AUTUMN TREATS
With many of us being careful with their cash nowadays, wine writer Winsor Dobbin selects some bargain wines – along with a couple of warming reds.
Super value
Yalumba Y Series 2025 Riesling
The Y Series wines offer some of the best value around for budget drinkers – and this is an excellent crisp, dry and fresh riesling for the price. This is turbo charged with classic lemon/lime citrus aromas, grapefruit and yuzu flavours, and slatey hints on a palate with lively acidity. A great thirst quencher on its own, or perfect for pairing with flathead and chips or a chilled prawn cocktail. $15.
Serious red
Wynns 2024 The Original Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon
This delicious medium-bodied red is one of the standouts from an excellent batch of new Wynnsday releases from the ultra-consistent team at Wynns Coonawarra Estate. Coonawarra is synonymous with high-quality cabernets and this one hits the bullseye for composed quality. It has lovely structure, elegant tannins, balanced oak, and impressive length. It is immediately accessible and deadly drinkable. Released on June 3. $45.
Taste of Sicily
Feudo Arancio 2024 Rosato
I am a huge fan of wines from Sicilian wine producer Feudo Arancio (Orange grove in Italian), whose wines offer excellent value for money and are imported by Single Vineyard Sellers. This is a lively, fresh, and minerally rosé with raspberry and blueberry fruit flavours leading the way, along with some gentle savoury elements. You could pair this – served well chilled – with a Lebanese mezze plate, or a falafel with pita bread. $20.
Classy Chardy
Mr Riggs 2025 Cold Chalk Chardonnay
Veteran McLaren Vale winemaker Ben Riggs is celebrating the 25th anniversary of his Mr Riggs label this year. He has logged 47 vintages in total and sourced the fruit for this impressive chardonnay from the cooler Adelaide Hills. Riggs says the style is based on classic European styles he likens to “drinking cold chalk soup.” There’s oodles of freshness and vibrancy here. Pair with poultry dishes or salads. $30.
Tassie Treat
Pooley 2025 Pinot Noir
The Pooley family produces some of the best pinots and chardonnays in Tasmania from vineyards in the Coal River Valley, just a short drive from Hobart Airport. I enjoyed this new release so much that the bottle was suddenly, inexplicably, empty. This classic cool-climate pinot matched brilliantly with marinated honey soy lamb chops and is well worth a splurge for a dinner party or a celebration. $58.
Exotic White
Tahbilk 2025 Viognier
Tahbilk is a historic winery located in the Nagambie Lakes region north of Melbourne. It produces a range of wines that are very fairly priced. This is the Tahbilk take on the French grape viognier, which originates in the Rhone Valley. Think an aromatic nose and orange blossom, apricot, ginger, stone fruit, and spice notes with a full-bodied but fresh palate. This would pair well with lemon chicken, or pan-fried scallops. $22.
See more of Winsor’s wine news and reviews at www.gourmetontheroad.com
