The Best Wines on a Budget

Ana Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2014 $14.99
You get a lot a class for under $15 in this second label from Eradus, that's an elegantly styled sauvignon with succulent notes of passionfruit and melon, herb and mineral. From Niche Fine Wines.

The Opportunist South Australia Shiraz 2013 $16.95
This newly imported shiraz from Langhorne Creek is an opulent style with some excellent depth to its plush, velvety palate of dark fruit and kirsch spiked with spice and a hint of savoury. From Point Wines, Herne Bay Cellars, First Glass.

Thistle Ridge Block 2 Waipara Pinot Noir 2013 $21.99-$24.99
From Greystone, this seriously good pinot could hold its own with examples at far higher prices given its concentrated cherry fruit, notes of florals, herb, forest floor and structuring tannins. From Fine Wine Delivery Company, Liquorland Mt Eden, Albany, Forrest Hill and Point Chevalier, Kingsland Liquor Centre, selected New World outlets nationwide.

Main Divide Waipara Valley Pinot Gris 2014 $19.99
Another great wine that could beat many a more expensive bottle with the sheer concentration of its fresh, ripe yellow peach-fruited palate and its notes of musky honey, ginger spice and grapefruit zest. From Glengarry.

Fuzzy Duck Hawke's Bay Merlot 2014 $9.95-$11.99
The bargain basement price of this new label belies the quality of this cheerful, easy drinking red with bright boysenberry fruit, notes of sweet spice, violet and good weight. From selected supermarkets and liquor outlets.

Arriba Tempranillo, Spain 2013 $11.95-14.95
Blended by local Master of Wine Stephen Bennett from valdepenas and la mancha grapes, this "Rich Spanish Red Wine" is what it says on the label, with its ripe dark berry fruit, hint of char, earth and lick of tannins. No bull! Widely available at New World, Farro Fresh, Liquorland, Liquor King and independent retailers.

Latitude 41 Nelson Chardonnay 2014 $16.99-$21.95
Succulent peachy fruit is to the fore, seasoned with sweet vanillin oak, in this ripe and mouthfilling Nelson chardonnay. From Al Dente, Bottle O Pt Chevalier, Cooks Beach Liquor, Liquorland Waiuku, Red Door Liquor, Super Liquor Highland Park, Thirsty Liquor, spencerhillwine.com

Mission Estate Hawke's Bay Syrah 2013 $11.99-$16.50
Good syrah under $30 is rare and under $20 is almost unheard of, but Mission Estate has been consistently producing this fresh and concentrated example, with lashings of exotic spice and rich, brooding black plum fruit. From New World, Pak'n'Save, Countdown and selected liquor outlets.

Riparosso Illuminati Montepulciano d'Abruzzo, Italy 2012 $16.99
Full-bodied and flavourful, this great little montepulciano combines blackberry, black cherry, plum and prune fruit with nuances of sweet spice and dark chocolate and some food-friendly tannins. From Glengarry.

Freixenet Cordon Negro Brut Cava NV $12.99-$14.99
Fresh, light, dry and citrusy, this easy drinking Spanish classic comes in at an amazingly low price, especially as it's made using the time-consuming quality-focused traditional method. From major wine stores including Glengarry.