Fun wines on a budget:
Everyone loves a bargain. Whether you are looking for a cheap and cheerful wine for midweek quaffing, or a weekend treat, wine writer Winsor Dobbin suggests some recent releases worth checking out – and all are very fairly priced.
Savvy choice
Hesketh 2024 Bright Young Things Sauvignon Blanc
Jonathan Hesketh and his team sniff out some excellent grapes for their budget range – on this occasion from the Limestone Coast of South Australia. This is a fun wine for enjoying chilled. It is fresh, crisp, and dry and has some bright acidity on the finish. Keep a bottle in the fridge in case friends drop around. This works as a simple thirst quencher or would pair well with fish and chips or some fish finger sandwiches. The Rules of Engagement Pinot Grigio in the same range is also worth a look. $16.
Pleasing pinot
Quartier 2024 Pinot Noir
It is becoming harder and harder to find good quality pinot noir with a reasonable price tag – which makes this a joyous discover. Quartier is the entry level label of Mornington Peninsula standouts Port Phillip Estate and Kooyong. It has access to quality cool-climate fruit from several vineyards. There is plenty of varietal character here, and a nice balance between lifted fruit and savoury characters. Pair with Peking duck for maximum gourmet appeal. $32.
Environmentally friendly
One to One 2022 Merlot
One to One is a range of wines from Oxford Landing that helps raise funds for bushland regeneration though Greenfleet. It ticks a lot of hipster boxes: sustainably made, minimal intervention, Vegan friendly, low preservative levels and a lightweight bottle. What is really important, however, is that it is a very easy-to- drink merlot with a very reasonable price tag. A smooth customer. $17.
Charming Chardy
Woods Crampton 2024 Buttery Chardonnay
Here is another of those season bargains available only from ALDI supermarkets – a very nifty chardonnay made especially for the chain by Aaron Woods and Nicholas Crampton for Newcastle-based Fourth Wave Wines. This is one for lovers of old school chardonnays with French oak and brioche notes thanks to time on yeast lees and malolactic fermentation. It still maintains some stone-fruit juiciness and has certainly plenty of flavour. $12.
Snazzy shiraz
Pitchfork 2023 Margaret River Shiraz
This is an attractive – and affordable – fruit-forward shiraz that is perfect for having in the cellar just in case. It would pair well with a backyard barbecue or be good with a casual pizza or pasta evening. Pitchfork is the budget label of top-notch Western Australian producer Hay Shed Hill. Think cherry and plummy flavours, but with hints of pepper on the nose and nice balance on the palate. It also comes in a lightweight “clean and green” bottle that is environmentally friendly. $17.
Blended bliss
Bremerton 2022 Battonage Shiraz/Malbec
This is an unusual blend of grapes; shiraz and malbec are not often seen together, but the Willson sisters from Langhorne Creek have used battonage (lees stirring) to make the combination work. There is a lot happening on the palate here, with estate-grown fruit and quality French oak used to good effect. You could pair this with a winter casserole, or some empanadas. $36.
See more of Winsor’s wine reviews at www.gourmetontheroad.com.
