You don’t have to pay a lot for good wine, you just need a good guide.
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1. John Tate The Maker Margaret River Shiraz – $13.99
Why should you try it?
From one of Western Australia’s most iconic and respected names in wine, this bottle is a tribute to its maker (hence the name). A story and a delicious drop, this is a true value-for-money wine. Just the right amount of fruitiness and enough structure to make you want another sip. Take this to your next Drag Race watch party and your friends will be saying “Shantay, you stay,” to you, and the wine.
Tastes like?
Dark berries, cherry and a little bit of smoke. Very easy to drink.
What to sip it with?
This is a versatile wine, but if you want to get specific (why not, right?), garlic, olive oil and rosemary-rubbed lamb cutlets grilled to perfection would be incredible with this shiraz.
2. Tread Softly Merlot – $13.99
Why should you try it?
It’s unlikely you’ve ever tried a wine this light before. It takes light to new heights. This wine takes light to the next level. If Heston Blumenthal served you this wine you’d think he’d turned a cloud into alcohol and poured it in your glass. It’s that light. It would be great served chilled if cold reds are your thing.
Tastes like?
Silky smooth. Soft with a hint of red currant and cherry and a bright acidic finish. More on the savoury side.
What to sip it with?
Being such a light wine, you want food that’s similarly delicate so that it’s not overpowered. Crackers with cottage cheese, plain white fish with seasonal vegetables. If your night’s going to involve trying a few different wines, kick it off with this one.
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3. Farm Hand Organic Tempranillo – $13.99
Why should you try it?
Everything you could want from a red wine. This Aussie tempranillo is medium bodied with the classic fresh berry fruit flavour and hints of plums and spice. It has soft, approachable tannins and great length. It’s the red wine you grab when you’re cooking, when your girl stops by, when you have to work late and you’re ordering takeout, when you’re pretending you’re the heroine in your favourite rom-com. The quintessential red.
Tastes like?
Juicy. Bold. Bright. Fruity. Tutti.
What to sip it with?
This is pizza wine. And when we say pizza, we also mean burgers, burritos, snags – anything you’d eat with your mates on the back deck.
4. McGuigan Reserve Black Shiraz – $11.99
Why should you try it?
Mid-week, when your brain’s still on emails and you need to disconnect with a few hours of your favourite dystopian fantasy on Netflix, pour this. It’s light, simple and uncomplicated. The grapes have been harvested from premium vineyards and handcrafted in the McGuigan’s signature style by their award-winning team. There’s scents of blueberries, cherry, cedar and spice. Perfectly balanced.
Tastes like?
A hint of vanilla, touch of black pepper, soft tannins, blueberry blackberry, dark cherry and blackcurrant. A seriously nice mouthful.
What to sip it with?
Your famous chilli. Don’t have one? Get one. It’s a match made in heaven with this bottle.
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Click image to shop
5. Wolf Blass Eaglehawk Cab Merlot – $6.99
Why should you try it?
This is a super straightforward wine. No airs or graces. No frills or fancy. Just good wine. Wolf Blass has been making wine since 1966, and they don’t need to tell you their life story, the wine speaks for itself. There’s character, consistency, velvety flavours and richness. Merlot with a capital “M”. And this one’s drinkable with a capital “D”.
Tastes like?
Candy! And chocolate. It’s light and juicy, velvety and ripe. There’s a dried herb flavour that gives this sip a bit of spunk.
What to sip it with?
A hint of sweetness would really make this wine sing. Like a BBQ sauce-based pizza. Hit up your local ‘za hut and pour yourself a glass. Buon appetito!
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