Supermarket wine specials galore
Supermarket wine sales that offer huge discounts, great bargains or super specials are very tempting, but the constant cost-cutting of major brands begs the question of the real price of a wine.
Popular brands such as Selaks can usually be found somewhere on special for between $8.98 and $12.98, while its recommended retail price sits around $17 or $18. The same applies to Montana Classics and Villa Maria Private Bin. Wine buyers waltz down supermarket aisles and rarely give these brands a second glance when at full price. Consequently, for these brands to be offered as specials, they should be under $10 - or we need to redefine the word "special".
Too many consumers find the wine with the biggest price reduction and grab a bottle, without taxing their grey matter at all - but a cautionary tale follows. Montana South Island Pinot Noir "normally" sells for around $19, so I was tempted to buy a bottle of the 2008 vintage for $8.98 recently, as I've enjoyed previous releases. Sadly, it was rather tired and unappealing, and worth, well, about $8.98, actually. The same outlet had slashed the price of the Montana Reserve Marlborough Pinot Noir - from well over $20 to $11.98 - and this was the real bargain. Its rich, cherry fruit flavours show some muscle and persistence.
Also, cheap does not always mean cheerful. I have a friend who will drink almost anything - and frequently does. But even he draws the line at the Obikwa range from South Africa.
Corbans White Label is a sensible option for those on a strict budget and I recently found the White Label 2009 sauvignon blanc at an affordable $5.98. It was cheerful enough to be good value.
However, for a real bargain buy, read on. At the Royal Easter Show Wine Awards held recently in Auckland, the judges awarded gold medals to three Villa Maria Private Bin white wines from the exciting 2009 vintage. All three have been easy to find for under $10 of late, so a taste-test seemed essential. I shared the Villa Maria 2009 riesling with several people and it was universally praised. Even the riesling doubters became believers after enjoying its vibrant, citrus flavours that finish with an enticing lick of honey.
The 2009 gewurztraminer displays all the desirable lychee, ginger and tropical aromatics, plus a rich yet clean-cut mouthful of gently spiced fruit.
Our chardonnays are highly rated overseas and the Villa Maria 2009 shows why. It comes in an elegant, mouthfilling package that is already delicious drinking.
When I began this column back in 1066 ( a slight exaggeration), Babich regularly got name-checked for its consistency, quality and affordability. Its cheeky little range of red, savvy and chardonnay shows that some things never change. This is a tasty line-up of well-made quaffers for under $10.
Fortunately, other things vinous do change. Church Road has always enjoyed a good reputation, but seemed to be resting on its laurels until a few years ago - but no more. The chardonnay is now weighty and complex, while the gold medal 2008 merlot cabernet is an intense and elegant blend that offers great value at its typical discount price of around $15-$16.
With an innovative and snazzy label designed by fashion house Zambesi and rave reviews for its 2009 sauvignon blanc, Invivo is a new brand with a bright future. This beautifully scented and velvety savvy is a beauty and Terry Parkes is currently pouring it at his Table restaurant. It is also available at New World for $17.99 - not on special, but a special wine nonetheless.