Best Wines Under $50

Outstanding! We gave it 97 on our tasting panel, and shortly thereafter, this picked up a trophy at the Hunter Boutique Wine Show. This is a medium bodied, aromatic Rhone style, with purple and blue fruits, smoky notes, redcurrant panna cotta, mulberry, black pepper, and violets. Loads of spice here, purple flowers and more. Gorgeous, and captivating, both aromatically and on the palate. Learn More

Its bigger than Pinot, and of course has a different flavour profile, but in the UK plenty of punters who drink Pinot are equally enamoured of Bardolino. 'But it is made from the same grapes as Amarone', we hear you say. It is, and Bardolino is only half an hour from that region, but the wines are altogether brighter and far more delicate than you'll find there. This Bardolino sees about 6 months in oak, followed by some time in tank prior to bottling – red fruits and violet form the nose. It is red fruity, pulpy and fleshy and finishes tight and dry, with excellent length, minerality, plenty of acid and fine tannins. Drink it with rich meaty dishes or oily fish. Definitely a food wine and absolutely worth decanting. Learn More

Bright tropical fruits with guava and green mango melding with apple and a citric acid zing. A little skin contact is allowed during ferment to encourage texture and ferment is completed in concrete eggs. Planted in in 1992, the Hoopers had their first vintage in '96, eventually achieving organic and biodynamic certification in 2005. Their entire operation is off grid. Learn More

A beautiful and fragrant mid-weight Limestone Coast blend of Shiraz and Cabernet. Cape Jaffa have a knack for making wines that are gloriously drinkable on release and improve, maybe not for 20 years, but for 5+ minimum. This offers, spice, florals and red fruit in abundance, which then leads to darker fruits, a litle cedar and a fine tannin finish. We love it. Learn More

Carlos Serres is a bit of an OG - one of the few Rioja producers with a century of winemaking behind them. Carlos was actually named Charles, a French Winemaker who left Bordeaux, fed up with dealing with phylloxera riddled vineyards, landing in Spain. He founded the first winery in Rioja with export certification and applied French winemaking techniques to Rioja fruit. Pretty soon, there was a demand for Rioja in the rest of Europe and the US.

Carlos Serres Crianza is 100% Tempranillo and spends 14 months in a combo of French and American oak. Being 'Crianza', the wine has spent a year in barrel, and another on bottle prior to release. Typically aged in older oak, Crianza can have quite assertive tannins and fruit which is intense whilst retaining great freshness. This is a particularly good example, packed with red fruits, cherries, spice, oak and nervy acidity.

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Carlos Serres is a bit of an OG - one of the few Rioja producers with a century of winemaking behind them. Carlos, actually named Charles, was a French Winemaker who, fed up with dealing with phylloxera riddled vineyards, left Bordeaux and wound up in Spain. He founded the first winery in Rioja with export certification and applied French winemaking techniques to Rioja fruit. Pretty soon there was a demand for Rioja in the rest of Europe and the US.

Young and fresh but nonetheless intense, owing to the very low yields from the 2022 vintage. Fresh red and black fruits here, along with liquorice and a hint of vanilla. Zippy fruit and relatively high tannins make this a great match for protein.

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Expressive and fruit driven, this Barbera from Asti in Piedmont is deep, juicy and intense, stopping just short of being rich, though that will come with age. Fruit comes from estate vines grown in the Piedmont sub region of Asti, perhaps the best place in the world to grow Barbera. Specifically, the vines are on the slopes of the San Marzano hills. This wine is made in tiny quantities and is of exceptional quality. After a quick decant wonderful red fruits, violets, cherries, florals, earth, coffee and other goodies emerge. Wonderful now (though needs decanting, and will age beautifully. Learn More

A modern style of shiraz with ripe fruit and well apportioned. high quality oak given just enough opportunity to make its point without dominating the argument. The fruit here is old vine blues and blacks, with suggestions of herbs, liquorice and cedar. It is finished with beautifully fine tannins. Stunning. Learn More

Offering mouthfuls of dark plum, juicy blackberries and a touch of dark cherry pie, this is a seductive classic Clare Shiraz. Delve into aromas of spiced plums, dark chocolate, and smooth oak. This powerful yet elegant drop is sure to please with smooth, fine tannins. Given some time in the glass, it will really open up. Grab a bottle, pour a glass (or two!), and warm your bones beside the fire of this Shiraz/Dark Side of the Moon. Enjoy! Learn More

Aromatic and laden with green apple and citrus, sherbet and fruit tingle, this is an excellent prosecco. The palate is textural and (within specs) has good mouthfeel. Consider pairing with a plate of something spicy! Learn More

Pale with fresh lime citrus zest, grapefruit and more. Tightly wound yet with exceedingly generous fruit and minerality. Just a whisker sweeter than dry. Perfect with slightly spicy dishes. Learn More

A beautifully fragrant Grenache packed to the gunnels with bright and delicious red fruits, spice and lip tingling acidity. Awesome with a range of savoury dishes, especially crispy pork. Learn More