You can love it or hate it. But you just can’t do away with it! Crispy, full-bodied, delicious, and rich and fruity, it wouldn’t cost you a kidney to buy! No wonder it is everywhere, be it weddings, on flight and meetings. The white grapes are one of the world’s favorite white wines.
The climate of the region where it is grown plays a huge role in the taste, flavor and texture of the Chardonnay. In cool climates, it tastes crispy and dry with fruity flavors. In warmer places, on the other hand, it has rich flavors with notes of honey. Mmm!
One of the predominant characteristics of Chardonnay is the toasty oak notes since it was aged in oak barrels. Oaked Chardonnay is buttery and toasty. These days, however, winemakers have been coming up with unoaked bottles for those whose palate long for crisp and clean expressions with fruity flavors.
Just because a Chardonnay is cheap, doesn’t mean it is necessarily good. Which is why we have come up with some of the best Chardonnay, all under $15. These drinks will make your palette and pocket, very happy indeed! Read on to know more about the best inexpensive Chardonnay that cost $15 or less!
1. Smoking Loon Steelbird Unoaked Chardonnay 2019, $ 7.99
“Smoking Loon” now isn’t that a fascinating name! It may make you laugh, but there is no denying that it is one of the best and cheapest chardonnay out there. You would indeed be a loon if you miss out on this superb unoaked Chardonnay with vibrant pineapple, melon rind and delicious green apple fruit flavors. It is refreshing, rich and flavorful with a pleasant tanginess of the citrus fruit. It has a creamy and silky smooth mouth-feel. Sip on the bold and exciting flavors of Smoking Loon; you won’t be sorry!
2. Mark West Chardonnay 2017, $11.99
The enticing aroma of citrus and pear and the rich and supple mouthfeel make this a low cost, but classy drink. On the palate, you get the lush peach flavor along with melon and green apple. The finish is toasty with notes of oak. It makes for a great complimentary drink with grilled salmon.
3. Bogle Chardonnay 2019, $11.99
This wine will be adored by you if you love a mixture of silky and peachy. On the nose, you get a waft of green apples and pears, along with vanilla and honey. From the first sip, it is fresh and buttery, with the delicious taste of crisp apples and ripe pears. The finish is long and soft and the taste will linger in your tongue long after you are done! Sounds perfect!
4. Columbia Crest Grand Estates Chardonnay 2017, $11.99
Since its inception in 1983, Columbia Crest has been producing some of the best wines in the US. This Washington State wine is priced at 11.99 $. It is creamy and buttery, with inviting aromas of melons and apples and flavors of butterscotch, caramelized sugar, fruity flavors of apples and melons. This is a delectably well-balanced drink, and is meant to be savored in leisure!
5. A by Acacia Chardonnay 2018, $13.99
This is one of the best inexpensive wines and great value for money! It is perfectly crispy and not overly buttery. Simple, clean and refreshing, you can partake it anytime with cheese.
6. Toad Hollow Francine’s Selection Unoaked Chardonnay 2018, $14.99
This is a medium-bodied wine that is vibrant with lots of fruit flavors like fresh mango on the nose, and melon and stone fruit on the palate. On the mouth, it finishes in layer after layer of delicious honeyed lemon and slight traces of grapefruit.
7. Kendell Jackson Vintner’s Reserve Chardonnay 2018, $14.99
This is one of the best Chardonnay in the list! It has flavors of tropical fruits like pineapple, papaya and mango along with citrus fruits notes. On the nose, you get aromas of honey and vanilla. It has a lovely balance between crispness and ripeness. Definitely, a crowd pleaser!
8. Fetzer Sundial Chardonnay 2018, $7.99
Gorgeous to look at with pale-gold hues, this drink gives off the aromas of tropical fruits with hints of vanilla and nuts. This full-bodied wine tastes of luscious and lingering peaches and citrus notes, with just a trace of spice.
9. A to Z Wineworks Chardonnay 2014, $13
To start with, you get the scent of green apples and honeysuckle blossoms. This Chardonnay is bursting with flavors of citrus and floral offering a beautiful blend of acidity and vividness. The finish is well-balanced, with a slight hint of minerality that Oregon Chardonnay is known for!
10. McManis Family Vineyards River Junction Chardonnay $11.99
This toasty Chardonnay is of light golden straw hue and is a treat for the eyes as well as the palate! Flavors of pear, peach and banana mingle with subtle hints of buttered popcorn and vanilla. It is rich and delicious!
11. Josh Cellars Chardonnay 2019, $14.99
This Chardonnay is another great option with tropical fruit aromas, that pan out into a palate of vibrant citrus fruits and honey with notes of oak and subtle hints of juicy peach. A Chardonnay loaded with personality!
12. Estancia Chardonnay 2018 $10.99
This is a beautiful Chardonnay to destress after a long workday. It has plenty of fruit flavors along with almond and spice.
13. Robert Mondavi Private Selection $14.99
This is a rich and creamy wine. It has flavors of grilled pineapple, toffee and vanilla bean with slight hints of toasty oak and spice that makes for a nice, lingering finish!
14. Clos-du-bois Chardonnay 2018, $10.99
The aromas of this wine are intense and inviting- apple blossoms, sweet lemon extracts and ripe pear, along with toasty oak, spice and cream. The fruit flavors of apple and pear come together beautifully for a silky smooth, long finish.
15. Wente Morning Fog Chardonnay 2018, $13.99
This Chardonnay bursts with the aroma of citrus, toasty oak and pear. The fruit flavors are vibrant and crisp which is balanced by hints of vanilla and oak.
16. Sebastiani North Coast Chardonnay 2016, $13.99
This is a wonderful sipping Chardonnay that is meant to be savored slowly. It is full-bodied, with flavors of yellow apple, exotic and ripe peach fruit and buttered toast.
17. Kenwood Chardonnay 2018, $14.99
If you are looking for an affordable, well-balanced and creamy Chardonnay, go for Kenwood. It has the enticing aromas and flavors or core fruits delicately balanced with traces of stones.
18. Butternut Chardonnay 2018, $14.99
On the nose, this wine has the aromas of peach, spiced apple and hazelnut. You get the flavors of decadent and creamy butterscotch, fig and oak as it goes down your throat.
19. 14 hands Chardonnay 2017, $10.99
This wine can be found in almost all grocery stores. It is bright and vivid, with crisp fruit flavors of sweet lime and pears with an underlying touch of spice, butter, vanilla and caramel. It will serve as a wonderful accompaniment to baked chicken or salmon.
20. Portillo Chardonnay 2017, $13.99
If you like plenty of fruity flavors, this wine is for you. It has lovely flavors of apple, pear, apricot along with stony minerality.
21. Simi Sonoma Coast Chardonnay 2018, $14.99
This is a creamy and zesty Chardonnay with flavors of lemon curd, peach, tangerine, stone fruit and vanilla and finishes off with acidity of orange and wet-stone minerality.
22. The Seeker Chardonnay 2018, $12.99
For a mix of class and affordability, choose this wine! It has the aromas and taste of tropical fruits like ripe pineapple, golden apple, anjou pear and guava infused with hints of baking spice and vanilla. The finish is crisp and refreshing.
23. St. Francis Chardonnay 2018, $13.99
This wine is crisp and bright made with a superb combination of ripe fruits and subtle oak nuances. It has the aromas and flavors of juicy pear, green apple, and melon with marzipan subtle undertones. There is just a touch of minerality to make it well-balanced. The finish is silky and smooth.
24. Slow Press Chardonnay 2018, $12.99
This is a classic full-bodied Chardonnay with fruity flavors, creamy mouthfeel and a toasty finish. The slow pressed process really brings out the fruit flavors of fresh apple, ripe pear and lemon to make this drink burst with flavors.
