Pazo Celleiro 2021 Albarino

The Spanish grape variety albarino produces wines that are perfect for the Australian lifestyle: bright and fresh with some palate interest. This forward young wine is fun with or without food and hails from the Salnes Valley, one of the coolest and wettest appellations in the Rias Baixas region. Although there are cool breezes at night from the Atlantic Ocean, warm days ensure the wines show generous fruit with plenty of zingy acidity. Imported by Fourth Wave Wines, whose imports always offer excellent value for money. $25.

Little Giant LGF 2021 Grenache

There are few wine styles that offer better value in Australia right now than sensuous, juicy grenache. Made from 100% single vineyard McLaren Vale grenache by winemakers Cory Ryan and Mike Brown, this is seriously delicious as well ticking a whole lot of hip boxes by being certified biodynamic, organic, vegan friendly and sustainable. That's a big box of hip right there. Fortunately, it also tastes great with a vibrant nose leading on to a light-to-medium-bodied palate full of subtle appeal. Designed for immediate enjoyment and the short, squat bottles feature a hairy-nosed wombat on the labels. Pair with duck or mushroom dishes. $30. www.fourthwavewine.com.au/  

Hoddles Creek 2021 Estate Chardonnay

Here we go again. Value with a big V as a new Hoddles Creek 2021 Yarra Valley Chardonnay hits the stores: and it is still under $25 for an exemplary cool-climate chardonnay that ticks a whole lot of quality boxes with citrus and stone fruit notes on the nose, freshness, minerality, good length and bright acid on the palate with just a smidgen of oak adding some palate interest. The wine is left on lees for just under a year before the various components are blended, cold stabilised, fined and filtered. Seriously good wine that deserves to be matched with a rich pork belly dish. $25. www.hoddlescreekestate.com.au/

Serafino 2020 Cabernet Sauvignon

 

Value with a capital V here, with a bold and bodacious McLaren Vale cabernet sauvignon that will provide plenty of drinking pleasure for those who enjoy red wines with plenty of grunt but also maintain a sense of style. Serafino is the label of industry icon Steve Maglieri, who has been producing McLaren Vale standouts for over half a century. This is a full blooded and complex blend of fruit from several different vineyards that is dark and inky with black fruit flavours, and oak playing a key support role. It has already picked up a show trophy and is a bargain at $28, although it can sometimes be found on special for a couple of dollars less. https://serafinowines.com.au/ 

Moss Wood Ribbon Vale 2021 Elsa

 

I can hear the back row from here: "$75 for a sauvignon blanc? Are you out of your mind?" The thing is that this is no ordinary sauvignon blanc; in a way it is akin to the great white wines of Bordeaux and is certainly one of the finest examples of the style in Australia. This is the third vintage of Elsa from the Mugford family in Margaret River - and a triumph from a difficult vintage. The sauvignon blanc has been picked riper, barrel fermented, is more assertive and the alcohol is up to 13.5%, adding richness and texture to the refined palate. Think tropical notes, hints of minerality and subtle oak. Pair this with a roast chicken for maximum pleasure. $75. https://www.mosswood.com.au/