Light, Refreshing Pinot Grigios for Under $20

Hear us out: Pinot Grigio just might be among the most underrated of the overrated styles out there. 

What we mean by this is that it’s a crowd-pleasing crisp white wine and has a strong presence on menus and in bottle shops around the world, so much so that it has become almost ordinary and has kind of lost its former special status. This ubiquity might make it seem less exciting than other white varietals but when you look under the hood, it’s a real banger—especially when you factor in the cost to quality ratio. 

There are plenty of outstanding bottles for under $20. Drinkable and affordable? A brilliant duo.

Pinot Grigio, also known as Pinot Gris, can be used to produce stunning, high-end wines. But its true genius comes for being responsible for some of the most affordable and quaffable wines that are blissfully simple. The anti-Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio almost never sees oak and delivers crisp bracing acidity and ranges from steely, sharp minerality, to lush tropical and stone fruit flavors.

A Wine of Many Faces

“Pinot Grigio comes in many guises, from light and crisp to rich and bold,” says Jeff Porter, Wine Enthusiast writer at large and reviewer of wines from Northern Italy, the region that’s perfected the varietal. “Each expression has its merits and uses, making this grape a key staple of any fridge.”

Originally hailing from Italy, Pinot Grigio has expanded across the globe thriving under a variety of conditions and pushing the boundaries of what can be created with this grape. With that in mind, our tasting department has selected top-rated bottles that are easily found online to make your shopping easier. Many of the bottles hail from Alto Adige and Delle Venezie, where the grape shines. 

“In Italy, we find Pinot Grigio planted across the peninsula, but in the heights of Alto Adige, Pinot Grigio gives wines of finesse, depth and texture, all lifted by the energetic mountain acidity,” Porter says. “Conversely, wines from Delle Venezie lift like a flower garden in full bloom with vibrant citrus notes zipping across the palate. Both places do right by the grape, and neither is better than the other—just great expressions of a place and time.”

We’ve also found a trove of bottles from across California. This New World region has been producing stellar expressions of the style.

“They embody the California sunshine,” says Tonya Pitts, a Wine Enthusiast writer at large who reviews wines from the state. “Don’t get me wrong; there is minerality and acidity throughout these selections compared to their Italian counterparts, who have mastered the aromatic style of Pinot Grigio with a sense of place, earth, wind, air and high elevation.”

Which is all to say: this style, for all its ubiquity, still impresses and surprises our reviewers. Read on for the full list.

The Best Pinot Grigio Under $20

Italo Cescon 2022 Il Tralcetto Pinot Grigio Pinot Grigio (Delle Venezie)

Pinot Grigio as it should be: layered, aromatic, interesting and inviting. The wine shows aromas of white peach, lemon, pressed yellow flowers and sea salt. Elegant on the palate with a creamy, leesy texture that pops with lemon curd and candied lime zest on the stony mineral finish. 92 points. Best Buy. — Jeff Porter

$20 Mission Wines

Castelfeder 2022 15 Pinot Grigio Pinot Grigio (Alto Adige)

An aromatic journey with scents of tree-ripened green apple, warmed pear, and fresh mountain herbs, this wine captures one’s attention immediately. On the palate, it unfolds with refreshingly citrus and peach flavors that culminate with a stony minerality on the lifted finish. 92 points. Best Buy. — J.P. $18 Wine Authorities

Ironstone 2022 Granite Hill Cellars Pinot Grigio (Lodi)

This wine is fresh, zesty, with aromas of Kaffir lime, Pink Grapefruit, Green apple, and white flowers on the nose. The flavors on the palate lime, orange blossom, grapefruit sections, rolling into white pepper, mineral and a dry finish. Pair with Oysters. 91 points. Best Buy. — Tonya Pitts $17 Wine Deals

Terra d’Oro 2023 Pinot Grigio (Clarksburg)

This wine is zippy, with aromas of citrus, stone fruit, earth, dried herbs and acidity on the nose. The flavors on the palate are melon and white grapefruit, morphing into orange-blossom water, mineral and dry, mouthwatering finish. Pair with fried calamari. 92 points. Best Buy. — T.P. $16 Terra d’Oro

Portlandia 2022 Pinot Gris (Washington-Oregon)

After a few vintages, the quality of this wine is no surprise. The 2022 bottling launches a yin and yang aromatic set featuring orange creamsicle and lemon verbena tea. Bright acidity highlights a crisp mouthfeel and flavors like peach, chamomile tea and lavender butter. 91 points. Best Buy. — Michael Alberty $16 Wine.com

The Best Pinot Grigio Under $15

Muri-Gries 2023 Pinot Grigio (Alto Adige)

This Pinot Grigio starts with a nose that hints at something special, offering aromas of mixed orchard fruits and a touch of stony minerality. On the palate, it delivers layers of ripe pear, green apple, and a subtle hint of stone fruit, all balanced by vibrant acidity and a whisper of herbal notes. The texture is compelling, drawing you in with each sip and leaving a lasting impression of finesse and depth. A wine that’s both serious and memorable. Drink Now – 2035. 92 points. best Buy. — J.P. $15 Wine Express

Josh Cellars 2023 Pinot Grigio (California)

This wine is fresh, crisp, with aromas of green guava, papaya, lemongrass, and notes of orange blossom on the nose. The flavors on the palate are apricot, tangerine, pear, mineral, and a dry juicy finish. 92 points. Best Buy. — T.P. $13 Total Wine

Kendall-Jackson 2023 Vintner’s Reserve Pinot Gris (California)

This wine is bright, zippy, with aromas of Green apple, peach, White tea, and fresh herbs on the nose. The flavors on the palate are grapefruit, orange zest, green papaya, cinnamon, good acidity, and a dry finish. Pair with the Beach, Friends and Snacks. 92 points. Best Buy. — T.P. $13 Wine.com

San Michele 2023 Pinot Grigio Pinot Grigio (Delle Venezie)

This Pinot Grigio is a delightful surprise, with floral aromas and juicy peach notes that create a lifted and light nose. The palate reveals flavors of ripe pear, accompanied by a distinct mineral presence. The wine’s texture is the unexpected touch with that adds another dimension to this refreshing wine that heights all of the aspects of the wine in unison. 91 points. Best Buy. — J.P.

$12 Guidi Wines

McManis 2023 Pinot Grigio (River Junction)

This wine is lively, bright, with aromas of citrus blossoms, Kaffir lime, quince, and notes of white flowers on the nose. The flavors on the palate are kumquat, Yellow apple, dried coriander, Pink grapefruit peel, and a dry supple finish. 92 points. Best Buy. — T.P.

$10 Argonaut Liquor

Line 39 2023 Pinot Grigio (California)

This wine is light, zesty, with aromas of citrus, guava, bell pepper, and dried herbs on the nose. The flavors on the palate are lemon, grapefruit, orange acacia honey, dried chicory, mineral, and a dry mouth watering finish. Pair with Fried Calamari. 92 points. Best Buy. — T.P. $8 Luekens

More Pinot Grigio Coverage

• A six-bottle master class to Pinot Grigio.
• In a battle between Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Grigio, which style comes out on top?
• Get to know Italy’s great Pinot Grigios.
• Explore the rich, full-bodied world of Alsatian Pinot Gris.
• The surprising story of Oregon Pinot Gris, the state’s other Pinot.

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