young woman trying to pick a bottle of wine from the store

The Best 20 Wines Under $20 | Sippd’s 2022 Picks

Buying wine is challenging, whether you’re navigating unfamiliar grapes, regions, or producers. Then we factor in price, and it becomes overwhelming. Many people assume high-priced wines are automatically better wines, which is not always the case. Great wine doesn’t have to be expensive, in fact, there are plenty of high-quality wines under that $20 price point. 

So how do you know if a wine is a “good” wine? 

When deciding if a wine is a “good” wine or not, we look for a few factors. First, we consider all the aromas and flavors we picked up in the wine – cherry, raspberry, blackberry, tar, tobacco, vanilla, roses, etc. If we had a lot to talk about when discussing the wine, we could say the wine has complexity. 

Next, we will want to taste the wine to assess the acid, alcohol, and sugar levels, the wine’s weight on the palate, and the tannins in red wine. If we find all of these elements in harmony, we can pleasantly say the wine is balanced. 

Finally, we will ask ourselves how long the wine flavors linger on our palate. If the flavors stick around, the wine has a long finish. If we have a complex and balanced wine with a long finish, it’s safe to say it’s a “great” wine. While wine can have a pretentious reputation, in reality, you can find complex, balanced, and delicious bottles at just about any price point. And be sure to remember that the most important aspect to factor into your wine selection is how it aligns to your personal taste preferences. 

Here are the Sippd team’s 2022 picks for best 20 wines under $20.

Sparkling Wines Under $20

  1. Valdo Prosecco DOC
Marco Oro on Sippd app

Conegliano-Valdobbiadene Prosecco, Italy

If you’re looking for a light, refreshing sparkling wine that you can sip on all night long, Prosecco DOC is for you!

Food pairings: green veggies, appetizers, charcuterie, lobster, prawn, crab, squash

Average price: $14.99

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  1. Domaine Ste. Michelle Brut NV
Domaine Ste Michelle Brut on the Sippd app

Puget Sound, United States 

Crafted in the Champagne method, the Domain Ste. Michelle Brut is an excellent alternative for people looking for those complex layers and toasty notes of Champagne at an affordable price. 

Food pairings: green veggies, pork chop and roast, poultry, tuna, salmon, bass, venison, sushi, squash 

Average price: $12.99

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  1. Gruet Brut
Gruet Brut on the Sippd app

New Mexico, United States 

American-made, this New Mexico winery specializes in Méthode Champenoise sparkling wines.

Food pairings: green veggies, pork chop and roast, poultry, tuna, salmon, bass, venison, sushi, squash 

Average price: $15.99

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  1. Campo Viejo Cava Reserva Brut
Campo Viejo Cava on the Sippd app

Cava, Spain 

Spain adopted the word “Cava,” which technically means ‘cellar’ in Catalan, to describe their sparkling wines made using the traditional method. A great, affordable replacement for Champagne, the well-balanced, versatile, and food-friendly.

Food pairings: appetizers, charcuterie, lobster, tuna, salmon, bass, crab, sushi, prawn

Average price: $11.99

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White Wines Under $20

  1. Kim Crawford Sauvignon Blanc
Kim Crawford Sauvignon Blanc on the Sippd app

Marlborough, New Zealand

New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc is the perfect wine to sip on during those warmer months. Try it with a soft cheese or fruit for the perfect afternoon treat. 

Food pairings: green veggies, salty and soft cheese, lobster, prawn, crab, squash

Average price: $14.99

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  1. Kendall Jackson Vintner’s Reserve Chardonnay
Kendall Jackson Chardonnay on the Sippd app

California, United States

Richness, depth and a refreshing sense of acidity are just some of the reasons why people fall in love with California Chardonnay. The Jackson family has been making wine in California since 1974. 

Food pairings: squash, poultry, green veggies, sushi, salmon, tuna, bass, pork chop and roast

Average price: $14.99

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  1. Attems Pinot Grigio
Attems Pinot Grigio on the Sippd app

Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Italy

The wine is a clear, straw yellow. The nose expresses great personality with fresh aromas of white peach, citrus peel, wildflowers, and definite scents of sap, thyme, and toasted bread. We find a wine with a balanced, complex flavor, and a persistent finish of white pepper, avocado, and walnut in its structured body.

Food pairings: beans and peas, squash, lobster, prawn, green veggies, crab, mushrooms

Average price: $11.99

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  1. Martín Códax Rías Baixas Albariño
Martin Codax Rias Baixas on the Sippd app

Rías Baixas, Spain

If you like Sauvignon Blanc, Albariño is a must try! It is a delightfully crisp and refreshing coastal white wine that grows on the Iberian Peninsula.

Food pairings: pasta, potato, lobster, herbs, prawn, green veggies, sushi, salmon, rice, crab, tuna, bass

Average price: $15.99

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  1. Dry Creek Vineyard Chenin Blanc
Dry Creek Chenin Blanc on the Sippd app

Clarksburg, United States

Chenin Blanc is originally from the Loire Valley, but California also produces high-quality expressions of this extremely versatile and food-friendly grape. Try it as an aperitif or with some fresh seafood. 

Food pairings: creamy and mild cheese, lobster, prawn, mexican food, indian and asian food, sushi, salmon, crab, tuna, bass

Average price: $16.99

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  1. Marchesi di Barolo Gavi
Marchesi di Barolo Gavi on the Sippd app

Gavi, Italy

An indigenous grape found around the town of Gavi in the Southeast part of Piedmont. The best Gavi from these locations is delicately floral, with stone fruit and citrus characters and a crisp, mineral-laden finish.

Food pairings: pasta, potato, lobster, prawn, sushi, salmon, crab, tuna, bass, appetizers, antipasti

Average price: $17.99

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  1. Joseph Drouhin Mâcon-Villages
Joseph Drouhin Mâcon-Villages on the Sippd app

Mâcon-Villages, France

This white wine is an affordable option for any wine lover looking for an approachable taste of white Burgundy. Vineyards situated in the Mâcon-Villages area are located in the southern part of the Burgundy region and are made with 100% Chardonnay grapes. 

Food pairings: pasta, squash, potato, herbs, green veggies, bread, rice, charcuterie

Average price: $14.99

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  1. Berger Grüner Veltliner
Berger Grüner Veltliner-lowres on the Sippd app

Niederösterreich, Austria

Grüner has a beautiful spicy minerality, vibrant aromatics, and bright acidity – a great wine to sip on with various foods. 

Food pairings: squash, poultry, green veggies, sushi, salmon, charcuterie, tuna, bass, pork chop and roast

Average price: $16.99

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Red Wines Under $20

  1. La Crema Pinot Noir
La Crema Pinot Noir on the Sippd app

Sonoma Coast, United States

Aromas of tart cherry, rhubarb, and beets are followed by flavors of red plum, cranberry, and boysenberry. 

Food pairings: poultry, venison, burgers, brisket, steak

Average price: $16.99

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  1. Cosentino ‘The Franc’ Cabernet Franc
Cosentino ‘The Franc’ Cabernet Franc on the Sippd app

Lodi, United States 

Aromas of vanilla, cedar, and dried herbs will hit your nose with this medium-body red. Filled with herbaceous and earthy flavors, this Cabernet Franc pairs well with anything from meatballs in tomato sauce to roasted duck.

Food pairings: poultry, venison, burgers, brisket, steak, pork chop and roast

Average price: $16.99

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  1. Alamos Malbec
Alamos Malbec on the Sippd app

Mendoza, Argentina

Malbec wines tend to be dry, full-bodied, with juicy dark and red fruit flavors. 

Food pairings: poultry, burgers, lamb, brisket, steak

Average price: $9.99

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  1. Masciarelli Montepulciano d’Abruzzo
Masciarelli Montepulciano d'Abruzzo on the Sippd app

Montepulciano d’Abruzzo, Italy

Montepulciano is the second most planted red variety in Italy, known for its bold and rustic flavors. 

Food pairings: pasta, potato, burgers, bread, brisket, steak, rice, pork chop and roast

Average price: $10.99

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  1. Santa Ema Reserve Merlot
Santa Ema Merlot on the Sippd app

Maipo Valley, Chile

The Maipo is one of Chile’s most famous winemaking regions. Chilean Merlot tends to be full-bodied yet gentle on the palate. 

Food pairings: brisket, burgers, steak, lamb

Average price: $14.99

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  1. Red Diamond Cabernet Sauvignon
Red Diamond Cabernet Sauvignon on the Sippd app

Washington, United States

Columbia Valley wine is the most recognized of all of Washington’s wine-growing regions. One can expect Cabernet Sauvignon from this region to be rich in dark fruits and approachable. 

Food pairings: brisket, burgers, steak, lamb

Average price: $9.99

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  1. Antinori Santa Cristina
Antinori Santa Cristina on the Sippd app

Toscana, Italy 

The Antinori family is the oldest winemaking family globally, dating back to 1385. The Santa Cristina is a blend of 60% Sangiovese and 40% Cabernet, Merlot, and Syrah, with typical Tuscan notes of red cherry fruits and dried Italian herbs.  

Food pairings: poultry, burgers, lamb, brisket, steak, charcuterie

Average price: $10.99

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  1. Shannon Ridge Petite Sirah
Shannon Ridge Petite Sirah on the Sippd app

Lake County, United States

From the Lake County AVA just north of Napa Valley, wines from this region are grown on high elevation, rich volcanic soils and produce several varietals bursting with flavor and elegant structures.

Food pairings: venison, burgers, lamb, brisket, steak

Average price: $14.99

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