The Best Wines in Australia Under $20: Budget Buys That Actually Taste Amazing
For a bottle that won’t break the bank, look no further than Australia’s best wines under $20.
Choosing the perfect bottle is an elite skill, and when it comes to wine, you don’t have to spend a fortune.
There are plenty of purse-friendly options out there that taste just as good – sometimes even better – as the expensive stuff.
From Cabernet Sauvignons to French Rosé and Chardonnay, these budget bottles offer plenty of different tasting notes to suit even the most complex of palates. Proving that price doesn’t compromise quality, these are the best wines in Australia under $20 that are punching well above their weight.
The Best White Wines in Australia Under $20
Grove Mill Sauvignon Blanc
Price: $19
Region: Marlborough, New Zealand
Alcohol Volume: 13.0%
Sitchu Says: A winner at the New Zealand International Wine Show in 2022, this easy-drinking New Zealand Sav offers a medley of ripe and intense tropical notes of guava and passionfruit. Crisp, fresh, and fruity, this punchy white pairs perfectly with seafood and sunny days.
Elephant in the Room Pinot Gris
Price: $13
Region: South Australia
Alcohol Volume: 12.5%
Sitchu Says: A quality all-rounder that pairs with pretty much anything but is equally as enjoyable on its own. A Decoded Wine Awards 2022 finalist, on the nose you’ll find ripe varietal fruit flavours of apple, grilled nuts and citrus with florals and spice.
Millon Wines 2023 The Impressionist Pinot Grigio
Price: $20
Region: Eden Valley, South Australia
Alcohol Volume: 12.5%
Sitchu Says: Sourced from Millon Wines' cool, high-elevation vineyard in Eden Valley, this fruit was picked and delivered to the winery in the cool of the night. With a pale straw colour (and just a hint of blush), expect a floral nose with hints of nashi pear, apple, and cashew.
Rewild Chardonnay Bagnum 1.5L
Price: $17.99
Region: Murray Darling
Alcohol Volume: 13%
Sitchu Says: These eco-conscious bagnums hold 1.5 litres of the good stuff. Not only does this equate to two 750ml bottles but the unique packaging is 90% lighter than glass making it perfect for BBQs and picnics. It also stays fresh for up to 30 days so you can enjoy a little every night! As for flavours, expect a deliciously dry drop with hints of ripe melon and nectarine.
Sit Stay Society Gewürztraminer Riesling
Price: $5.50
Region: Clare Valley, South Australia
Alcohol Volume: 13.5%
Sitchu Says: A tasty wine and a celebration of our furry friends? Yes, please. This Riesling shows aromas of lychee and white peach with a pinch of spice. Expect a crisp and cleansing palate.
The Best Red Wines in Australia Under $20
Old Fat Unicorn Golden Horn Shiraz
Price: $18.99
Region: Barossa Valley
Alcohol Volume: 13%
Sitchu Says: For something beyond the ordinary, Old Fat Unicorn's Golden Horn Shiraz is a top pick. Notes of rich fruit meet with delicate nuances from the oak of the whisky barrel finish. An elevated take on your go-to glass of red.
Mr. Riggs Three Corner Jack Shiraz Cabernet Merlot
Price: $120
Region: McLaren Vale, South Australia
Alcohol Volume: 14.5%
Sitchu Says: You can always count on McLaren Vale to deliver delicious drops and this lusty red blend is one of them. Ripe, dark berry fruits from the Merlot along with spice elements from the Shiraz and a firm but balanced structure from the Cabernet integrate seamlessly to create an award-winning wine that far exceeds its price tag.
Majella The Musician Cabernet Shiraz
Price: $18.99
Region: Coonawarra, South Australia
Alcohol Volume: 14.5%
Sitchu Says: For a cheap, hearty red that will impress even the most particular of wine drinkers look no further. Winner of the best fuller red under $20 in 2022, this crimson-hued, medium-bodied drop was made for Sunday roasts. Sublimely smooth and suitable for the everyday, enjoy deep, ripe, berry flavours, without the overlay of oak or other winemaker inputs.
Sit Stay Society Chester's Cabernet Sauvignon
Price: $15.99
Region: Langhorne Creek, South Australia
Alcohol Volume: 14.0%
Sitchu Says: With delicious blueberry aromas and hints of herbal notes, this is the perfect match for smokey barbecued steak or chargrilled vegetables. Plus, Sit Stay Society donates $1 from every bottle sold from the Big Dogs range, so there's even more to love.
Minchinbury Pinot Noir
Price: $6.99
Region: Australia
Alcohol Volume: 13.5%
Sitchu Says: While a red under $10 typically lists pounding headaches as the primary ingredient, this award-winning drop from Minchinbury is here to prove that cheap can in fact be cheerful. Sourced from premium Australian wine regions, this pinot noir is a light-bodied, elegant wine highlighting ripe plum fruit on the finish.
Nosey Parker Shiraz
Price: $15.99
Region: Barossa Valley, South Australia
Alcohol Volume: 14.5%
Sitchu Says: For the steady Shiraz drinkers, the Nosey Parker never disappoints. Layering notes of sweetly spiced blackberry with a smidge of oak, backed up by a rich, powerfully long palate, this wine is perfectly suited to be enjoyed on its own or is equally at home when paired with rich and flavoursome cuisine.
The Best Rosé in Australia Under $20
Tread Softly
Price: $13
Region: Australia
Alcohol Volume: 10.9%
Sitchu Says: A wine that is good for the soul and the planet. Planting an Australian native tree for every six bottles sold, Tread Softly is a progressively eco-conscious brand committed to reducing its carbon footprint. Vegan and naturally lower in alcohol, this dry, light-bodied rose delivers a palate of red fruits, citrus, and florals with a creamy texture.
La Bohème Act Two Dry Rose
Price: $19.99
Region: Yarra Valley
Alcohol Volume: 12.7%
Sitchu Says: When the weather calls for a glass (or two) of crisp, dry rose, this delightfully delicate wine delivers in spades. Brilliantly balanced with soft peach and nectarine flavours, the La Bohème Act Two Dry Rose is fabulous for an aperitif or with light bites – think sushi and nibbles.
Marius Peyol Provence
Price: $17.99
Region: Provence
Alcohol Volume: 13%
Sitchu Says: Forget rose all day, this wine will have you sipping it every day. It's bright, flavoursome, and heavy on the aromas. Savour delicate notes of red berries, white peach, and citrus along with a nice balance and a textured mouthfeel. A French rose for under $15, say less.
Jacob's Creek Le Petit Rosé
Price: $18
Region: South Australia
Alcohol Volume: 12.4%
Sitchu Says: With more than a couple of gold medals behind it, this quintessentially Aussie winery is putting its cheeky spin on French rosé, and we couldn’t be more here for it. Restrained and well-balanced, the dry palate is savoury and chalky, with vibrant fruit flavours while the aromatic nose shows red currant and spice. Pair with light savoury dishes like charcuterie and seafood.
The Best Sparkling Wines in Australia Under $20
Maschio Prosecco
Price: $9.99
Region: Treviso, Italy
Alcohol Volume: 11%
Sitchu Says: Repping that illustrious DOC sticker, this Italian-born bubbles is a tried-and-true favourite. As satisfying in a mimosa as it is on its own, expect a lively foam followed by a nose full of strong candied fruit and sweet flower hints.
The Black Chook Sparkling Shiraz
Price: $20
Region: Multi-regional blend, Australia
Alcohol Volume: 13%
Sitchu Says: Proving that Shiraz is so much more than a winter wine, The Black Chook is a hit year-round. Smooth with a subtle sweetness, this seductive sparkling gives vibrant sun-ripened blackberries with liquorice and white pepper notes - a holiday favourite for sure.
Loving our pick of the best wine subscriptions in Australia and looking for something to pair it with? Be sure to check our favourite food & wine pairings for the ultimate night in. While you’re at it why not check out our favourite winter cocktail recipes that are guaranteed to keep you cosy through the cooler months.
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