39 of the best New Zealand wines for under $20. Gold Winning red, white & sparkling wines. Affordable, delicious and ready for summer.
Since 2003, the New World Wine Awards has been finding a top drop at a great price.
Over time, we’ve increased the limit from $20 to $25 to include more quality wines in the competition. This compilation takes us back to our original goal: Helping you find the best tasting wines in New Zealand for under $20.
Related article:
Read our guide to New Zealand Wine Styles
Best Red Blends under $20
Pair our top blends with these food recommendations:
Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Malbec are typically used in red blends, therefore similar food matches work well here. Although these wines can be powerful and substantial, they can also be gentler with elegant harmony and sophistication.
Red wine risotto with assorted mushrooms would be comfortingly delicious. The stylish beef Wellington with rich gravy works beautifully. Moreover, it’s a satisfying wine to finish a meal with aged cheeses and quince paste.
Chaffey Bros La Resistance GSM 2021
Variety: Red Blends
Region: Australia
Price: Under $20
Key notes: Friendly, fun and suave – a BBQ delight.
The Fox and the Grapes Organic Shiraz Merlot 2022
Variety: Red Blends
Region: Australia
Price: Under $20
Key notes: Organic and bright with red/black fruit spice and mocha.
Villa Maria Cellar Selection Hawke’s Bay Merlot Cabernet Sauvignon 2021
Variety: Red Blends
Region: Hawke's Bay, New Zealand
Price: Under $20
Key notes: Classic blend with silken texture and intense perfume.
Best Pinot Noir under $20
Pair our favourite pinot noirs with these foods:
Pinot Noir is lighter in colour and richness than some reds but does not lack in power to enhance a wide range of dishes. Fabulous with duck confit with duck fat roasted potatoes, rack of lamb with herb crust and meltingly delicious slow-cooked pork belly. It can partner poultry as well as beefy casseroles, and the iconic pizza margherita is absolutely yummy with Pinot.
Montford Estate Pinot Noir 2021
Variety: Pinot Noir
Region: Marlborough, New Zealand
Price: Under $20
Key notes: Concentrated with exotic perfume, ideal for a dinner party.
Stoneleigh Wild Valley Marlborough Pinot Noir 2021
Variety: Pinot Noir
Region: Marlborough, New Zealand
Price: Under $20
Key notes: Champion Pinot - textural, vibrant and exceptionally delicious.
Best New Zealand Shiraz & Syrah under $20
Pair the best Shiraz & Syrah with these foods:
New Zealand Syrah offers elegance and roundness, making it delightfully juicy and supple. Great with spaghetti bolognese, steak with black or green peppercorn sauce and meat-lover’s pizza.
The Aussie version, Shiraz, packs more oomph and richness, ideal with BBQ veggies and meats, roast lamb with dark gravy and beef cheek ragu with pappardelle. The strong flavour of the wine is a great match for strong cheeses, especially aged cheddar and washed-rind cheese.
Stables Hawke's Bay 2021 Reserve Syrah
Variety: Shiraz and Syrah
Region: Hawke’s Bay, New Zealand
Price: Under $20
Key notes: Friendly and plump, it’s succulent and silky-smooth.
Thorn-Clarke Sandpiper Shiraz 2019
Variety: Shiraz and Syrah
Region: Australia
Price: Under $20
Key notes: Dark fruit richness leads the way to a long supple finish.
Best Single Varietal Reds under $20
Mrs Q Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon 2020
Variety: Single Varietal Red
Region: Australia
Price: Under $20
Key notes: Luscious, full bodied and velvety, with rich fruit and oak spice.
Taylors Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2021
Variety: Single Varietal Red
Region: Australia
Price: Under $20
Key notes: Splendid Australian Cabernet, weighty, rich and full of flavour.
Trapiche Pure Black Malbec 2021
Variety: Single Varietal Red
Region: Argentina
Price: Under $20
Key notes: Argentinian speciality - plumb and ripe with smooth edges.
Yalumba Y Series Merlot 2021
Variety: Single Varietal Red
Region: Australia
Price: Under $20
Key notes: Textbook Merlot that is rich and silky with lush fruit and spice.
Best New Zealand aromatic wines under $20
Seifried Nelson Gewürztraminer 2023
Variety: Aromatics
Region: Nelson, New Zealand
Price: Under $20
Key notes: Exquisite Nelson example with aromas of lychee, ginger and rose.
The Crater Rim Waipara Riesling 2018
Variety: Aromatics
Region: North Canterbury, New Zealand
Price: Under $20
Key notes: Flavoursome Riesling with stone fruit, mandarin, honey and spice.
Best New Zealand Chardonnay under $20
Chardonnay comes in many shapes and sizes. With a lighter style, try fresh seafoods and soft brie or camembert cheese – it’s also fabulous with crunchy salads, such as Caesar or Waldorf.
If you love the richer, more powerful Chardonnays, try roast salmon with soy glaze, seafood chowder, carbonara or roast chicken. Cashew butter curry and baked fish with creamy lemon sauce are also amazing with buttery Chardonnays.
Ara Single Estate Chardonnay 2022
Variety: Chardonnay
Region: Marlborough, New Zealand
Price: Under $20
Key notes: Stylish and silky with bright citrus and great energy.
Beresford Classic Chardonnay 2022
Variety: Chardonnay
Region: Australia
Price: Under $20
Key notes: Full-bodied Chardonnay with classy oak and a fresh finish.
Mission Estate Hawke's Bay 2022 Reserve Chardonnay
Variety: Chardonnay
Region: Hawke's Bay, New Zealand
Price: Under $20
Key notes: Classy and concentrated with nectarine mandarin and subtle spice.
Stoneleigh Latitude Marlborough Chardonnay 2022
Variety: Chardonnay
Region: Marlborough, New Zealand
Price: Under $20
Key notes: Generous and approachable with toasty oak, lemon and brioche.
The Hunting Lodge Expressions Chardonnay 2022
Variety: Chardonnay
Region: Hawkes Bay, New Zealand
Price: Under $20
Key notes: Mid-weight and compelling with floral, citrus notes and textural beauty.
Related article:
Read our Chardonnay Wine Guide
Best New Zealand Pinot Gris under $20
Pinot Gris is a gorgeous all-rounder when it comes to its ability to pair with such a variety of food styles. Excellent with picnic nibbles, spring rolls and dumplings, it’s also flavoursome enough to complement chicken soup, coconut-based curries and stir-fries.
Black Cottage Marlborough Pinot Gris 2023
Variety: Pinot Gris
Region: Marlborough, New Zealand
Price: Under $20
Key notes: Pristine and aromatic with Asian pear, citrus peel and Gala apple notes.
Brancott Estate East Coast Pinot Gris 2023
Variety: Pinot Gris
Region: Regional Blend
Price: Under $20
Key notes: Top Pinot Gris showing juicy pear flavours with a refreshing finish.
Mount Riley Marlborough Pinot Gris 2023
Variety: Pinot Gris
Region: Marlborough, New Zealand
Price: Under $20
Key notes: Finely textured and fruity, it’s friendly and supple with tasty flavours.
SOHO Ziggy Pinot Gris 2023
Variety: Pinot Gris
Region: Marlborough, New Zealand
Price: Under $20
Key notes: Elegantly fruity Pinot Gris with a hint of spice - an ideal aperitif.
Waipara Hills Waipara Valley Pinot Gris 2023
Variety: Pinot Gris
Region: North Canterbury, New Zealand
Price: Under $20
Key notes: Generously delicious, well suited to partner mildly spicy dishes.
Related article:
Read our Pinot Gris Wine Guide
Best New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc under $20
With its punchy and upfront flavours with zesty mouthfeel, Sauvignon loves seafood of all kinds, especially mussel fritters, sashimi, smoked salmon and barbeque prawns. The wine can also handle mild spicy food with ease, such as Thai yellow and green curries. The classic Caprese salad of tomato, basil and mozzarella is a must-try with a New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc.
Anchorage Nelson Sauvignon Blanc 2023
Variety: Sauvignon Blanc
Region: Nelson, New Zealand
Price: Under $20
Key notes: A superstar Sauvignon, it’s punchy and deliciously tasty.
Esk Valley Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2023
Variety: Sauvignon Blanc
Region: Marlborough, New Zealand
Price: Under $20
Key notes: Crowd-pleasing, filled with classic crunchy apple and feijoa flavours.
Giesen Uncharted Sauvignon Blanc 2022
Variety: Sauvignon Blanc
Region: Marlborough, New Zealand
Price: Under $20
Key notes: Upfront and intense, a great seafood partner.
Montford Estate Sauvignon Blanc 2023
Variety: Sauvignon Blanc
Region: Marlborough, New Zealand
Style: Dry White Wine
Price: Under $20
Key notes: Packed with passionfruit, nectarine and grapefruit flavours.
Triplebank Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2023
Variety: Sauvignon Blanc
Region: Marlborough, New Zealand
Price: Under$20
Key notes: With passionfruit and pineapple notes upfront, it’s vigorous and cheerful.
Related article:
Best sparkling wines under $20
Looking for a pairing for sparkling wine?
The number one pick for celebration cheers. Bubbles are also versatile when it comes to food pairing, from freshly shucked oysters and prawn cocktails to fish & chips and loaded fries. Vietnamese fresh rolls and guacamole also work beautifully with the wine’s bright acidity. It’s also super comfortable with a cheese platter with spiced nuts, dried fruits and salty prosciutto.
Lindauer Special Reserve Brut Cuvée
Variety: Bubbles
Region: Regional Blend
Price: Under $20
Key notes: Stylish and elegant, a top-notch bubbles for any occasion.
Lindauer Special Reserve Rosé
Variety: Bubbles
Region: Regional Blend
Price: Under $20
Key notes: Strawberries and cream, super tasty and comforting.
Maison Blanc de Blanc
Variety: Bubbles
Region: Australia
Price: Under $20
Key notes: Smooth and rounded with ripe citrus and stone fruit flavours.
Press & Bloom Prosecco
Variety: Bubbles
Region: Australia
Price: Under $20
Key notes: A light and lively Prosecco, finishing lingering and joyful.
Verde Brut
Variety: Bubbles
Region: Gisborne, New Zealand
Price: Under $20
Key notes: Splendidly appealing with delicious creamy mouthfeel.
Best Rosé wines under $20
Looking for a rosé food pairing?
This sunshine in a glass wine offers a myriad of options – great with antipasto platters and much more. Watermelon, mint and feta salad? Brilliant. Christmas ham with sticky glaze? Of course. Sushi with all kinds of fillings? Absolutely. Rosé offers juicy fruit intensity, which goes splendidly well with soft cheeses like brie and mozzarella, as well as a heart-warming spicy roasted-tomato soup.
Headline Acts Rosé 2022
Variety: Rosé
Region: Australia
Price: Under $20
Key notes: Groovy looking label with equally enticing strawberry and stone fruit flavours.
Les Jamelles Clair de Rosé 2022
Variety: Rosé
Region: France
Price: Under $20
Key notes: Classic French. It’s delicate and finely textured with a crisp-dry mouthfeel.
Old Coach Road Nelson Rosé 2023
Variety: Rosé
Region: Nelson, New Zealand
Price: Under $20
Key notes: Instantly appealing with dazzling fruity flavours.
Rosabel Rosé 2021
Variety: Rosé
Region: France
Price: Under $20
Key notes: A delightful modern French expression, it’s juicy and refreshing.
tē Pa Pinot Noir Rosé 2023
Variety: Rosé
Region: Marlborough, New Zealand
Price: Under $20
Key notes: Gracefully slim with fine aromatics and a vibrant finish.
Thornbury Hawke’s Bay Rosé 2023
Variety: Rosé
Region: Hawke's Bay, New Zealand
Price: Under $20
Key notes: Stunningly charming - it’s beautifully scented with red berry, apple and floral nuances.
Affordable wines for any occasion
These wines represent the peak of all the gold medal-winning wines under $20. Whether you’re looking for sparkling, Rosé, red or white, there are many more quality, award-winning wines under $20 for you to explore.
All of our New World Wine Awards winners are available now and ready for you to share and enjoy. Shop here, or you can find them at your local New World.
Happy to step up to $25 a bottle? Take a look at our pick of all the best New Zealand wines of 2023. Or, use our wine finder tool to search for a wine that takes your fancy.
Whatever the occasion, these award winning red wines are ready for you to share and enjoy.
Related article:
Best New Zealand red winesBest New Zealand Sauvignon Blancs
Top white wines of 2023
5 of the best Pinot Noirs of 2023
Jim Harre - about the author
After studying viticulture and winemaking at Hawkes Bay’s Eastern Institute of Technology, Jim worked several vintages, both in New Zealand and Internationally as a winemaker.
Identified as having a very good palate for quality assessment of wine, Jim has been a major part of New Zealand’s Wine Judging competitions for over 25 years. Now a well respected International Judge, he works as a Chair of Judges in Wine Competitions in USA, Japan, China, Australia and, of course, New Zealand.
He is also regarded as a world authority on the effect of how wine perception changes in aircraft, a panel chair at the world’s largest competition; the International Wine Challenge, held each year in London; as well as Wine Consultant to Air New Zealand.
It is Jim’s love of education and teaching people about wine that makes him one of New Zealand’s most recognised Wine professionals.