What Are the Best Pinot Grigio Wines Under 20?
Everyone loves to drink wine, but some people don’t want to get into the expensive hobby of wine tasting. Pinot Grigio wines are a good middle ground. Grigios are popular and inexpensive; therefore they are referred to as “affordable” or “cheap” wines. The Italian wine, Pinot Grigio, is a fruity white wine with a rich aroma. The name indicates the color of its grapes —Grigio means gray in Italian. The grigio wine has become an elegant and popular beverage. In fact, it is one of Italy’s most exported wines.
These wines are light and crisp, but they also have enough body to be enjoyable when paired with food. Pairing Pinot Grigios with food is easy if you know what to look for in your selection. The best way to enjoy a white wine with food is to choose one that has enough body to stand up to your favorite dishes without becoming too heavy or too sweet. Not all Pinot Grigio wines are alike, though. We have compiled a list of the best pinot grigio wines under $20 that you can enjoy this summer.
Best Pinot Grigio Wines Under $20
Best Overall
- Name — Jermann Pinot Grigio
- Winery — Jermann
- Country/Region — Italy, Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Venezia Giulia
- Type — Italian Pinot Grigio
- Aroma — Pear, Peach, Honey, Lime, Cream, Melon, Grass
- Grapes — Pinot Grigio
- Taste — Pear, Apple, Grapefruit, Pineapple, Lychee, Butter
- Alcohol Content — 12.5%
- Sugar — Dry
- Pairing — Seared Scallops, Mushroom Dishes, Veal Sweetbread, Grilled Quail
Tasting Notes
The Jermann Pinot Grigio is a white wine made from the famous Pinot Grigio grapes. The wine is known for its straw-yellow color and intense, fruit-like aroma. It is a full-bodied wine that has a velvety and dry mouthfeel. The Jermann Pinot Grigio is believed to be among the best Italian Pinot Grigio under $20. Silvio Jermann, one of the first Italian winemakers to pursue a degree in winemaking, started brewing wine in 1975.
It was also the year he debuted the Vintage Tunina, Italy’s first estate-bottled white wine. Today, Jermann’s family owns almost 160 hectares of vineyards in Isonzo, an area between the border of Italy and Slovenia. The ideal climatic conditions, along with the presence of mountains that protect the vineyards from the harsh winds of the Adriatic Sea, help the grapes to flourish throughout the year.
Best Value
- Name — Italo Cescon Pinot Grigio delle Venezie Il Tralcetto
- Winery — Italo Cescon
- Country/Region — Italy, Veneto
- Type — Italian Pinot Grigio
- Aroma — Pear, Citrus, Minerals, Butter, Cheese, Almond
- Grapes — Pinot Grigio
- Taste — Orange, Lemon, Vanilla, Nutmeg, White Flowers
- Alcohol Content — 12%
- Sugar — Dry
- Pairing — Herb Baked Chicken, Oysters, Japanese Food, Blackened Shrimps
Tasting Notes
The Italo Cescon Pinot Grigio is counted amongst the best Pinot Grigio under $20. The Italo Cescon wine company was established in 1957 by Italo Cescon. The winery is famous for producing the Italo Cescon Pinot Grigio as well as the Doc Piave, Doc Friuli, and Doc Valdobbiadene.
Today, the Italo Cescon vineyard is run by Italo Cescon’s children Gloria, Domenico, and Graziella. The Pinot Grigio is one of the oldest wines that Italo Cescon produces. Their extensive experience is evident in the refined taste and the lingering aromas of vanilla, acacia blossom, and peach. This elegant wine pairs well with seafood.
Preparation
Italo Cescon Pinot Grigio undergoes a long process that starts with vinification involving steel tanks for fermentation and stockpiling. An automatic device is present that helps to control the temperatures required for the maturation of the wine. An elevation cellar made of Slavonia wood barrels, oaken barriques, and tonneaux allows the wine to absorb all the flavors of its ingredients and develop complexity. Lastly, the wine is filled into bottles under a controlled temperature, completing the process of maturation.
Best From United States
- Name — J Vineyards Pinot Gris
- Winery — J Vineyards
- Country/Region — United States, California
- Type — Californian Pinot Grigio
- Aroma — Lime, Green Apple, Pineapple, Jasmine, Honeysuckle, Vanilla
- Grapes — Pinot Grigio
- Taste — Lemon, Apple, Butter, Peach, Vanilla, Nectarine
- Alcohol Content — 13.8%
- Sugar — Dry
- Pairing — Grilled Sea Bass, Seared Ahi Tuna, Pan Seared Salmon, Duck Breast
Tasting Notes
If someone were to ask, “What is the best Pinot Grigio under $20 in America?” the name J Vineyard Pinot Gris would come to mind. This light white wine is characterized by citrusy aromas of kiwi, white evening primrose, and Kaffir lime leaves as well as white florals. It is a very fruit-forward wine with a generous and layered palate. You’ll detect notes of ripe white peaches, Asian pears, summer melons, and Buddha’s hand. It has a crisp, dry finish that ends with a tinge of baking spice and white floral.
Preparation
The grapes used to brew the J Vineyards Pinot Gris are sourced from the cool areas surrounding the Russian River Valley AVA. These grapes are harvested by hand and then transferred to the French Coquard Press. The Coquard uses a gentle pressing technology to remove all the harsh extracts and seeds from the grapes. For fermentation, stainless steel tanks are used at a temperature of 60 ℉ (15 ℃). Interestingly, 12 percent of the blend is aged in neutral French oak barrels.
Best From France
- Name — Kuehn Pinot Gris Alsace
- Winery — Kuehn
- Country/Region — France, Alsace
- Type — French Pinot Grigio
- Aroma — Apricot, Honey, Asparagus, Raisin, Green Apple
- Grapes — Pinot Grigio
- Taste — Honey, Elderflower, Pineapple, Apple, Pear
- Alcohol Content — 13%
- Sugar — Semi-Sweet
- Pairing — Spicy Foods, Smoked Salmon, Roasted Chicken, Light Desserts
Tasting Notes
The Kuehn Pinot Gris Alsace is counted among the best Pinot Grigios under $20 worldwide. This wine is also believed to be one of the best wines produced in the Alsace region, one of France’s most unique viticultural areas. Although dominated by a dry climate, the Alsace region has year-long cool weather, making it ideal to cultivate the Pinot Grigio grapes. The winemakers also take great care to control the maturity until harvest.
The Kuehn Pinot Gris Alsace is known for its aromatic and honeyed taste, despite being a relatively dry wine. It has a bright yellow color with golden hues. Aromas of ripe tropical fruits are prominent, followed by smokey and toasted bready fragrances. It’s a dry wine with slightly spicy qualities, finishing off with the taste of candied fruits.
Best From Australia
- Name — Yalumba Y Series Pinot Grigio
- Winery — Yalumba
- Country/Region — Australia, South Australia
- Type — Australian Pinot Grigio
- Aroma — Pear, Orange Blossom, Cinnamon, Blackberry, Apple, Jasmine
- Grapes — Pinot Grigio
- Taste — Lemon, Lime, Creamy Apple, Pear, Honey, Mineral Notes
- Alcohol Content — 12%
- Sugar — Dry
- Pairing — Indonesian Fried Rice, Indian Cuisine, Roast Chicken, Paella
Tasting Notes
Yalumba is regarded as Australia’s most historic family-owned wine establishment. Founded in 1849 by the Hill-Smith family, the winery’s legacy has been passed down through generations. One of the most famous wines produced by the Yalumba wine establishment is the Yalumba Y Series Pinot Gris, which is counted among the top-rated Pinot Grigio under $20.
This is a premium wine, known for its distinct fruit-like taste. The nose opens with fresh pear and white flowers, followed by hints of cinnamon. You will taste Nashi pear and white jasmine first with a hint of spice and baked apple. Its light and fresh taste make it easy to be paired with a variety of dishes.
Preparation
Yalumba has vineyards in the famous Barossa Valley that has both cool and warm climatic conditions. This makes it the ideal place to cultivate the Pinot Gris grape that is used to produce the Yalumba Y Series Pinot Gris. In addition, the winery emphasizes the natural terrain of the area for wine brewing. The winemakers also believe in the least intervention with the process and aim to produce vegan, organic wines.
Best From Germany
- Name — Villa Wolf Pinot Gris
- Winery — Villa Wolf
- Country/Region — Germany, Pfalz
- Type — German Pinot Grigio
- Aroma — Peach, Lemon, Minerals, Pineapple, Banana, Pear, Mineral Notes
- Grapes — Pinot Grigio
- Taste — Peach, Nectarine, Grapefruit, Pear, Apple
- Alcohol Content — 12.5%
- Sugar — Dry
- Pairing — Wiener Schnitzel, Caprese Salad, Seasoned Shellfish, Seared Halibut
Tasting Notes
If you are looking for a good Pinot Grigio under $20, the Wolf Pinot Gris should be on your list. The Wolf Pinot Gris is a white wine originating from the Pfalz village of Wachenheim in Rhineland-Palatinate in Germany. It is produced by the Villa Wolf Estate, purchased in 1996 by Ernst Loosen, a well-known producer of the Mosel Riesling wine.
Loosen began brewing wines famous for their high-quality and mineral-driven dry Rieslings. These wines got their unique taste and flavor thanks to the Estate’s sandstone, limestone, and basalt soils used for grape cultivation. All the wines produced by the Villa Wolf Estate are considered 100 percent pure, clean, bright, focused, and can be paired with almost all foods.
Tasting Notes
This wine is characterized by its clean, pure, and juicy palate. It has a unique density and acidity and a full-bodied texture, with a dry finish of fresh and unoaked fruit. Tropical aromas of white peach, Anjou pear, lemony notes, and light flowers are noteworthy in the Villa Wolf Pinot Gris. It also has tastes of fresh peach and a slight spiciness, with a creamy mouthfeel.
Best From Argentina
- Name — Domaine Bousquet Reserve Pinot Gris
- Winery — Domaine Bousquet
- Country/Region — Argentina, Mendoza, Uco Valley, Tupungato
- Type — Argentinian Pinot Grigio
- Aroma — Green Apple, Orange, Chard, Oak, Saline
- Grapes — Pinot Grigio
- Taste — Honeysuckle, Tangerine, Pineapple, Straw Grass, Mineral Notes
- Alcohol Content — 12%
- Sugar — Dry
- Pairing — Mushroom Dishes, Vegetarian Food, Cheese Crab, Light Pasta
Tasting Notes
The Domaine Bousquet Mendoza Reserve Organico Pinot Gris is an Argentinian white wine produced using a grape that is a mutation of the Pinot Noir variety. The Domaine Bousquet Mendoza Reserve Organico Pinot Gris is a high-quality white wine with rich aromas of tropical fruit and concentrated notes of apple, lime, and peach. The wine is creamy and round and has the perfect balance of acidity and sweetness.
About the Winery
The Pinot Noir grape mutation is distinguished by its unique rosy and purplish hue upon full ripeness. This grape bears two versions of its name and two distinct styles — the Italian Pinot Grigio and the French Pinot Gris. It is cultivated in Mendoza’s Uco Valley, one of the most popular and emerging regions for winemaking in Argentina. A combination of pleasant weather, well-draining alluvial soil, along with high altitude makes the Uco Valley a perfect place to cultivate the Pinot Grigio grape varietals.
Best From New Zealand
- Name — Sileni Estates Cellar Selection Pinot Gris
- Winery — Sileni Estates
- Country/Region — New Zealand, North Island, Hawke’s Bay
- Type — New Zealand Pinot Grigio
- Aroma — Apricot, Honey, Papaya, Nuts, Plum, Peach, Pear
- Grapes — Pinot Grigio
- Taste — Lemon, Peach, Pear, Honeysuckle, Citrus
- Alcohol Content — 12%
- Sugar — Dry
- Pairing — Salmon Carpaccio, Chicken Curry, Lemon Sauce Chicken, Shrimp Scampi
Tasting Notes
The Cellar Selection Pinot Gris is a white wine made by Sileni Estates in New Zealand. The wine is known for its strong, fruity character and is considered on par with the wines produced in the vineyards of Bordeaux. It has flavors of pear and citrus with a slight spice, and it is balanced with the perfect amount of acidity.
About the Winery
The Sileni Estates is believed to be one of the largest family-owned wine producers in New Zealand. It is renowned for brewing wines that have received international accolades and are exported to 82 markets around the world. While the Estate is famous for producing Bordeaux blends and red wines, it is also acclaimed for other varietals such as the Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, Sauvignon Blanc, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Syrah from the Hawke’s Bay.
Best From Slovenia
- Name — Pullus Pinot Grigio Suho
- Winery — Pullus
- Country/Region — Slovenia, Podravje, Štajerska
- Type — Slovenian Pinot Grigio
- Aroma — Orange, Lemon, Grapefruit, Strawberry, Rose Petal, Jasmine, Honeysuckle
- Grapes — Pinot Grigio
- Taste — Clove, Smoke, Cherry, Raspberry, Peach, Palate, Wet Stones, Flint
- Alcohol Content — 13.15%
- Sugar — Dry
- Pairing — Swordfish, Chicken Piccata, Oysters, Tuna, Cod, Risotto, Light Pasta, Fruit Salad
Tasting Notes
Made in Slovenia, the Pinot Grigio Suho is a 100 percent Pinot Grigio wine that originates in the Ptujska Klet winery, located in the city of Ptuj. The winery that produces the Ptujska Klet Pinot Grigio Suho is said to be the oldest in Slovenia.
This is a dry wine that is clean, crisp, and complex. The copper-hued wine has fresh notes of lime and pear. It has a textured mouthfeel and minerality, which is said to emerge due to the extended skin contact of the grapes. The wine is best served cold and paired with polenta, a traditional Slovenian dish.
The Winery
Ptujska Klet (Ptuj) is Slovenia’s oldest winery, with viticulture in this area dating back to 1239. The man’s years of experience have made this winery one of the most reputed across the world. It even claims to have the oldest grapevine in the world! Ptuj cellars have also been storing wines since 1239 and are among the oldest in Europe. Combining modern technology with traditional winemaking processes, Ptujska Klet aims to create clean, aromatic white wines.
Honorable Mention
- Name — Santa Margherita Pinot Grigio Valdadige
- Winery — Santa Margherita
- Country/Region — Italy, Veneto, Valdadige
- Type — Italian Pinot Grigio
- Aroma — Honeysuckle, Jasmine, Apple, Pear, Peach, Apricot, Nectarine
- Grapes — Pinot Grigio
- Taste — Strawberry, Cherry, Grapefruit, Tangerine, Cherry, Almond, Butter
- Alcohol Content — 12.5%
- Sugar — Dry
- Pairing — Sushi, Lobster Roll, Poultry, Seafood, Shellfish, Mozzarella Cheese, Japanese
Tasting Notes
This wine is distinguishable by its straw yellow-like color, clean and intense aroma, and bone-dry finish. It’s a light and crisp wine that has a bold golden apple bouquet. Its multifaceted nature allows the Santa Margherita Pinot Grigio Valdadige to be paired with a variety of seafood, pasta, rice-based dishes, white meat, boiled or grilled fish, and soufflé. You can also serve this wine as an aperitif.
History
The Santa Margherita region, while known for its vineyards, only became famous after 1961, when it became one of the first Italian wineries to vinify the Pinot Grigio as a monovarietal grape. This enhanced the freshness of the grape and brought out the Pinot Grigio wine’s versatile nature. Since then, the Santa Margherita vineyards have continued to encompass wineries across Italy, including Veneto and Tuscany, producing wines reputed for their authentic taste and regional character.
Conclusion
The Pinot Grigio is a refreshing white wine that is delightful on a warm summer day. Originally from Burgundy, Italy, the wine slowly made its way to the rest of Europe, and later, to the rest of the world. Today, Pinot Grigio is considered to be the second most popular white wine in America. Now that you know about the best Pinot Grigio wine under $20, go ahead, pour a glass, and pair it with your favorite dish. Or, you can enjoy a glass all by itself!