Hands up whoever’s walked into a bottle shop, been overwhelmed by the shelves of endless bottles, and ended up choosing whichever one happened to have the nicest label and was under $20?Thought that might be a lot of you.We’ve all been there, because – let’s face it – we can’t all be wine connoisseurs. You can tell me there’s top notes of blackberries and oak all you want, but at the end of the day all I’m going to think is “yum”.Also: “I like this red. Can I can have another?”That’s why – in the name of drinking cheaply and smartly – we talked to those in the know about which drops were the best buys. Dan Murphy’s has given us a list of the best 20 wines under $20, based on awards, points, and customer favourites.You don’t have to waste time judging which of these wines is good. You just have to pick between red and white.And those labels, of course. You should never give up on judging a wine by its label.A handy hint when reading this guide: many of the wines have been given points out of a hundred.

This number is determined by a panel of expert judges, including wine makers, wine distributors, sommeliers, and wine writers. It’s a system of judging wines that is used by wine critics worldwide.The Dan Murphy’s 100-Point Rating System scores the wines as follows: Varietal: Pinot Noir Chardonnay Price: $18.99 in any six This sparkling wine from Adelaide Hills is bursting with citrus zest and crisp green apple, with an underlying biscuity complexity.best wine to pair with nuts Why is it in the Top 20? best red wines in nz Varietal: Chardonnay Mauzac Chenin Blanc |best red wines in nz Price: $13.90 in any sixwine on tap canada

This drop is sourced from the oldest sparkling wine region in the world, which is why it's fantastically delicious and yet affordable. Why is it in the Top 20? 5 gold medals in the last few years Varietal: Mauzac Chardonnay Chenin Blanc | This has all the qualities of a vintage Champagne without the price tag. Sip and take in the aromatic flavours of peach, pear and green apple. Varietal: Chardonnay Pinot Noir Pinot Meunier |best wine coolers to drink Price: $12.35 in any sixpictures of wine colour An Australian sparkling in classic Champagne style, this expert blend has a well balanced palate with mineral acidity and plenty of flavour.top 10 wine producing countries in europe 93 points, voted by the public as one of the Top 100 products of 2013best wine brands australia

Price: $18.05 in any six Are you having fish or chicken for dinner? This elegant white is the perfect accompaniment. Price: $17.09 in any six With delicious nectarine and minerals, it's no wonder wine critic Tyson Stelzer called this "a gloriously complex and beautifully textural Yarra Valley style". Varietal: Sauvignon Blanc | It's no secret that New Zealand and Sauvignon Blanc are a winning combination, and this one comes with peach aromas and mineral notes.best box wine ukVoted one of the Top 100 Products on 2013 You've got toasted almonds, lemon and lime notes, and an acidity in this Chardonnay. From the Yarra Valley, no less. Price: $16.99 per bottle Larry Cherubino (the winery behind this stunner) was named Winery of the Year, so you know you're on to a good thing. Mouth watering flavours balanced by fruity flavours – would go well with fish. Price: $15.19 in any six

They say this is from one of the most underrated Chardonnay appellations in France, which is enough to pique our interest. This one has rich aromas of hazelnut and cashew. This one has hints of grapefruit, peach, and nectarine and balanced by a natural acidity and aromas of lemon and lime.95 points, and Halliday Wine of the Year 2013 This one's sourced from the cool Adelaide Hills region – an area known for its superior Chardonnays and is a medium-bodied white with flavours of intense stone fruits and notes of oak. Varietal: Cabernet Sauvignon | Price $19.95 in any six Dark, deep, plummy and silky, this is one of those wines that you'll wonder why it isn't being sold for twice the price.94 points, and voted one of the Top 100 Products of 2013 Price: $15.90 in any six This is a drop you could judge by the bottle, and be all the more rewarded for it. It's full-bodied and intense, with flavours of chocolate, raspberry and a hint of vanillin oak.

Would go excellently with steak. A medium bodied wine from the mature Hamilton vineyards, this has a fragrant bouquet of blackcurrant, redcurrant, and just a hint of choc mint.94 Points, and in the Halliday Top 100 2013 Price: $17.90 in any six With this drop you'll discover dark chocolates, violets, and notes of liquorice. Either drink straightaway or cellar for a short to medium term. Price: $16.15 in any six The Dan Murphy's Wine Panel judged this as "world-class Barossa Shiraz", which should be enough to tempt you to try the flavours of rich plum, dark fruits, chocolate and liquorice. Price:$12.90 in any six The Dan Murphy's wine panel has scoured this over 90 points two years running, so they might be on to something. Appealingly dry, flavoursome, with a rich chocolate flavour? 92 Points and customer favourite Price: $19.90 in any six The praises for this Spanish wine keep coming, including being named in th 2012 Sommeliers Choice by Sommelier Journal.