At a time when everyone is watching their pennies, wine writer Winsor Dobbin reviews six wines for warmer days that all retail for under $30 a bottle.
Chic Chardonnay
Yalumba 2022 Gen Chardonnay
This new label features a collection of five certified organic wines, sustainably made at the Yalumba winery in Angaston, South Australia. It embodies the brand’s sustainable journey and “next gen” attitude. This is a seriously delicious wine for summer at a very fair price. The new collection is made with a ‘less is more’ approach, with gentle handling, wild fermentation, and no fining, allowing the characters from the vineyard to shine. There is lots of tropical fruit flavours here, but the wine finishes dry and is very food friendly. $22.
Austrian accent
The Pawn 2023 Gruner Veltliner
Tom Keelan crafts some idiosyncratic and always interesting wines from cool-climate Adelaide Hills fruit under two labels: The Pawn, and the budget-busting El Desperado label. This is an excellent take on the Austrian white wine variety gruner veltliner, which is very much a success story in the Adelaide Hills. Think a fresh dry white wine with spicy hints and plenty of palate length. Fun drinking. $30.
A taste of France
Les Dauphins 2021 Côtes du Rhône
A flavoursome, medium-bodied red wine from the Rhône Valley in France – this blend of grenache and syrah (shiraz) delivers excellent value. It is imported by Single Vineyard Sellers and is the perfect wine match for a summer barbecue or cheese platter. Dark fruit driven with hints of pepper and minimal oak, this is an excellent intro to Rhône wines, finishing firm and smooth. I would love this with a lamb roast. $22.
Super stylish
Wines by KT 5452 2023 Clare Valley Riesling
Kerri Thompson is a fine winemaker based in the Clare Valley in South Australia, where she specialises in small-batch, minimum intervention wines. She is known as one of the best riesling makers in the country and while the 2022 vintage of this wine was outstanding, the new-release 2023 is a stunner. Think brisk, refreshing acidity and perky lemon citrus notes. This is a lovely wine for enjoying on the back deck on a warm afternoon, or for pairing with seafood or a Thai veggie curry. $29.
Cheap as chips
AC Byrne & Co 2023 Sauvignon Blanc Semillon
Aldi supermarkets are known for their bargain buy imported wines, but they also sell some impressive “own label” releases like this one. AC Byrne produces terrific value Australian wines like this blend of tangy sauvignon blanc and semillon from Margaret River in Western Australia. Uncomplicated, fresh, crisp and with some delightful fruit purity, this is stunning summer drinking value for an RRP of $8.99.
Something different
Alter 2022 Rarebirds Rosé
Emma’s Cottage in the Hunter Valley is the home of Alter Wines, a new range from Richard Done and Sam Boyd at Bimbadgen. This is a blend of seven different grape varieties – some red, some white – that is best enjoyed chilled. Think strawberry and tropical fruit flavours with brisk, crunchy acidity on the finish. Very food friendly and ideal for pairing with anything from a Lebanese mezze plate to a Thai beef salad. $28.
See more of Winsor’s wine reviews at www.gourmetontheroad.com
