Sip this racy $16 Sauvignon Blanc with seafood for a flavorful pairing

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A good wine is not necessarily expensive. Here are three around $20 – two less, in fact – that offer great value for their price. We start with a racy New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc, generous with its basket of fruit flavors. We follow with two understated reds that reward our patience by unfolding nuance over time – a delicious Pinot Noir from the Casablanca Valley in Chile, enjoying the cool maritime influence of the Pacific Ocean, and a brooding old vine red of the Rhone Valley in France.

Arona Sauvignon Blanc 2022

(3 stars)

Marlborough, New Zealand, $16

This sauvignon blanc shows the root we expect from New Zealand savvie, without the vegetal jalapeno notes we sometimes get. Expect a fruit salad on the palate: mango and passion fruit join apricot and tangy currant. Every time I returned to my drink, the blend of flavors turned into something new and delicious. Pair it with any seafood dish. Certified sustainable. Alcohol by volume: 12.5 percent. Bottle weight: 540 grams (medium).

Imported by International Vines Inc. Distributed locally by Lanterna.

Viu Manent Secreto Pinot Noir 2022

(3 stars)

Casablanca Valley, Chile, $18

The Casablanca Valley, northwest of the capital Santiago, could be Chile’s version of the Sta de California. Rita Hills AVA – a valley leading to the Pacific, sucking in cool ocean fog at moderate temperatures and creating ideal conditions for Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. This Pinot from Viu Manent was reluctant at first, but it rewarded my patience with savory, earthy notes of bing cherries and dried autumn leaves. The name Secreto seems appropriate, as the wine reveals itself over time. So don’t let the modest price fool you – open the screw cap a few hours before dinner, or better yet, decant it and let it come to life while you cook. Vegan. ABV: 12.5%. PC: 560 grams (average).

Imported and distributed locally by Tradewinds Specialty Imports.

Les Asseyras Old Vines Côtes du Rhône Villages 2020

(3.5 stars)

Rhone Valley, France, $21

Tasty, deep and earthy, with hints of lavender and wild sage, this is a classic style Rhone red, grown in the foothills of Mont Ventoux. It should improve in bottle for a few years. The same winery has a 2019 Côtes du Rhône bottling now available for $15, also recommended. ABV: 14.5%. PC: 650 grams (average).

Imported and distributed locally by Dechaunac Wine Imports.

Prices are approximate. For availability, check Wine.com, Wine-searcher.com and the websites and social media feeds of wineries, importers or distributors. You can also ask your local retailer to order wines from the listed distributors.