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Sip, Savor, Save

If you think cheap white wine is only for grandma's spritzer, think again. As a wine and spirit educator and judge, I've encountered hundreds of wines working with the Ultimate Beverage Challenge and selling and buying for restaurants and stores — and there are white wines costing no more than $20 to satisfy almost anyone's palate. At Cheapism, we've spoken with experts and wine vendors, read reviews, and held tastings to round up the best white wines that achieve a certain level of quality at a low price. Often the trick is to look beyond the chardonnays and pinot grigios (though they’re here, too) to less common varieties of grapes, such as melon de bourgogne or viura. And if your local wine shop lacks, check larger retailers such as Total Wine or BevMo. Looking for some suggestions for reds as well? Check out 50 Great-Tasting Red Wines Under $20.


Prices and availability are subject to change, and shipping is not available in all states.


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Total Wine

Dr. Konstantin Frank Rkatsiteli


$17 from Total Wine
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Rkatsiteli is an ancient grape variety from the Black Sea region in Georgia (the country, not the state). It has flourished in the Finger Lakes region in New York, making deliciously complex wines. From a true pioneer of domestic wine, this bottle offers layers of fruit, floral notes, and earthy undertones all in balance with a dry finish.


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Total Wine

Cune Monopole


$13 from Total Wine
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A white wine from the Rioja region of Spain, made from the viura grape, this is an all-purpose white wine. The flavors of apples, pears, and lemon make this an easy substitute for any typical white wine for drinking on its own or alongside light fare.


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Total Wine

Boutari Moschofilero


$16 from Total Wine
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Greek wines tend to get lost in the shuffle, which is a shame considering the value they offer, especially when it comes to easy-drinking whites. This one is made from 100% moschofilero, is aged in stainless steel for three months, and has crisp citrus notes with some tropical fruit undertones and a zesty mineral finish.


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Total Wine

J. Lohr Riverstone Chardonnay


$10 from Total Wine
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A full-bodied and full-flavored chardonnay from California, this wine is balanced between elegance and power. The rich fruit takes on a tropical note, while the texture gets some extra creaminess from aging on the lees, or yeast cells. A slight toastiness comes in from gentle oak exposure.


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Wine.com

Decoy Sauvignon Blanc


$18 from Wine.com
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This is a rich style of sauvignon blanc from California. The flavors are focused on fruit, with notes of Meyer lemon, lemon curd, and stone. This juicy sauvignon blanc remains bright and tangy with a dry white finish after its generous fruitiness.


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Wine.com
Total Wine

Bandit Pinot Grigio

$4 from Total Wine
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A great value in California pinot grigio, non-vintage Bandit Pinot Grigio comes in a 1-liter Tetra Pak — larger than the usual 750 ml bottle. This simple wine is a clean and crisp dry white, with a hint of fruity tartness.


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Total Wine

Big House White

$16.50 from Total Wine
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A non-vintage blend of grenache, malvasia bianca, and orange muscat yields a dry wine that's pleasant and fruity. Exuding floral aromas and sweet citrus flavors, it can stand on its own or accompany salads, fish, and poultry.


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Total Wine

Crane Lake Pinot Grigio


$4 from Total Wine
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California's Crane Lake is a go-to producer for serious bargains that retain varietal character. While light and fairly simple, the wine retains an earthy and herbal character that unmistakably smacks of the namesake grape. In the category of cheap pinot grigios, this is one of the best wines around.


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Wine.com

Pine Ridge Chenin Blanc + Viognier


$13 from Wine.com
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This California blend combines the smooth nuttiness of chenin blanc grapes with the full, golden fruitiness of viognier grapes to create a delightfully smooth and supple white wine that pairs well with just about any main course, from surf to turf.


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Costco

Kirkland Signature Ti Point Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc


$7 from Costco


Critics absolutely love this low-priced white, and why not? Costco partnered with Ti Point Wines, one of New Zealand's most notable producers, to create a sauvignon blanc that tastes like it should cost twice as much. This dry, crisp wine is refreshingly citrusy, with herbal, grassy hints and just enough fullness.


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Wine.com

Nobilo Sauvignon Blanc


$20 from Wine.com
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This New Zealand-made medium-bodied, popular white wine is crisp and fruity, with notes of tropical passion fruit as well as gooseberries. It's made in the Marlborough region of New Zealand, an area known for its sauvignon blancs, pinot noirs, and chardonnays.


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Total Wine

Hugel Les Amour Pinot Blanc


$17.50 from Total Wine
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Pinot blanc is the result of pinot noir vines experiencing a genetic mutation. This bottle, from France's Alsace region, is juicy with an underlying creaminess. Expect flavors of sweet corn, fresh apple, and tangerine in this popular white wine.


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Total Wine

Chateau Palene Bordeaux Blanc


$10 from Total Wine
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Named for the French region where it's produced, this white Bordeaux is a medium-bodied wine with hints of citrus, pineapple, and peach. It's crisp with a mineral and slightly acidic finish. Like all white Bordeaux wines, this one is a combination of sauvignon blanc and sémillon grapes.


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Wine.com

Marqués de Cáceres Verdejo


$10 from Wine.com
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With an intense bouquet of apples, pears, and white peaches, this Spanish-made white wine has notes of minerality and herbaceous depth. Its clean and crisp flavors give way to a minimally tart finish.


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Total Wine

14 Hands Chardonnay


$9 from Total Wine
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Made in Washington state, this creamy chardonnay has notes of sweet oak and spice with a citrusy and peachy creaminess. A bit of woodsy depth is provided by its aging process, with 15% fermented in neutral oak. Serve this with a soft cheese plate.


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Wine.com

Indaba Chenin Blanc


$9 from Wine.com
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The value-driven South African brand behind this wine does not disappoint. Indaba Chenin Blanc is dry yet floral, and features flavors such as lemon, apricot, and cardamom. Also produced in France and the United States., Chenin blanc has become the iconic white wine of South Africa.


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Wine.com

La Vieille Ferme Blanc


$11 from Wine.com
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Made from the varietals bourboulenc, grenache blanc, ugni blanc, and vermentino, and finished in stainless steel tanks, this wine from France's Rhone Valley is characterized by lemon-citrus notes, hints of pear, apple, and peach, with a measured mineral finish.


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Wine.com

Charles Smith Kung Fu Girl Riesling


$14 from Wine.com
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Kung Fu Girl from Charles Smith Wines is an easy-to-love, slightly sweet riesling, an often misunderstood grape variety. This mildly complex wine offers a touch of juicy fruit with a crisp, minerally core. It's one of the best wines on this list to pair with spicy food.


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Wine.com

Hiruzta Txakoli


$20 from Wine.com
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Txakoli is a style of wine from the Spanish Basque country. The wines are light with a slightly airy or fizzy texture and flavors of sea salt, brine, almonds, and herbal freshness. Pair this with salty and crunchy foods and anything from the sea.


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Wine.com

Joel Gott Unoaked California Chardonnay


$16 from Wine.com
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A shining example of clean fruit from California, this wine is juicy, with a brightness that keeps it fresh. Though its flavors are those of predominantly unoaked chardonnay, this wine spends a small amount of its aging process in 1-year-old French oak barrels. The natural richness of the grape comes through, making the wine a good candidate to enjoy with food.


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Total Wine

Royal Tokaji the Oddity Furmint


$18 from Total Wine
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From the undisputed king of the sweet wines of Hungary, Royal Tokaji, comes this dry white wine varietal made from the furmint grape. The wine is cheerful with plenty of citrus, herbal, and pear notes that make it exciting to sip. It's ideal alongside appetizers and lighter fare.


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