This is a really interesting little range to learn a lot about wine and there is a lot of fighting for your attention for $10-$20. With this mountain of wines available, I have just kept to categories:
1) CLARE or EDEN VALLEY RIESLING
Get on the Riesling train as Clare Valley Riesling will consistently give amazing value for money Riesling that are perfect for summer refreshments, and will sit handsomely in a cellar for years and go to another level.
Some to look out for from Clare : O’leary Walker, Jim Barry, Shut the Gate, Pikes, Kilikanoon, Leasignham, Leo Buring
From the Eden Valley: Pewsey Vale, Rieslingfreak, Thorn Clarke and Peter Lehmann
An ultimate bargain: It hurts to say, but the Jacob’s Creek Riesling is known in the industry for its phenomenal value. A regular Gold Medal winner at serious wine shows.
Just drink Riesling, it is a bargain.
2) CABERNET MERLOT BLENDS:
You know when someone says: i just want a smooth red, then give them a Cab Merlot from WA. I don’t know why so many Australians regard blends as lesser quality, while many of the most truly great wines of the planet are blends.
Under $20 and you will find nice Cabernet Merlot from places like: Deep Woods, Vasse Felix, Capel Vale, Watershed and Sandalford.
3) AUSTRALIAN/PROVENCE ROSE:
The Australian climate is ideal for drinking rose, which is rapidly being recognised by more and more Australians, now one of the biggest % growth styles around.
Pick out a rosé between $13 and $20, put it on ice and feel that exotic “im in provence” summer feeling you deserve with one of the most underrated (and undervalued) wine styles around.
For great Australian examples look out for names such as Turkey Flat, De Bortoli (La Boheme), Bird in Hand and Schwarz.
From France, I highly recommend you try Miraval (Yes, owned by Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie) at least once. A stunning rose. Otherwise, look out for AOC Vin de Provence, or Cotes De Provence.
4) AUSTRALIAN FORTIFIED WINES:
How does this sound: In most good liquor shops, you can find Australian wines which are recognised as absolute world class quality for under $20. Yep, look no further than our collection of fortified wine such as Muscats, Tokay (now Topaque) and Tawny Ports.
Look out for names such as Morris, Buller, Chambers, Campbells and Stanton and Killeen and don’t be afraid to reach our for wines labelled as Muscat, Topaque, Apera or Tawny. As far as I am concerned, a rutherglen Tokay is as Australian as beach and barbies.
Although the fortified wine section tends to grow cobwebs in bottleshops, I guarantee it will be one of the first bottles empty around dessert time at a dinner party.
TIP: A fortified for around $20 makes an excellent wine gift for both wine snobs and non-wine people alike. They are generally well presented, last forever and generally find an occasion to be enjoyed.
5) SOUTH AUSTRALIAN SHIRAZ:
Australia makes world class Shiraz and South Australia rarely provides bad conditions for it.
The star Shiraz regions remain the Barossa, McLaren Vale and Clare Valley. However, you are likely to find some very high quality Shiraz from places like Langhorne Creek, Coonawarra and Wrattonbully.
Each of these regions offers some outstanding sub-$20 Shiraz in wines such as:
Teusner The Riebke Barossa, Paxton AAA, Pennys Hill Cracking Black, Gemtree Shiraz, Charles Cimicky Trumps Shiraz, Mountadam, The Nosey Parker, Wynns Coonawarra Estate, Chateau Tanunda Matthews Road.
- WINEDUCATION - 