Our expert has done all the hard work finding these gems so you don’t have to. Cheers to that!
Another month, another legendary Dan Murphy’s Wine Merchant dishing the details on five tasty drops – all under $15. Lucky for us, Fergal from our Kew store gets a kick out of finding great wine at great prices – and he wants everyone to know that there’s plenty to love about a cheap wine. “It’s designed to be approachable and easy to drink rather than having lots of complex characteristics that may need time in a cellar to improve,” says Fergal. You know what that means? You can grab any of these at your local Dan Murphy’s and drink them immediately – no cellar time required (excellent news for those of us that don’t have a cellar). “[Winemakers] know the consumer wants great drinks and they want them now – so they make wines that are vibrant, fresh and great to drink right away.”
It also pays to remember that generally (aside from the super spenny stuff) a big part of the price you pay for wine is determined by how much it costs the winemaker to produce, so different grapes and styles will naturally sit at different rungs on the pricing ladder. There are plenty of good winemakers who can make exceptional wine and keep the price low. We’ll drink to that!
Alrighty. Let’s see what Fergal’s got up his wine-bottle-sized sleeves this month.
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1. Les Trois Clefs Cotes du Rhone – $12.99
Why should you try it?
You think French wine, you think it’s expensive and unattainable, right? Not at all. This wine is very reasonable, and a great representation of a typical Rhone Valley red (Rhone Valley is a region in Southern France). Consider this a great starting point if you’re a French wine newbie; it looks and tastes expensive, without the hardcore price tag – a great option for a dinner party if you ask us.
Tastes like?
Red berries with a bit of spice thrown in for good measure. It's not too acidic and not too dry – lovely and balanced.
Sip it with?
If there was an award for best supporting wine with a Sunday roast, this would be it. It’s a great middle-of-the-road type and will go nicely with most things, but for Fergal, it’s with roast chicken that this wine shines. Take a leaf out of his book and add “all the trimmings” to that chook
2. Torresella Pinot Grigio Italy – $13.99
Why should you try it?
It’s approachable! It’s light! It’s crisp! And it throws a refreshing “zing!” across your tongue the moment you sip it. Give this Torresella a go if all your friends are over in Europe and you said “no, maybe next time”. Its balance of fruitiness, acidity and spiciness will hopefully help you forget you’re not somewhere in Northeast Italy right now.
Tastes like?
The sweets you used to get at your local corner store after school, mixed with pears and a subtle hint of gingery spiciness that’ll keep you coming back for more. Tasty!
Sip it with?
“I want this wine with garlicky, buttery prawns hot off the BBQ. The flavours and acidity in the wine play off one another perfectly, giving you every reason to go back for seconds and thirds.” If you say so, Fergal.
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Click image to shop
3. Listel Grains De Gris Rosé – $11.99
Why should you try it?
This wine tastes as good as it looks, and if you love a good-looking rosé this pale pink beauty is for you. It’s the rapid separation of the skins from the juices after crushing that gives the Listel Grains De Gris Rosé its soft colour. According to Fergal, it’s more complex than you’d think, with lovely body, well-balanced flavour and quite an impressive finish.
Tastes like?
Raspberries and rose water with a delightful texture on the palate. Like your ex from a few years ago, this drop lingers after the fun has ended (but in a good way).
Sip it with?
Strawberries and cream. Preferably whilst sitting in the park on a hot day with your favourite people. Maybe Fergal? He’s fast becoming our favourite person.
4. Francois Martenot Gamay – $13.99
Why should you try it?
It finishes softly, is unpretentious and easy to quaff. According to Fergal he was sceptical at first, “A gamay under $15? I wasn't exactly jumping out of my seat to try it. But boy was I wrong!”. Turns out the Francois Martenot Gamay is a fun one. It’s juicy and generous, vibrant in colour on the palate and will keep you coming back for more.
Tastes like?
Generously fruity with red, blue and black fruits all having a party on the palate. This is vibrant and an absolute no brainer!
Sip it with?
“Get your friends over on a Tuesday night for no reason at all, order some burgers and crack open a bottle of this wine. Thank me later.” Damn, Fergal!
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Click image to shop
5. De Bortoli Deen Vat 5 Botrytis Semillon – $13.99
Why should you try it?
Dessert wine is the unsung hero of a dinner party. It’s the perfect accompaniment to cheese and dried fruit at the end of the night. With this one, you can expect the most perfect mouthfeel and balance of acidity and sweetness. It can also be served with an exotic fruit sorbet or peach Melba. Need we say more?
Tastes like?
Its consistency is akin to maple syrup. You’ll notice apricot, ginger and citrus and how this beautifully balances the acidity and sweetness.
Sip it with?
It’s a big call, but we’ll take it: “Pair this wine with a crème brûlée and you will be the happiest person in the room at the end of a meal.”
