By Keith Newton
From Wine Spectator Oct 31, 2022 issue
Take a journey to find great wine bargains across the Southern Hemisphere, including Wine Spectator’s top value picks from Chile, Argentina, New Zealand, Australia and South Africa in Malbec, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir and beyond. Get the wines, including scores and tasting notes!
This is a reprint from Wine Spectator – you must be a RWAF member to see the rest of the article
“There are plenty of delicious wines to be had on a limited budget—if you know where to look.” -Stephen Collins
Make sure your passports are renewed, because the world of wine awaits. Good luck.
Your budget is limited, but your assignment is clear: You’re on a global mission to find the best wines across the Southern Hemisphere for $30 or less. Where should you begin?
Our wine adventure takes you from continent to continent, into diverse regions where distinctive flavors abound. At every destination, though, the prize is the same: delicious wines at affordable prices. All of the bottlings here rated 89 points or higher on Wine Spectator’s 100-point scale and are made in large enough quantities to be widely available.
CHILE
Chile offers old-vine bottlings of classic Bordeaux varietals such as Cabernet Sauvignon and Carmenère.
Chile traces its modern wine industry back to the late 19th century, when French vintners came looking for a new start after phylloxera devastated their native vineyards. It’s no surprise, then, that the key grapes for Chilean winemakers are French in origin, particularly varieties from Bordeaux. The Left Bank’s leading grape, Cabernet Sauvignon, has become Chile’s signature wine as well, yielding flavorful versions that show both structure and balance.
