01-05-2025
Taylors Estate, Chateau Tanunda, Little Yering: Sky News suggests 10 wines for $20 or less, with some crackers under $50
Taylors Wines have done it again, winning an international award with a $22 bottle of sauvignon blanc.
The South Australian family winery claimed the trophy for the 'best-of-show' Australia white at the Mundus Vini Grand International Wine Awards in Germany for Taylors Estate Label Sauvignon Blanc 2024.
The wine also collected a gold medal.
It was made by Adam Eggins and his team in the Clare Valley.
It's a jolly quaffer displaying a crisp, zippy palate with flavours of tropical fruit and gooseberry and a lick of honeydew melon.
There is some herbaceousness on the mid-palate, and it finishes with a delicate, cleansing acidity.
Eggins is at the top of his game and has produced a series of trophy winning wines at international shows in recent years.
Taylors Estate Merlot from Clare Valley fruit recently won a trophy and a 'double gold' rating at the San Francisco International Wine Competition.
It is a bargain buy under $20.
Taylors Wines managing director Mitchell Taylor, himself a winemaker, said Australian vintners were working hard to win back a share of the Chinese market after tariffs were lifted a year ago.
'Seeing Australian wines continue to succeed globally at awards such as Mundus Vini is incredibly exciting for not only us here at Taylors, but for the greater Australian wine industry,' he said.
'Following the China tariffs reopening last year, it's been a huge year for the Australian wine industry working to reacquaint the market with our wines. Accolades such as these help shine the spotlight on our wines globally. And they provide us the opportunity to speak about our wines and the stories behind them.'
Mr Taylor spoke as Wine Australia released fresh figures showing a massive jump in sales to China since tariffs were eliminated.
Wine Australia's Peter Bailey said wine exports to China have increased by 41 per cent in value to $2.64 billion in the last 12 months.
The Mundus Vini show is one of Europe's largest international wine shows.
This year 250 wine experts from 55 countries tasted wines from across the world.
More affordable wines were uncovered this week when Dan Murphy's wine merchants released their annual Best in Glass Wine Awards for bottles under $50.
The list contains offerings around the $20 mark - and under.
The two most affordable winners were the Fifth Leg Semillon Sauvignon Blanc ($13+) and Shingleback Red Knot Shiraz ($13).I was pleased to see The Ethereal One Grenache ($18) make the list.
It is a seductive wine made in McLaren Vale by Mark 'Jamo' Jamieson who selects the fruit from up to five different growers.
Chateau Tanunda Chorus Tempranillo Shiraz Grenache ($20+) from the Barossa Valley was also good buy was Little Yering Pinot Noir ($22) from Victoria's Yarra Valley.
Dal Zotto Pucino Prosecco ($23) from the King Valley also made the list from 700-plus wines tasted.
Two other impressive wines were Madfish Gold Turtle Chardonnay ($17) from Margaret River in Western Australia, and K by Krondorf Barossa Cabernet Sauvignon ($14).
Andrew Shedden, Dan Murphy's manager of premium and luxury wines said the best-in-class awards differed from traditional wine show judging.
He said the judges' notes focus less on technical detail and were more about helping drinkers find the right bottle for the right occasion.'Choosing a wine can be intimidating,' he said.
'There is so much choice on the shelves. Without a clear starting point, it can be overwhelming. The best-in-glass awards cut through that.'
International winners include Decoy California Pinot Noir ($50) from Sonoma County.
Its tasting notes describe it as an alluring pinot with aromas of black cherry, wild strawberry, red currant, black tea and sage with rustic hints of 'earthy forest floor'.
On the palate it delivers 'generous ripe berry flavours'.
A shiraz from the Rhone Valley in France Cave De Tain Saint-Joseph Grand Classique ($47) also made the cut.
Other 'best-in-glass' winners included Langmeil Valley Floor Shiraz ($33) Nanny Goat Vineyard Pinot Noir ($41+) from Central Otago in New Zealand, Teusner Joshua Barossa Valley Grenache Shiraz Mourvèdre ($35+) and Xanadu Cabernet Sauvignon ($40+) from the Margaret River.
Red cherries and strawberries are on show in Pizzini Pietra Rossa Sangiovese ($30+) from Victoria's King for chocolaty cherry, blackberry notes in Bleasdale Second Innings Malbec ($19+) from Langhorne Creek.
The best chardonnay under $50 was Oakridge Valley Series Chardonnay ($30) from the Yarra Valley.
There were two attractive at a good price: Tim Adams Pinot Gris ($20) and Chapel Hill The Parson Pinot Grigio ($17).Tasmania dominated the sparkling category.
The best of them were Clover Hill Tasmania Multi Vintage Exceptionnelle ($46), Jansz Tasmania Vintage Cuvée ($49) and Devil's Corner Sparkling Cuvée NV ($27).
