Catering to a crowd on a budget or need a savvy buy to bring to a party? Go big on value with these award-winning sips and think-outside-the-box surprises.
Don’t shy away from entertaining because you’re on a budget. We’re going to let you in on a secret: there’s no need to dig deep into your pockets when it comes to catering to a crew, with so many drinks on the market that score highly on value for money. Whether you’re celebrating a special occasion, or enjoying a barbecue with your nearest and dearest, we’ve gathered a collection of award-winning drinks, alongside a selection of lesser-known drops that will help you celebrate without needing to splurge.
These buys are all award winners, so you’re guaranteed good value.
Lana’s Bike Riesling proves that decent wines can be around the $10 mark, with the drop achieving a Gold medal in the Victorian Wine Show for 2022. A crisp white, it has a complex palate with touches of both lemon and lime within. A great option for a dinner party or lazy lunch of seafood or Asian flavours.
Say hello to the 2022 Gold Winestate Best of the West 2023, Choosy Beggars Sauvignon Blanc Semillon. Another value-for-money white wine, this blend hails from West Coast wine mecca Margaret River and arrives with a touch of barrel ferment. Perfect with fish (especially fish and chips).
Don’t arrive at your next long lunch without a bottle of Freebird Montepulciano Rosé in tow. Around $25, this Gold winner at Winestate 2023 is worth every penny (and then some) – it’s a wine that is as delicately flavoured as it is coloured. Think red berry and raspberry flower notes, with a hint of strawberries and cream.
No sunny afternoon get-together is complete without a cold one. Smithy’s Easy Drinking Beer Can is an excellent option that promises affordability without scrimping on flavour. Having been handed a Gold at the WBAs 2022, you’ll know you’re in good hands with the Victorian lager which is a clean, crisp, refreshing ale made in Victoria named after footy pioneer Thomas Henry Smith.
The name may be a mouthful, but this gin isn’t just all flashy title, it’s also big on innovation. A Gold medal winner at the World Gin Awards in 2023, Native Spirits McLaren Vale Modern Gin by Never Never celebrates native Australian ingredients.
Put these top value drinks on your party list.
A tasty bottle of red is a fail-safe whether you are hosting or attending a dinner party. Try Winton Road Barossa Valley Grenache, created from grapes collected from older vineyards in the region. With its mingling of raspberry, red florals, leather and amaro, this grenache is a bonafide crowd pleaser.
For session beer, little can compare to Tinnies Pale Ale Can, in terms of both what it offers in price point and your tastebuds. Your next Sunday session demands a pack of these cans, a multi-award-winning classic pale ale that’s meant to be simple (but delicious). Expect each sip to be smooth, thanks to a decent balance of biscuit malt and citrus undertones.
If you’re not yet familiar with Pure Origin, now is the time to get acquainted. The Pure Origin Tasmanian Gin is a part of the Tasmanian gin wave, and is a silver medallist from the San Francisco World Spirits Competition. A gin for the traditionalist, thanks to its concoction of juniper berry, earthy and herbal notes, with a touch of bergamot and lavender.
