Best-value wines under $20 plus splurges

There’s no need to pay a fortune for a good quaffer. Here are 20 of the best budgetpriced reds and whites, plus three bottles for a special occasion

At this time of the year we all need a list of much-better-than-average quaffing wines to help us survive the festive season and thrive during the summer. So here is the annual report from Money showcasing the Australian wine industry’s ability to produce exciting and interesting wines at modest prices. To add some spice to the occasion we have included the obligatory selection of three splurge wines – those worth choosing for special occasions when we want to reward ourselves, our loved ones, or even other people.

There’ll be some familiar wineries on our list this year as well as some newcomers. These companies, and those mentioned in our monthly column, are worth following because of their consistency. There are other large companies that produce budgetpriced wines of quality: Angove, Houghton, Jacob’s Creek, Lindeman’s, Oxford Landing, Yalumba and Wolf Blass.

There are three other things to be said about careful choices and getting the best value for your money. Follow reputable wine writers – those who make their living from giving considered, impartial advice about which wines to buy. Become friendly with a local retailer, consult them regularly so that they get to know your tastes and interests, and buy from them. Build that kind of relationship and you’ll find them offering attractive discounts. Always buy in either six packs or dozen lots to get the best deals. Watch out for 30% discount times, which have become a feature of the offerings of supermarkets.