Bargain hunting for a canny wine buyer is an overflowing cup. At every price point there are astonishing deals being offered in grocery, traditional liquor and the online channel.
The good news is that almost all of the wine sold in New Zealand is of a high international standard. Even the cheapest wine available at the end of your grocery aisle is almost certainly going to be clean, well made and perfectly enjoyable. And that’s its role. A simple drink to take the edge off the day or enjoy with a meal.
Of course there will be some exceptions but, at the $9.99 level, few wines will offer any varietal magic – the X factor that sets better wines apart. And an increasing number of the wines from leading New Zealand producers will be international blends using cheap European, Australian or South American juice to keep their brands viable in this very competitive bracket.
Things start to heat up when you hit $12.99. Oak and palate weight will become more evident in the New Zealand chardonnays. Sauvignon blancs and rieslings of real quality become more common. A rare Kiwi pinot gris or two will emerge. Imported reds will start to shine across the board with flavours in the more savoury spectrum. Estate level Hawkes Bay reds become more frequently available. Drinkable pinot noir is yet to make an appearance.
But the real action starts at $14.99. For most New Zealanders $14.99 is a ceiling price. Approximately 80% of us will seldom spend more than that magical figure on a bottle of wine so the wine industry will tie itself in knots to get their wines below that price point to achieve volume sales.
$14.99 is the true bargain hunters nirvana. At that price you will be able to buy 5 star quality anything – with the notable exception, again, of pinot noir. Often wines that traditionally sell in significantly higher price brackets – sometimes $30 plus - will be discounted by distributors or producers so retailers can hit the $14.99 price point. You will find reserve quality chardonnay. Lush and layered sauvignon blanc. Expressive pinot gris. Quality riesling. Savoury Hawkes Bay reds. An avalanche of imported red varietals. It’s truly a buyers sandpit and a great place to play.
Like any retail industry there are more frogs than princes so the trick is to navigate the deals available to ensure you get the best bang for your buck at the price point you choose. Cheap and good is one thing. Cheap and nasty is another.
John 'Mac' Macpherson is the owner of Advintage Wine Warehouse, Havelock North, Hawkes Bay and regularly writes about wine for local publications.
There are tons of great wine deals available at all price points right now at www.advintage.co.nz.
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