11 Best Sauvignon Blancs Under $20 [The Sweet Spot]
In my opinion, $20 is really about the sweet spot when it comes to great Sauvignon Blanc.
Sure, you can spend more, but the quality is so good around the twenty-dollar mark that you really don’t need to.
Most of the time, the increase in quality above 20 bucks is hard to discern.
That’s why I’m really excited to show you my favorite Sauvignon Blancs in the sub $20 category! These are some of my “go to” wines that always please at dinner parties.
Pair Sauvignon Blanc with a light fish dish and you just can’t fail (provided you can cook of course!).
11. Kim Crawford Sauvignon Blanc
New Zealand's biggest wine export, the Kim Crawford SB is about as widely available as they come. Being such a popular wine, you'd be forgiven for thinking it's an overly sweet crowd pleaser, but that's just not the case.
Extremely well balanced, this Marlborough Sauv Blanc is full on with tropical fruit notes of guava, lychee, and pineapple. Citrus notes of passion fruit and grapefruit give it a lift mid palate before some very well judged acidity brings freshness and a long mouth watering finish.
This is my standard Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc, to which I compare all others. It's just really well put together and manages the vibrant acidity of the grape better than most. It also represents really good value for money!
You can read more of my thoughts on this wine in my full review.
10. Decoy Sauvignon Blanc 2021
Decoy Sauvignon Blanc is a thrilling ride of vibrant citrus, juicy melon, and lively green apple flavors.
A whiff of earthiness adds intrigue to the aroma, while its zesty acidity keeps you coming back for more.
It occasionally pops up in Costco for the meager sum of $14.99 which is an absolute steal.
Even at its usual retail price of $19 I still think it’s good value. Decoy also make excellent Pinot Noir and Cabernet Sauvignon which are around the same price.
Enjoy this exuberant wine with fresh seafood or tangy goat cheese to elevate your culinary experience.
9. Nautilus Sauvignon Blanc 2021
Like a sailor navigating the high seas, tasting Nautilus Sauvignon Blanc is a voyage of flavorful discovery.
This enticing wine boasts typical Marlborough notes of passionfruit, lime and lemongrass. It’s rich, punchy and mouth-wateringly good.
I’ve seen this as low as $16 which is exceptional value and fill your cart time!
I haven’t tried the 2022 yet but I’ve only heard really good things.
8. Schug Sauvignon Blanc 2021
This one is going up in price all the time as it keeps getting great reviews year after year. The 2021 is arguably the best yet but I haven’t tried the 2022.
Lime, pear, and grapefruit are the theme here with a citrus acidity that is right on point. I’ve heard Key Lime Pie mentioned as a tasting note (never quite got it myself) which usually gets people excited!
It’s incredibly aromatic in only ways that Sonoma County SB seems to be with numerous herbs and spices hiding beneath the citrus.
7. Skye Sauvignon Blanc Bubbles
Now you didn’t think you’d find a sparkling wine on this list did you?
If like me, you love Marlborough tropical fruit notes and you love sparkling wines then I absolutely guarantee you like this wine!
It’s the perfect combination that makes an exquisite drink. It’s crisp and fruity like you’d expect but light bubbles raise the fun level to ten.
If you’re looking for something a little bit different for a celebration then this will go down a treat. It’s a really fun and enjoyable wine that does something different.
Pair it with creamy soft cheese for a food pairing made in heaven!
6. Brancott Estate Sauvignon Blanc 2021
Tropical, citrus, crisp and dry. If you had to sum up Marlborough SB those are the four words I’d use anyway.
They accurately describe this lovely wine which delivers passionfruit, pear, and grapefruit with just the right acidity and a mouthwatering finish.
The 2021 is the best vintage I’ve tried (we recommend another in our guide to Sauvignon Blanc for less than $10) and it’s great value at less than twenty dollars.
Try it with some cheese and nuts for a great pairing in front of the TV.
5. Groth Sauvignon Blanc 2020
Let’s start the top five Sauvignon Blancs for less than twenty bucks with some fireworks!
This is an exceptional wine that has got a lot of critical acclaim. My favourite is the 2020 vintage but you can take your pick to be honest, they’re all great.
It’s 17% Semillon and fermented in neutral oak. This gives it a slight nuttiness and spiciness which is not what you expect but it’s really tasty.
The fruit flavors that you expect are here in mango, pear, peach, and grapefruit but there’s a bit more body coming from the Semillon.
It’s a really thoughtful blend that works so well together. It’s a twist on Sauvignon Blanc that I thoroughly recommend you try if you haven't done so!
This is another wine that you can pick up at your local Costco sometimes. It goes for around $16 whenever I’ve seen it and usually retails elsewhere around $20.
Whenever you see it in Costco at that price quietly fill your shopping cart and then phone your friends!
4. Old Coach Road Sauvignon Blanc 2021
This is one of the wines I had in mind earlier when I mentioned Sauvignon Blanc for less than $20 that punches well above its weight.
This stuff is a steal at around $16 and I don’t expect it to remain at that price forever. The last few vintages have been incredible and it’s just a matter of time!
It offers sublime notes of passion fruit, lemongrass and grapefruit in that unmistakable Marlborough style but doesn’t overstay its welcome. There’s great balance here and the acidity is judged absolutely perfectly.
Honestly, this wine is seriously undervalued. It holds its own with wines two or three times the price. It’s amazing stuff, it really is.
3. Quivira Sonoma County Sauvignon Blanc 2021
This one offers something a little different and is composed of a blend of 96% Sauvignon Blanc and 4% Semillon.
The Semillon gives it a bit more weight than your typical SB and it also makes those floral notes really pop.
It starts with grapefruit and lime and they remain a theme right through to the finish which is refreshing and dry. The medium acidity is well-judged and balanced within the overall flavor profile.
This wine pairs really well with grilled fish and seafood.
2. Whitehaven Sauvignon Blanc 2021
If you’ve got $20 to spend on a good bottle of wine you won’t do much better than this.
It’s an incredibly popular Marlborough SB that goes big on grapefruit, passionfruit, and pineapple.
This is the wine I’ve drank more than any other on this list (because my local wine store owner always has it in stock because she loves it) and I still have the same appreciation for it that I did when I first tried it.
It’s incredible value at a shade under $20 and holds it’s own with wines that cost a heck of a lot more. Great stuff!
1. Vavasour Sauvignon Blanc 2021
Crowning our list is the majestic Vavasour Sauvignon Blanc. It’s one of the more refined Marlborough wines on this list and it reins in those tropical fruit flavors to be more of an accent rather than the main event.
Citrus notes of grapefruit and lime are the notes of the day here, with a herby undertone and minerality.
I recommend this wine to all my friends and I’ve seen it as cheap as $17 which is absolutely insane.
Decanter actually scored this 95 which is high praise indeed. It can certainly mix it with bottles that cost a lot more than its humble price tag anyway.
Honestly, that was one of the hardest wine guides I’ve ever had to put together!
There’s just so much competition at the $20 price point with Sauvignon Blanc these days.
There is some seriously good wine to be had for less than 20 bucks and choosing just ten meant some great wine had to be left out.
Marlborough dominates this varietal these days with those big tropical fruit notes but don’t sleep on SB from Napa or Southern France.
These regions might not be making the headlines right now but they used to be the kings and queens for a good reason.
Do you agree with my list of recommendations?
What’s your favorite Sauvignon Blanc for less than twenty bucks?
