The 12 best bargain wines of 2024 under $20

Discovery is a big part of the joy of wine. Wine fiends relish the hunt for rare, exceptional bottles and are prone to extol their virtues at great length to anyone within earshot.

We also love unearthing wines that offer quality above their price, and yes, we can be just as obnoxious bragging about how little we paid for a wine. But that’s the whole point of this annual Greatest Values of the Year roundup: highlighting wines that cost $20 or less but taste like they cost more.

Looking over this year’s recommendations, it seems I was in a mood for white wines, which dominate the list. Europe continues to provide the most, with Spain accounting for three wines. Our top value of the year is the delightful Paul D. Grüner Veltliner from Austria. At a modest $14 for a liter bottle, the value is even more exciting.

A reminder: As usual, I’m not including my star ratings here, as these are all great values worth revisiting. And some of the wines may have already transitioned to the next vintage.

It’s reassuring that even with the global inflation of the post-pandemic years, there are still exciting values to be found under our admittedly arbitrary $20 ceiling. Tariffs could change that; we’ll have to wait and see. For now, here are 12 terrific values from 2024 to enjoy into the new year.

12. Kirkland 10 Year Old Tawny Porto

Douro Valley, Portugal, $17

To be honest, the Kirkland Pinot Grigio from Grave, Italy, at $5, should run away with the title of Greatest Value based on price alone. But this aged tawny port from my recent Kirkland feature is a sentimental favorite. Ten-year-old tawny typically costs $40 or more, so to find one this cheap and made by Fonseca, a leading house in the Taylor Fladgate group, is truly special. Alcohol by volume: 20 percent (fortified). Bottle weight: 455 grams (Light).

11. Yalumba The Y Series Pinot Noir 2022

South Australia, Australia, $15

Spicy cherry and cola flavors dominate this juicy, lively pinot noir from one of Australia’s best value producers. Vegan. ABV: 13.5 percent. BW: 420 grams (Light).

10. Biagio Pinot Grigio 2022

Sicily, Italy, $14

While pinot grigio is typically associated with Italy’s northern wine regions, this delicious example benefits from Sicily’s warmth, displaying ripe flavors of melon, mango and lime draped around a core of acidity. I liked it even more the second day at nearly room temperature, which lets the fruit shine. This is a delicious wine for casual sipping, or to pair with lighter fish or chicken dishes. ABV: 12 percent. BW: 485 grams (Light).

9. Pine Ridge Chenin Blanc + Viognier 2023

California, $16

Year after year this white blend is one of California’s best values. Peaches, ginger, jasmine and honeysuckle come together in an exuberant chorus that should bring a smile to your palate. Seafood comes to mind as a natural partner, but the fruitiness also suggests spicy dishes. The back label says “American,” which suggests some of the grapes were grown outside California, but the winery website says the chenin blanc (80 percent) was from Clarksburg, and the viognier (20 percent) came from Lodi, both in California. ABV: 12 percent. BW: 485 grams (Light).

8. Count Karolyi Grüner Veltliner 2021

Dunántúl, Hungary, $12

This wallet-friendly grüner from Hungary is tarter than its Austrian neighbors typically are, emphasizing the peppery spice of the variety over the white flowers and minerals. It’s refreshing and ideal for fresh cheeses and light seafood dishes. ABV: 12 percent. BW: 430 grams (Light).

7. A.A. Badenhorst Curator White Blend 2023

Coastal Region, South Africa, $13

Adi Badenhorst’s Curator white and red blends continue to be tremendous values, year after year. This 2023 white marries chenin blanc with chardonnay for body, and viognier for aromas. The result is a floral, off-dry wine that is delicious on its own or with any number of casual dishes. Badenhorst’s Secateurs Chenin Blanc, at $18, is another standard-bearer. ABV: 13 percent. BW: 435 grams (Light).

6. Goros Monastrell-Syrah 2019

Alicante, Spain, $19

Flavors of sagebrush, wild mushroom and black pepper mesh into a seamless palate in this delicious red blend. This quality producer also makes an outstanding tempranillo, for a few dollars more. Certified organic, vegan. ABV: 14 percent. BW: 415 grams (Light).

5. Viña Jaraba Reserva 2017

La Mancha, Spain, $17

Over the past 16 years, I’ve recommended several wines selected by Virginia-based importer Aurelio Cabestrero for his Grapes of Spain import label. Cabestrero is a former award-winning sommelier in Spain, and his palate for the wines of his native country is impeccable. The Viña Jaraba Reserva 2017, a tempranillo-based blend, is impressively savory, rich and velvety, revealing nuances with each sip. The flavors are quite ripe, befitting a hot year in a warm climate, but the skillful viticulture and winemaking handled the heat and kept the wine in balance. It calls for roasted or grilled meats on a cool autumn evening. This is an exceptional value considering the price and the amount of bottle age on the wine. ABV: 13.5 percent. BW: 370 grams (Light).

4. Clean Slate Riesling 2021

Mosel, Germany, $13

Peach, apricot and a hint of honey give this off-dry riesling depth. It’s a delicious introductory wine for people unfamiliar with the Mosel, Germany’s most famous region. The clever name only hints at the possibilities for exploring the various slate soils of the Mosel and how they express themselves through wine. ABV: 10.5 percent. BW: 580 grams (Average).

3. Bodegas Montecillo Crianza 2019

Rioja, Spain, $14

Founded in 1870, Bodegas Montecillo claims to be the third-oldest winery in Rioja. The 2019 Crianza lives up to its reputation as a perennial value. Dark ruby color greets the eye, welcoming aromas of cherry and plum float from the glass, and the sweet, gentle flavors of American oak wave hello on the palate. This wine packs a lot of complexity for its price. ABV: 13 percent. BW: 405 grams (Light).

Imported by Evaton.

2. DeLoach Vineyards Heritage Reserve Chardonnay 2022

California, $13

Here’s a great everyday-style wine for when you just want a good chardonnay with some peach and apricot fruit character and a hint of sweetness, but nothing to contemplate or hijack your dinner conversation with oenogeeky discourse. It’s straightforward, simple and delicious. ABV: 13.5 percent. BW: 540 grams (Average).

1. Paul D. Grüner Veltliner 2023

Austria, $14 for 1-Liter

Winemaker Paul Direder produces one of the best wine values available today in this liter format. This is grüner at its youthful best — refreshing and racy, seemingly revealing a new flavor with each sip. It’s an ideal “house white.” Buy several to last until the next vintage is released. From Virginia-based Klaus Wittauer Selections, an impressive portfolio of Austrian wines. ABV: 12 percent. BW: 425 grams (Light).

• Prices are approximate. For availability, check Wine.com, Wine-searcher.com and the websites and social media feeds of the wineries, importers, distributors, and your favorite local wine store. You can also ask your local retailer to order wines from the distributors listed. Bottle weight is included, because this is the single most important contributor to wine’s carbon footprint. Have wine questions for Dave McIntyre? Send them to Food@washpost.com.