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Inexpensive and delicious, with bonus karma points.
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1. Rewild Sustainably Made Merlot – $9.99
Why should you try it?
From a winery with a heart of gold in the Southern Murray Darling, these drops are made with minimal intervention and very local grapes. The ones grown right there. The philosophy at Rewild is to put back into the earth what they take out, driven by water saving initiatives, renewable energy, continually finding ways to reduce their carbon footprint and being big-time supporters of the 'Saving Our Species' project. Told you they’re goodies. To drink, this merlot is distinctly Australian and lo-fi. Like a drive through red dirt on the back of a ute. It’s fresh and there’s juice aplenty! Fruity, for sure, but with fine tannins and integrated acidity to even things out. And with your My Dans card, it’s only $8 bucks right now.
Tastes like?
Aromas of vibrant pepper and chocolate kick off rich flavours of plum and blackberry.
What to sip it with?
The go-to foodie recommendation for merlot is roast beef, but with sustainability at the heart of this winery, make it a plant-based alternative. There’s plenty available these days. Is there anything soy can’t do?
2. Sit Stay Society Big Dog Tempranillo – $15.99
Why should you try it?
This bottle is going to the dogs. Literally. 50 cents from every bottle sold goes to PetRescue national adoption programs and services. The calling card of Sit Stay Society is their love of canines and support of pups needing new homes. Did you know bigger dog breeds take 58% longer to rehome than smaller breeds? The “Big Dog” range seeks to draw attention to this stat and educate on the joys of bringing a big dog home. A great cause and great, bold wines. This particular tempranillo from the Adelaide Hills has a lot of character, like the pooch it was named for, Teddy (that’s him on the bottle). The perfect drop to sip with a fellow dog-lover. Pick it up for just $13 at the moment with your My Dan’s card.
Tastes like?
Red spicy fruit and herbal notes, this is a much more savoury wine with a big, full body.
What to sip it with?
Fire up the barbecue and make some veggie kebabs because those smokey flavours will be ace with that tempranillo.
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3. Tread Softly Pinot Noir – $13.99
Why should you try it?
This family-owned producer has recently hit a milestone, planting 750,000 native trees in the Yarra Yarra biodiversity corridor in WA. But that’s just the beginning. They’ve recommitted their efforts to continue contributing to covering the 400 hectares of land, ensuring it’s revegetating and thriving as mother nature intended. For every six bottles of Tread Softly wine sold, another tree is planted. But that’s just one way this producer is more sustainable. They’re also working on making the entire range carbon neutral – from vine to store, the grapes are sourced from an off-grid, sustainable single South Australian vineyard with minimal water usage, and they’ve even addressed their packaging with lighter bottles and uncoated paper labels. It’s all about treading lighter on the planet, get it? These are all very good reasons to buy this bottle, but the other is that it’s a beautiful wine to drink. Naturally lower in alcohol and flavourful, it’s always a good shout.
Tastes like?
Super sippable, this pinot noir is bright, flavourful and juicy with black cherry, strawberry, liquorice and a bit of brown spice to keep things interesting.
What to sip it with?
The low tannin profile in this wine means it’s a great candidate for chilling. Chilled red, very European. Serve it on a sunny day with a carefully curated cheeseboard. Très yum.
4. Taylors Discoveries Shiraz – $14.99
Why should you try it?
Taylors’ philanthropic cause is a cute one: seahorses. Those faithfully partnering, male pregnancy enabled, quirky little sea creatures are so beloved by the winery, they’re in the Taylor’s logo. The winery partners with Project Seahorse on their mission to save the seahorses by protecting the oceans they depend on. The Taylors Discoveries’ collection is limited edition, and the shiraz is particularly delicious. Deep red with flashes of vibrant purple, the fruit and spice are perfectly balanced, and while it’s made to drink now, it can be cellared for a short time if you’d like a bit of extra something, something.
Tastes like?
Aged in oak there’s a dry, savoury complexity to this otherwise chocolatey, plummy drop.
What to sip it with?
Head to your local butcher, grab a lamb shoulder for a roast and turn the leftovers into tacos. Waste not want not. This wine will go with dinner one and two.
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5. Farm Hand Organic Cabernet Sauvignon – $13.99
Why should you try it?
This wine from the grapes of a pristine 30-year-old organic vineyard, farmed by the Grigoriou family (fourth generation, thank you very much) – who, like their partners Carbon8, are passionate about dirt. Specifically, ensuring a future for soil regeneration and sustainable agriculture. Doing so through education, information (knowledge is power) and providing farmers the tools to transition, they are champions of regenerative agriculture. The Farm Hand Organic Cabernet Sauvignon is a particular win. Dry and medium-bodied, it’s a true reflection of the wholesome, green-thumbed goodness that goes into making it.
Tastes like?
This is a wine with personality. It makes an impression. With a herbal perfume, mellow mulberry and blackcurrant flavour and an undercurrent of tobacco and mocha oak that hits at the end of your sip, it’s complex but highly drinkable.
What to sip it with?
Quality produce, bought from a farmers market. You don’t have to be fancy with the seasoning when the raw product is perfection already.
