From a summer-ready rosé to a Loire Valley cab franc – 2024 has some seriously tasty sub-$15 drops in store for you.
You’ll find Courtney, this month’s featured Dan Murphy’s Wine Merchant, wandering the aisles of Melbourne’s new Spotswood store most days – she puts in the hard yards (literally) to help people find the right wine. “I love a solid bargain and I've done the laborious leg work so I can point you in the right direction,” she says. The start of a new year brings with it plenty of tasty drops at very reasonable prices – we’re talking under-$15 reasonable – and Courtney says it’s never been easier to try something tasty and affordable from across the globe or our own backyard. “International wines and varieties offer great value for money, and many local producers see the importance of making great wines that won't break the bank.”
Take a leaf out of Courtney’s book and opt for one of these wines for your mid-week dinners when you don’t want to open something expensive or will only have a glass. “When it's mid-week, I open something a little more budget-friendly, but that doesn’t mean you have to settle for less – except for spending less!. Many of your favourite local stalwarts have a range of wines that are meant for early enjoyment – these are perfect for that mid-week wine time,” she says. So, on that note, let’s see what Courtney suggests.
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1. Adega de Monção Vinho Verde, Portugal
Why should you try it?
Adega de Monção Vinho Verde is a drop that’ll surprise you – in a good way. It’s made from two lesser-known varieties – alvarinho and trajadura – from Portugal, which are a lot like other varieties you’ve probably tried before. The vineyards of Monção e Melgaço are located in Portugal's north, close to the border of Spain and near the coastline; it has quite a cool climate, which leads to vibrant whites that will keep you coming back for more. “If you're looking to try something a little different and fun for summer with a slightly spritzy element, then this is the wine to try,” says Courtney. A fun fact about this vinho verde is it comes from a cooperative winery, meaning it’s part of a project that supports many growers in the region and, in turn, the wider community. We love to see it.
Tastes like?
“It’s fun in a glass!” says Courtney. “Think blossoms, gooseberry and lemon zest on the nose, with grapefruit, key lime, melon and pineapple on the palate,” she says. People who tend to gravitate towards aromatic white wines will enjoy this – it’s different to the usual, in an interesting way.
Sip it with?
A Portuguese wine deserves the best Portuguese-style seafood dishes – their coastline is known for its seafarers, so it makes sense that wine made there would go beautifully with fresh seafood. But really, any fresh seafood will do the job. “I'm thinking ceviche with a side of plantain chips or king tuna sashimi,” suggests Courtney. Other dishes you could try with a glass of this wine include grilled sardines, prawns or freshly shucked oysters and a slice of lemon. Perfect!
2. Rabo de Gala Rosé, Portugal
This rosé heralds from the appellation of Lisbon and blends cabernet sauvignon and castelão, giving it a fruity and well-structured finish. It shows plenty of strawberry and raspberry flavours, well combined with great acidity and a pleasant aftertaste. “Another winner from Portugal. This is a great purchase because its profile lends to being paired with many different meals and suiting all kinds of occasions,” says Courtney. “I’d say this is a great, universally appealing rosé – definitely a crowd-pleaser that won't break the bank.”
Tastes like?
“On the nose, there's lots of strawberry and raspberries and a hint of blood orange. On the palate, more of those strawberry notes are there, but there's a lovely, subtle hint of spice and citrus lift,” explains Courtney. “This is a dry (but not too dry) and crisp drop that’s just asking to be poured during the summer months – so make sure you do!” she adds.
Sip it with?
Do as Courtney does and plan a trip to your local deli once you’ve secured a bottle because charcuterie is a must. “The umami-quality of cold-cut meat would pair so well with the strawberry and spice notes of this wine. Some tasty turkey sandwiches like your nanna used to make would also taste great with a glass,” says Courtney.
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Click image to shop
3. Seppelt Fleur De Lys Chardonnay Pinot Noir, Australia
“This should become a staple aperitif for your Friday evenings,” says Courtney. Well, how could we say no? Seppelt produces some of Australia’s best sparkling wine and was one of the first to do so. There’s no denying the Fleur De Lys Chardonnay Pinot Noir is a great quality wine with a low price point and, according to Courtney, it’s a “more fruit forward sparkling with a slightly creamy mouthfeel – it’s fabulous!”
Tastes like?
“A delectable nose of white blossoms, ripe white peach and lemon juice, which follows through on the palate but with a little more hazelnut meal richness. This sparkling punches above its weight,” says Courtney.
Sip it with?
Pre-dinner is where this sparkling really comes into its own. Rachel suggests a glass as an aperitif or a little welcome flute when your party guests arrive. And if you’re looking for a dish to pair with it? “Try some pan-seared prawns by the beach or some delicious buttermilk fried chicken,” suggests Courtney. Both choices sound finger-licking good, if you ask us.
4. Marquis de Surblet Chinon Cabernet Franc, France
This is a cabernet franc from the Loire Valley, which is located in the middle stretch of the Loire River in central France. In Courtney’s opinion, this is a region that continuously “knocks it out of the park” with wine that’s both affordable and great quality. “The commune of Chinon in the Loire is renowned for its affinity with the variety of cabernet franc, and the Marquis de Surblet is a great wine to try if you typically like cool-climate shiraz,” explains Courtney. In terms of similarities between shiraz and cab franc, they generally share similar red and dark fruit characteristics, however, cabernet franc shows more green notes and can be more fragrant with softer tannins, according to Courtney. Either way, we’ve got a winner on our hands here.
Tastes like?
“A nose typical of the variety and region; there's a lot of earth and herbaceous notes, hints of geranium with raspberry and dark plum. On the palate, you’ll notice mulberries and wild blackberries with plush tannin to complement,” says Courtney. It also has a beautiful purplish and garnet colour, and would absolutely benefit from being popped in a cellar for anywhere between five to 10 years, if you fancy.
Sip it with?
Courtney is as good at choosing tasty and affordable wines as she is at snack-pairing like a pro. “I love having this wine with charcuterie meats and tasty condiments. I wrap some capocollo [dry-cured pork] around florets of my own homegrown pickled cauliflower. Washing it down with a sip of this cabernet franc is a game changer – trust me!” Oh, we do, Courtney.
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Click image to shop
5. Pierre Brevin Loire Sauvignon Blanc, France
Why should you try it?
“Looking for an alternative to your usual New Zealand sauvignon blanc? Then look no further than the Pierre Brevin Loire Sauvignon Blanc,” says Courtney. She explains that unlike most New Zealand sauvs, which typically show more floral and grassy notes, French expressions tend to have more tropical fruit flavours and a creamier mouthfeel due to the fermentation taking place in oak. This is a wonderfully fresh, round and well-balanced white that won’t disappoint.
Tastes like?
“A beautiful nose of gooseberry and fresh-cut grass, lemon-lime zest and honeydew melon. On the palate, it's noticeably creamy, a hint of oak spice with lovely kiwi fruit and ever-present citrus to balance.”
Sip it with?
Courtney suggests bypassing the typical seafood match with this one – not that there’s anything wrong with a nice fish dish. “I love having sauvignon blanc with hearty vegetable dishes like ratatouille; all the herbs used to add complexity to the dish and the grassy tones in the wine complement each other very well,” she says.
