Ultimate Wines – Always Great White Wines Under $50
Contributed by on Sep 12, 2014
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If you are not a sommelier, a seasoned wine veteran,
or someone who just does not drink a lot of wine, then finding a great wine can often be overwhelming. That is exactly why I made this article, for people (like my mom) who never know what to get when shopping for wine.
I maintained a 350-400 bottle wine list for a high-end restaurant in downtown Miami for three years. I tasted wine five days a week for that time, so I definitely will only put what I know is good wine on this list.
Wine does not have to be super expensive to be good wine. These wines I have chosen are always great wines, and they are under $50.
The varietals are in order from Sweet to Dry White Wines
Riesling
Chateau Ste Michelle Eroica Riesling
Region: Columbia Valley, Washington
Vintage: 2012
Vineyard: Chateau Ste Michelle
Style: Light & Crisp
Average Price: $21
Taste Notes: Lime, apple, and grapefruit notes
Hugel Riesling
Region: Alsace, France
Vintage: 2012
Vineyard: Hugel
Style: Light & Smooth
Average Price: $22
Taste Notes: Pear, Star Fruit, Beeswax, Lemon Zest
Trimbach Riesling
Region: Alsace, France
Vintage: 2011
Vineyard: Trimbach Winery
Style: Fruity & Smooth
Average Price: $23
Taste Notes: Lime, Pear, Jasmine
Zind-Humbrecht Riesling
Region: Alsace, France
Vintage: 2012
Vineyard: Zind-Humbrecht Winery
Style: Light & Crisp
Average Price: $27
Taste Notes: Orchard Blossom, Rose, Lychee, Ginger
J.J. Christoffel Urziger Wurzgarten 
Region: Mosel-Saar-Ruwer, Germany
Vintage: 2002
Vineyard: JJ Christoffel Winery
Style: Light & Crisp
Average Price: $43
Taste Notes: Candied Apples, Fig, Pulpy Apples
Pinot Gris/Grigio
WillaKenzie Estate Pinot Gris
Region: Willamette Valley, Oregon
Vintage: 2012
Vineyard: WillaKenzie Estate Winery
Style: Fruity & Smooth
Average Price: $20
Taste Notes: Lime, Grapefruit, Peach, Mint, Pear
Santa Margherita Pinot Grigio
Region: Alto Adige, Italy
Vintage: 2013
Vineyard: Santa Margherita Winery
Style: Light & Crisp
Average Price: $20
Taste Notes: Golden Apples, Pear
La Crema Monterey Pinot Gris
Region: Central Coast, California
Vintage: 2013
Vineyard: La Crama Vinery
Style: Fruity & Smooth
Average Price: $20
Taste Notes: Honeysuckle, Pear, Spice, Lemon, Cantaloupe
Zenato Pinot Grigio
Region: Veneto, Italy
Vintage: 2013
Vineyard: Zenato Winery
Style: Light & Crisp
Average Price: $14
Taste Notes: Key Lime, Peach, Green Apple, Grains of Paradise
Banfi San Angelo Pinot Grigio
Region: Tuscany, Italy
Vintage: 2013
Vineyard: Castello Banfi Winery
Style: Fruity & Smooth
Average Price: $20
Taste Notes: Pear, Peach, Anise, Honey, Plum
Champagne/Sparkling Wine
Roederer Estate Brut
Region: North Coast, California
Vintage: Non-Vintage
Vineyard: Roederer Estate Winery
Style: Sparkling
Average Price: $20
Taste Notes: Honey, Raisin, Apple, Pear
Louis Roederer Brut Premier
Region: Champagne, France
Vintage: Non-Vintage
Vineyard: Louis Roederer Winery
Style: Champagne
Average Price: $49
Taste Notes: Cherry, Black Currant, Almond, Cream, Gumdrop
Laurent-Perrier Brut
Region: Champagne, France
Vintage: Non-Vintage
Vineyard: Laurent Perrier Winery
Style: Champagne
Average Price: $40
Taste Notes: Citrus, White Fruit, Pear, Yellow Apple
J Vineyards & Winery Cuvee 20 Brut
Region: Sonoma County, California
Vintage: Non-Vintage
Vineyard: J Vineyards & Winery
Style: Sparkling
Average Price: $25
Taste Notes: Lemon Peel, Honeysuckle, Apple, Grapefruit, Caramel, Almond
Piper-Heidsieck Brut Cuvee
Region: Champagne, France
Vintage: Non-Vintage
Vineyard: Piper-Heidsieck Winery
Style: Champagne
Average Price: $42
Taste Notes: Pear, Grapefruit, Apple, Ginger, Yellow Plum
Sauvignon Blanc
Grgich Hills Fume Blanc
Region: Napa Valley, California
Vintage: 2012
Vineyard: Grgich Hills Cellar Winery
Style: Fruity & Smooth
Average Price: $32
Taste Notes: Lemon, White Peach, Dried Apricot
Whitehaven Sauvignon Blanc
Region: Marlborough, New Zealand
Vintage: 2013
Vineyard: Whitehaven Winery
Style: Light & Crisp
Average Price: $20
Taste Notes: Tropical Fruit, Berries
Duckhorn Sauvignon Blanc
Region: Napa Valley, California
Vintage: 2013
Vineyard: Duckhorn Vineyards Winery
Style: Fruity & Smooth
Average Price: $29
Taste Notes: Grapefruit, Melon, Lemongrass, Lime Zest, Mandarin Orange
Groth Sauvignon Blanc
Region: Napa Valley, California
Vintage: 2013
Vineyard: Groth Vineyards & Winery
Style: Light & Crisp
Average Price: $22
Taste Notes: Citrus, Melon
Stag's Leap Wine Cellars
Region: Napa Valley, California
Vintage: 2012
Vineyard: Stag's Leap Wine Cellars Winery
Style: Fruity & Smooth
Average Price: $23
Taste Notes: Pineapple, Stone Fruit, Green Apple, Lime
Chardonnay
Joseph Phelps Sonoma Coast 
Region: Sonoma County, California
Vintage: 2012
Vineyard: Joseph Phelps Vineyards Winery
Style: Rich & Creamy
Average Price: $45
Taste Notes: Stone Fruit, Lemon Zest, Apricot, Citrus
Newton Unfiltered Chardonnay
Region: Napa Valley, California
Vintage: 2011
Vineyard: Newton Vineyard Winery
Style: Rich & Creamy
Average Price: $49
Taste Notes: Peach, Honeysuckle
La Crema Russian River Chardonnay
Region: Russian River, California
Vintage: 2012
Vineyard: La Crema Winery
Style: Fruity & Smooth
Average Price: $30
Taste Notes: Yellow Apple, Vanilla, Pear, Honeydew Melon, Hazelnut
Cloudy Bay Chardonnay
Region: Marlborough, New Zealand
Vintage: 2011
Vineyard: Cloudy Bay Winery
Style: Fruity & Smooth
Average Price: $30
Taste Notes: Nectarine, Peach, Juicy Citrus, Grapefruit
Jordan Chardonnay
Region: Russian River, California
Vintage: 2012
Vineyard: Jordan Vineyard & Winery
Style: Rich & Creamy
Average Price: $34
Taste Notes: Fuji Apple, Pear, Vanilla, Lemon, Lime Zest, Apricot
These White Wines under $50 are every bit worth the money and they all can compete with the fancier high-end wines. Price does not mean much when it comes to wine, it is really all about what you like. Try any of these and I know you will be pleased with your selection. Please leave me a comment below and let me know what you think.
