When it comes to Chardonnay, people either seem to be die-hard fans or staunch supporters of the Anything-But-Chardonnay movement. But no matter which side you fall on, you can’t deny this grape’s popularity. After all, it’s one of the most widely-planted varieties in the world.
But Chardonnay haters are missing out. This grape can produce wines that run the gamut from tropical and fruity to flinty and earthy on the palate. It’s also somewhat of a shapeshifter: While it might be controversial, Chardonnay can lend itself well to oak aging, resulting in wines that display vanilla and toasted tones. And if the grape undergoes malolactic fermentation? These wines will typically have a creamy and buttery mouthfeel. In other words, there is a Chardonnay for everyone.
Luckily, you don’t need to spend very much money on an excellent bottle, no matter if you’re just starting to explore the variety or simply want to support a well-developed Chardonnay habit.
Here are (just some of) the best Chardonnays for $20 or less.
The Best Chardonnays Under $20
91 Points Wine Enthusiast
Delicate aromas of ripe stone fruits and jasmine lead the nose on this wine. Zesty yet creamy, the complex palate offers crisp apple, pineapple, butterscotch, vanilla, and oak before a saline finish. Best Buy. —Jacy Topps
91 Points Wine Enthusiast
Crisp aromas of lime peel and pear flesh are lively on the nose of this bottling. There’s a firm tightness to the sip, where more citrus and pome fruit flavors align against a vibrant acidity. Best Buy. —Matt Kettman
85 Points Wine Enthusiast
Tart lemon and sour pear aromas kick off the nose of this bottling. It’s a bit viscous on the palate but with a flash of acidity, leading into a rich apple and bubblegum flavors. —M.K.
91 Points Wine Enthusiast
This full-bodied and ultra-smooth textured wine boasts the classic California Chardonnay qualities, from a lightly toasted oak aroma to rich pear and marzipan flavors that expand on the palate and linger on the finish. Best Buy. —Jim Gordon
91 Points Wine Enthusiast
This is a bright, linear Chard with notes of lime and pineapple rind underpinned by orange blossom, ginger, and a hint of toasty oak. The palate is lithe and juicy with a lovely lift of acidity and a chalky texture. Oak is well placed and there’s a long, limey finish. Food friendly yet refreshing on its own, and a total bargain. Best Buy. —Christina Pickard
90 Points Wine Enthusiast
This well-rounded, fruity, and lightly oaked wine offers the classic baked apple, butter, and vanilla flavors backed by mild green-apple acidity and a full body. —J.G.
