You shouldn’t have to spend hundreds of dollars just to get a decent bottle of white wine. While there are some cheap bottles that give this variety of wine a bad name, it may surprise you to learn that there are actually a wide variety of good cheap white wines available for under $20.
This is great news if you love your wine, as not everyone has a ton of cash to splash on a top-notch bottle every weekend.

We’ve done all the hard work for you to select the 9 best cheap white wines to drink. All of the wines that we’ve selected will be perfect for those of you shopping on a budget, regardless of your taste palate. We’ve even included a bonus tenth wine to tempt your taste buds!
We’re confident that you’ll find your new favorite bottle of white wine listed below, and that it’s fairly easy to do so without breaking the bank. Let’s take a look at the best cheap white wines to drink without having to compromise on flavor.
Oyster Bay Sauvignon Blanc
The Oyster Bay Sauvignon Blanc originates from Malborough, New Zealand. This particular bottle is an award-winning vintage that has won many accolades since its inception in 1991. The Malborough region in general is well known for its elegant wines, and the Oyster Bay Sauvignon Blanc is no exception.
This particular Sauvignon Blanc has a crisp, balanced acidity that is refreshing on the palate. It features lots of aromatic tropical fruit notes as well as brighter citrus notes. You will find that this wine has a refreshingly zesty finish on the tongue. This is a dry white wine that will surprise you with its depth of flavor.
Oyster Bay Sauvignon Blanc will pair well with shellfish, white fish, lighter meals, Asian flavors, chicken, salads, a variety of vegetarian meals, and goat cheese.
Ecco Domani Pinot Grigio
You can’t beat an authentic Italian Pinot Grigio. And just because you want to choose an authentic Italian bottle doesn’t mean that you have to compromise on flavor. The Ecco Domani Pinot Grigio is sourced from the regions of northeastern Italy, where the higher altitude produces some of the very best Pinot Grigio.
This particular Pinot Grigio has notes of tropical fruit flavors such as pineapple, hints of citrus, and a refreshingly crisp finish. It is a light-bodied bottle of wine that pairs well with a variety of dishes.
Try pairing your bottle of Ecco Domani Pinot Grigio with fish, poultry, light pasta dishes, shellfish, vegetarian dishes, mushrooms, or aperitifs.
Chateau Ste Michelle Dry Riesling
Searching for a quality dessert wine that won’t compromise on flavor? Then this Chateau Ste Michelle Dry Riesling should be your top choice. The Chateau Ste Michelle Dry Riesling is an American-produced wine from Washington state. The award-winning Chateau Ste Michelle winery has crafted a beautiful wine that will be a joy to have on your palate.
This Riesling features classic notes of pear, apple, and peach, with crisp, citrusy acidity. It is a drier variant of the Riesling grape, so can be paired with a wide variety of dishes.
Why not try pairing your Chateau Ste Michelle Dry Riesling with oysters, shellfish, white fish, or meaty and oily fish? This wine also pairs well with chicken, duck, turkey, and other game birds, and a variety of cheeses and vegetarian dishes. Salads, pasta, mushrooms, and nuts are also a great pairing for this wine.
Nobilo Sauvignon Blanc
The Nobilo Sauvignon Blanc is another fantastic choice from the Malborough region and really does offer you the best in terms of white wine from New Zealand.
You’ll get notes of tropical fruit such as pineapple, cantaloupe, and elderflower, herbaceous notes, with a crisp citrus finish. The acidity of this wine melds well with its natural fruity sweetness. This is a dry Sauvignon Blanc that is on the more acidic end of the scale.
This Sauvignon Blanc pairs best with light seafood dishes, aperitifs, summer salads, goats cheese, and chicken dishes.
Clos du Bois Chardonnay
California is one of the best produces of Chardonnay around the globe. And this Clos du Bois Chardonnay is no exception to that rule! Crafted in Sonoma County in California, Clos du Bois has crafted a beautiful full-bodied Chardonnay that will pack a flavorful punch.
Fermented in barrels, the Clos du Bois Chardonnay features an oaky flavor. It also has notes of crisp green apple, pear, toasty caramel, and vanilla.
This is a versatile Chardonnay that pairs well with pork, richer fish such as salmon and tuna, poultry, and vegetarian dishes.
Cupcake Pinot Grigio
The Cupcake Pinot Grigio is another fantastic offering from the foothills of the Italian Alps in northeastern Italy. The Alps help to protect the vineyards from the colder northern winds, whereas the Mediterranean heat helps to perfectly ripen the Pinot Grigio grapes.
You’ll get notes of cantaloupe, pear, pineapple, and crisp apple with this particular Pinot Grigio. There is a crisp finish, with subtler hints of lemon zest and honey.
The Cupcake Pinot Grigio pairs well with chicken, salads, shellfish, vegetarian dishes, mushrooms, and aperitifs.
Charles Shaw 2 Buck Chuck
Affectionately dubbed 2 Buck Chuck by most fans because of its original budget price, Charles Shaw white wine will surprise you with its taste. This is a cheaper white wine that actually tastes better than the vast majority of $10 wines on the market.
There are several varieties of white wine to choose from at Trader Joe’s, all of which will have varying blends of flavors depending on the variety of grape. All of the Charles Shaw wines have been crafted using organic grapes to give you even better flavor.
Francis Ford Coppola Chardonnay
The Francis Ford Coppola Chardonnay is a full-bodied dry white wine crafted in Monterey County, America. This is a notoriously cool climate region that creates well-balanced beverages with a vibrant bouquet of flavors.
This Chardonnay features oaky notes of butter and vanilla, with additional fruity notes of apple, guava, and melon.
Try pairing this Francis Ford Coppola Chardonnay with pork, poultry, meaty and oily fish such as tuna or salmon, and vegetarian dishes.
Rex Goliath Pinot Grigio
Looking for a great cheap white wine to pair with spicy food? Then the Rex Goliath Pinot Grigio should be your white wine of choice. This white wine hails from California, America, and features an abundance of flavors that will pair well with a variety of spicy dishes.
You’ll find notes of citrus on the tongue, complemented with stone fruit flavors and floral notes. This wine has a punchy acidity that balances well with the refreshing citrus overtones.
Pair this Pinot Grigio with spicy dishes, mushrooms, pork, cured meats, shellfish, or white fish to really make your palate sing.
Fetzer Riesling
Last but not least is the Fetzer Riesling! This particular Riesling has been crafted in Monterey County, California. It features a rich yellow hue and features pleasant fragrant aromas.
There are notes of apple, pear, green apple, peach, and overtones of honey. This Riesling has a bright acidity with a lingering, smooth finish. This particular Riesling is on the drier side, with a sweeter touch than a truly dry Riesling.
This Riesling will pair best with shellfish, poultry, pork, cured meats, spicy foods, game birds, duck, as well as soft and fresh cheeses.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do You Pick a Good White Wine?
There are many things that you will need to bear in mind to find a good bottle of white wine. You should think about the flavors that you prefer in white wine for one thing, and whether you prefer a dry bottle or something on the sweeter scale of the palate.
You will need to think about the foods that you will be pairing your wine with, as this can influence which bottle would fit best with which dish.
For example, dry wines pair better with white meat, cheese, and salads. A Riesling on the other hand will be best paired with desserts and fruits because of its sweeter flavor. If you want a good bottle of white wine to pair with spicier foods, you should opt for a full-bodied aromatic variety such as a Chardonnay.

It will be worth thinking about the character of your wine, too. Are you after a crisp, acidic wine? Or something that’s more creamy and less acidic? Perhaps you want a dry white wine that isn’t too sweet on the tongue? Or does a sweeter wine tempt your taste buds?
Of course, the definition of a “good” white wine will entirely come down to your palate and what you prefer to get out of your beverage.
Which is Better: Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc?
Trying to decide which wine is better between Pinot Grigio and Sauvignon Blanc will entirely come down to your personal preference. The main distinction between the two varieties is in how aromatic they are. Whereas Sauvignon Blanc is more noticeable in terms of aroma, Pinot Grigio is much subtler.
Pinot Grigio is a white wine that has a poor reputation among wine snobs, simply because of the poor imitations that have flooded the wine market. However, this is a reputation that isn’t warranted, as not every bottle of Pinot Grigio should be tarred with the same brush. There’s a reason why this has become one of the more popular variants of white wine, as it pairs well with a variety of foods.
Sauvignon Blanc is much more aromatic than Pinot Grigio and will be easier for newer wine drinkers to enjoy because of its dry, mouthwatering style.
And there you have it! We made sure to choose a selection of white wines that will not only be kind on your wallet but will also pack a flavorful punch. There is a decent range of wines in terms of body, dryness, and flavor so that you can find the best cheap white wine for your needs without having to compromise on taste.
Which white wine do you prefer? Leave a comment down below and let us know!