A pinot from Languedoc, a soave from Veneto, and a sparkling from a little closer to home. This month, Wine Merchant Nigel is filling our glass and keeping us on our toes.
When it comes to finding a wine that fits just right, Nigel says people shouldn’t be deterred by a low price tag. “Sometimes people think ‘too cheap means too good to be true’ but that’s really not the case,” he explains. “Since becoming part of the Dan's team, I’ve discovered many an affordable go-to drop – often from every corner of the globe,” says Nigel.
Nigel sees it like this: at the end of the day, affordable wines are still wines and they are just that – affordable! The trick is to know where to look (and who to speak to) when you’re in-store. “For instance, look for the same grape variety from other regions; they’re usually much more affordable because they don't have the same prestige, but still produce quality wines. A classic example is a pinot noir outside of Burgundy – and Nigel has just the one (plus some other standouts) below. Let’s grab a bottle opener and get pouring.
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1. Campet St Marie Pinot Noir
Why should you try it?
Nigel shares that even though Burgundy is normally the go-to French region for pinot noir, there are plenty of other regions worth trying. “What's more, you can sip them at a fraction of the price,” he says. “This little gem is from the more generic appellation called Languedoc in Southern France where there is less regulation when it comes to winemaking. However, it is by no means lesser quality, as is the case with this pinot,” he adds. A well-rounded drop with lovely structure and fresh fruits alongside a little time in oak for length make this wine an unpretentious, easy-drinking drop. Nigel is partial to a glass of Campet St Marie Pinot Noir with a mid-week meal – he also keeps a few bottles up his sleeve (read: cellar) for special occasions. “I often recommend this to my customers who are mindful of what they spend,” says Nigel.
Tastes like?
Let’s start with lively. And who doesn’t love a lively wine? Then you’ll notice black forest fruits (think black cherry and blackcurrant) that greet you on the nose. “It has a little spice, white pepper on the palate with more cherry flavours to follow, and a hint of dried fruits to finish, like prune and sultanas. The finish lingers perfectly.”
Sip it with?
If there’s one thing you can always rely on pinot noir for, it’s versatility. It’s also the unofficial Friday Night Wine, according to Nigel. “I love it with a lazy home-delivered pizza from my local at the end of the work week. I love a simple capricciosa pizza – the more ham and mushrooms the better,” says Nigel. We couldn’t agree more.
2. Casa Santos Lima Red Blend
Nigel loves nothing more than recommending and sipping wines that are a little left of field – especially from countries that are better known for fortified wines, like Portugal in this case. “Made using a blend of native red grapes, including touriga nacional, the Casa Santos Lima is smooth with a fruity profile,” explains Nigel. “I love this wine for its lovely aromatics and rich, juicy red and black fruits – it also has just the right amount of subtle complexity from a short time in oak,” he adds. If you want to up your wine game and try a fuller red, but not as heavy as a traditional Barossa shiraz, then this is your new go-to, according to Nigel. “It’s won several international awards to boot, so it punches above its weight for price.” We love to see it.
Tastes like?
“Wow, so aromatic!” says Nigel. “There’s ripe and juicy black fruits galore: plum, currant and bramble, to name a few. Your tastebuds will get a good workout with this one. It has a dry, savoury-like finish due to the short rest in oak, so you will taste a little woodiness on the palate, with a touch of cloves to finish,” he says.
Sip it with?
Don’t own a barbecue? Better buy one because this bottle of wine demands it. Nigel suggests a generous spread of snags, burgers, butterfly chicken (prepped with Portuguese spices), pork kebabs and a couple of steaks for good measure. “I’d make up a lovely charcuterie spread too...use your imagination with this one,” he says.
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3. Yarra Burn Premium Cuvée Brut
Here we have a sparkling blended from select parcels of classic sparkling varieties sourced from premium Victorian vineyards. This fresh, vibrant and crisp Yarra Burn Brut is exactly how Nigel likes to enjoy his bubbles. “I'd even add a splash to a Spritz of your choice during a lovely summer’s evening on the deck,” he suggests. “Yarra Burn makes some cracker sparklings; it’s no wonder this winemaker is renowned in the Yarra Valley region,” he adds. This is made in a similar style to Champagne – sans the costly process of riddling, which removes lees sediment – and still allows the resulting wine to take on those toasty flavours, and maintain a consistent quality and style.
Tastes like?
You can expect a delightfully bright and lemony acidity, followed by green pear and quince notes. “It has a little crunchiness to boot; a touch flinty but rounded out with delicate biscuity flavours and a hint of sherbet to keep you coming back for more,” says Nigel.
Sip it with?
There’s a reason that bubbles and seafood are a veritable match made in heaven. Nigel agrees. “Why not grab some fresh oysters from the local fisherman and eat them Kilpatrick style? Or order a family pack of fish and chips, and don’t forget the tartare sauce!” says Nigel. We’re on it.
4. Vigneti Del Sole Soave
Why should you try it?
When Nigel is approached by a customer looking for an alternative to pinot grigio, this Vigneti Del Sole drop from Italy is always front of mind. “Every time I open a bottle, I’m never disappointed and the flavour transports me back to Veneto in Northern Italy, where Soave is from,” he says. It’s hard to miss with an Italian white, and Nigel is a big believer in the fact they don’t need to be expensive to knock your socks off. With a savoury flavour and a nice balanced finish, this one will win you over in one sip, trust us.
Tastes like?
“There are delicate honeysuckle florals on the nose, followed up with a ripe fruit combination of juicy Golden Delicious apples and ripe pear notes on the tastebuds. It has a slightly zingy acidity, but rounds off quickly with those ripe fruits and a subtle nutty finish,” explains Nigel.
Sip it with?
Soave is Italian after all, so pasta, pasta and more pasta! If Nigel is in charge of the menu, you can expect a crab or crayfish dish with a nonna-style creamy sauce. “I also enjoy a bottle of this on Sunday night sitting around a big roast chicken dinner with all the trimmings, and I don’t mind it with a lovely asparagus risotto either – with homemade focaccia to mop up the rest!” he adds.
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5. Colpasso Fiano
Why should you try it?
If, like Nigel, you’re dying to go on a trip to Sicily and the next best thing is tasting it, then a bottle of Colpasso Fiano simply must be added to your shopping trolley. “Again, this is another alternative to wines that you might normally gravitate towards like pinot grigio or an unoaked chardonnay. “It offers such a fresh, tangy yet vibrant fruit-driven flavour,” he says. “A must-sip in summer, and versatile enough to be enjoyed with a variety of foods due to its fresh acidity!”
Tastes like?
“Silky lemon sherbet with a little crunch of honey on toast, rounded out with a lovely but waxy lime-zest gelato to finish,” explains Nigel. And if that delectable description doesn’t sell you on this drop, we don’t know what will. Tasty.
Sip it with?
According to Nigel, fiano is made for food pairing, so don’t be afraid to cook up a feast. “Your favourite simple tomato-based pasta with some prawns is a great choice, or if you like a creamy chicken pasta dish, it will also work well with that. An antipasto plate could always complement this wine, too,” he adds.
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