2017 Jo Landron Muscadet Sèvre et Maine Sur Lie Les Houx ($15)The Loire Valley’s Muscadets remain sensational white wine values and Jo Landron is one of the region’s hottest winemakers. This cuvée is more full-bodied and almondy than most Muscadets, perfect for crab and lobster.
2016 Chateau du Champs des Treilles Vin Passion ($15) Bordeaux white blends (sauvignon blanc, semillon, muscadelle) are coming back into vogue. This one, with herbal aromas and rich citrus tastes, is from the organic estate of Corinne and Jean-Michel Comme, the technical director at esteemed Château Pontet-Canet.
2017 Anselmo Mendes Alvarinho Contacto ($18)You can’t go wrong with any of the inexpensive whites from Anselmo Mendes, one of Vinho Verde’s flagship winemakers. Alvarinho is the Portuguese name for Spanish albarino, and this one is intensely fruity but also has creamy texture and concentration.
2017 Masseria Li Veli Verdeca Askos ($18)This stunning property is one of the top estates in Puglia, Italy, and the quality of wines at the value end is terrific. This one has noteworthy complexity for the price.
2017 Donnafugata Lighea ($19) Intense and mineral, this crisp, dry Sicilian white is made from Zibibbo grapes (also known as muscat of Alexandria) by a winery noted for good values. It’s ideal with baked pasta or oily fish.
REDS
2014 Compania de Vinos del Atlantico Gordo ($14) A bold, spicy, opulent blend of monastrell and cabernet sauvignon, this full-bodied red comes from a backwater appellation in southeastern Spain. It’s earthy and slightly rustic, a wine for hearty winter stews.
2015 CVNE Vina Real Crianza Rioja ($15) Basic, entry-level Riojas, labeled crianza, are often good values. This one, from CVNE’s Vina Real winery, is generous, pure, fruit-driven and robust, with amazing quality, considering that 900,000 bottles were made.
2017 Filipa Pato Bairrada Tinto FP Baga ($16) The daughter of a legendary Portuguese winemaker, Filipa Pato works with her restaurateur husband to create wines from indigenous Portuguese grapes. This is a light red, from the Baga grape, that tastes like a cross between gamay and pinot noir.
2017 G.D. Vajra Dolcetto d’Alba ($17) This family estate in Barolo country adheres to old-style winemaking. All their wines are top values, especially the inexpensive, hearty, frequently overlooked Dolcetto, which is loaded with plummy fruit.
2015 Suertes del Marques 7 Fuentes ($18)The Canary Islands are a hotbed of fascinating volcanic wines, and this fresh, spicy, entry-level red from listan negro grapes is a textbook example. The winery helped put the region on the world wine map.