Two Australian wines for under €10: A refreshing Sauvignon Blanc and an earthy Cabernet Sauvignon

Two wines from Aldi this week. Their Specially Selected Marlborough Sauvignon costs a euro more than their Freeman’s Bay Marlborough but is worth the extra expenditure. I would also rate it above their Chilean Sauvignon Blanc.

When we think about Australian wine, we tend to think of rich ripe Shiraz from the Barossa Valley or McLaren Vale. Yet the Aussies produce some very fine Cabernet Sauvignon. The best regions are probably Coonawarra and Margaret River, although other areas, such as the Barossa Valley can produce some very good wines too. The Cabernet below is a blend of wines from Coonawarra and Barossa.

Specially Selected Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2022

Abv 12%, €9.99

Aromatic with refreshing mango and kiwi cut through with a streak of lime zest. A good aperitif, with spicy prawn dishes or mild goat’s cheese salads.

Specially Selected Australian Cabernet Sauvignon 2021

Abv 14.5%, €9.99

Ripe cassis and plums with some drying tannins and an earthy touch. Try it with barbecued red meats or a grilled ribeye steak.