Majella 2020 The Musician

"When it comes to affordable reds for everyday drinking, it's hard to go past this delicious blend." Those are words I wrote almost a decade ago, but they remain equally accurate today. This Coonawarra blend of cabernet sauvignon and shiraz still retails for under $20 and remains a reliable "go to" for serious value. Dark fruit, minty hints and a smidgen of spice make this the perfect choice to accompany a midweek dinner or a weekend barbecue. Soft, supple, easy to drink. And the price appears to have remained static for a number of years. $19. www.majellawines.com.au/

Ashton Hills 2021 Piccadilly Valley Pinot Noir

 

With a pedigree dating back over four decades, Ashton Hills has a well deserved reputation for its cool-climate Adelaide Hills pinots noir -and a change of regime has not diminished quality, The fruit for this appealing young wine was taken from six different blocks in the cool Piccadilly Valley and is just lovely. Think juicy, red-fruited goodness with some softness and style on the finish. I'd pair this with Chinese roast duck - a classic combo for excellent dining. $40. www.ashtonhills.com.au/ 

Chapel Hill 2021 The Parson Shiraz

 

Everyone needs a few bottles of a cheeky young red like this in their wine cellar (or cupboard) for when friends pop by for a barbecue or a burger. Winemaking team Michael Fragos and Bryn Richards have a habit over over-delivering - particularly with the The Parson range; entry level wines with plenty of heart and soul. Think McLaren Vale mulberry/blueberry/plummy fruit flavours, hints of spice and good length. This is an impressive successor to the trophy-winning 2020 vintage. You'll sometimes find these wines for under the very reasonable recommended price of $18. www.chapelhillwine.com.au/  

Stefano Lubiana 2020 Riesling

 

Rieslings from Tasmania are criminally under-rated, perhaps because many are a tad high in acidity when they are first released. This has been given time to settle and has lovely crispness and varietal flavours without the stinging acidity. It is a terrific bargain given it ticks so many hipster boxes being biodynamic, organic and vegan-friendly. Made from grapes grown overlooking the Derwent Valley north of Hobart, it is vibrant, minerally, citrusy and very refreshing. My bottle simply evaporated. Pair with oysters, pan-fried flathead or even a Thai stir-fry. $33. www.slw.com.au

Taylors estate label 2021 Sauvignon Blanc

 

Sauvignon blanc is not as trendy as it once was, but it can still be a very refreshing drink when done well. Clare Valley-based Taylors, whose wines are reliably well made and well priced, have moved outside their home region and sourced fruit from the cooler Adelaide Hills for this very attractive wine, perhaps more classic dry white in style than traditional savvy, but a really nice light style that is fresh and lively with passionfruit and Granny Smith notes and some vibrant acid. For those who care about such things it is vegan friendly. Pair with a quiche and salad, fish and chips or some oysters. Very good lunchtime or afternoon drinking. $22. www.taylorswines.com.au/  

La Noblesse 2020 Cabernet Franc

 

Cabernet franc is one of the grape varieties that shines in the lovely Loire Valley in France - and this is impressively varietal and terrific value for money. Fresh and lively with six months in oak adding some palate structure, it is very smooth, light-to medium bodied and extremely food friendly. This has bright red berry flavours and refreshment value if given a 30-minute chill prior to serving. Imported Fourth Wave Wines. Try with chilli con carne. $23. www.fourthwavewine.com.au/   

Pizzini 2021 Brachetto

 

The Pizzini family makes a whole lot more expensive wines than this in the King Valley of north-east Victoria, but I doubt there are many in the range that are more fun. Brachetto is a red Italian grape variety grown mainly in the Piedmont region, where it produces light-bodied wines with flavours of wild strawberries. This style is a close cousin of Moscato, frizzante, lively and quite sweet - but very refreshing. You could pair this with everything from scrambled eggs and bacon (it would be a lovely breakfast wine) to a cheese and charcuterie platter. Chill well. Drink young. $22. www.pizzini.com.au/