9 Amazing Italian White Wine Values at $35 or Less

As we slip into summer, lighter white wines begin to take a more prominent role at the table. Afternoons by the pool and aperitivo hour are moments made special with good friends and good wine, and it’s even better when you don’t have to spend a fortune on a delicious bottle. Italy’s diverse terrain and its breadth of local grape varieties result in a number of exciting white wines that fit the bill, and today’s Tasting Highlights features versions from three regions. Even better, all these wines are priced less than $35.

The Alto Adige subregion (the upper half of Northern Italy’s larger Trentino–Alto Adige) is acclaimed for its white wines, which comprise 64 percent of all bottlings made there. The area's cool evenings preserve crisp acidity in grapes while sunny days progress ripening for varieties like Pinot Grigio, Pinot Bianco and Chardonnay. These refreshing, minerally versions range in style from the rich and complex to the crisp and quaffable. Bottlings from Elena Walch perennially sit at the top of our ratings for this region, and many offer wallet-friendly prices. At 91 points, the Elena Walch Pinot Bianco Alto Adige 2023 is a lithe, lovely and well-spiced example at just $22.

This lineup includes Suavia's Soave Classico Monte Carbonare 2021, the top scorer, which is well-meshed with yellow apple, pink grapefruit and almond notes. Read on to get our score and full tasting note for this Italian white wine value and eight others.

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