Star Wine of the Week...
19/20
5 stars
2016 Domaine de Sainte Cécile Chardonnay $17.99
Talk about impressive. These big, creamy beautiful flavours from southern France come together in a fresh Chardonnay from the sun drenched Languedoc, which winds its way around the Mediterranean coast where the climate provides consistent warmth for grapes to ripen into deliciously flavoursome drops such as this one with its rich peachy flavours and its long, smooth finish. Outstanding value for money.
17.5/20
4 stars
2016 Vino Tinto Altacena Tempranillo $15.99
Spanish red is hot, in more ways than one. This smooth and fruity red is made from the country’s most popular grape, Tempranillo, grown at high altitude in Manchuela DO, a wine growing area in Castile-La Mancha in central Spain where the days are hot, the nights are cool and dark fruity flavours shine in this velvety red. It’s an approachable red for winter and summer.
18.5/20
5 stars
2016 Yalumba Y-Series Tempranillo $11.99
South Australia and Spain have more than a little in common when it comes to wine; Tempranillo thrives in both places thanks to the climate. This top drop is super affordable from Yalumba and it tastes dry, juicy and spicy with vibrant fruit forward flavours. It was fermented with wild yeasts and is vegan friendly; as are all Yalumba wines because no animal products are used in the production.
17.5/20
4 stars
Hihi Gizzy Brut Cuvee $11.99
This Gisborne fizz comes with a crown seal and pays homage to the world’s most popular white grape, Chardonnay, which makes up 100% of this big buttery bubbly. It is dry with flavours of fresh bread from time on yeast lees, which add depth and flavour to this great value sparkling wine.
16.5/20
3.5 stars
2016 Castellani Chianti DOCG $12.99
And now for something super dry and savoury; Chianti from Castellani in central Italy’s most famous wine region, Tuscany. If you love savoury spicy flavours, this wine ticks the boxes with its earthy aromas and fresh red fruit tastes. It drinks well on its own and even better with a bowl of tomato-rich pasta.
17.5/20
4 stars
2018 Trapiche Malbec Argentina $11.99
This is an incredibly consistent red from the country once referred to as the wine world’s sleeping giant, namely, Argentina. Dark mocha cocoa and chocolate notes combine with juicy plummy red fruit flavours and a smooth medium body. What more could you ask for? Lovely wine. Great price.
Joelle Thomson is a wine writer, journalist and author. She’s an avid lover of wine and currently writes for Capital magazine, Good magazine, NZ Winegrower, Drinksbiz, and her own site, www.joellethomson.com.
She also teaches, works in radio, and more, so we've enlisted her help to sniff out our amazing value wines!
