I was getting ready to write a response, and mine were Picq (any from the generic up), Simmonet-Febvre Chablis is a staple at around $13, in California hard to beat Foxglove as a rule. We are everyday wine with food people, the Simmonet -Febvre is a great general food wine that you can drink everyday.
I’m a big fan of PYCM’s work in St. Aubin although I think even that’s pushing the high end of what I might consider to be “value” these days ($40-ish now???). 2011 Domaine Doudet-Naudin Chablis 1er Cru Montmains for ~$20 drinks well above its price range, so I’ll throw that one out there.
Eric Solomon’s Novellum project with Domaine Lafage makes a good Languedoc Chard for around $10.
France:
Chablis:
Sebastien Dampt Chablis Cotes de Lechet – available from Lyle Fass for ~$25 depending upon quantity ordered.
Jean Claude Bessin Chablis VV 2011 is ~$27 from Specs in Austin.
Both are delicious.
Champagne:
Dhondt Blanc de Blanc can be had pretty cheaply on occasion – bought my last case for ~$30/bottle – if you look for it
Doquet Blanc de Blanc premier cru has appeared, on sale, at ~ $40, with the grand cru occasionally showing up at ~$45.
All delicious.
As for California, I don’t drink much California Chardonnay these days, except for my rapidly dwindling stock of Aubert Chards. I would not call them “value” wines, given their expense. However, risking my AFWE membership card, I will say they are pretty awesome wines, the latest example being a 2008 Reuling that I had yesterday. Yum!
I’ll second the Foxglove and Lioco suggestions, but would add Alesia to the list as well. Very cleverly vinified entry-level Chards!
Love the Bessin. Had over the summer.
2012s
Borgeot Bourgogne Blanc
Garaudet Bourgogne Blanc
Bouchard Bourgogne Blanc (really good qpr from a big house)
Fevre Chablis Champs Royeaux
Fichet Bourgogne Blanc
I had a couple glasses of the 2016 Novellum last night, and its quite nice. Crisp, edgy, and perfect out on the veranda with a light supper. Its labeled as Vin de France so I’m not sure if its only Languedoc grapes but I would not have type cast it as being from that region. Good stuff for midweek enjoyment
5 years later, and I’m still drinking more bottles of Drouhin’s St Veran over the summer than any other white. It’s hard to beat.