From a sparkling best served with KFC to a red that’s perfect for beginners – wine expert Sean has you covered.
Everyone should have a friend like Sean Menezes. Why? Because as the lead at our special Prahran Cellar store in Melbourne, he’s constantly sharing new bottles of wine for his team to try (and inevitably fall in love with) and helping unearth some absolute crackers at surprisingly good prices. Then he raves about them to his customers, ensuring everyone can experience their magic. What a guy! “I have come across wines from every category that can deliver the goods without breaking the bank. Just look at the recent Taylors Estate Shiraz that took out the coveted title of International Champion at this year’s VINUS International Wine & Spirits Competition over high-end competitors, and it’s $17.99,” says Sean. *Adds to cart*
When it comes to spotting a great wine in the wild, Sean has some sound advice: “Try and constantly taste wines and be on the lookout for ones made by established wineries and winemakers who have a solid reputation and pedigree of constantly delivering great value.” On that note, let’s dive into his five picks for November.
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1. Red Knot Shiraz
Why should you try it?
This is a red made by the good folks at Shingleback – they’ve been churning out great wines since the 1990s and really know their stuff. They also make a range of wines for almost every price bracket, and this entry-level Red Knot Shiraz is one of Sean’s top picks: a delicious red for under $15. The winemaker has access to their own vineyards as well as some grower fruit, so you know the grapes that go into making this have a solid pedigree. In the words of Sean: “It’s a shiraz lover's delight in every way possible!”
Tastes like?
Opulent flavours of red and dark fruits. You’ll pick up delicious dark plum, cherry, redcurrant and blackberry. There’s also the slight scent of vanilla and toasted char from the oak, which balances nicely with its fresh acidity.
Sip it with?
Get the barbecue fired up when you open this one because it goes down a treat with a couple of snags or a porterhouse steak. You could also try it alongside a Moroccan dish like pilaf or a slow-cooked goat dish. Yum!
2. Infamous Dodger Nero D’Avola
Why should you try it?
“Nero d'Avola is a local Sicilian grape, but that doesn’t stop our Aussie winemakers from making it this side of the hemisphere,” Sean explains. ‘Nero d'Avola’ translates to ‘black grape of Avola’, and you can expect some big, ripe and juicy flavours in this Infamous Dodger drop. It’s created with early consumption in mind and is the type of wine you want to open and share with your nearest and dearest. Also, if you’re someone who buys wine because it’s got a funky label then this one’s for you.
Tastes like?
Sean says it best: “Big on flavour, light on your wallet.” That big flavour is made up of blackberry, plum, bramble, vanilla and sweet spice.
Sip it with?
The options are endless! You could throw together an antipasti platter, whip up a herb-crusted rack of lamb or go for the classic spaghetti bolognese – it pairs delightfully well with all of these and more.
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Click image to shop
3. Freixenet Cordon Negro Brut Cava
Why should you try it?
Sean is letting us all in on a little secret: this wine is made in the same way as expensive Champagne – the only difference is that it’s made in Spain using local white varieties like parellada, xarel·lo and macabeo. “This Freixenet Cordon Negro is simply sensational and one of the best, if not the best, sparkling wines I offer to my customers to try – everyone loves it,” says Sean. But don’t take his word for it, Freixenet is the world's biggest selling sparkling wine. Produced entirely from hand-harvested grapes and fermented in the bottle, it’s a wine of great style and delicacy for an eyebrow-raising price (in a good way).
Tastes like?
An explosion of crisp green apple, pear, lemon, lime and orange peel. The crisp acidity and freshness are what make this wine so appealing.
Sip it with?
Shuck a dozen oysters from your local oyster guy or girl before you pop this. Or pick up a family bucket of KFC and call it a day. It can also be enjoyed on its own as a welcome drink when hosting a party. Your guests will be impressed, trust us.
4. La Plancheliere Cabernet d'Anjou Rosé France
Why should you try it?
Love a little sweetness in your rosé? Try the La Plancheliere Cabernet d'Anjou Rosé, which is made with a blend of cabernet sauvignon and cabernet franc in France's Loire Valley. Add this to cart if you’re excited by the prospect of warmer weather and hosting intimate long lunches or afternoon pre-drinks out in the back courtyard. Rosé and warm sunny days are basically a match made in heaven, is what we’re trying to say.
Tastes like?
Soft, elegant and delicate. In the words of Harry Styles, it tastes like strawberries on a summer evening – beautifully perfumed with cherry, pomegranate and strawberry flavours. The acidity is kept in check with a decent amount of residual sugar which makes this wine super sippable.
Sip it with?
Line up something with a little spice with a glass of this one. The flavours of the rosé cut through the spice with ease. We’re talking Indian, Mexican or Thai dishes.
Click image to shop
Click image to shop
5. Tread Softly Pinot Noir
Why should you try it?
Because not only will you be able to enjoy a light-bodied glass of red, but you’ll also be doing your part for Mother Nature. Tread Softly is an eco-conscious brand committed to reducing its carbon footprint by planting an Australian native tree for every six bottles sold. How good is that? As of August 2022, they’ve planted more than 850,000 trees in conjunction with Carbon Neutral. This pinot noir has quickly become a customer favourite, according to Sean. “Minimal preservatives, sustainably grown and lighter in alcohol; pick this one for your friend who isn’t big on red wines but wants to be – it’s the perfect gateway for a red wine newbie,” he says.
Tastes like?
Expect delicate aromas and flavours of cherry, strawberry, cranberry and subtle baking spice. Yum! “The oak is merely a seasoning and lets the primary fruit shine on – smart winemaking if you ask me,” says Sean. We couldn’t agree more.
Sip it with?
You heard it here first from Sean – it would be a sin to not have this with crispy duck pancakes, so crack it open when they’re next on the menu. It’s also a great accompaniment to a classic mushroom risotto.
