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The best wines to drink and buy right now
With the plethora of wine choices out there, it’s difficult to decide which bottle to pour. Thankfully, we’ve consulted the experts and selected 48 bottles you won’t want to miss this year. (And if you fancy even more wine treats,turn to our Food & Drink section.) By Dorothy So
Those who are just getting into the wine game are spoilt for choice. In particular, look to Spain and Argentina for offerings that are bright, balanced and easy on the palate.
2009 Tall Trees Shiraz Limestone Coast, Australia
The 2008 vintage won this year’s Best Value Wine & Spirits competition by the China Wine Awards. The 2008 has already sold out but you can still try the 2009 , which has berries on the nose as well as a soft, tannic structure. A great standalone sipper, especially at this price point. Adelaide Cellar Door, suite 801, 8/F, Tai Yau Bldg, 181 Johnston Rd, Wan Chai, 2526 0151; $86.
2010 Ant Moore Pinot Gris Marlborough, New Zealand
An amazing, value-for-money find. This wine boasts a medium, creamy body and a crisp, dry finish. The complexity is due to a three-batch fermentation process. Add in notes of ripe pear and stone fruits and you have something worth cracking open at the dinner table. Secret Ingredient, 32-34 Tai Ping Shan St, Sheung Wan, 2108 4000; www.secretingredient.com.hk. $179.
2007 Blackbilly Chardonnay Adelaide Hills, Australia
Made in the Adelaide Hills, this Blackbilly chardonnay boasts deliciously fresh and fruity aromas. Part of the barrel fermentation is carried out in new French oak, which imparts additional flavours and aromas to the wine. Blackbilly continues to churn out great value wines like the 2007 vintage so keep an eye out for other offerings from this winery. Cuvées, www.cuvees.com. $200.
2009 Ottoventi Punto 20 Sicily, Italy
The Nero d’Avola grapes used in this wine are grown in a vineyard in Valderice, Sicily. The wine is aged in toasted French oak barrels, which adds a slightly smoky and bitter touch to the overall bouquet. The bottle also exhibits flavours of plum and dark cherries. There’s also a delicious white grillo wine (the Ottoventi Punto 8), available at Yardbird. Cuvées, www.cuvees.com. $145.
2009 Buehler Cabernet Sauvignon California, USA
So this is slightly over the $250 mark but Buehler wines – including this full-bodied cab – are still known for being close to 20 percent less expensive than their peers in the surrounding areas. The 2009 vintage displays plenty of black fruit and a structured, tannic frame. Golden Gate Wines, suite 1006, 10/F, Tai Yau Bldg, 181 Johnston Rd, Wan Chai, 2891 8181; www.goldengatewine.com. $264.
2009 Quinto do Crasto Douro Douro, Portugal
Portuguese wines are beginning to garner more attention in this city and for good reason too. A lot of bottles from this country – like this 2009 douro – are of exceptional quality and are also excellent value for money. Let this wine breathe a little out of the bottle and it’ll reveal its full potential. The Flying Winemaker, 31 Wyndham St, Central, 2522 2187; www.eddiemcdougall.com. $225.
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