40 Wines From Online Merchants Costing $20 or Less

Online Grapevine

Valentyn Volkov/shutterstock

Cheapism is editorially independent. We may earn a commission if you buy through links on our site.
Online Grapevine
Valentyn Volkov/shutterstock

ONLINE GRAPEVINE

Wine doesn't have to be expensive to be good, though finding high-quality cheap wine can be challenging. Large online retailers such as Wine.com and Amazon offer good prices by buying in large lots from producers and sellers and getting the best deal by the bottle -- similar to the strategy of regional shops with bricks-and-mortar shops such as Gary's Wine & Marketplace and Astor. Due to state-by-state alcohol laws, some states do not allow wine to be shipped from out of state. Those who can buy online will want to get browsing.

J. Lohr 'Seven Oaks' Paso Robles Cabernet Sauvignon
Courtesy of wine.com

J. LOHR 'SEVEN OAKS' PASO ROBLES CABERNET SAUVIGNON

Estimated price: $15
This bold red from one of California's premier regions is a classic full-bodied wine. Dark fruit and a silken texture are easy to love in this indulgent wine that pairs well with steak, mushrooms, and cheese plates.

Marietta 'Old Vine Red Lot 66' California Red
Courtesy of klwines.com

MARIETTA 'OLD VINE RED LOT 66' CALIFORNIA RED

Estimated price: $12
A blended wine that takes advantage of the best of each vintage's harvest, this red is a favorite among consumers year after year. The old vines contribute to a rich concentration of fruit and earth flavors that continues to open up as it sits in the glass.

Citran, Haut-Médoc
Courtesy of klwines.com

CITRAN, HAUT-MÉDOC

Estimated price: $17
Classic Bordeaux wine, this is an earthy red that delivers plenty of dark fruit and a silky body that makes each sip feel indulgent. This is an especially good region of France for finding deals on specific bottles that drink a lot more expensive than they cost.

Ugav Cabernet Sauvignon Judean Hills
Courtesy of klwines.com

UGAV CABERNET SAUVIGNON JUDEAN HILLS

Estimated price: $15
Finding good kosher wine can be a challenge, depending on where you live and the whim of the local wine shop. This online offering has flavors of dark berries and earthy spice, and a clean, dry finish -- an all-purpose red for dinner parties and gifts.

Craggy Range 'Te Muna Road' Sauvignon Blanc Martinborough
Courtesy of klwines.com

CRAGGY RANGE 'TE MUNA ROAD' SAUVIGNON BLANC MARTINBOROUGH

Estimated price: $18
This crisp and zesty sauvignon blanc from New Zealand, full of green apple, grapefruit, and grassy freshness, has become a staple for white wine drinkers.

Paolo Palumbo Lettere
Courtesy of klwines.com

PAOLO PALUMBO LETTERE

Estimated price: $18
A sparkling red that is basically the adult version of the best soda ever, this Italian bubbly is similar to Lambrusco. The light fizz is complemented by a subtle sweetness and rich dark fruit that makes this dangerously sippable.

Domaine Petroni Corse Rosé
Courtesy of klwines.com

DOMAINE PETRONI CORSE ROSÉ

Estimated price: $13
Corsica is not as well-known for wine as its European neighbors, but makes equally delicious wines in a variety of styles. This light rosé is full of red fruit, floral aromas, and a juicy pop of acidity that is everything a rosé should have.

Domaine Saint Nicolas 'Gammes en May' Fiefs Vendeéns
Courtesy of wine-searcher.com

DOMAINE SAINT NICOLAS 'GAMMES EN MAY' FIEFS VENDEÉNS

Estimated price: $15
This French wine from the Gamay grape is a light and juicy red that is a go-to for any occasion. When slightly chilled the flavors are ripe with red berries, crushed roses, and hints of herbs, with a dry finish that is rich enough to go with a steak but light enough to enjoy alone.

Les Roches Sauvignon Touraine
Courtesy of klwines.com

LES ROCHES SAUVIGNON TOURAINE

Estimated price: $10
The Touraine region of the Loire Valley of France is close to the well-known Sancerre area and produces wines of a similar quality from the same grape, Sauvignon Blanc. The main difference is in price, with the juicy, zesty whites coming in at least one-third cheaper than their better-known siblings.

Deligeroy Cremant de Loire Brut
Courtesy of klwines.com

DELIGEROY CREMANT DE LOIRE BRUT

Estimated price: $12
The Loire Valley of France is full of great values, including on sparkling wines such as this crisp and fresh bubbler. With plenty of citrus and green apple flavors, this wine is light and refreshing on its own -- and cheap enough to mix into mimosas guilt-free.

NV Gruet Brut Rosé, Methode Champenoise
Courtesy of amazon.com

NV GRUET BRUT ROSÉ, METHODE CHAMPENOISE

Estimated price: $17
New Mexico is probably not the first place that comes to mind when thinking about quality sparkling wine, but Gruet has earned the respect and love of wine drinkers across the globe. This rosé is fresh and light, with flavors of orange blossom, cherries, and berries with bright tangy acidity and tight, crisp bubble.

Quady Electra Moscato Orange Muscat
Courtesy of amazon.com

QUADY ELECTRA MOSCATO ORANGE MUSCAT

Estimated price: $14
This unique California sweet wine strikes a balance of brightness full of oranges and apricots with tart citrus that leaves the mouth clean and watering. It delivers all of the finesse of a classic European dessert wine at a fraction of the price.

Firesteed Oregon Pinot Gris
Courtesy of amazon.com

FIRESTEED OREGON PINOT GRIS

Estimated price: $15
Oregon is an up-and-coming wine region, and Pinot Gris is one of its premier white grapes. This smooth wine is aromatic with floral and fruity flavors and a rich body that can stand up to heavier foods.

Fabre Montmayou Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon, Mendoza
Courtesy of amazon.com

FABRE MONTMAYOU RESERVA CABERNET SAUVIGNON, MENDOZA

Estimated price: $16
Mendoza, Argentina, is well-known for its rich Malbecs, but they also make wines from international varieties such as Cabernet Sauvignon with great success. This bold red wine features blackberry and cassis flavors with undertones of earthy spice.

Bobal deSanJuan Utiel-Requena DO Bobal
Courtesy of amazon.com

BOBAL DESANJUAN UTIEL-REQUENA DO BOBAL

Estimated price: $16
This unique Spanish wine is a bit more obscure than the average, everyday bottle -- which can be more expensive and risky. But this silky, powerful red is full of red fruit and deep earth flavors, a low-cost way of branching out into new territory.

Red Knot by Shingleback Shiraz, McLaren Vale
Courtesy of amazon.com

RED KNOT BY SHINGLEBACK SHIRAZ, MCLAREN VALE

Estimated price: $17
Shiraz, Australia's premier red grape, makes full-bodied, fruity wines. This powerhouse of a wine is classic in style, with flavors of black plums, berries, and cola that combine to make an intense and full-flavored experience in each sip.

Ampelos Cellars Santa Ynez Valley Rosé of Syrah
Courtesy of amazon.com

AMPELOS CELLARS SANTA YNEZ VALLEY ROSÉ OF SYRAH

Estimated price: $18
People who like a fuller version of pink wine will want to indulge in this California example made from Syrah grapes. The intense fruitiness of the wine fills the palate with flavors of bing cherries and spice, with a crisp, dry finish.

La Playa Estate Cabernet Sauvignon Rosé
Courtesy of supermarket.buy.am

LA PLAYA ESTATE CABERNET SAUVIGNON ROSÉ

Estimated price: $8
Cabernet Sauvignon is not the typical grape variety for rosé, since it produces a wine of considerable heft. This Chilean version is on the richer side of the spectrum with flavors of raspberries, plums, and deeply ripe strawberries, as well as hints of grass.

Riondo Prosecco Spago Nero
Courtesy of winechateau.com

RIONDO PROSECCO SPAGO NERO

Estimated price: $13
A classic Prosecco, this Italian bubbly has become a staple for people around the world. A light bubble encapsulates fresh flavors of apples, citrus, and stone fruit that coat the palate delicately. This is a bubbly that works for all occasions.

Folonari Pinot Grigio
Courtesy of wine.com

FOLONARI PINOT GRIGIO

Estimated price: $9
A staple for white wine drinkers, Italian Pinot Grigio is known as a crisp, basic white wine. While expensive versions of this grape are very expressive and particular in flavor, the all-purpose and inexpensive examples such as this one are dry and refreshing with flavors of citrus and green apples.

Underwood Pinot Noir Wine in a Can
Courtesy of thebestwinestore.com

UNDERWOOD PINOT NOIR WINE IN A CAN

Estimated price: $8
Wine in a can is a big trend, and for good reason: It lowers the price, since cans are cheaper than glass. This can equals half a bottle of wine, which makes this one of the best deals for a high-quality American Pinot Noir, complete with flavors of berries and cherries.

Dark Horse Merlot
Courtesy of snooth.com

DARK HORSE MERLOT

Estimated price: $13
American Merlot gets a bad rap and has fallen out of favor with wine drinkers. Dark Horse is one of the many contemporary wines bringing quality Merlot back into the mainstream, with a soft texture and full body full of warm spice and plush fruit.

Big House Prohibition Red Blend
Courtesy of bighousewines.com

BIG HOUSE PROHIBITION RED BLEND

Estimated price: $11
This juicy California blend uses the best grapes from each harvest to create a wine consistent from year to year. The flavors are fruity, with a soft velvety texture that enhances the rich berry notes but still finishes dry and clean.

Marques de Riscal Blanco Rueda
Courtesy of marquesderiscal.com

MARQUES DE RISCAL BLANCO RUEDA

Estimated price: $14
The Rueda region of Spain is lesser-known, but that translates into better values for high-quality wine. This white wine is refreshing with light flavors of citrus and mellow white flowers, with a dry and aromatic finish.

Broadbent Vinho Verde
Courtesy of vinleymarket.com

BROADBENT VINHO VERDE

Estimated price: $10
Vinho Verde is a classic style of wine from Portugal that is low alcohol and light, with a slight spritz. The flavors of this wine feature lime zest, sea salt, and granny smith apples, enhanced by a piquant texture.

Segura Viudas Brut Cava
Courtesy of wine.com

SEGURA VIUDAS BRUT CAVA

Estimated price: $10
Cava, a sparkling wine only from a region of Spain, is known as one of the best value and least expensive sparkling wines of quality. This tangy and bright bubbler is gently fruity, with a slight hint of toastiness for some added complexity.

Clean Slate Riesling
Courtesy of thewinebowgroup.com

CLEAN SLATE RIESLING

Estimated price: $12
This classic German riesling has been a list topper for some time, thanks to its balance of ripe stone fruit and tart citrus. There is a kiss of sweetness that makes the wine juicy, yet still finishes completely dry.

Alamos Malbec Mendoza
Courtesy of bjsmooreliquor.com

ALAMOS MALBEC MENDOZA

Estimated price: $16
Malbec from Argentina is one of those wines that seems to delight everybody with its deep dark fruit and firm structure. As it has risen in popularity, some prices have also climbed, but there are still plenty of good values.

Mulderbosch Faithful Hound
Courtesy of garyswine.com

MULDERBOSCH FAITHFUL HOUND

Estimated price: $17
This South African wine is made from an undisclosed blend of grapes that create a harmonious flavor and indulgent texture. The wine offers rich flavors of dark fruit and earth, with a touch of smokiness that so often accompanies wines from this part of the world.

Mulderbosch Sauvignon Blanc
Courtesy of cellar.com

MULDERBOSCH SAUVIGNON BLANC

Estimated price: $13
South African Sauvignon Blanc tends to be bolder than wines made from the same grape in other parts of the world. This wine explodes with ripe fruit that is tangy and grassy at the same time, amounting to layers of complexity in each sip.

Castello d'Albola Chianti Classico
Courtesy of klwines.com

CASTELLO D'ALBOLA CHIANTI CLASSICO

Estimated price: $15
A high-quality Chianti can be difficult to find for under $20, which is why it's good to rely on experts such as Gary's to search out the best values. The flavors are classic with dried and fresh cherries and bright acidity.

Gonzalez Byass Tio Pepe Fino
Courtesy of klwines.com

GONZALEZ BYASS TIO PEPE FINO

Estimated price: $20
Sherry is one of the most underrated wines on the planet, and this bottle also happens to be a steal. The flavors are dry, with notes of almond, sea salt, and lemon rind. The crisp characteristics of the wine cut through the humidity of a hot day as well as it pairs with salty snacks and fresh shellfish.

Château Hyot
Courtesy of wine-searcher.com

CHÂTEAU HYOT

Estimated price: $15
It's not every day you find a highly rated wine from Bordeaux for under $20. This selection requires some time in the glass to open up, but when it does, it offers notes of baked earth and dried berries, with a silken texture that is hard to resist.

'Gertrude' La Maialina, Toscana
Courtesy of astorwines.com

'GERTRUDE' LA MAIALINA, TOSCANA

Estimated price: $13
This deal may surprise die-hard wine fans -- it's a Super Tuscan for less than $15. The wine delivers all of the expected flavor of ripe dark fruit, soft vanilla, and sultry tobacco. This bottle drinks like an expensive wine, but for an everyday price.

Albariño 'Xión,' Bodegas y Viñedos Attis
Courtesy of astorwines.com

ALBARIÑO 'XIÓN,' BODEGAS Y VIÑEDOS ATTIS

Estimated price: $15
Albariño is a Spanish grape that makes bright and juicy white wines that pair brilliantly with seafood. The flavors are similar to sauvignon blanc -- think fruity citrus and peaches with background notes of grassy herbs.

Bandit Pinot Grigio
Courtesy of banditwines.com

BANDIT PINOT GRIGIO

Estimated price: $9
This boxed Pinot Grigio is an even better deal than a standard bottle of wine, since it is a liter -- 20 percent more than a typical glass bottle. The flavors are round, with sweet lemons and apples that finish dry and crisp.

Moscato d'Asti, De Forville
Courtesy of astorwines.com

MOSCATO D'ASTI, DE FORVILLE

Estimated price: $15
Moscato d'Asti is a classic Italian wine that is gently bubbly in texture, with flavors of ripe apricots and peaches. The low alcohol and intense fruitiness of this wine make it popular for parties or for enjoying on picnics and brunches.

Blaufränkisch, Markowitsch
Courtesy of markowitsch.at

BLAUFRÄNKISCH, MARKOWITSCH

Estimated price: $19
Blaufränkisch is an Austrian red variety that makes for full-bodied wines, appealing typically to Cabernet and Merlot drinkers. This exotic and low-priced wine is full of currant, black pepper, and tannin flavors, offering something just a little bit different than the typical bottles.

Brachetto 'Birbet,' Filippo Gallino
Courtesy of astorwines.com

BRACHETTO 'BIRBET,' FILIPPO GALLINO

Estimated price: $15
Brachetto is a little-known Italian wine that is lightly frizzante, or semi-sparkling, and gently sweet. It tastes like a delicious berry soda -- for adults only, of course. The flavors dance on the palate with oranges, cherries, and floral aromas that linger long after each sip.

Venta Morales Tempranillo
Courtesy of bodegasvolver.com

VENTA MORALES TEMPRANILLO

Estimated price: $8
Tempranillo is the workhorse grape of Spain, producing a range of wines from super cheap and cheerful to quite expensive. In its inexpensive form, Tempranillo is reliably juicy and fruity with a dry finish and easy going tannins, which is just how this one expresses itself.