Best wines for under £20 to try
Get ready for Spring drinking with these incredible value wines, tasted and rated by Decanter’s team, and all available for less than £20.
Get ready for Spring drinking with these incredible value wines, tasted and rated by Decanter’s team. Don’t be misled by the price tag: these bottles do not compromise on character and will offer drinking pleasure as well as many food pairing possibilities. Perfect for your spring picnics, garden parties and barbecues.
As the season changes you will want to look for wines that are expressive, versatile and perform well served at different temperatures. The sun might be shining but there is still a chill in the air…
Whites with structure
Look for whites with aromatic expressiveness, but also some body and texture. A solid structure will allow them to pair with a wide selection of dishes, from spring salads, to grilled fish or even light meat dishes.
Viognier– or Gewürtraminer-based blends meet the brief with fruit generosity, medium to full body and an oily creaminess. But you might also want to explore Greece’s Moschofilero or Hungary’s Furmint. Although mostly known for being the key variety in Tokaj’s luscious sweets, Furmint also makes beautiful dry wines, the best examples having a distinct mineral texture, perfect for spring-drinking.
Yet, the promise of summer calls for a sun-kissed wine with a salinity reminiscent of long evenings by the coast. The Muscadet below is a safe choice, at outstanding value.
Do you know somebody who wants to start learning about how to pair, taste and serve your favourite wines? Pairing & serving wine: a guide for the real beginner is a new online learning course from Decanter designed to introduce the basic principles and start beginners on their journey through the fascinating world of wine. Find out more…
Intense rosés
Garden parties call for rosé, no doubt. But you might want to avoid the pale Provençal style. Instead, look for deeper hued wines, with more intense aromas and, again, appealing texture. The reasons that justify their deeper colours also explain their added intensity and texture: extended maceration times allow for more colour, flavour compounds and tannins to be extracted.
Serve them a little warmer and this added complexity will truly come through.
Chillable reds
On the other hand, there’s nothing more enjoyable than a vibrant red served slightly chilled on a sunny afternoon. A Beaujolais or a Chilean Pinot Noir might be obvious choices with their light tannic structure and crunchy fruit making them perfect contenders for the ice bucket.
We suggest venturing further though: the volcanic purity of an Etna Rosso or the mountainous lift of a northern-Alentejo field blend have an almost natural affinity with freshness. They will also be great conversation starters and will get you thinking about what minerality is all about.
The weather is still moody though and will want to have a warming red at hand for a chillier evening. These will also come in handy for a barbecue. But steer away from oaky styles; look for robust reds whose structure is built upon fruit, rather wood, tannins. Valpolicella and Navarra are two regions to look out for, both quite under-appreciated and delivering quality and robust elegance at great value.
Our selection of spring best-value wines under £20
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Great picnic wines to try
Waitrose, No1 Castillo Perelada, Cava, Penedès, Spain, 2018
90
As so often with Cava, you get good bang for your buck here. Made by the Champagne method, this is Brut in style, with 8g/L residual sugar, and has an expressive yeasty and warm leesy character, with good acidity and elegant lemon citrus notes.
2018
WaitroseCava
Bouvet-Ladubay, Excellence Brut Rosé, Saumur, Loire, France
90
A delicious Crémant that punches well above the weight of its price tag. Its intense pink salmon hue hints at the rich aromas of peach, ripe strawberry and raspberry. Generous and broad on the palate with richness of fruit, soft texture, and a slight tannic grip. The finish is somewhat short but leaves a soft, sweet impression.
Bouvet-LadubaySaumur
Hugel, Gentil, Alsace, France, 2019
92
Domaine Hugel's entry-level blend is a joyful combination of fleshy orchard fruit, zesty lift and floral elegance. The generosity of Gewürtztraminer, Riesling's linearity and Sylvaner's structure, all in perfect balance. Delicious and approachable yet so refined. Intriguing, spicy finish.
2019
Hugel
Adnams, Roero Arneis, Piedmont, Italy, 2019
92
From the hilly Roero region in Piedmont, the Arneis grape gives the wine a welcoming nose of ripe peach, apricot and white blossom. Rich and oily on the palate, starts with citrus and green apple, leading to layers of ripe melon and apricot, refreshed with lime peel and mineral acidity from the fossil-rich soils. Lovely long finish of acacia honey and stone fruit - an absolute delight.
2019
Adnams
Domaine Foivos, Nautilus White Aged Under Water, Epirus & Ionian Islands, Greece, 2020
91
A blend of Muscat, Muscatel, Tsaousi and Vostilidi from 80-year-old pre-phylloxera vines on the Greek island of Cephalonia. Unusually the bottles are aged in fresh water tanks in the winery, providing constant temperatures, darkness and lack of oxygen. Ripe citrus aromas with hints of peach and nuts. A textured floral and herbal palate; bone dry with fresh, focused acidity that ends in a crisp lingering finish with notes of honeyed lemon and grapefruit pith. Lovely!
2020
Domaine Foivos
E Guigal, Blanc, Côtes du Rhône, Rhône, France, 2020
91
A producer and wine that need no introduction, this has long been a benchmark white Côtes do Rhône offering great value. This vintage doesn't disappoint with robust yellow fruit and subtle florality. The alcohol is present but not overwhelming, mostly offset by the textural appeal.
2020
E GuigalCôtes du Rhône
Domaine Paul Buisse, Cour de Poce, Muscadet, Loire, France, 2020
91
Delicious, poised Muscadet with quintessential refreshing minerality and saline grip. Lemon zest and royal gala apple with a solar hint of white peach. Outstanding value - one to stock up on for the Spring and Summer. Oysters anyone?
2020
Domaine Paul BuisseMuscadet
Vida Estates, Sandanski Misket, South Western Region - Struma River Valley, Bulgaria, 2016
90
Made using the indigenous Sandanski Misket grape, the white wine from Struma Valley features a passionate nose of apricot, elderflower, ripe peach and crushed grass, plus a light touch of smoke. Steely yellow fruits are spiced up by white pepper, ginger and crisp acidity, followed by a clean finish with melony depth.
2016
Vida Estates
Gaia, Moschofilero Wild Ferment, Peloponnese, Greece, 2019
90
From 25-year-old Moschofilero vines, grown at up to 800m on the Mantineia Plateau. Pretty floral aromas, with hints of peach and orange blossom that follow through to the palate. Fresh and mineral with flinty notes, bright acidity, real verve and presence. Four months on lees in a mix of stainless steel and oak adds texture, cut with a clean finish.
2019
Gaia
Villiera, Sauvignon Blanc, Stellenbosch, South Africa, 2021
90
A portion of fruit for this crisp Sauvignon comes from Villiera's 37-year-old heritage vineyard, and the style is more lean and herbaceous thanks to some early-picked grapes in the blend. Packed with gooseberry, nettle and ripe citrus flavours, it's a great-value buy. In store and online. TG
2021
Villiera
Paris Valley Road, Chardonnay, California, USA, 2018
90
A ripe, plush Chardonnay, for those who like a generous mouthful of melon, peach and lemon meringue pie ripeness, alongside some vanilla notes. Almost potpourri-like in its florality, with just enough appley acidity to balance. Well priced for California, and sure to find fans.
2018
Paris Valley Road
Carpinus, Furmint, Tokaj, Hungary, 2020
90
A dry Furmint with a touch of residual sugar (8g/L), from vineyards in the heart of the region, in the foothills of the Carpathian mountains. The soils here are volcanic, and give the wine a delicate minerality, which is allied to juicy pear, peach and citrus flavours. Generous, juicy fruit character, and modest alcohol.
2020
Carpinus
Journey’s End, Queen Bee Viognier, Western Cape, South Africa, 2021
90
Gentle rose petal and peach aromas lined by orange zest and crispy pear for an approachable Viognier perfect for everyday drinking.
2021
Journey’s End
Thymiopoulos, Rosé de Xinomavro, Macedonia, Greece, 2019
94
A benchmark Greek rosé that showcases all the character of Xinomavro and the craftsmanship of Apostolos Thymiopoulos. Wild strawberries, pink grapefruit and bergamot explode in the glass and linger endlessly on the palate, supported by a delicious zesty texture and the finest of tannins.
2019
Thymiopoulos
Villa Maria, Earth Garden Rosé, Hawke’s Bay, New Zealand, 2021
90
Vibrant raspberry, cranberry and pink grapefruit notes build the core of this Hawke's Bay rose that surprises for its balance of robustness and softness. A serious pink pour best enjoyed with food.
2021
Villa Maria
Aldi, Winemaster's Lot Rosé, Côtes de Provence, Pierrefeu, Provence, France, 2020
90
This Grenache-Syrah-Cinsault blend is the pick of Aldi's new seasonal line of rosés. Refreshingly bone dry with citrus acidity, the creamy palate is filled with tangy summer pudding fruit. The 2021 Specially Selected Chilean Organic Rosé (£6.99) is also good. Online and in store.
2020
AldiCôtes de Provence
AA Badenhorst, Secateurs Red Blend, Swartland, South Africa, 2019
92
You'll struggle to find another wine of such complexity and energy at this price point. Vibrant aromas of redcurrant, sour cherry and wild strawberry, lined by hints of violets and black pepper. The palate is all that and more: mouthwatering with rich bergamot, cocoa and blood orange. Lovely grip, elegant lightness and more than decent length. An uncomplicated yet boldly pleasant blend of Cinsault, Syrah and Grenache. Delicious!
2019
AA Badenhorst
Tedeschi, Capitel Nicalò, Valpolicella, Superiore, Veneto, Italy, 2019
90
Rich red fruit with some developing coffee aromas. Compact on the palate, with some weight and savoury notes.
2019
TedeschiValpolicella
Quinta da Fonte Souto, Florão Tinto, Alentejo-Portalegre, Alentejo, Portugal, 2018
92
Quinta da Fonte Souto, the first venture of the Symington family outside the Douro, is a jewel nestled in the Sāo Mamede Mountain range, in northern Alentejo. Florāo, the estate's delicious entry red, is a field blend with crunchy black fruit, fine tannins, refreshing acidity and appealing sweet spice.
2018
Quinta da Fonte SoutoAlentejo-Portalegre
Gallina de Piel, Mimetic, Calatayud, Aragón, Spain, 2020
92
A project from David Seijas, the former Head Sommelier at three-Michelin-starred restaurant El Bulli, Gallina de Piel's wines are all distinctively food friendly. This uplifting Garnacha from Calatayud used fruit from old bush vines, aged in concrete. Great mineral drive supporting the ripe red fruit.
2020
Gallina de PielCalatayud
Pietradolce, Rosso, Etna, Sicily, Italy, 2019
There is a Pinot-like elegance to this wine, perfectly married to a wilder, quintessentially Sicilian character. Cranberry, wild strawberry and blood orange hover over wet...
2019
PietradolceEtna
Castillo de Monjardin, Origen Crianza, Navarra, Spain, 2018
91
Don't be fooled by the label: this is not an old school Spanish red. This fresh (and refreshing) blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Tempranillo and Merlot is elegant, balanced and dangerous drinkable. An amazing value pour.
2018
Castillo de Monjardin
Agricola Fuster, Dardell Organic Red, Terra Alta, Spain, 2020
90
A great value blend of old vine Garnacha and Syrah, from Pepe Fuster's organically farmed 28ha hectare estate near Tarragona. Savoury, smoky aromas overlay ripe blackcurrants, black cherry and blueberry on the nose. The palate is velvety and spicy, a touch rustic, with good depth of ripe black fruit. Great for grilled meats and spicy sausage dishes.
2020
Agricola Fuster
Château de Pizay, Beaujolais, Morgon, Burgundy, France, 2020
90
Alluring Beaujolais with a perfumed nose of black cherries and violets. Very smooth on the palate and surprisingly long, with lingering flavours of mulberry and poached plum. One to convert Bojo haters.
2020
Château de PizayBeaujolais
Caruso & Minini, Perricone Naturalmente Bio, Sicily, Italy, 2019
90
Perricone is perhaps the less known of Sicily's very interesting indigenous red varieties and Caruso & Minini have an interesting research programme focused on the grape. This approachable, organic, unoaked version is a great introduction to the generosity of fruit and inviting tannins of Perricone.
2019
Caruso & Minini
Leyda, Reserva Pinot Noir, Leyda Valley, San Antonio, Chile, 2020
89
Elegant and great value Pinot Noir from Valle de Leyda, with vibrant acidity and lovely freshness of fruit. Blackberry, blackcurrant and sour cherry are topped by a hint of dried herbs - all underscored by a mineral backbone. Medium, refreshing finish.
2020
LeydaLeyda Valley
