It’s that time again – we’re rolling out five delicious wines from different corners of the globe, all hand-picked by wine expert Mario Laus. Oh, and they’re all under $15.
Our mate Mario Laus is back. The Wine Merchant from Dan Murphy’s Cheltenham store in Melbourne nailed the picks in April, and he just has so many affordable need-to-try wines that we had to get him back for another Steals feature. We’re not mad about it.
Mario explains that good everyday wine for as little as $15 is not hard to come by if you ask the right people. “Come into the store and I can find you a wine that suits the occasion, from sparkling, sauvignon blanc and pinot grigio, to a tempranillo that’ll knock your socks off,” he says.
When it comes to affordable drops, Mario suggests the average wine lover should consider the most popular styles, such as prosecco, pinot gris, sauvignon blanc, grenache, shiraz and cabernet, as this is where there's an abundance of product. “Most of the upcoming producers want to showcase their wines at a lower price to enter the market, so you really can’t miss if you try something new or a brand you haven’t heard of before,” Mario says.
This month, Mario has chosen a versatile selection of wines from here in Australia and New Zealand to all the way over in Spain. Let’s get tasting.
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1. Red Knot Cabernet Sauvignon
Who knew great value could taste this good? The Red Knot cab sauv is a medium-bodied wine that’s all dark berries and satiny tannins, leading to a lovely long finish. It hails from Shingleback Wines, located in South Australia’s McLaren Vale, best known today for its internationally acclaimed rich, flavourful shiraz, but we’d argue the cab sauvs coming out of there are just as worthy.
Why should you try it?
If you’ve been laying off the cab sauv, may we gently suggest you try again – there’s just so much to love here.“Shingleback is one of the best wineries in McLaren Vale,” Mario says. “They offer a whole suite of great value-for-money wines, especially at entry level.”
Tastes like?
It’s a real melting pot of flavours, according to Mario – from dark red fruits to milk chocolate, which is a McLaren Vale trademark. “Expect pretty aromas, dark summer fruits, milk chocolate, cola and a hint of polished cedar,” he explains. “I love its luscious tannins and long finish – it’s a wine that won’t disappoint.”
Sip it with?
Now, winter may (finally) be coming to a close, but that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy some cosy cuisine with this cab. Mario suggests a lamb cassoulet, beef Bourguignon or a nice minestrone soup. We can feel our extremities warming up already.
2. Nicole Marquise des Anges Pinot Noir
Focusing in on France, this next drop is from a collection of wines by a producer in the southern Languedoc Roussillon region that traces their ancestry back to the 17th century. Back then, Nicole, the Marquise des Anges (Marquise of the Angels), created a charity to adopt and care for local orphans, and these wines carry her name as a tribute to her legend.
Why should you try it?
Mario says it’s worth pouring a glass of this pinot, not only for its great taste but also for the sheer amount of glowing customer reviews it receives. It’s hugely popular across the board, from the serious wine lovers to newer wine enthusiasts. There’s no denying it offers amazing value for the quality of the wine – and great pinot at a lower price is hard to find.
Tastes like?
“This wine offers a mouthful of ripe plum and cherry flavours that mingle with the berries and spicy notes,” Mario explains. In other words, yummo!
Pair it with?
You know what time it is – it’s charcuterie o’clock. Crack open the cornichons and slice off some pork and fennel salami, stat! “I also love enjoying this alongside seafood pasta, vegetarian lasagna and soft cheeses,” Mario says.
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3. Marqués de Riscal Proximo Tempranillo Rioja
The name might be a mouthful, but don’t let that deter you from sipping on this tasty red that comes all the way from Rioja in Spain. Deep, clear and dark cherry red in colour, the grapes in the Marqués de Riscal Proximo Tempranillo are picked by hand and fermented at a controlled temperature, leading to wonderful fruity character and perfectly polished tannins.
Why should you try it?
“Proximo Tempranillo Rioja delivers bright fruit sourced from younger vines and it’s really well priced for under the $15 mark – you can’t go wrong with this gem,” Mario says.
Tastes like?
First the smell – it’s got lovely aromas that are clean and young. There are hints of strawberries and red cherries, too. When you sip it, you’ll enjoy a lovely ripe fruit taste and slight toasted oak in the finish of this medium-bodied wine.
Sip it with?
Anything Mediterranean! Think paella, salumi, rich vegetarian dishes and grilled meat. Hard cheese also goes down a treat.
4. Colpasso Pinot Grigio
Over to white wine now, and this is an authentic drop from Sicily. The Colpasso Pinot Grigio is a super-versatile wine, pairing well with a variety of dishes, or do as the Italians do and enjoy it on its own as an aperitif.
Why should you try it?
Mario is a man who’s seen many pinot grigios in his time, and of all the bottles he’s come across at Dan’s, this is one of the most popular. “It’s got a strong following – and you can see why: it’s simple, consistently good and excellent value.”
Tastes like?
“This wine delivers an intense bouquet of tropical and citrus fruits. It’s fresh, crisp, medium-bodied and perfectly balanced,” he explains. If you’re after something extra dry and just the right level of refreshing, this is it.
Sip it with?
Mario says don’t save this bottle for the weekend – instead, crack it open while you’re cooking a mid-week meal like a prawn pasta or winter vegetable quiche.
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Click image to shop
5. Noble Fellows Von Rockhop Marlborough Grüner Veltliner
Ever tried a wine that was named after a grumpy rockhopper penguin? You should. You’ll notice the little guy (Von Rochhop) on the bottle of this quality European-inspired grüner veltliner from Marlborough in NZ.
Why should you try it?
“Originally the grüner veltliner grape hails from Austria, however the Noble Fellows team in Marlborough managed to create a great resemblance at a fraction of the price. If that doesn’t convince you to give it a go I don’t know what will!” Mario says.
Tastes like?
“This is quite a balanced white, with flavours of white nectarines and almond praline followed by a long, dry finish,” Mario explains. If you normally opt for a riesling, this is an ideal next step.
Sip it with?
Grab yourself a dozen freshly shucked oysters, mix up a mignonette and prepare for a tasty time. “You could also enjoy this with a Caprese salad, fresh prawns or grilled chicken with beurre blanc sauce,” suggests Mario. Yes, our mouths are watering, too.
