Wine columnist Dennis Knill gives his views on some of the best value for money wines reviewed over the past year.
While the roast lamb is simmering in the oven, the smell of vegetables and fresh greens arouse the senses. Good food deserves good wine and a meal like this is crying out for more than a glass or two.
If the cuisine is meat, cabernet sauvignon, syrah or merlot are the classic matches. For chicken, chardonnay, pinot gris or riesling sit well, as does sauvignon blanc. Gerwurztraminer or rose with seafood – the choice is yours.
Though meat dishes are traditionally matched with red wines, and poultry and seafood with white wines, there are plenty of options for all moods, all waiting to be discovered by the wine crazed hordes.
Chardonnay: ’17 Giesen Clayvin Single Vineyard
Skilfully crafted, balanced, driven with deep concentrated aromas.
RRP$55
Sauvignon blanc: ’18 Brancott Estate Chosen Rows
Intense citrus flavours that linger all the way to the palate.
RRP$70
Pinot gris: ’19 Villa Maria Single Vineyard Seddon
Lush and mouth-filling with intensity of flavour aroma and texture.
RRP$30
Riesling: ’20 Framington Old Vine
Fused with powerful citrus, minerals and florals that are delicate and intense.
RRP$40
Rose: ’20 Villa Maria Organic Attorney Pinot Noir
Summer in a glass. Fresh and aromatic boasting crispness and light acidity.
RRP$30
Gewürztraminer: ’20 Linden Estate
Rich and spicy, displaying lots of style and balance that leaps out of the glass.
RRP$35
Viognier: ’19 Marsden Estate
Delicately balanced from opulently textured grapes which give this wine lots of legs.
RRP$30
White blend: ’18 Yealands Estate
A well-balanced trifecta of lively fruit produced from pinot gris, gerwurztraminer and riesling.
RRP$25
Champagne: ’12 Maison Mumm
Subtle mineral overtones complemented with ripeness, purity, and elegance.
RRP$129
Dessert: ‘19 Pegasus Bay Reserve Finale Noble Semillon Sauvignon
Enticingly delicious with a long and sweet vibrant finish.
RRP$42
Cabernet sauvignon: ’19 Church Road Single Vineyard Redstone
A stunning, full-bodied classic displaying complex flavours and fine tannins.
RRP$120
Pinot noir: ’17 Giesen Clayvin Single Vineyard
A seriously good, easy-drinking wine oozing with depths of ripe fruity flavours.
RRP$57
Syrah: ’18 Vidal Estate Legacy Gimblett Gravels
A big performer with depth and texture that is clean and fresh on the palate.
RRP$65
Merlot: ’16 Mills Reef Elspeth
A food-friendly wine influenced with oak ageing displaying depth, richness, and soft tannins.
RRP$50
Red Blend: ’19 The Landing Vino Rosso
Rich and distinctive dominated with sangiovese and montepulciano fused with cabernet franc and merlot.
RRP$30
Words—Dennis Knill
