If you love white wine, specifically chardonnay, but don’t want to break your budget, you’re in luck as these are some of the best chardonnay wines under $30 that are both delicious and wallet-friendly.
Chardonnay is native to Burgundy where winemakers embrace a spectrum of styles, from steely, edgy, and chalky to creamy, rich, and golden. Because the grape is so easy to grow, it’s now ubiquitous around the globe, planted in wine regions from Chile to California to New Zealand.
Chardonnay is one of the rare grapes that succeeds in a wide variety of styles, from powerful to subtly finessed, from fresh and crisp to deep and rich. Wineries love to give it their own personal twist, using stainless tanks to keep it bright and fruity or fermenting and barrel-aging for smoky overtones and lush texture.
No matter what type you’re looking for, there’s a chardonnay that’ll have you sipping on bliss all summer long!
Brutocao Bliss Vineyard Chardonnay – $17.88
Tasting notes this estate chardonnay has aromas of fresh kiwi and notes of crisp green apple. Bright fruit flavors are followed by a touch of butterscotch. They are complemented by a rich round-mouth feel and lingering dried apricot flavors.
Intercept 24 Chardonnay – $22.99
Intercept Chardonnay targets bright acidity with a rich mid-palate created by the extended sur lie aging. A medium-bodied wine with notes of spiced apples, citrus, and biscuit. Rich from barrel fermentation and sur lie aging, the wine has bright acidity with a lingering toasty oak finish.
Francis Ford Coppola Diamond Collection Gold Label Chardonnay – $12.20
Scents of apricot, quince, and crème brulée. On the palate, you’ll find pineapple, citrus fruits, and ripe melon. An intensely fragrant wine with concentrated flavor nuances, a round silky palate, and crisp, natural acidity.
Becker Vineyards Chardonnay – $8.92
A classic-style chardonnay that expresses more fruit and earth notes than the more modern style of oak and butter. The nose features lemon peel, green apple, and gardenia. On the palate, you’ll taste pear, green apple, and balanced acid with a creamy mouthfeel.
Highway 12 Winery Chardonnay – $15.78
The nose presents elderflower blossoms and light citrus with a hint of stone fruit. On the palate, you’ll find the unique flavor of crisp Asian Pear. The fruit and floral notes are balanced by light acidity and a rich toasty vanilla oak warmth to round out the finish.
Arrowflite Chardonnay – $13.67
This little gem is an easy win for Chardonnay lovers. Rich and creamy, this wine offers flavors of pineapple and melon that quickly turns into a hedonistic creamy texture. Notes of brioche and buttered popcorn seep into medium minus acids. The finish is soft, offering butter and caramel with just a touch of citrus.
Mcmanis Family Vineyards Chardonnay – $10.49
Bright fruit aromas of pear melon and peach are accompanied by a bouquet of vanilla hazelnut and a hint of buttered popcorn. As with previous vintages, the wine is rich, creamy, and full of sweet pear banana, and toasty oak flavors.
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