Great Value Wines: 7 Argentina Chardonnay for Under $25

7 TASTING NOTES

Friday, Aug 12, 2022

We rated over 2,150 bottles of Argentine wines in our annual tasting report on the country this year and came away with our love of what it has to offer affirmed yet again. While we’ll continue to sing the praises of top-tier malbec and reds alike, we also adored many Argentine white wines, and in particular chardonnay.

Whether you like oily and succulent or crisp and saline, Argentina has characterful, quality chardonnays that fit every budget. The top examples cost as much as fine Burgundy but there are lots of options at $25 and below that savvy wine lovers should take note of. The Mendoza region, which is perhaps best known for malbec, also makes some of our favorite chardonnays. In fact, every chardonnay listed below comes from Mendoza or one of Mendoza’s subsections.

Mendoza is large, representing about 70 percent of Argentina’s overall winemaking production. With that comes a bevy of subsections and microclimates, many of which are ideal for growing world-class chardonnay. While there are plenty of vineyards in the lower and flatter areas of Mendoza, our favorite chardonnays always come from high-elevation sites, often with limestone or mineral rich soils.

Some standouts from Mendoza include El Enemigo Chardonnay Mendoza 2019, which was rated 96 points and has consistently been one of the greatest values of Argentina year in and year out. Not only is it a tremendous bargain, it’s also simply an outstanding chardonnay worthy of your time and attention.

Mendoza’s Uco Valley is one of the more reliable sources of high-quality chardonnay in the country and the world. Sites can be over 1,400 meters high with mineral-rich soils that create ideal growing conditions for complex and compelling chardonnay. These wines can be expressive and aromatic with a floral and mineral character that expands and compounds on the palate with elegance and balance. One of these, the Domaine Bousquet Chardonnay Valle de Uco Tupungato Reserve 2020, rated 91 points and costs less than $20 from any reputable retailer.

Below we have an excellent group of wines that should provide an exciting introduction to the world of Argentine chardonnay. The least expensive example is just $11.99. There are few winemaking countries that can offer the same level of quality with such incredible affordability and availability. Each of these bottles should delight in their own way, and hopefully they’ll show you just how special the chardonnays of Argentina can be.

– Nathan Slone, Associate Editor