A simple way to find Australia’s best wines

The sheer number of Australian wines on the market can make choosing a nice bottle a daunting task for anyone.

Consider these mind-boggling numbers:

• James Halliday reviewed 7,500 Australian wines for his latest Wine Companion book
• First Choice Liquor sell 2,000 Australian wines online
• Dan Murphy’s sell 6,300 Australian wines online

I have enough trouble choosing toothpaste from the supermarket shelf, and I’m pretty sure I only had to choose from a few dozen products. So to choose the right wine from several thousand choices sounds outright impossible.

Fortunately there are a few simple ways to narrow the list.

If you’re looking for Australia’s best wines, Langton’s Classification of Australian Wine is a fantastic starting point.

Every few years Langton’s (an auction house for fine wine) compile a list of Australia’s best performing wines. The list is divided into tiers: exceptional (the best of the best), outstanding and excellent. Any wine on this list would make an amazing gift or a perfect bottle to keep for a special occasion.

Most wines with a Langton’s classification also come with a 3-digit price – but there are bargains to be found as well…

Red wines:

• Bowen Estate Cabernet Sauvignon – $28.49 at Dan Murphy’s, $28.50 at First Choice Liquor
• Wynns Black Label Cabernet Sauvignon – $30.39 at Dan Murphy’s, $32.30 at First Choice Liquor
• Katnook Estate Cabernet Sauvignon – $34.19 at Dan Murphy’s, $34.20 at First Choice Liquor (keep an eye out for a price drop to $28.45 at Dan Murphy’s)
• John Duval Plexus Shiraz Grenache Mourvedre – $34.20 at Dan Murphy’s
• Penfolds Bin 28 Kalimna Shiraz – $34.70 at Dan Murphy’s, $34.87 at First Choice Liquor
• Penfolds Bin 128 Shiraz – $34.70 at Dan Murphy’s, $34.87 at First Choice Liquor
• Vasse Felix Cabernet Sauvignon – $35.15 at Dan Murphy’s and First Choice Liquor
• Majella Cabernet Sauvignon – $35.15 at First Choice Liquor, $35.20 at Dan Murphy’s

White wines:

• Petaluma Hanlin Hill Riesling – $20.85 at Dan Murphy’s
• De Bortoli Noble One Botrytis Semillon 375mL dessert wine - $26.90 at Dan Murphy’s, $27.55 at First Choice Liquor
• Leo Buring Leonay Riesling – $31.35 at First Choice Liquor, $32.29 at Dan Murphy’s
• Grosset Springvale Riesling – $36.10 at First Choice Liquor, $37.99 at Dan Murphy’s
• Grosset Polish Hill Riesling – $52.25 at Dan Murphy’s and First Choice Liquor
• Tyrrell's Vat 47 Chardonnay – $52.25 at Dan Murphy’s, $57 at First Choice Liquor