Best Sauvignon Blancs Under $25
From LoveToKnow Wine
Discover the best Sauvignon Blancs under $25.
Crisp and Cool!
For some people, summertime brings out the white wine lover in them. The warm days and lazy evenings tend to go hand-in-hand with a crisp, cool white wine. I can see their point…I mean, who would want a big, red, heavy Cabernet on a hot day, right? And I can’t think of a better crisp, cool white that fits the bill than Sauvignon Blanc.
Sauvignon Blanc's Appeal
Why is Sauvignon Blanc so appealing? First of all, it’s a great citrus fruit wine with a high level acidity. You can pair this wine with many types of foods, or you can enjoy a glass or two on its own. It’s also light—the alcohol levels are not as high as other white wines are on average. As far as tasting notes go, Sauvignon Blancs range from grapefruit, lemon-lime notes all the way to granny smith apple and green grass aromas. Sometimes these wines will pick up a little jalapeno pepper aroma! Sauvignon Blancs from down under in New Zealand are even different yet: they can display an intense gooseberry nose that is distinct (and yummy!). It’s worth checking this versatile wine out—you’ll find, like me, you will become a huge fan in no time!
Style Choices
Stylistically, Sauvignon Blancs are usually fermented in stainless steel and not put into oak barrels much. Some wineries will use oak barrels for part of the blend, and then use stainless steel to maintain the acidity and bright fruit for the rest. Most people tend to go the route of less is more on this wine: the less oak, the better. If too much oak is used in the winemaking process, the crisp fruit and bright flavors are masked and the wines start tasting more like Chardonnays than Sauvignon Blancs. The key here is balance—just because some wineries use oak does not make it bad, but make sure it’s a complement to the wine, not a hindrance.
Value for the Price
One of the fantastic aspects of this wine is the price—hands down. You can pick up tasty Sauvignon Blancs for $25 or under…and to be honest, many times you can find good ones for $10 and under. Let’s take a look at the best Sauvignon Blancs under $25.
Best Sauvignon Blancs Under $25
- Canyon Road Sauvignon Blanc, California—$5.99
I have to always mention this great wine. This is by far the best buy Sauvignon Blanc coming out of California to date in my opinion. From the producers of Geyser Peak wines, this little gem is a great buy and delivers great flavor, too. Citrus and lemongrass with a touch of minerality. Who can ask for more at twice the price?
- Rodney Strong-Charlotte’s Home, Russian River—$8.99
Rodney Strong has been producing solid wines at reasonable prices for a long time now. Charlotte’s Home is no different. Named after Rod Strong’s wife, this wine displays classic Russian River acidity and that great tart citrus infusion.
- Hanna Winery, Russian River—$10.99
This is a favorite local winery in Sonoma County. At the Harvest Fair, this wine won sweepstakes white and constantly gets gold medals across the board. This wine also sells out fast, so when you see it, snatch it up. Displays notes of tart apple and wet stone with that good ‘ol Russian River Valley cool climate acidity.
- Mason Winery, Napa—$16.99
Mason is famous for its Sauvignon Blanc in Napa Valley. They produce many, but my favorite is still the “Mason” (you can’t miss the bright green corks they use too!). This one is a bit richer than others—they employ a little malolactic fermentation to give a rounder mouthfeel, but not overly so. Class citrus notes prevail, but the richness gives it a fig-like and melon flavor. Great with Asian food!
- Geyser Peak Winery, California—$8.99
These guys know how to make good tasting wine! The winemaker hails from Australia and likes to make his wines in the pure fruit style. No oak whatsoever, just clean, crisp fruit. This wine screams grapefruit and crispness. When I drink a glass of this by itself, it’s almost too acidic without food.
- Oyster Bay, Marlborough New Zealand—$11.99
This is a terrific example of stereotypic (not a bad word!) New Zealand Sauv. Blanc. This wine displays the classic gooseberry scent we were talking about earlier. It’s truly unique. Paired with lemongrass and granny smith apples that taste like they were soaked in lemon juice—the taste of this wine packs a wallop!
So you have some great choices to look for, but don’t limit yourself on just the ones on this list. As always, consult your favorite wine shop and tell them what you like or don’t like, and they will be able to steer you even further towards wines you would enjoy. Try new things and be adventurous. Cheers!
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