Off the vine: Affordable action

The affordable end of the market can often be a migraine roulette – one wrong sip and you're bucket-deep in a five-star hangover. However, genuine bargains have been steadily emerging thanks to the current wine glut.

Not to be mistaken with the physically challenging beer gut, a wine glut in fact refers to a period of time in which excess grape juice is floating around waiting to be rehoused. As increasingly desperate wine producers try to offload additional wine, enthusiastic drinkers reap the benefits of discounts, in-store and online.

Wine to drink from a tumbler
Yalumba Galway Shiraz 2008 This has some decent structure for a wine often found on heavy discount. It offers a combo of red berry and mocha. Juicy and smooth, it can cope with pasta, pizza and barbecue foods. Around $10. From Vintage Direct

Sneaky sips
Long Flat Chardonnay 2008 This wine shows fresh melon/peach flavours and though it's a bit colour-by-numbers, is ultimately bright, fresh and satisfying. It also comes in a handy rectangular one-litre tetra-pak so storage is easy. Usually under $10. From Dan Murphy's

Cult red
Mike Press Adelaide Hills Shiraz 08 Whoa! This is the kind of wine that sends shockwaves through wine circles for its value-to-size ratio. Clanks around with muscular, dark berries and stewed plum fleshiness. Around $12. From Mike Press Wines

Cheap fizz
Redbank Emilys Pinot Chardonnay NV A surprisingly good Aussie sparkling, the wine shows squeaky-clean fruit, sprightly acidity and an overall freshness usually reserved for fancier wine. Practical for Bellinis, Kir Royales and "Champagne" cocktails too. Around $10. From Best Cellars

Big name, few dollars
Three Brothers Reunited Shiraz 08 Winemaker Ben Riggs sure seems to crop up in a lot of places and I often wonder how he can make so many wines. Midas touch at play, or maybe just a sprinkle of fairy dust in the winery? No matter: this is an impressive, plush wine with loads of juicy blackberry fruit, depth of flavour and a perky, spicy finish. Around $10. From Vintage Direct

Date night special
Taylors Promised Land Shiraz Cabernet 2007 As date night looms why not suggest a night on the couch, a block of dark chocolate and this handy wine? This has enough dusty tannin and sweet spice to complement the chocolate, yet has enough warm glow to spark off some luuuurve. Around $12. FromJacks Wine (1300 794 630 www.jackswine.com.au)

Random party guest red
Wirra Wirra Scrubby Rise Red 2007 Keeping the budget down yet looking like you're being reasonably generous to a host is a fine art. The wine bottle looks good, while the wine itself has a serious inky colour, comes from a prestige winery and punches above its weight in flavour. Around $13.Vintage Cellars, various locations. (1300 366 084 www.vintagecellars.com.au)

Best attempt at sophistication
Auka Malbec (Argentina) 2007 Hey, it's imported, so it must be good, right? While Europe swims in South American wine, Australia is just coming to grips with the generous, affordable styles. This has big mocha and mulberry fruit with ample mouthfeel. Crying out for hunks of meat at around $11. From Combined Wines

Feel good for less
Shaw Vineyard Estate Laughter Series Cabernet Sauvignon 08 Eye-damaging packaging aside, this cheery red has blackberry fruit and firm tannins with a cool reserve beyond its price point. Elegance normally doesn't come at around $11 a bottle and some proceeds end up with children's charity Camp Quality.From Shaw Vineyards. (02 6227 5827 www.shawvineyards.com.au)

Hands down value for money
Yalumba ‘Y' Series Sauvignon Blanc 2008 Sauvignon blanc can be insipid at this price point and is usually no more than bastardised cordial. However, this wine consistently shows as one of the cleanest, crispest, moreish white wines under $10 on the market. It's packed full of tropical fruit and citrusy acidity at around $8. From Shortys Liquor

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