Everybody loves a bargain: Three well-priced wines to try

Sometimes one person's bargain is another's special occasion drop. It's all relative. But in a buyer's market for wine, there are bargains for everyone. Probably the most significant factor in assessing a bargain is quality. There's truly cheap wine everywhere, but what's it worth if the stuff in the bottle would be better for stripping paint from the front door? Quality is number one, and if you can obtain wine that offers quality equal to other products at twice the price, you have found a true bargain. Take the Cattier Millesime Brut 2008, for example - it's possibly the best value champagne I've ever seen. At $47 a bottle in a box of six it's a steal.

Dan Murphy's Cleanskin Clare Valley Riesling 2017 $8.99

Score 88

"Cleanskins" were traditionally sold without labels, but this example's smart, informative packaging tells its story. It's Clare riesling offering tangy varietal purity, lemon-lime fruit, estery, floral and spicy characters, good depth and a clean, sustained, tingling finish. Honest regional riesling, dirt cheap. Screw cap; 12 per cent alcohol.

Ageing? Drink over three years.

Stockists include Dan Murphy's stores.

Cattier Millesime Brut 2008 $47-$53

Score 93

For a small, family-owned champagne house, Cattier's NV is admirable. But their '08 vintage is an incredible bargain. Toasty complexity, white flower, stone fruit and citrus on the nose. It flows with seamless, classical champagne flavours, zesty acidity, and a long, bready, nutty aftertaste. Sensational value. Cork; 12.5 per cent alcohol.

Ageing? Drink over three years.

Stockists include Vintage Cellars stores.

DCB Yarra Valley Pinot Noir 2017 $21-$23

Score 91

True regional pinot noir need not break the bank. From respected Yarra winemaker Chris Bendle, this pale pinot has lifted red berry and foresty aromas, fresh and fragrant. It will build complexity, but right now it has real youthful charm, good texture, and lingering, succulent red fruit flavours. Screw cap; 12.9 per cent alcohol.

Ageing? Drink over four years.

Stockists include Boccaccio Cellars, Balwyn (Vic); Balmain Wine Collective, Balmain (NSW).