KEY POINTS:
The finer things in life don't always have to cost a fortune, as these 10 great wines prove
If you can't afford this year's Bordeaux first-growths, but have a taste for the finer things in life, do not fear.
I've had to kiss a fair few frogs to find these princely wines, but have selected 10 great picks under $20 which offer excellent value for money. They are not simply drinkable, they have plenty of interest and character too.
No one need swallow the sweet monotony that's frequently served up by some of the cheap, lesser labels. Good wines can be found, even at under $15.
You just have to be prepared to look in less-obvious places than the supermarket shelves, and explore great value wine regions, such as the Mediterranean.
There are also some great deals through online retailers, which cut some of the distribution costs.
Second labels from good producers are also the source of some sound and inexpensive wines.
While it's fair to say that with wine you mostly get what you pay for, it's not always the case.
Redwood Pass Marlborough Sauvignon 2006 $12
While many cheaper sauvignons lack the vibrancy that's so attractive in the variety, the Redwood Pass with its soft melon, green herbs and lime has greater intensity than many more expensive examples. Made by reliable Awatere-based estate Vavasour, this blend from grower vineyards in the Awatere and Wairau Valleys seriously over-delivers at this price and is easily one of the best-value sauvignons around.
* From www.blackmarket.co.nz
Sarments De La Tuilerie, Costieres De Nimes, France 2004 $13
With Southern Italy and Spain, Southern France is the source of some of the most distinctive, great-value red wines in the world, like the Sarments de la Tuilerie. In this grenache syrah blend from a family-owned chateau, ripe Mediterranean fruit meets modern winemaking. The result is a soft juicy wine with plums and dark berries aplenty, a twist of licorice and a richness and character that's rare at this price.
* From www.winedirect.co.nz
Coto De Hayas Joven Tinto, Campo De Borja, Spain 2005 $14
Bodegas Argonesas, which makes the Coto de Hayas wines, boasts a gnarly 100-year-old Garnacha vine. While the tiny qualities that this vine would produce are unlikely to have made it into this youthful specimen, old-vine Garnacha is a major component of the Coto de Hayas Tinto, with Tempranillo, cabernet sauvignon and syrah. Light, fresh and fruity, with raspberries, strawberries and cream.
* From Wine Direct, Wine Vault, First Glass, Glengarry.
Henry's Drive Pillar Box Red, Padthaway, Australia 2005 $15
Chris Ringland may be best known for making cult Australian wines that have hit record-breaking prices, but as consultant winemaker for the Henry's Drive Pillar Box range, his expertise can be enjoyed for much less. Full, fruity and generous, the Pillar Box Red blend of shiraz, cabernet sauvignon and merlot is big but balanced, with ripe spiced plummy fruit and a dash of creamy vanilla complexity. A lot of bang for 15 bucks.
* From Glengarry.
Taylors Promised Land Shiraz Cabernet South Australia 2004 $16
I am regularly underwhelmed by cheap Aussie wines, which are too often souped up with additional sweetness to disguise their lack of substance and inferior fruit, so no apology for recommending two in this top 10. This is another excellently made, midweight wine with lashings of ripe juicy blackcurrant fruit, a chocolatey richness and cedary spice that offers great value.
* From New World, Foodtown.
Villa Maria Private Bin East Coast Pinot Gris 2006 $17.50
Pinot gris is not a variety that performs well at lower prices, with many exhibiting a rather unalluring lack of flavour and freshness. But Villa Maria has come up trumps with its pleasant Private Bin Pinot Gris. It's a nicely made example with a touch of sweetness and enough ripe pear, apple and gentle spice to make venturing under $20 for this varietal worthwhile.
* From traditional liquor stores, New World, Pak'n' Save.
Palliser Estate Martinborough Riesling 2006 $18
Pure, pretty and of fine Palliser pedigree, this riesling is on the drier side and possesses soft peach and apricot fruit that's entwined with lifted floral notes and fresh tongue-tingling citrus. Palliser makes some impressive wines, and in this it has managed to make one which is elegant and inexpensive - a rare combination indeed.
* From Glengarry, Caro's, Fine Wine Delivery Company.
Wild Rock Hawkes Bay Wild Ferment Chardonnay 2006 $20
There's nothing unruly about this chardonnay from the second label of prestige producer, Craggy Range. The wildness within comes from the natural yeasts that fuelled some of the wine's ferments. These add complexity and texture and are usually found in reserves. It's soft, fleshy and eminently easy drinking, with peachy fruit that's underpinned by citrus and toast notes.
* From Fine Wine Delivery Company, Glengarry Wines, Caro's.
Te Hera Kiritea Martinborough Pinot Noir 2004 $19.50
Te Hera's Estate Pinot Noir already offers outstanding value, especially from a boutique Martinborough producer, but this limited new pinot label offers complexity at a crazy price. With a few years under its belt, but still lots of life left, its juicy red fruit is receding as it enters the variety's more mature spicy savoury stage. Delicious.
* From www.tehera.co.nz, www.truewines.co.nz
Southern Eclipse Central Otago Pinot Noir 2006 $20
It's with some surprise that I'm including two great pinot noirs in this under $20 line-up. The cost and attention required to craft decent pinot means there's very little in this bracket, and what there is can often be weak and wishy-washy. But not this one. Made by talented winemaker Michelle Richardson in her trademark supple and sensual pinot style, it has bright black cherry and doris plum fruit on a concentrated and savoury base.
* From www.blackmarket.co.nz
