Envy isn’t the noblest feeling to have, but recently I felt a spark of it when I was at a coffee shop and a couple sitting next to me were leafing through Lonely Planet’s latest edition of Europe on a Shoestring. Their conversation, parts of which I couldn’t help overhearing, made it fairly obvious they were about to embark on a backpacking adventure for many months.

It’s been years since I’ve done the same; in fact, it was the turn of the millennium when my wife and I last sold a bunch of possessions, loaded up our packs, and took a few months away (in that case, through Australia and Southeast Asia). We occasionally dream about what it would be like to hit the backpacking trail again, but the whole starting-our-lives-from-scratch-upon-our-return thing smacks of effort now that we’re further down life’s road. Fairly frequent, shorter trips and comfier accommodation than what we settled for in those days do us mighty fine at this point in our lives.

Nowadays, my idea of Europe on a shoestring is more akin to a handful of inexpensive Old World wines within arm’s reach, the couch, and perhaps downloading an old James Bond flick. This week, a bunch of ’em under $20—so you can do the same.

Il Poggione 2013 Bianco di Toscana Vermentino-Chardonnay

(Tuscany, Italy; $18 to $20, private liquor stores)

Bring on a creamy salmon pasta, seared scallops, or mussels in a white-wine-and-garlic broth. There are lifted aromas of salty sea air and citrus zest aplenty, then a palate of lemongrass, oyster shell, lime leaf, and yellow plum. Juicy acidity carries those flavours all the way through the clean finish. Will brighten the rainiest of days.

Purato 2013 Organic Nero D’Avola

(Sicily, Italy; $15 to $18, private liquor stores)

This is quite the Sicilian charmer, with vivid purple fruit on both the nose and the palate. Italian plum, Coronation grape, and Kalamata olive notes keep it straddling that line between sweet and savoury. Pizza with black olives, mushrooms, and herbs would do just fine, but a touch of earthiness will have it easily standing up to burgers, grilled meats, and heartier dishes.

Château de Jau 2013 Le JaJa de Jau Syrah

(Southern France; $15 to $18, private liquor stores)

The JaJa de Jau line of southern French wines, besides being super easy to pronounce even after consuming a few glasses, consistently offers incredible value. No matter the colour of wine behind the label, every offering has been delicious and quite the bargain. A softer, plummier Syrah—there’s indeed a smattering of pepper, but it’s folded into stewed blueberries, blackberries, and currants very well. A dusting of cocoa on the finish reminds me of a rich Mexican mole sauce, which, when dressing up braised chicken legs, would easily hit the spot.

Monasterio De Las Vinas 2005 Cariñena Gran Reserva

(Cariñena, Spain; $17.49, B.C. Liquor Stores)

The blend here is 60 percent Garnacha, 30 percent Tempranillo, and 10 percent Cariñena, and when it all comes together, we have a good pile of black fruit with licorice or anise character and a fantastic, gravelly mineral undertone that keeps it from being heavy or cloying. There’s an undercurrent of espresso bringing an extra layer to things, and seriously, a 10-year-old wine that’s this delicious, widely available, and under 20 bucks? Ridiculous. In a good way.

J.G. Carrión Antaño 2012 Crianza Rioja

(Rioja, Spain; $11.29, B.C. Liquor Stores)

Pour a good glug of this into a big glass, give it a swirl, and put your nose right in there. It’s like coming out of the cold and walking into someone’s warm and festive Christmas party, with mulled wine lightly bubbling on the stove. Cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, and allspice permeate purple berry fruit, with hints of orange rind and butterscotch to add a little cheer and decadence. Most of that continues onto the palate, where you’ll get a wee bit of extra heat from the alcohol, but hey—we’re celebrating!

Porca de Murca 2010 Tinto

(Douro, Portugal; $11.99, B.C. Liquor Stores)

Another outright ridiculous bargain that drinks like something twice the price. Blackcurrants, black cherry, and strawberry all swirl together with a good lashing of black pepper and earthy, herbal elements like sage and thyme. Tannins are absolutely on point: just grippy enough to provide a well-placed framework, but not so bold that they get in the way of the fruit. You’ll want to have a hearty, carnivore-friendly stew as an accompaniment.