From a wine expert of 8 years, and bargain hunter of 10.
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1. Illuminati Riparosso Montepulciano d'Abruzzo, $13.99
Why should you try it?
Full disclosure, Antony has a soft spot for Montepulciano – it comes from the same place as his dad (Abruzzo, Italy), but even if it didn’t, it’s a variety he’s really into. “Montepulciano is an amazingly versatile grape,” says Antony. “It's a luscious, darker fruited grape that provides that ideal middle ground between a bold shiraz and many of the lighter reds available. With Abruzzo being overshadowed by the historical prestige of Tuscany and Piemonte, it’s priced more attractively.”
Tastes like?
A beautifully balanced, easygoing style. It's medium bodied and loaded with notes of dark berries and cherries. Then there’s a hint of fragrant oak, to soften things out and round off the edges.
What to sip it with?
“As someone who's been lucky enough to drink Montepulciano in Abruzzo,” says Antony, “I can tell you Riparosso absolutely sings with a slow-cooked, meaty pasta dish or a prosciutto pizza, fresh out of the woodfired oven.” Yum.
2. Le Grand Roi Bouches du Rhone, $11.99
Why should you try it?
“Southern Rhone is an absolute gold mine for softer, bolder styles,” says Antony. “Thriving in some of the warmest parts of Southern France, grenache is at its best there, offering reliable yields and amazing results for a, generally, lower price.”
Tastes like?
A classic Southern French Grenache blend, this has the classic bold, soft, dark fruit and a hint of loamy earth to keep things interesting.
What to sip it with?
This stuff is the ideal BBQ wine. A warm night, backyard with fairy lights and friends, and a glass of Le Grand Roi. Bloody beautiful.
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Click image to shop
3. Borsao Viña Borgia Garnacha Organico, $13.99
Why should you try it?
The region of Campo de Borja, where this bottle hails from, is now referred to as ‘the Kingdom of Garnacha’. From vines 10-30 years old, the grapes create wines ranging from deep, brooding and luscious to crunchy and fruity fresh. “The bottles of Bodegas Borsao offer remarkable value and drinkability across the board. This stuff very much sits on the light and fresh side of the fence as it is just as happy being served chilled on a hot day as it is with dinner on a winter night,” says Antony. Plus, it’s fully organic AND vegan.
Tastes like?
Youth. It’s red fruit driven, with notes of raspberry and strawberry, and so fresh, crunchy and textural.
What to sip it with?
“I always adore this stuff when things warm up in Melbourne,” says Antony. “I like to put a chill on these bottles and serve them with zesty chicken tacos. Substitute in some vegan mince and it's every bit as good!”
4. Vigneti Del Sole Soave Italy, $12.99
Why should you try it?
“This stuff never fails to impress,” says Antony, so pop it on the table and see the compliments pour in from the “pinot grigio only” drinkers. A little bit of knowledge for you, Soave is actually the name of the region in Northern Italy, not the grape. Garganega is the grape, and Antony is a fan of its flex – “it offers limitless versatility for dry white drinkers who like a share of ripeness and texture to their whites. It's something that will win all wine drinkers over.”
Tastes like?
A drop to win the hearts of chardonnay, pinot gris and pinot grigio drinkers alike. It displays fragrances of fruit and white flowers on the nose, with hints of Golden Delicious apples and almonds. Delicate and medium-bodied, well-balanced and refreshing.
What to sip it with?
“Fish and chips!” says Antony. “This bottle is my Friday night go-to when someone is bringing home fried scallops, grilled fish and thick-cut chips.”
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Click image to shop
5. Tahbilk Marsanne, $13.99
Why should you try it?
“The old industry pros are always telling me this is the best value white wine in the country, and it's hard to disagree,” says Antony. “It’s bone dry, has length for days and has citrus and florals leaping out of the glass. It'll also age like nothing else at that price. I've had bottles back to the seventies and they're still beautiful from every angle.” Pour it to impress chardonnay, grigio and riesling drinkers.
Tastes like?
Distinguished by true-to-the-varietal lemon, citrus, spice and a hint of tropical fruits, a delightful edge of minerality and crunchy fresh acidity. “I’m constantly blown away by the quality of this bottle,” says Antony. Which makes us want to try it even more.
What to sip it with?
Great with a fresh but substantial dish, like a caesar salad, or, to get specific, “English cheddar on those tiny little sliced-bread shaped biscuits,” suggests Antony. It feels like he’s just let us in on quite the secret.
