The 13 best-value wines from the 2023 Decoded Wine Awards

And the winner is: REWILD Pinot Grigio

Food pairing: Fish fingers

A good pinot grigio needs to be two things: crisp and unpretentious. REWILD Pinot Grigio is just that – a pristine drop that’s crisp, pure and full of vitality. With a real focus on renewables and sustainability, REWILD wines from Duxton Vineyards are loud about environmental protection, producing wines that leave very little footprint. In terms of flavour, it’s as you’d expect – pear and apple to start, citrus throughout and zesty to finish. A fatty, oily white fish will go perfectly with this winner of a wine, so we suggest some good old-fashioned fish fingers.

And the winner is: Yalumba Y Series Viognier

Food pairing: Grilled sardines

“Vroom, vroom, viognier,” said the judges. “This one hits the road with the agility of a sports car.” A complex and under-the-radar wine that boasts exotic florals, tropical fruits, apricots and a good lick of ginger to, and we quote, “get the blood racing” (suddenly, the car comparison makes sense!). This style has been wild fermented and spent some time on lees, giving it a character and complexity that’s exceptional for this price point. Such a dominant wine can stand up next to even the most dominant of tastes, so we’d recommend a big plate of fishy flavours like grilled sardines.

And the winner is: The Ethereal One Fleurieu Grenache

Food pairing: Vegetable pastie

If there was ever a wine to eat with food, it’d be the Ethereal One Fleurieu Grenache. A well-balanced mix of berries and oak, this wine is aromatic and deceptively light, making it very food-friendly; a great example of a contemporary, perfumed and fresh McLaren Vale wine with an astoundingly smooth finish. Serve this next to a vegetable pastie to unlock its full potential.

And the winner is: Wynns Coonawarra Estate Shiraz

Food pairing: Moussaka

A surprisingly delicious wine for under $25, our judges were shocked to discover it wasn’t a more expensive drop. It smells like violets, tastes like ripe blackberry and pepper, and feels like heaven in your mouth. All in all, this shiraz punches way above its weight. Pair it with a moussaka – this gem of a red will inject some interest into the creamy layers of potato and eggplant without overpowering it.

And the winner is: Chapel Hill The Parson Sangiovese Rosé

Food pairing: Salad Lyonnaise

A perennial favourite for the judges, this beautiful drop from the Chapel Hill team is a dry and savoury rosé made from sangiovese grapes that works next to food or on its own. Delicate and made with extreme care, it’s a cracking example of sessionable McLaren Vale wine. You’ll find all sorts of good red fruit flavour here – cranberry, pomegranate, raspberry and sour cherry. Let this wine shine next to a crisp and salty salad, like a Lyonnaise, complete with croutons, lardons and a poached egg on top.

And the winner is: De Bortoli Show Liqueur Muscat

Food pairing: Nuts and aged cheddar

Pouring a deep sienna hue, this muscat from De Bortoli has toffee richness for miles, neatly balanced with woody characters. If flavours like raisins and coffee are your thing, you’ll find that here, too. Plus a long and lingering finish that’s ultra smooth. Try this special fortified next to some nuts and sharp cheese like an aged cheddar, or on its own as a superb after-dinner tipple.

And the winner is: Banrock Station Shiraz

Food pairing: Meat pie

When it comes to zero%* alcohol wine, good reds are always hard to come by. Banrock, however, has come through with the goods, producing a convincing medium-bodied shiraz. Beautifully red with all those classic shiraz flavours, this zero%* wine is well worth a go. Pair with a slice of heavy meat or, even better, heavy meat and pastry like a good ol' meat pie, and let the wine do the work.