How to choose the best cheap wine

WANT to find a bargain bottle, every time? It’s the weekend, so here’s our essential guide to picking up the perfect vintage at a bargain price.

A view of a family preparing to eat lunch together outdoors

IT’S the weekend, and you’re looking for the perfect bottle to impress your friends, without spending too much money on those drunken freeloaders.

Luckily for us cheapskates, there are a few tricks to help you find the most delicious wine at bargain prices.

LOOK FOR MISTAKES

Sydney-based Master of Wine Rob Geddes says you need to look for accidentally cheap rather than intentionally cheap wine.

“With the intentional stuff, you get what you pay for,” he told news.com.au

But large retailers always need large amounts of wine to sell, so if there’s a hiccup or they get their numbers wrong, “all sorts of joy can befall the consumer.”

Look for larger, well-known stores rather than the most convenient stop-off on your way home from work. Big brands such as Liquorland, Dan Murphy’s and Cellarbrations are likely to have the best accidental deals. But don’t let them blindside you ...

STAY FOCUSED

“These destinations look to bewilder people when they get in stores,” says Geddes, who has just produced the 33rd edition of his Australian Wine Vintages guide. “To get value, have a shopping list, focus and don’t be distracted.”

Just because a wine is on special, doesn’t mean it’s a great buy.

“Pay as much as you can afford,” says Geddes. “$40 reduced to $20 will be much better than $20 reduced to $10.”

Do your research. If you know the varieties, regions, wineries and grapes you like, you won’t end up with an embarrassingly bad bottle.

A focused approach to wine will mean a great drink, every time.

WORK OUT WHAT YOU LIKE

“The way to learn about wine is to drink a few bottles,” says Geddes, who tastes more than 3000 wines a year. “Do you like an Orange Chardonnay, a Barossa cabernet? Have a sense of what pleases you and shop around.”

If in doubt, stick with big brands and the “big four” — Shiraz, cabernet, Chardonnay and riesling — and buy local.

BUT DON’T BE CLOSE-MINDED

Some of the best deals can be found on varieties that other shoppers are uncertain about.

“The public is still very conservative,” Geddes explains.

Australians tend to be suspicious of blended wine, but he’s a big fan of blends including Shiraz Grenache Mourvedre (“we have the oldest Grenache on the planet”) and Sauvignon Semillon Blanc (“a fabulous alternative to that noxious New Zealand sauvignon blanc.”)

In fact, Geddes sees Semillon as Australia’s “greatest unknown”, a light, low-calorie alternative to sauvignon blanc.

“Nowhere else on the planet does it achieve the greatness it does in NSW.”

Chardonnay is back with a bang, there are a lot more good Chardonnays out there”, while “this Pinot gris and Pinot Grigio thing is going to run quite a long way.”

The difference? It’s the same variety, but gris is richer, while Grigio is lean. Geddes is also keen on Shiraz Durif, an affordable inland variety found in areas including the Murray River and Griffith.

A LITTLE MORE EXOTIC

While Geddes loves to buy local, more unfamiliar European varieties can offer great bargains. From Italy, there’s Barbera, Sangiovese, Vermentino and Geddes’ favourite Nero d’Avola. From France, there’s Petit Verdot, with notes of blackcurrant and beetroot to make your “barbecue go bang”.

And Spanish tempranillo is increasingly popular among Australians because we’re “used to the flavours”.

TIMING IS EVERYTHING

If you’re looking for something affordable, stop worrying about age.

“These wines are reasonably perishable,” says Geddes. “Most are bottled ready to drink. Some varieties tire at different speeds, however. Sauvignon Blanc tires quickly, Semillon and riesling are stayers.”

Sparkling wine is also bottled ready to drink, but can hang around for a while.

With Rose, the market shelf-life is very short, from August to August each year, but older Rose can be perfectly enjoyable. June is a good time to buy, as stores want their stock to move, and the end of the financial year is an excellent time to snap up deals everywhere.

LET YOUR FINGERS DO THE WALKING

The internet is an increasingly good way to find specials and great value. Have some idea of what you like and then search by region.

“There are too many grapes and wine producers in Australia, so there’s a lot of pressure to sell,” says Geddes.

“There are still companies out there making very good wine you won’t see in every shop that’s very good value.”

MAJOR NO-NOS

Geddes’ pet hates include corks, excess packaging and big bottles. He is suspicious of brands that make claims about being natural, organic and preservative-free, with some exceptions, such as carbon-neutral, organic winery Temple Bruer.

If you think you might save by going for spirits, you’re wrong. The brands are retaining their margins and big retailers are getting smarter at buying. “There are no bargains in spirits,” says Geddes.

Better stick with the wine, then.

Always drink responsibly. Look up local alcohol advice services on the Government website, or find information and support at Drinkwise Australia. and ReachOut.

Order Rob Geddes’ book at www.australianwinevintages.com.au.