Astica Sauvignon Blanc/Semillon 2006
Mendoza $7.95 (359083)
This is a quite delicious, medium-bodied white that lives up to Argentina's reputation for good value wines. It'll be popular poured as a sipping wine before a meal or to drink with grilled white fish and seafood, especially shrimps and scallops)-and especially if you're adding a squeezing of lemon. It's got zesty citrus (lemon, lime, grapefruit) and grassy flavours from the Sauvignon Blanc and a slightly creamy texture from the Semillon. (RP)
Funky Llama Shiraz 2005
Mendoza $10.15 (614685)
Quite a few Chilean wineries keep llamas around, and while the crias (as baby llamas are called) are pretty cute, adults are not the most attractive animals. Appropriately, this Shiraz is best drunk young. It's medium bodied, with bright, fresh, red fruit flavours of cherry and plum, along with some notes of black pepper and spice. It's dry with light tannins, and it has a tangy texture. It's just made for barbecued or broiled red meats. (RP)
Banrock Station Unwooded Chardonnay 2006
South Eastern Australia $11.25 (455022)
You will experience pure fruit-driven aromas and flavours with nary a hint of oak influence in this light to medium-textured, excellent value white. You will enjoy nectarine and ripe pear flavours, great balance and a medium-length finish. Lovely to relax with after the kids are in bed or paired to a late night snack - tortilla chips topped with chicken and cheese. (VH)
Cookoothama Chardonnay 2005
Victoria $14.00 (619403)
One of those 'outside the square' wines that was lovely. It has a gorgeous, almost creamy, texture, vibrant flavours of spice, desiccated coconut and ripe, sweet tropical fruit. The finish is smooth as satin and full of fruit. Don't know how they managed this from cooler climate Victoria, but they did and they did it well. You could match it to chicken, but it's very good on its own. (VH)
Hardys 'Reserve' Cabernet Sauvignon 2005
Australia $14.15 (24612) 1 Litre Tetra
This is what they have been doing in Australia for years, putting decent wine in Tetra pak or 'casks'. How difficult a concept is that? Light to medium bodied, this offers rich dark berry fruit with a warm finish. Straight forward and easy drinking, it offers sensible packaging for taking on a trip and for folks concerned with the environment, hopefully that includes everyone. At a very good price, given this is 1 Litre. (VH)
Lindemans Shiraz 2006
South Eastern Australia $12.15 (145367)
Light and refreshing, it delivers extremely pleasant flavours of ripe strawberries, blueberry jelly and cherry. The mouth feel is smooth and flavours on the finish are aided by a delightful touch of sweetness. This is people and food friendly as it is perfectly balanced without any perceptible tannins or acidity, making it possible to pair to myriad of cuisine types. I suggest roast chicken or a vegetarian stir fry. (VH)
Long Flat Cabernet/Shiraz 2004
South Eastern Australia $10.15 (212373)
This stands up proudly against wines that are half again the price. Use as the wine for your wedding, shower, neighbourhood barbie or any large gathering, especially when you foot the bill. Tangy and fruity, it delivers the full Monty with fruit-forward flavours of field berries and spicy black cherry on a medium-bodied frame with good balance and a long dry finish. Pair it to spicy meat loaf. (VH)
Wolf Blass 'Eaglehawk' Chardonnay 2006
South Eastern Australia $12.05 (686392)
As with most wine from Wolf Blass, this is easy to recommend. The first mouthful is quite an experience as it fills your senses with sweet, yet tangy tropical fruit and citrus flavours that burst upon you. You will enjoy the long fruity finish that offers more of the same along with a generous spicy flavour. Certainly a lot going on here as it punches well beyond its price point. (VH)
Beringer 'Founders' Estate' Chardonnay 2005
California $20.10 (534255)
Oozing the class of fine wine, expect a smoky oaky nose then a huge mouthful of spicy (ginger and cinnamon) tropical fruit flavours that give a medium-bodied and silky smooth texture to this wine. The finish is medium in length and the balance is spot on. Not one of those over-oaked, unfocussed California Chards, but rather one with restraint and sense of elegance. Provides very good value at this price. (VH)
Gallo 'Turning Leaf' Pinot Noir 2005
California $12.15 (669101)
This packs quite a punch for the money. Apparently, the movie 'Sideways' increased the consumption of Pinot Noir considerably. This doesn't need 'Sideways', it's delicious. Expect lovely black plum and rich dark berry fruit flavours plus a hint of earthiness (think of mushrooms) and long sweet cherry flavour on the finish. This matches well to roast chicken or turkey and drinks well on its own. (VH)
Three Thieves 'Bandit' Merlot 2004
California $12.15 (668939) 1 Litre Tetra
You would have to rob the store to get a better deal than this; it works out to around $9.00 per 750 ml bottle. Look for a smooth and silky texture and sweet red berry fruit flavours. A crowd-pleasing wine, it is a simple and straightforward drink-me-now red with no harsh flavours. The Tetra pack is environmentally friendly, light weight, packs easily for trips, is safe for time around the pool and doesn't need a corkscrew. (VH)
Wente Cabernet Sauvignon 2004
Livermore $17.15 (301507)
Livermore is a little known wine region that was first planted in the 1760s by Spanish missionaries. The Wente family followed in the 1840s. Powerful, intense and richly extracted, this full-bodied Cab offers sweet cassis and juicy currant flavours galore. It finishes with mint and mocha for good measure. There are considerable tannins, best to decant for two hours then serve with a T-bone, grilled medium rare. (VH)