With over 15 years of experience under his belt, this month’s Wine Merchant edit of ‘the best bang for your buck’ drops is elite.
Hey! Don’t be a wine snob. That’s the advice of this month’s featured Wine Merchant Jamie. Why? “Wine snobbery is to your detriment; too many ‘diamonds in the rough’ are missed when you only consider the price.” With more than 15 years spent in the industry, the Prahran-based Melbourne merchant knows this all too well.
“For very little investment you can easily explore new varieties and regions, or travel the world via a wine glass,” he says. Jamie also adds a handy tip to navigate the (huge) world of wine: start with the back of the label. Seems simple enough, right? “The more information it gives, the better the wine will tend to be; it’s a statement of what they’re proud of and if it sounds interesting, then give the wine a go. Failing that, ask an expert – we love our 'bang for buck' wines as much as the next person and are always happy to steer you in the right direction,” says Jamie.
Good wine can always be affordable, according to Jamie, and quality producers (big and small) work hard to bring value at every price point. “Shopping for well-known brands can take a lot of guesswork out of finding an affordable and tasty wine. These producers know that consistency is key,” he says. In other words, if you’re onto a good thing, you’ll probably love it for years to come, so take note after you’ve taken a sip. Let’s see what Jamie is picking off the shelf this month.
1. Les Trois Clefs Cotes du Rhone
Why should you try it?
Even Jamie admits that “European wine can be a confusing and daunting thing to step into for the first time”, so if you’re constantly staring aimlessly at the wine shelf scratching your head, then don’t despair! “Les Trois Clefs Cotes du Rhone is a perfect gateway wine. It's a versatile red blend that complements food well, but has enough going on to hold its own,” explains Jamie. “If you enjoy the red wines of BarossaorMcLaren ValethenCote du Rhone will spark your interest: an easy and affordable side-step into a whole new world of wine,” he adds.
Tastes like?
This medium-deep drop is bursting with crunchy red and black fruits. “It’s a soft, juicy wine with jubey raspberry, red plum and blackberry and a savoury finish,” Jamie says. This is a great example of a delicious and approachable drop with an undeniable old-world touch that’ll keep you (and your dinner party guests) coming back for more.
Sip it with?
Speaking of dinner parties, Jamie suggests getting on the grill if this wine is on the table. “I’m thinking of grilled meats: pork chops, Korean style, with the touches of sweet and spicy. Or lamb cutlets, dry rubbed in dukkah and served medium rare,” he says. Turns out Jamie is a grill masteranda knowledgeable Dan’s Wine Merchant.
2. Zonin Montepulciano D’Abruzzo
Why should you try it?
Montepulciano is both a grape and a place, but (confusingly) the town of Montepulciano in Tuscany doesn’t actually produce wine with Montepulciano grapes. If you want to try the grape – and we firmly advise you do – you’re better off turning to the stunning region of Abruzzo. This is a style that’s been championed by sommeliers in the restaurant scene because of its compatibility with food, and Jamie says that given its Italian roots, it’s no surprise this red wine is a no-brainer for a Med-inspired menu. “If you love Italian food then you have to try Zonin Montepulciano D’Abruzzo. The Zonin family can trace their winemaking history back to the early 19th century and offer quality wine at affordable prices,” he says.
Tastes like?
“This is a medium-bodied red with splashes of red and black fruits, like black plum and red cherry, with a line of acidity that keeps it all fresh and vibrant. It's the balance that makes this wine sing – and in wine, balance is everything,” explains Jamie.
Sip it with?
According to Jamie, this is a modest wine that’s just asking for a modest meal to be enjoyed alongside it. And what’s more modest than a mid-week spag bol? “Red sauce is a must. I can’t go past a bolognese – make sure you pour yourself a glass while you cook and add a generous glug into your simmering pot,” suggested Jamie. No fuss, all flavour. Just how we like it.
3. Paul Mas Chardonnay
Why should you try it?
Here’s a chardonnay with plenty going for it. “Paul Mas is based out of the south of France and is a world-famous producer known for offering quality wines at affordable prices,” says Jamie. According to him, it’s the process of making this wine that caught his eye (in addition to its great value). “The careful use of oak and malolactic conversion [a process where tart malic acid in wine converts to softer, creamier lactic acid] is impressive. It’s rare to find a wine that demonstrates these layers of complexity at such a good price; sure is a steal this chardonnay!”
Tastes like?
Ripe melon, peach, red apple and grapefruit – all wrapped up in vanilla and cream. “This is rich, powerful and masterfully balanced. Best enjoyed lightly chilled to allow the texture to shine,” suggests Jamie.
Sip it with?
Forget a Coca-Cola at your next movie night – try a glass of this chardonnay with your buttered popcorn instead. “The richness and texture complement each other perfectly. This drop also works beautifully with prawn skewers in garlic butter if you want to be fancy.”
4. Jacob’s Creek Reserve Chardonnay Pinot Noir
Why should you try it?
“Jacob’s Creek is a world-famous Australian brand that makes wines in every variety and style you can think of,” says Jamie. That’s what’s so appealing about this winemaker – they know how to make a drop that everyone can enjoy, including this Reserve Chardonnay Pinot Noir. “Their house style is about approachable, fun and casual wines that everyone from wine newbies to connoisseurs can appreciate. This is an absolute crowd-pleaser. It offers all the hallmark thrills of sparkling wine but at an affordable price,” explains Jamie.
Tastes like?
“Up front and fresh!” says Jamie. “You’ll notice notes of green apple, pear juice and buttered toast as you sip this. There’s also a rush of bubbles, a soft creamy mouthfeel with a dry zesty lemon finish.” The secondary fermentation in the bottle has added a creamy and bready complexity to the wine while retaining those vibrant fruit aromas and flavours, too.
Sip it with?
A zesty wine calls for seafood. Sure, it’s the pairing you hear time and time again, but there’s a reason sparkling wine and seafood are such a dynamic pair. Try it and tell us otherwise. Jamie suggests blinis with salmon and dill if you’re cracking this bottle as a welcome drink. Is there anything better than a dainty blini in one hand and a chilled flute of bubbles in the other the moment you walk into a party? We don’t think so. “Oysters Kilpatrick would go down a treat with this, or even your humble Friday night takeaway fish and chips would be perfect,” says Jamie.
5. Torresella Pinot Grigio
Why you should try it?
“Torresella Pinot Grigio is a refreshing, clean and precise wine that delivers strongly at under $15,” explains Jamie. “Torresella is a part of the Santa Margarita Wine Group, which is a renowned Italian producer known for focusing on Venetian expressions at affordable prices,” he adds. Given this wine hails from a warm and sunny region in northeast Italy, it’s only fitting you can taste sunshine and vibrancy with every sip. Go on, let it transport you.
Tastes like?
“This is a quintessential Italian pinot grigio: a clean and crisp drinking experience with refreshing acidity to follow through. You’ll enjoy subtle notes of pear, yellow peach and green melon,” explains Jamie. He also has a pro tip: if you like your wine a little more fruity, let the bottle come closer to room temperature. “Those ripe stone fruits start to leap out of the glass!”
Sip it with?
“The restrained and high-acidity nature of this wine lends itself to something light and fresh. I would pair salt and calamari, drizzled with lemon, with a side of Mediterranean salad and vinaigrette.” It doesn’t get much better than that!
Reference: https://www.danmurphys.com.au/dans-daily/hit-list/steals-wine-under-15-autumn-2024