Collezione Oro 2022 Asolo Prosecco Superiore DOCG Brut

 

It is that time of the year. It's Bellini time. It's Mimosa time. And it is party time, for which this Aldi seasonal special would be a very good fit, delivering some exceptional quality and value for money as part of a collection that will only be sold until the end of the month. This is pretty classy Prosecco, DOCG rather than entry level DOC, and bursting with fresh, lively white fruit on the palate, with plenty of length on the finish. This is from the under-rated Asolo sub-region of the Veneto, which is perhaps why it delivers so much for so little. $14.99. https://www.aldi.com.au/

Wickhams Road 2023 Yarra Valley Pinot Noir

Another vintage; another superb value pinot noir from Franco d'Anna family at Hoddles Creek. This is the first Wickham's Road pinot to use mainly estate fruit after the d'Annas prepared for the pinot boom by planting another 30 acres of vines. This is, as it always is, one of the best wine bargains in the country, particularly if your tastes extend to paler pinots full of varietal character and charm. This is a lovely summer wine, one you could easily chill for a bit on a warm summer day. There is 20% whole bunches in the ferment to give spice and tannin structure and the blend spends about 20 days on skins. It is bottled without fining or filtration. Pair with picnics, salads, or just about anything summery. $20. https://www.hoddlescreekestate.com.au/    

Feudo Arancio 2022 Inzolia

Inzolia is a white wine grape that originates from Sicily and is sometimes also known as ansonica in Tuscany. Feudo Arancio "Orange Farm" is a Sicilian label that is part of the Trentino-based Mezzacorona group that is known for offering excellent value. Night harvesting and cool fermentation play key roles in producing a white wine that is perfect for affordable summer enjoyment with lashings of fresh stone fruit flavours, minerality and dryness on the finish, along with just a hint of varietal nuttiness. Very fresh and full of palate drive, you could happily pair this with Christmas seafood dishes. Imported by Single Vineyard Sellers. $20. 

Turkey Flat 2023 Rosé

For as long as I can remember, this has been one of Australia's best-value rosé wines; a perennial favourite and a quintessential summer source of vinous refreshment. This is a Barossa grenache rosé, with a splash of mataro, and it is very light on its feet and a perfect picnic wine with fresh aromatics and lively fruit flavours. It is crisp and dry with lashings of berry notes, hints of spice and bright acid. Drink this one in its youth, and enjoy it well chilled. An ideal aperitif given its youthful verve and great with Lebanese food. Can often be found on special, too. $25. https://www.turkeyflat.com.au/    
 

Crittenden 2021 Kangerong Chardonnay

 

Rollo Crittenden is making some very fine wines on the Mornington Peninsula. I had decided to review his complex and intense 2021 The Zumma Chardonnay ($65) - a very impressive drop - but a few days later I tried the 2021 Kangerong Chardonnay and was even more impressed. First, let me warn you: this is a wine with a serious evaporation problem. I was certain I had only had a couple of sips, but the bottle was two-thirds empty. The fruit comes from the family farm and this is just a little bit more accessible than The Zumma - and a tad more affordable. There are citrus and white stone fruit characters on both the nose and palate with some appealing minerality and bright acid. Lovely stuff - and it would be great with a Christmas turkey. $55. https://www.crittendenwines.com.au/

Elderton 2020 Command Single Vineyard Shiraz

 

There are times when you need a big, bold, serious Barossa shiraz. This is that beast; a signature Barossa wine that is all about intense concentration and depth of flavour. Old fashioned values, perhaps, but this wine is also nicely poised with all its elements in the right places. Quality fruit has been matured in new French and American oak, going through malo and cellar maturation prior to release. This has power, for sure, but also the structure to cellar for decades should that be your preference. Right now there are "look at me" plum and spicy notes, and it would pair with a steak and kidney casserole. An excellent gift from a reliably excellent producer for a lover of old school wines with a modern twist. $140. https://eldertonwines.com.au/

South Point Estate 2023 Sauvignon Blanc

 
Party season is right around the corner - and if you are looking for a decent drink at a ludicrously low price then this one is well worth checking out. Few wine styles say "summer fun" like a chilled  sauvignon blanc - and this one delivers fresh, lively varietal flavours (think tropical fruit salad and citrus) with zingy acidity. Be aware there is actually no place called South Point, and no South Point Estate vineyard - the fruit source is described as "South Eastern Australia - but this is a wine produced for the Aldi supermarket chain that is ideal for enjoying with everything from canapes to fish and chips. It is clean, crisp and fun - and absurdly priced at $4.99. How they do it for that price, I have no idea, but you should snap some up quickly.