The 10 best value wines to enjoy this Summer
Summer is just around the corner with the promise of picnics, barbeques, beach days and balmy nights hanging in the air.
Cracka Wines, an online-retail platform connecting customers directly with winemakers have drawn on their ‘Wine Library’ of thousands of wine reviews from customers and international wine experts to put together the top 10 best value for money wines for Summer.
Receiving hundreds of wines for tasting each week, their top picks for Summer are:
Celebration Wines
Hunting bargain bubblies is a tough sport. There are many out there with bright, inviting labels that say “I’ll be good I promise,” only to bitterly disappoint when you pop the top. This bubbly sets itself apart, ticking all the boxes, affordable with crisp green apple flavours and a dry finish. Made by the good people at Tahbilk, who were James Halliday’s 2016 Winery of the Year, this seriously good sparkling is the perfect summer fizz!
- La Luna Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2016 $9.99
Marlborough Sauvingnon Blanc’s have reputation for a reason. The La Luna Sauvignon Blanc lives up to the reputation, displaying classic flavours and crisp acidity for which Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc is renowned. At just $9.99 a bottle this is hard to go past.
- Toro Loco Reserve Barossa Valley Shiraz 2016 $14.99
For when sparkling won’t do the trick, this Shiraz is the perfect bottle to bring out at Christmas or any other summer celebrations – decadent, smooth and chocolatey. A Barossa Shiraz, this has an almost unmatched reputation. Toro Loco means ‘crazy bull’ but there is nothing nutty about this red. Just Barossa richness at every turn.
Dinner Party Wines
OK, so this Veuve Elise is not related to Veuve Clicquot Champagne, but it’s still French and it’s a very decent fizz indeed – even we were surprised. Made in a Blanc de Blancs style (white grapes only), this energetic bubbly comes from the south of France and carries a little touch of that French sunshine in every bottle. Simple, crisp and lively French bubbles.
- Tyrrell’s 1858 Hunter Valley Chardonnay 2016 $14.99
Would it surprise you if we told you that Tyrrell’s were ultimately the ones that pioneered the Chardonnay grape? It was in the early 70s which shows what a relatively short time the grape has had to establish its reputation. This Chardonnay has signature stone fruit as well as some well-handled oak before revealing a palate that’s rich in peach and citrus. It finishes crisp and clean with superb length of flavour.
- Rolf Binder MVV Barossa Valley Shiraz 2016 $14.99
Long length and impressive balance, this is a cracking drop from a famed Barossa winery. A blend of two very select parcels of fruit from Marananga and Vine Vale, with a palate of plush black and red fruits, spicy liquorice and black pepper; it is complex, smooth and full bodied – indulgence in a bottle.
Special Occasions
- Cape Bernier Tasmanian Chardonnay 2016 $24.99
The Cape Bernier Tasmanian Chardonnay is a small batch barrel-fermented and aged Chardonnay, produced in only the best vintages, making it the perfect bottle to impress with. A wine of supreme length and wicked pleasure, its flavours are abundant with quince, fig, grapefruit, lemon sherbert and a lick of waxy green apples.
- Geoff Merrill Pimpala Vineyard Cabernet Merlot 2010 $19.99
The Pimpala Vineyard is a small 3-acre vineyard surrounding the Mount Hurtle
winery. The vineyard was planted in 1985 to 60% Cabernet Sauvignon (Reynella Clone) and 40% Merlot. Both the Cabernet and the Merlot are picked and processed together, even though they ripen at slightly different times. This adds finesse and complexity to the wine and a uniqueness you won’t find anywhere else!
- Tim Adams Reserve Riesling 2011 $29.99
Rieslings from the Clare Valley are most enjoyable when young and zesty, or left to mature beyond five years of age. This bottle, released after five years is intensely flavoured and aromatic. This bottle is the perfect gift for wine lovers and will cellar for 20 years in good conditions.
- Champagne Georges Lacombe Grand Cuvee NV $44.99
A touch pricier than the rest, if you’re splurging on a bottle for a very special occasion you can’t go past this Champagne, typical of the blend of 3 Champagne grape varieties!
For more wine reviews and to learn about different wine regions of Australia, visit: https://www.crackawines.com.au/pages/wine-library
Article from E Hendriksen.
