19 Southern Hemisphere Wines Under $20, from Malbec to Pinotage
It’s no secret that the Southern Hemisphere produces wines that compete with the best in the world. Even better: they’re generally offered at a fraction of the price of more well-known regions. I have said this many times before, but, as a wine buyer, Under $20 is often the most difficult category—not because there is a shortage of wines in this price point, but because many are forgettable at best. So, it’s always a thrill to find wines that overdeliver in comparison to their modest price.
I challenge you to take any of the wines below to a dinner party or get-together and tell me you disagree. Some of the names might be familiar—after all, a great strategy is to select a top-tier winery like Torbreck and jump in with their entry-level bottlings—and some might be less familiar, like the small batch wines of Ricca Terra, who are championing less-common grapes that thrive in their warm, dry climate.
With the festive season quickly approaching, now is the perfect time, too, to stock up on these value wines. Great to have on hand for last-minute celebrations, gifting, or even just relaxing on the couch after a long day, these are some of the best values I’ve been able to secure recently:
Whites and Rosé from Argentina, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa
2024 Finca Sophenia "Inconsciente" Sauvignon Blanc Gualtallary Mendoza Argentina $14.99
2023 Lievland Sauvignon Blanc Stellenbosch South Africa $17.99
2025 Kumusha Sauvignon Blanc Western Cape South Africa $17.99
2023 Mount Langi Ghiran "Cliff Edge" Riesling Grampians Victoria Australia $14.99
2025 Altos Las Hormigas Blanco Mendoza Argentina $14.99
2023 Alkina "Kin" Semillon Barossa Valley South Australia Australia $19.99
2024 TWR (Te Whare Ra) "SV5182 Single Vineyard" Rosé Marlborough New Zealand $19.99 Not a simple, fruit-forward summer rosé, but a serious food wine with enough savory depth and grip to work beautifully at the table.
Reds, from Lightest to Most Full-Bodied
2023 Ricca Terra "Juicy June" Chillable Red Blend Riverland South Australia Australia $14.99 Intensely aromatic, refreshing, and yes, juicy… Light-bodied and silky smooth on the palate, it's an easy-drinking style of light-bodied red wine that is best enjoyed chilled down.
2024 Clos de Luz "Agras" Pais Cachapoal Chile $17.99 Pale in the glass, and at just 12% alcohol, it takes a slight chill perfectly, bridging the gap between rosé and light-bodied red.
2022 Alkina "Kin" Grenache Barossa Valley South Australia Australia $19.99
2023 Ricca Terra Montepulciano Riverland South Australia Australia $14.99
2022 Warwick "First Lady" Pinotage Stellenbosch South Africa $11.99 Uncomplicated and super easy to drink, this is the Pinotage to try if you haven't opened one in a while.
2021 Warwick "First Lady" Cabernet Sauvignon Stellenbosch South Africa $11.99 A bright style of Old World-inspired Cabernet Sauvignon… There's a surprising amount of complexity here for a weeknight-priced wine.
2017 Clairault Cabernet Sauvignon Margaret River Western Australia Australia $14.99
2024 Finca Sophenia "Altosur" Malbec Gualtallary Mendoza Argentina $12.99 Achieves concentration and depth while still managing to feel nimble and light-footed on the palate.
2023 Altos Las Hormigas "Clasico" Malbec Mendoza Argentina $12.99
2021 Primo Estate "Il Briccione" Shiraz-Sangiovese McLaren Vale South Australia Australia $12.99
2023 Torbreck "Cuvée Juveniles" Grenache-Mataro Barossa Valley South Australia Australia $19.99
2023 Torbreck "Woodcutter's" Shiraz Barossa Valley South Australia Australia $19.99