From a chardonnay with just the right amount of oak to a zero%* shiraz that could be mistaken for the real thing, this month’s edit of affordable wines doesn’t disappoint.
Sam Peterson, the Wine Merchant at Dan Murphy’s Brunswick East in Melbourne, wants you to change your thinking when it comes to buying wine. Why? Because if you assume wine that’s cheaper than average isn’t up to scratch, then you’re missing out. “People rarely expect a $30 wine to taste like a $500 bottle, but for some reason, people have the mindset that if a sub-$15 banger doesn’t taste like Penfolds Grange then they've been short-changed, and that’s really not the case,” Sam explains.
As someone who’s been working in wine and food for the better half of a decade, Sam is passionate about helping people drink better, no matter the price point. “I love tasting and finding the gems from across the world that offer bang for your buck – the technology and knowledge we have nowadays make finding great value drops easier than ever.”
Sam’s top tips include looking for varieties that are grown in a wide range of regions. “Things like chardonnay and shiraz are able to be grown easily throughout the whole country, meaning there’s heaps of fruit to make amazing, affordable wines.” Sam also says not to dismiss the blends sections next time you’re at your local Dan’s. “While single-varietal wines are in vogue at the moment, it can mean there are some high-quality blends that are overlooked.”
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1. Borsao Clasico Garnacha
Why should you try it?
Heralding from the hot, dry north-east region of Campo de Borja (also known as the empire of grenache), Bodegas Borsao is a cooperative made up of more than 300 growers specialising in grenache. “The vineyards and winery are the lifeblood of an entire region,” Sam says. “Coming together to produce wines means there is plenty of amazing quality fruit to go around and keep production costs low. Plus, the people who are involved all have a personal stake in the business, keeping the passion for making amazing wines burning bright.”
Tastes like?
Get ready for red and dark fruits with a hint of savoury meatiness on the nose. According to Sam, the palate of this wine is all about drinkability, medium body, plenty of ripe fruit and juuust the right amount of silky-soft tannin for balance. “If you need a gateway into the world of red wine don’t go past this!” You heard him – don’t leave it on the shelf next time you’re perusing the aisles of your local Dan’s.
Sip it with?
This is easy drinking and even easier to pair with food; it works well with simple grilled meats and Spanish jamon (bring on the pintxo!). Sam’s personal pairing? “I love to have it with vegetable ragu made with lots of smoked paprika and grilled chorizo sausage.” Excuse us while we ask him for the recipe.
2. Cold Snap Cool Climate Pinot Gris
Why should you try it?
“Oh snap! This pinot gris is over-delivering right across the board!” Sam says. “Sustainable production methods? Check. Minimal sulphates? Check. Delicious flavour? Check.” There’s a reason this wine has ‘cool climate’ in its name – using lovely cool-climate fruit from around Victoria keeps the wine feeling fresh and pure as all pinot gris should be. Sam is a fan for many reasons, particularly for Cold Snap’s focus on sustainability. “This is a wine that has a big impact on the palate but a small impact on the planet.”
Tastes like?
This wine is fresh and well-balanced. On the nose, you’ve got green pear, lemon, apple and musk, and great fruit purity on the palate, described by Sam as “freshly cut pear and apple with just the right amount of zingy citrus”.
Sip it with?
You can’t go past putting fish or a light chicken dish with this wine. “Try seared tuna with a fresh Asian-style salad made of green mango, carrot and apple, with pickled ginger and coriander – perfect.” We couldn’t agree more.
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3. Mockingbird Hill Clare Valley Riesling
Why should you try it?
If you’ve ever wondered, the Clare Valley is renowned for producing outstanding wines – and this one by Mockingbird Hill proves they can be great value, too. “With the 2021 vintage looking outstanding, we assumed this was as good as it gets – then 2022 came along!” Sam says. “Mockingbird Hill has managed to deliver a wine for under $15 that you wouldn’t be disappointed with at double the price.” This riesling is sourced from premium parcels of grapes from across the region – it’s fresh, elegant and would be right at home at your next dinner party.
Tastes like?
“Super perfumed with bright green apple, citrus and delightful florals spilling out of the glass,” Sam says. “On the palate, this wine is super refreshing with crunchy apple, zesty citrus, white stone fruit and cleansing acidity.” This wine may be enjoyed now or with careful cellaring over the medium term (that’s somewhere between five to seven years).
Sip it with?
“This amazing rizza demands something as fresh as it is – calamari, with just a pinch of salt and pepper, quickly seared and given a judicious squeeze of fresh lemon will do the job.” *Starts calling riesling rizza.*
4. Noble Fellows Viscount Kea Marlborough Chardonnay
Why should you try it?
“New Zealand chardonnay is hot property in the wine world right now, and that goes from a bottle costing over $100 all the way to this gem,” Sam says. He admits that helping people find the right style of chardonnay for their palate can sometimes be tricky. “Too much oak, not enough, big and buttery or lean and crisp… I love the way this wine manages to plant itself firmly in the centre and offer great value and approachability for all chardy drinkers.”
Tastes like?
Ripe peach on the nose, with subtle oak and flinty notes adding complexity. The palate is light and textural with just the right amount of oak and creaminess to keep this interesting and easy. “This is a chardy that everyone can enjoy.”
Sip it with?
A porcini mushroom risotto with fresh green peas and asparagus pairs nicely with the medium-body richness of this chardonnay. Take Sam’s advice and splash out on a drizzle of truffle oil – after all, you saved money on the wine!
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Click image to shop
5. Newblood Shiraz
Why should you try it?
Why should the non-drinkers miss out on some of the value action? Sam sees firsthand how popular zero%* options are among his customers. “Non-alcoholic drinks are going gangbusters in our stores, and the options are getting better and better,” he says. The team at New Blood brings together traditional winemaking techniques with cutting-edge triple distillation to redefine what's possible in winemaking. “In the past, it’s been hard to find a zero%* red wine that didn't taste like you were drinking cordial. The Newblood Shiraz offers all the things you love about regular shiraz, but without having to worry about alcohol content when having that second glass, or the third or fourth!”
Tastes like?
Everything you’d expect from a traditional shiraz: bright red fruit, tangy juicy plum, toasty oak and a nice little tannin profile makes this feel like you’re drinking the real thing. “What makes this one of my top picks is that it doesn’t suffer from the sweetness that can tarnish so many non-alcoholic red wines.”
Sip it with?
A classic Aussie shiraz deserves a spot alongside a classic Aussie barbecue, and the same goes for this zero%* version. “I'll be having a chargrilled beef burger with some beetroot to pick up the earthiness of the wine – now that’s tasty!”
* In this article, “zero%*” means the product contains not more than 0.5% ALC/VOL
