There is a specific kind of thrill that comes with an oversized cardboard box arriving on your doorstep, it’s the adult version of a lucky dip, only with significantly more tannins.
My plus one and I were recently invited to take a gamble on the Winemaker’s Selection South Australian Red Mix from Just Wines, a 12-bottle haul that promised a tour of SA’s best dirt.
Let’s be real though, buying a dozen reds for a bargain price is usually a game of Russian Roulette. I wasn’t expecting twelve masterpieces, and I didn’t get them. There were a couple of bottles in there that were more “mid-week pasta sauce” than “cellar showpiece”, but overall? It’s arguably the best value-for-money way to stock a wine rack without crying at the checkout.
The undisputed MVP of the pack was the Byrne Double Pass Shiraz which had been sustainably produced in South Australia’s iconic Riverlands. When you consider a cheeky bottle of this would set you back $20 ordinarily, the inclusion of their bottle in our delicious dozen was a very nice addition. This punchy Shiraz held its own against a late-night platter of Sharp Vintage Cheddar and those fancy rosemary crackers.
Another happy discovery was the Tempus Two Grenache, which is a variety I’m not usually all about. Now, I know the wine purists will come for me, but it was 34 degrees in Melbourne, so I did the unthinkable: I threw it in a bucket of ice and served it with a few cubes. Once chilled, it was the perfect summer red; bright, juicy, and dangerously moreish. I paired it with a spiced pumpkin and honey pizza, and honestly was very happy with my life choices.
Not everything was a sun-drenched success, though. A few of the heavier, “oak-ier” bottles felt a bit like wearing a turtleneck in a sauna given the current heatwave. Those ones have been relegated to the back of the cupboard, tucked away like a secret inheritance for the first rainy Tuesday in June. They’re the kind of “big” reds that need a slow-cooked ragu and a fireplace, not a humid balcony.
But for the price of a few fancy cocktails in the CBD, you too could have a stocked bar and a winter contingency plan. If you’re looking to fill the gaps in your collection without thinking too hard, this mix is a total winner, just keep the ice bucket handy for the Grenache.
– The Plus Ones
