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Last Updated on March 9, 2023 by Lydia Martin
Good news for wine lovers – not all wines are expensive and cheap ones don’t mean low quality.
While premium, high-quality wines really come at a hefty price tag, you can still find good bottles at an affordable price.
So let’s get straight to it – here are the best white wines under $20.
Top 10 White Wines Under $20 You Shouldn’t Miss
10. Matua Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc
Average Price: roughly $14/750ml
Alcohol Content: 13% ABV
Why We Like It: This white wine is made from the grapes of Marlborough, and it’s a great choice for entertaining friends and family.
Why? Because its crisp and clean character is an ideal accompaniment to any simple dish.
It can be an after-meal drink or can be an appetizer. It gives a refreshing feel, so we enjoy this wine. The palate is just right; no complexity at all.
9. Aveleda Fonte Vinho Verde White
Average Price: roughly $10/750ml
Alcohol Content: 11% ABV
Why We Like It: We like this white wine for its vibrant and delicate aroma, accentuated by the presence of fresh fruit such as lime and green apple.
It tastes youthful and balanced, making it an ideal drink for any occasion or just any ordinary day.
It’s low in alcohol and very affordable, so we’ll recommend it for beginners. This is our first time trying this brand, but we’ll surely buy a bottle again.
8. Decoy Sauvignon Blanc
Average Price: roughly $16/750ml
Alcohol Content: 13.9% ABV
Why We Like It: This wine from Decoy is a great example of a Sauvignon Blanc fermented completely in stainless steel, giving vibrant and juicy stone fruit and citrus flavors.
We like the aromas of pink grapefruit, sweet citrus, and hay, complimented by an elegant and refreshing finish.
7. Oyster Bay New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc White Wine
Average Price: roughly $15/750ml
Alcohol Content: 13% ABV
Why We Like It: This crisp and refreshing Oyster Bay Sauvignon Blanc white wine is also a great choice for any occasion.
It gives an elegant feeling despite its affordable price.
The aromas of tropical fruits, like pineapple and mango, and vibrant acidity pair well with light meals and seafood dishes.
It’s smooth and well-balanced, making it a perfect evening drink before bed.
6. Cavit Pinot Grigio
Average Price: roughly $10/750ml
Alcohol Content: 12% ABV
Why We Like It: This is a light-bodied and refreshing Italian wine. We like it as a fish, pasta, and chicken dish pairing.
The quality character of this wine is due to the selected grapes, which are then transformed into wine through advanced technology.
Cold fermentation ensures that the natural fruit flavor and aroma of this wine remain intact, and it’s clearly noticeable even on the first sip of this drink.
5. Chateau Du Cleray Muscadet Sevre et Maine Sur Lie
Average Price: roughly $15/750ml
Alcohol Content: 11.5% ABV
Why We Like It: This wine is a good pairing with oysters. Made with the melon de Bourgogne grape, it boasts a combination of citrus and mineral aromas.
Though light to medium-bodied, this wine is a mouth-watering drink with a bit of a spritz and a bitter, saline taste.
The proof is lower than other bottles on this list, so it’s perfect as an everyday wine.
4. Drouhin Macon-Villages
Average Price: roughly $18/750ml
Alcohol Content: 13% ABV
Why We Like It: This Chardonnay [1] wine from Burgundy, France, is crisp and dry. We like its fresh fruit flavor with hints of Granny Smith apple and pear.
This medium-bodied wine delivers a long finish that adds to its appeal as an aperitif or a great accompaniment to any seafood, like fish and shellfish, and other food, like cheese.
3. Kim Crawford Sauvignon Blanc White Wine
Average Price: roughly $14/750ml
Alcohol Content: 13% ABV
Why We Like It: This Kim Crawford Sauvignon Blanc is a fresh and juicy white wine with tropical fruit flavors, like passion fruit and stone fruit.
The hints of crushed herbs and lifted citrus make it a refreshing pour. Besides, its vibrant acidity and long finish make it an ideal drinking wine for any time of day.
2. Grove Mill Sauvignon Blanc
Average Price: roughly $15/750ml
Alcohol Content: 13% ABV
Why We Like It: Light in color and inexpensive, Grove Mill Sauvignon Blanc is a great value wine.
Made with 100% Sauvignon Blanc grapes, it’s bottled in recycled glass with labels made from renewable sugarcane.
It was named one of Dan Murphy’s Decoded Wine Award winners in 2022 [2].
We can’t argue, as this wine has a vibrant and juicy taste with tropical fruits and a powerful bouquet.
1. Josh Cellars Chardonnay
Average Price: roughly $15/750ml
Alcohol Content: 13.5% ABV
Why We Like It: Josh Cellars Chardonnay is highly recommended if you want a real quality wine at an affordable price.
Josh Cellars Chardonnay is full of honey and citrus, with hints of peach and oak character– a great wine that can be enjoyed just about any meal.
“Drinking good wine with good food in good company is one of life’s most civilized pleasures.”
— Michael Broadbent, Wine Critic
The nose has tropical fruits and citrus aromas, with a subtle oak flavor that lingers throughout the finish. Overall, this is simply delicious.
*Average prices are based on Drizly online. Prices may vary in local liquor shops.
FAQs
What’s the best dry white wine under $20?
The best dry white wine under $20 is Josh Cellars Chardonnay. This is a California wine priced at around $15.
What is a decent price for white wine?
A decent price for white wine is around $30. But you can find good quality white wines between the $10 to $20 range.
Is white wine easier on the stomach than red?
White wine isn’t easier on the stomach as red wine does. Red wine is less acidic compared to white wine.
Final Thoughts
Now you don’t have to spend much money to get a good and decent wine you can enjoy on ordinary days or on some occasions.
At under $20, you can purchase Matua Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc to Grove Mill Sauvignon Blanc wines and enjoy them with your favorite food.
But if you ask the best one, Josh Cellars is the winner. It’s a great deal of wine– affordable yet quality. It’s versatile, smooth, and delicious.
References:
- https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/food/5-things-to-know-about-chardonnay-the-worlds-most-popular-white-wine/2019/07/26/eed6635c-ad55-11e9-a0c9-6d2d7818f3da_story.html
- https://kitchen.nine.com.au/drinks/decoded-wine-awards-2022-dan-murphys-pick-best-wines/47331235-53e2-4d05-8ed9-5e947671626d
Lydia Martin hails from Redmond, Washington, where you’ll find some of the best cocktail bars and distilleries that offer a great mix of local drinks. She used to work as a bar manager in Paris and is a self-taught mixologist whose passion for crafting unique cocktails led her to create Liquor Laboratory. Lydia can whip up a mean Margarita in seconds! Contact at [email protected] or learn more about us here.
