(Left to right) Sam, Peter & Tom Barry of Jim Barry Wines. Jim Barry Wines (Matt Turner)

There are so many Aussie wines that over-deliver in the AUD $25-and-under price-range, it’s hard to stop at 10. So this list is far from definitive, and I could have filled it up with 10 Clare Valley rieslings, but instead I’ve tried for some sort of balance.

We can see at a glance that there’s great value inexpensive red in McLaren Vale, just as there is in Clare riesling.

What’s perhaps less predictable is that there are some great values in Margaret River and Yarra Valley, if you know where to look.

Jim Barry Watervale Riesling 2024, Clare Valley

The Barry family make many riesling wines, but year after year they manage to field this superb wine that always tastes like a more expensive bottle. Deliciously limy and appetisingly crisp on the finish. (AUD $23)

Blackstone Paddock Limited Release Chardonnay 2023, Margaret River

A highly regarded but secret Margaret River winery produces both the chardonnay and cabernet under this Aldi label which regularly taste like much dearer bottles. (AUD $20). (Also the Blackstone Paddock Cabernet Sauvignon 2022, Margaret River – AUD $20)

De Bortoli Deen De Bortoli Vat 5 Botrytis Semillon 2021, Riverina (375ml)

This plays little brother to De Bortoli’s famous Noble One and in some wine shows we notice it has actually out-scored Noble One. In other words, it’s of a similar level of quality. Probably it’s the wine that doesn’t make it into Noble One, which suggests De Bortoli have access to a lot of botrytis semillon. Beautiful, luscious ‘sticky’. (AUD $17)

Lake Breeze Bernoota Shiraz Cabernet 2022, Langhorne Creek

For as long as we care to remember, this shiraz cabernet blend has been an outstanding value red. The Follett family winery produces value across the board, but this one also ticks the sub-$25 box. (AUD $22)

Shingleback Red Knot Grenache Shiraz Mourvèdre 2023, McLaren Vale

There is now a ‘reserve’ level of Red Knot, named Classified (at AUD $25), but this baby still delivers surprising flavour for a paltry outlay. Shingleback is now owned by Endeavour Group, so shop for it at Dan Murphy’s or BWS. (AUD $13)

St Hallett Faith Shiraz 2023, Barossa

Named after the Faith Lutheran College in Tanunda, where they even teach wine studies, this evergreen shiraz is typically Barossan and drinks so well young, it’s almost beside the point to mention it also takes some age well. (AUD $24)

Tahbilk Marsanne 2024, Nagambie Lakes

Tahbilk has made the marsanne grape its own, and you can find it just about everywhere, it’s so well distributed. Lovely and fresh when young, it also rewards a bit of aging with delicious honey and toast flavours. (AUD $22)

Vickery Watervale Riesling 2024, Clare Valley

The Watervale has Two Merits in The Real Review Wine Classification of Australia and has for many years been one of the best values in Australian white wine. It’s a classic style that’s ready to drink on release and also ages remarkably well. (AUD $24) (And Vickery Eden Valley Riesling 2024 – AUD $24)

Wickhams Road Yarra Valley Chardonnay 2024

The D’Anna family of Hoddles Creek Estate run a lean, mean operation and grow a lot of their own fruit, which enables them to deliver some great value Yarra and southern Victorian wines. These really are the high bar for value in the Yarra. Bright, fresh and fruit-driven. (AUD $20) (Also the various Wickhams Road pinot noirs, also AUD $20)

Wirra Wirra Church Block Cabernet Shiraz Merlot 2022, McLaren Vale

For decades this has been a go-to everyday McLaren Vale red. Plush fruit, medium bodied, immediate drinkability. (AUD $25)