The Best Wines Under $20 in 2023

By Gayot Editors

Bottles that Won’t Break the Bank

What’s the important thing you look for when choosing a bottle of wine? Is it the name, the varietal or the winemaker? Or is it the price? Yeah, it’s the price. That’s why GAYOT has compiled a selection of Best Wines Under $20.

Our list includes wines that prove you don’t have to spend a fortune to indulge in good vino. Selections are updated frequently, so be sure to come back often.

1. King Estate, Pinot Gris 2021 | Willamette Valley, Oregon, USA

Origin: Willamette Valley, Oregon
Varietal: 100% Pinot Gris
Price: $19.00
ABV: 13.5%

King Estate was founded in 1991 by the King family with a deep commitment to sustainable farming. Their uniquely integrated ecosystem of vineyard and woodland, grasslands and wetlands, orchards and culinary gardens located in Oregon’s prestigious Willamette Valley, led them to first obtain certified organic status followed by the biodynamic standard in 2016. Today, King Estate is the largest certified biodynamic vineyard in North America.

This wine has a pale straw color with aromas of peach, pear, apple, lemon zest and mineral. There are fruit flavors of peach and ripe pear, silk cream and juicy acidity, all lingering into a long and weighty finish.

> For more information, visit King Estate official website.

2. Planeta, Rosé 2021 Sicilia DOC | Sicily, Italy

Origin: Sicily, Italy
Varietals:  50% Nero d’Avola, 50% Syrah
Price: $16.99
ABV: 12.5%

The Planeta Family has been involved in Sicilian agriculture for five centuries and seventeen generations. Their work on the island has contributed to the revitalization of Sicilian winemaking. All of the company’s activities have a single theme: environmental sustainability. Through the use of solar panels and biomass production, principally pruning residues to produce energy, reusing and recycling of all materials used in the production cycle, and the exclusive use of recycled paper for packing and printed materials. Because the land is a collective benefit, Planeta considers it is a duty to make every effort in preserving it.

This wine has a light pink color with a slight trace of orange. The nose is very floral with hints of strawberries and rose petals. The mouth fills with flavors of wild red berry fruit, some mineral, melon and zesty citrus. The finish has soft creaminess and balanced acidity.

> For more information, visit Planeta official website.

3. 2017 Fratelli Antonio & Raimondo Langhe Nebbiolo | Piemonte, Italy

2015 Fratelli Antonio & Raimondo Langhe Nebbiolo

Type: 100% Nebbiolo
Origin: Piemonte, Italy
Price: $15
ABV: 14%

This Italian cousin to great, big Barolo shows Nebbiolo’s softer side. Although it isn’t a wildly complex or age-worthy wine, it has everything you need for a wine to enjoy at a backyard party.

Ruby red in color, it offers bright, red currant and red cherry flavors with zinging acidity. Easy on the wallet and easy drinking with its silky tannins, it’s a crowd-pleasing wine with a bit of sophistication.

> For more information, visit the Fratelli Antonio & Raimondo officia

4. 2021 Fleur de Mer Rosé | France

2018 Fleur de Mer Rosé

Type: Grenache, Carignan, Cinsault, Mourvèdre, Syrah
Origin: Côtes-de-Provence, France
Price: $20
ABV: 12.5%

If you’re looking for a light option for your outdoor affair, this dry Rosé from Provence makes an attractive choice.

One of the prettiest wines on this list, its aromas are pure wildflowers and summer fruits. It’s a lovely, fresh, soft-textured wine with yellow peach flavors and a mineral finish.

> For more information, visit the Fleur de Mer official website.

5. L. Mawby Tradition

L. Mawby Tradition

Type: SPARKLING
Origin: Leelanau Peninsula, Michigan
Price: $20

Sourced from Michigan’s Leelanau Peninsula, this sparkling wine is a Pinot Noir dominated blend. It has sweet aromas of raspberry and cherry that continue on the palate along with rich Chardonnay flavors of toasted almonds.

The finish is smooth and silky.

> For more information, visit the L. Mawby official website.

6. Graham Beck 2009 Brut Rosé

Graham Beck 2009 Brut Rose

Type: SPARKLING
Origin: Robertson, Cape, South Africa
Price: $20

Hailing from South Africa, this sparkling wine is composed of 82 percent Pinot Noir and 18 percent Chardonnay.

It displays a salmon pink color and aromas of strawberry and raspberry that lead to a creamy mouthfeel.

> For more information, visit the Graham Beck official website.

9. The Wonderland Project 2013 The White Queen Chardonnay

The Wonderland Project 2013 /The White Queen Chardonnay

Type: WHITE
Origin: Sonoma, California
Price: $20

This silky Chardonnay offers flavors of honey, spiced peach, nougat, marzipan and lemon cream.

These rich flavors are balanced by high acidity, adding structure and a long, crisp finish.

> For more information, visit The Wonderland Project official website.

8. Jolie Folle 2012 Rosé Vin de Pays de Méditerranée

Jolie Folle 2012 Rose Vin de Pays de Mediterranee

TYPE: ROSE
Origin: Provence, France
Price: $15

This rosé is made from grapes cultivated on a family estate in the Sainte Victoire AOC in Provence, France. It is composed of 50 percent Grenache and 50 percent Cinsault, and displays a pale pink hue.

The wine boasts a bright palate featuring flavors of strawberry, watermelon and white peach.

> For more information, visit the Loca Linda official website.

9. Ron Rubin 2013 Russian River Valley Pinot Noir

Ron Rubin 2013 Russian River Valley Pinot Noir

Type: RED
Origin: Sonoma County, California
Price: $19

Using grapes sourced from the coolest, foggiest region in Sonoma County, this Pinot Noir has aromas of cherry and plum with hints of cocoa and baking spices.

On the palate, it offers a round mouthfeel with toasty vanilla oak notes blended with berry flavors.

> For more information, visit the Ron Rubin official website.

10. Maggio Family Vineyards Merlot

Maggio Family Vineyards Merlot

Type: RED
Origin: Lodi, California
Price: $17

Established in 1954, Maggio Family Vineyards is known for their Zinfandel. This Merlot is blended with Zinfandel to boast a round palate featuring flavors of blackberry, vanilla and mocha.

It has a long finish with lingering hints of dried cherry.

> For more information, visit the Maggio Family Vineyards official website.

11. Liberated 2012 Sonoma County Cabernet Sauvignon

Maggio Family Vineyards Merlot

Type: RED
Origin: Sonoma County, California
Price: $20

This Cabernet Sauvignon is blended with Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot to reveal a purple color and notes of black cherry and currant, with hints of vanilla and licorice, on the nose.

The palate is soft and sweet with flavors of raspberry and plum.

> For more information, visit the Liberated Wine official website.

12. LangeTwins 2012 Zinfandel

LangeTwins 2012 Zinfandel

Type: RED
Origin: Lodi, California
Price: $14

Made using sustainable wine-growing traditions, LangeTwins 2012 Zinfandel offers rich aromas of ripe raspberry.

On the palate, jammy dark berry flavors are balanced by 100 percent American Oak aging, giving the wine a nice balance of toasty oak and fruit.

> For more information, visit the LangeTwins official website.

13. O. Fournier 2012 Urban Uco Blend

O. Fournier 2012 Urban Uco Blend

Type: RED
Origin: Uco Valley, Argentina
Price: $20

This multi-national wine group was established in 2000 and has producers in three countries — Argentina, Chile and Spain. The Urban Uco Argentinean blend is composed of 50 percent Malbec and 50 percent Tempranillo, revealing a deep purple color.

It is a medium-bodied wine with firm tannins and a vibrant palate of rich blackberry flavors.

> For more information, visit the O. Fournier official website.

14. O. Dalliance 2012 Red Wine

Dalliance 2012 Red Wine

Type: RED
Origin: Lake County, California
Price: $19

Sourced in California’s Lake County, this red blend is aged in French and American oak.

It features aromas of ripe cherry, blackberry and rich vanilla that continue on the palate along with hints of cinnamon.

> For more information, visit the Dalliance official website.