Finding wine under $20 isn’t always easy. Some bottles are fine once and forgettable the next, but a few really hold their own. When I set out to publish a “Top 5” list, I thought the challenge would be narrowing it down. Instead, I landed firmly on four Italian whites that I know well and keep coming back to: bottles I’ve trusted over time, and that still stood out after tasting through Mazzaro’s shelves again in recent months.
For more perspectives, check out 5 Standout Wines to Age, According to the Experts at Mazzaro’s, where their team shares top picks from the shop.
I ended up running two separate blind tastings, and both times the bottles lined up in this exact 1–4 ranking. The fifth spot? I’m leaving that one up to you. Head to this Instagram or Facebook post to weigh in with your pick.
4. Cà dei Frati ‘I Frati’ Lugana
Familiar Favorite: Always a hit at the table.
The bold, recognizable bottle makes I Frati an easy one to spot, and it has become a frequent pick for dinner parties. Bright and fruity when young, it pairs beautifully with food, and the structure is there for it to develop more depth with age. If you’re looking for a bottle for a relaxed night with friends, the Lugana works really well.
Where to find it: Mazzaro’s, Pasadena Liquors & Fine Wines, B-21.
3. Italo Cescon Elemento #1 Pinot Grigio
Surprise Factor: Not your average Pinot Grigio.
This bottle is a new addition to the St. Pete wine scene and it has been popping up more often thanks to BayVino, who brought it in for its complexity. I’ve poured it at multiple wine events, and more than once it gained new fans. A friend even called it the best Pinot Grigio she’d ever tried and immediately bought a case. Expect more weight and texture than the usual, with bright fruit and spice.
Where to find it: Mazzaro’s, Pasadena Liquors & Fine Wines, Vino Simpatico.
2. Pieropan Soave Classico
Trusted: A name that delivers vintage after vintage.
This is the benchmark Soave, but I reach for it when I want to elevate a weeknight. It is versatile and easy to pair, with pleasant aromas of citrus and stone fruit that make it feel like more than a simple dinner wine. Sometimes you will spot Pieropan’s next-level “La Rocca” on shelves or lists too, which is worth the upgrade.
Where to find it: Mazzaro’s, Pasadena Liquors & Fine Wines, Total Wine, Luekens, B-21.
1. Marchesi di Barolo Gavi
Standout: A longtime favorite that proves itself blind.
Marchesi di Barolo is a big name in Piedmont, best known for powerhouse reds, but they also make this fresh Gavi. It has come out on top in blind tastings more than once, showing zippy acidity with melon, apple, and chamomile notes. For the price point, it is a great pick for anyone who loves Sauvignon Blanc or Chablis.
Where to find it: Mazzaro’s, Try Wine, Luekens, Pasadena Liquors & Fine Wines.
Final Sip
These bottles prove budget wine can still impress.
Four proven Italian whites under $20, and one still up for debate. Which wine deserves the fifth spot? Make your suggestion on our Instagram or Facebook.
P.S. For anyone curious about the logistics: I Coravined the Pinot Grigio, uncorked the Gavi and Lugana because of their synthetic corks, and Pieropan came with a screw top.