Best screw cap wine: Summer picks

For some time, screw cap wines – or “screwcaps” – were thought of with disdain. But that’s no longer the case. The new world – particularly New Zealand and Australia – led the way by introducing screw cap wines to supermarket and wine merchant’s shelves, and have demonstrated the closure’s benefits to the wider world for over two decades.

Chardonnay Padthaway by Kingston Estate 2017

If you are looking for a clean and crisp Chardonnay at a very fair price, this wine is for you. Kingston’s wines always deliver and the quality to price ratio, or QPR is extremely high.

James Halliday, Australia’s foremost wine critic, awarded it 93 points and it also earned the “Great Value Award” from the Ultimate Wine Challenge in 2018.

Renowned for its cool climate Chardonnay, Padthaway lies in the Limestone Coast, enjoying maritime influences keeping the region cool in Summer and producing distinct regional characteristics.

It is distinctly not Chablis, nor is it Californian, we applaud its individuality, not to mention its category-busting refinement at this price. It’s a delicious reminder that the world is wide, great winemaking is global, and horizons are meant to be broadened.

Sauvignon Blanc by Te Mania 2018

Te Mania (the Maori name for “The Plains”) is a family-owned Nelson winery, located near the beautiful coastline of Tasman Bay. Their Sauvignon blanc is made in an elegant appealing style which can be enjoyed with your bbq and it’s vegan friendly!

Nero d’Avola Sicilia DOC by Canapi 2018

It’s hard to focus on anything other than the Canapi’s amazing value-for-dollar. Any lover of delicious Italian reds couldn’t possibly ask for anything more than this when factoring in the 14.95 price tag. You’re gonna want to find space in your wine fridge for today’s gold-medal-wining bottle.

Southern Italy is one of the places on earth where the wine making knowledge and tradition run deep. Nestled in the heart of Sicily, producers have been making wine for centuries. The days are hot and there is very little rainfall. Years of experience have led to a greater understanding of just how to handle these conditions to make wines that maintain great freshness.

100% Nero d’Avola. Deep colour. Full of ripe red berry aromas and flavours supported by soft tannins. The finish is fresh and elegant. This red wine is perfect for drinking with pasta dishes and bbq but also on its own.

If you have a lot of people to please, or just like to keep a handle on your wine bill, you won’t go wrong with this find.

Legado del Moncayo Rosado by Isaac Fernandez Seleccion 2018

This is a rosé with pedigree to enjoy this summer! From the time we encountered this spectacular Rosado last year while on a buying trip, we were hooked! Made by renown winemaker Isaac Fernandez. From it’s colour, we thought this would be a similarly priced to a bottle of Provençal Rose, but when we learned it was 13.95/bottle, we hit it! Yes, you can throw it in a cooler for a fishing trip but you can also serve it with complex, flavourful foods. Rosado or Rosé, is the fastest growing sector of the wine business. Why, you ask? Well, when it’s done well, (this one is), there is simply no wine that is more versatile, thirst quenching and delicious to the start to patio season.

Where to find these wines? 
→ Chardonnay Padthaway by Kingston Estate 2017
→ Sauvignon Blanc by Te Mania 2018
→ Nero d’Avola Sicilia DOC by Canapi 2018
→ Legado del Moncayo Rosado by Isaac Fernandez Seleccion 2018