Budget wines for the New Year chill
Helen Coburn debunks the myth that it's impossible to find a decent wine for under a tenner by highlighting a wide selection of purse-friendly treats
Print16 January 2012
A lot of people say you can’t get a decent wine for under a tenner. Actually, you can; which is a very good thing, because in the aftermath of Christmas, such wines may be the only ones which keep the show on the road until the run up to St Valentine’s and following St Patrick’s Day. We tasted the wines during 2011 and revisted several of them at the very end of the year, when new vintages began to arrive from the New World. All deliver well on price but although most hover around €9 retail, some can be spotted here and there for less. This suggests that there are deals to be done and retailers should press their suppliers for decent discounts on their buys.
Whites
Faustino VII Rioja 2010 (Gleeson Gilbey €9). From viura grape, this is elegant stuff, perfect as a chilled aperitif and with baked cod or monkfish.
Villa Maria Sauvignon Blanc NZ 2010/11 (Barry & Fitzwilliam €9). More restrained style, with refreshing streak. Drink with salads or pork.
Ferngrove Leaping Lizard Sauvignon Semillon W. Australia 2010 (Classic Drinks €9.99). We mentioned this at Christmas and it’s a great value bet for New Year wallet tightening. Overdelivers in classic style; good with chicken, pork and fish.
Cono Sur Bicycle Chardonnay Chile 2009 (Findlater €9). Very decent length, with some elegant citrus and hints of apricot. Weighty enough for roast white meats.
Errazuriz Sauvignon Blanc Chile 2011 (Cassidy, €9). Zesty flavours of lime and gooseberry; lovely with salmon salad and pan fried prawns.
Hazy View Chenin Blanc South Africa 2011 (Taserra €8). Refreshing green apple flavours make this perfect with boiled bacon, vegetable dishes and light quiches.
Reds
Corsolino Toscana IGT 2008 (Searson €9). Made from sangiovese, this Tuscan shows decent varietal character for the price, with tasty lifted cherry flavours. The 2009 will replace this shortly.
Faustino VII 2008 (Gleeson Gilby €9). This big brand Rioja still shows style in its summer fruit and slightly leathery spice flavours. Lovely winter warmer.
Casillero del Diablo Cabernet Sauvignon 2009 (Irish Distillers €9). Decent fruit concentration and structure for the money; great Chilean all rounder which has always tended to overdeliver on price.
Borsao Campo de Borja 2010 (Searson €9) We’ve mentioned this Spaniard before, but its hearty red fruits make it perfect for winter casseroles, meat pies or just sipping by the fire.
Campo Viejo Crianza 2009 (Irish Distillers €9). Often trumpeted as the best value Rioja, the soft fruits, just touched with coconut, make this perfect for game and cheese.
Carmen Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2009 (Dillons €10). This varies a bit in retail price; it’s part of a range which delivers really well and the cabernet has very decently concentrated blackcurrant fruit which makes it good with all red meats.
Casillo de Benizar Tempranillo Spain 2011 (Taserra €8). Simple but tasty summer fruit and plum flavour; sound everyday wine for a shepherd’s pie or grilled steak.
Sweets under €12
Fancy a New Year sweet treat that’s worth the money? Try Kracher Auslese 2008 from Austria. A blend of chardonnay with just a little welschriesling, this is a nicely balanced desset wine which is €11.50 for a half bottle (Searson). If you are still watching the alcohol levels after all that seasonal excess, get hold of a half bottle of Innocent Bystander Pink Moscato 2011 for just €7.99 (Liberty). At only 5% alcohol, it offers well balanced grapey flavours, in delightful pink hue, with busy bubbles. And despite what the purists say about the benefits of the tulip glass, this bubbly looks great in the old fashioned saucer style.
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