella

Score: 96/100
Average price in wine shop: € 26,00

96/100 30,00 €

85% Nebbiolo, 15% Vespolina. 24 months in Slavonian barrels. Bright garnet red. On the nose red fruits, oriental spices, hints of vegetables and currants, then tobacco and white pepper. Broad on the palate, very elegant fine tannic texture accompanied by red citrus and lively acidity. Very long lasting with excellent evolutionary potential. (E.M.)

Cesanese di Olevano Romano Riserva 2021 Damiano Ciolli

Score: 96/100
Average price in wine shop: € 28,00

100% Cesanese di Affile. Large barrel for 12 months, another 12 in concrete. Light ruby red. Balsamic, enveloping, earthy, violet nose. Mouth in its own way light, despite the alcohol content, elegant, harmonious, fresh, with perfectly ripe fruit, very smooth tannins and long persistence. A resounding version. (L.L.)

Montepulciano d’Abruzzo Colline Teramane Riserva Zanna 2020 Illuminati

Score: 96/100
Average price in wine shop: € 29,00

100% Montepulciano. Two years in large barrels. Very intense and concentrated garnet ruby. Typical, enveloping olfactory profile with hints of black cherry, humus, flint, plum, black cherry and sweet spices. Palate full, saline, full-bodied and warm, dense tannins. Very persistent finish. (D.C.)

Roero Riserva Panera Alta 2021 Bric Castelvej

Score: 96/100
Average price in wine shop: € 29,00

100% Nebbiolo. Big barrels. Intense garnet color. Complex and articulate aromas, with spicy notes, then cassis, cherry and floral hints. Warm, composed, rich and elegant palate, with perfectly integrated tannins and excellent finish length. (E.M.)

Sicilia Nero d’Avola Riserva Don Antonio 2022 Morgante

Score: 96/100
Average price in wine shop: € 29,00

100% Nero d’Avola. Barrique for 12 months. Intense ruby, concentrated and lively. Ethereal, boisé, very typical, with notes of red citrus, capers and sweet spices. Full, warm sip with hinted tannins and considerable body. (F.G.)

Sicilia Nero d’Avola Lu Patri 2023 Baglio del Cristo di Campobello

Score: 96/100
Average price in wine shop: € 30,00

100% Nero d’Avola. Partly used casks for at least 18 months. Dark and intense ruby. Plum, red floral, pyrethrum, mulberry and caper nose. Dense, savory, juicy and sunny texture that thanks to youthful, quality tannins allows for a happy flavor progression that culminates in an enveloping, deep finish. (R.V.)