The Dan Murphy’s Decoded Wine Award 2023 recognises outstanding wines from Australia and New Zealand, helping customers to navigate their choices and budgets and now offering food match suggestions.
The selection process is the result of a rigorous four-day tasting event from a panel of 12 esteemed wine judges tasting more than 1,100 wines.
All judging is carried out under blind-tasting conditions to eliminate any potential bias.
Dan Murphy’s Head of Wine, Andrew Shedden, said the awards are about celebrating excellence as well as taking out the guesswork for customers.
“We really wanted to celebrate the exquisite wine offerings from Australia and New Zealand while not going too heavy on the wine jargon.
“We know the world of wine can be intimidating at times, so for this campaign, we’ve ditched industry-focused phrases such as ‘malolactic fermentation’, ‘autumnal characteristics’ and ‘wet stone minerality’ and used customer-friendly phrases like ‘fuller, richer’, ‘light and crisp’ and ‘fruity and fun’ instead.
“We have grouped the wines by style and price to make it really easy for customers to find what they enjoy and give them the opportunity to try something new within their budget.”
“The under $25 category has really shone brightly this year. What was evident in judging this price range is that you don’t have to compromise on taste. While there will always be customers who seek out a higher price range and they’re getting outstanding wines at those price points, the more accessible market is becoming something of a huge interest now, given macroeconomic conditions. “
This year’s Decoded Wine Awards also present a unique offering for customers by presenting food pairing suggestions to make the drinks discovery even more enjoyable.
“When people are presented with an opportunity for quality wines, the next thing that often comes to mind for them is what food they should match it with.
“This can also present its own challenges, given there are so many culinary options out there.
“This is something we haven’t done before, and often it isn’t really considered in traditional wine awards.
“We wanted to break the mould, and in the spirit of streamlining the process for people to enjoy quality wines, we wanted to provide another level of guidance for those embarking on their wine journey.
There’s even more to love about this year’s Decoded Wine Awards with an exclusive Spend for Rewards offer for My Dan’s Members. Get up to $50 off when you shop award-winning wines picked by our panel of expert judges.
THE WINNERS
Lighter White – Under $25
WINNER
Pikes Traditional Riesling $21.90 State: SA
Region: Clare
Tasting Notes: The product of an outstanding vintage from a famous producer – energetic, spritzy, spicy lemon characters that carry on forever. A virtuoso performance.
Food match: Pasta vongole
Best Value
REWILD Pinot Grigio $8.90 State: NSW
Tasting Notes: With a careful eye on sustainability the makers have produced a pristine, crisp Pinot Grigio delivering purity and vitality.
Food match: Fish fingers
Lighter White – Over $25
WINNER
Greywacke Sauvignon Blanc $31.90 Country: New Zealand
Region: Marlborough
Tasting Notes: Big, intense, tangy, zesty citrus and tropical fruit flavours that burst out of the glass. This packs a punch.
Food match: Asparagus with Hollandaise
Best Value
Pacha Mama Pinot Gris $22.90 State: VIC
Tasting Notes: Versatile and highly engaging, you will love the fresh spiced pear and orange cake vibrancy going on here.
Food match: Pear Waldorf Salad
Fuller White – Under $25
WINNER
Brokenwood Chardonnay $22.80
State: Wine of Australia (Grapes from VIC & NSW)
Tasting Notes: A generously welcoming Chardonnay packing an intense punch of stonefruit in total harmony with the creamy vanilla oak.
Food match: Yakitori chicken
Best Value
Yalumba Y Series Viognier 11.90 State: SA
Tasting Notes: Vroom, vroom, Viognier. This one hits the road with the agility of a sports car. Exotic florals, elements of tropical fruit, apricots and a lick of ginger get the blood racing.
Food match: Grilled sardines
Fuller White – Over $25
WINNER
Kumeu River Chardonnay $48.90 Country: New Zealand
Region: Kumeu
Tasting Notes: Every brilliant component drops neatly into place. Expressive of its region and variety. Well-modulated power. There’s so much to enjoy about this great wine.
Food match: Baked Coral Trout
Best Value
Chapel Hill The MV Gorge Block Chardonnay $27.90 State: SA
Region: McLaren Vale
Tasting Notes: Oh, what a lovely wine! Careful fruit management and brilliant hands-on winemaking have produced a full flavoured, multi-pronged wine with exceptional class. Applause, please!
Food match: Pan fried King George Whiting
Lighter Red – Under $25
WINNER
Pizzini Nonna Gisella Sangiovese $21.90 State: VIC
Region: King Valley
Tasting Notes: A benchmark King Valley Sangiovese. Made with skill, preserving all of the varietal red fruit profile in a mouth-watering, savoury way.
Food match: Saltimbocca
Best Value
The Ethereal One Grenache $15.90 State: SA
Region: McLaren Vale
Tasting Notes: Ethereal Grenache has been sweeping all before it. A very contemporaneous version of grenache, deceptively light, with scrumptious, food-friendly flavours.
Food match: Vegetable pastie
Lighter Red – Over $25
WINNER
Martinborough Vineyard Pinot Noir 63.90 Country: New Zealand
Region: Martinborough
Tasting Notes: Straight to the top of the class! Insistent drive, brilliantly integrated with layers of fruit, spice, gentle, unassuming oak, on a long, luxurious finish.
Food match: Glazed pork
Best Value
Dal Zotto Sangiovese $24.90 State: VIC
Region: King Valley
Tasting Notes: Savoury, red fruit, this exciting Aussie version of the classic Italian varietal wine simply begs for Italian-style food.
Food match: Lasagna
Fuller Red – Under $25
WINNER
Cat Amongst The Pigeons GSM $14.90 (Grenache, Shiraz, Mataro) State: SA
Region: Barossa
Tasting Notes: What a cracker! Plum and dark cherry, savoury edged, delicatessen meat, deeply flavoured, exceptionally lush and balanced, silky, seamless, hints of “cherry ripe chocolate bar”. The drinkability factor is sky high!
Food match: Charcuterie platter
Best Value
Wynns Shiraz $13.90 State: SA
Region: Coonawarra
Tasting Notes: How do they produce wines of this quality at such a bargain price? Such a surprise, when unmasked, to discover it wasn’t a more expensive wine. Perfectly ripened fruit, seamless texture, lightly peppery, violet nose, blackberry. An absolute gem!
Food match: Moussaka
Fuller Red – Over $25
WINNER
Grant Burge Filsell 2021 $40.90 State: SA
Region: Barossa
Tasting Notes: A classic Barossa shiraz, this wine is effortless and sweet-fruited, beautifully perfumed with a texture that’s both supple and succulent.
Food match: Osso buco
Best Value
Howard Park Granite Ridge Shiraz $25.90 State: WA
Region: Great Southern
Tasting Notes: We loved the elegant, fleshy, savoury, spiciness of this West Australian red. Up against some very impressive opposition, it won the day with immaculate balance and supple “easy to love” fruit flavours.
Food match: Lamb souvlaki
Rosé
WINNER
De Bortoli La Bohème Act Two Pinot Noir Rosé $17.90 State: VIC
Region: Yarra Valley
Tasting Notes: Ethereal aromatics, perfect, delicately handled red berry fruit notes, creamy texture and a lovely long finish. La Bohème stars again in Decoded.
Food match: Sushi
Best Value
Chapel Hill Sangiovese Rosé $15.90 State: SA
Region: Adelaide Hills
Tasting Notes: A perennial favourite with our judges. Savoury red fruited Sangiovese made with delicacy and care. A great “food wine” and just as enjoyable on its own.
Food match: Salad Lyonnais
Sparkling
WINNER
House of Arras Brut Elite NV Tasmania $46.90 State: TAS
Tasting Notes: Wonderfully complex, huge plaudits to the winemaker. Biscuity, brioche, toast, citrus and apple on a long, generous palate.
Food match: Blinis with salmon roe
Best Value
Distant South Tasmania Sparkling $20.90 State: TAS
Tasting Notes: Get out the canapes and crank up the music. Uncork the Distant South bubbles. Frothy and fun with a serious side.
Food match: Canapes
Best Blanc de Blanc
Taltarni Blanc de Blancs $23.90 State: VIC,
Region: Pyrenees Tasting Notes:
A persistently fine bead, fine aromas and zesty citrus and lemon curd notes tempered with toastiness and a hint of vanilla. Brisk and energized.
Food match: Poached prawns
Best Prosecco
Dal Zotto Pucino Prosecco $19.90 State: VIC
Region: King Valley
Tasting Notes: Dal Zotto are the masters of Prosecco. Light and tingly on the palate but with energy and drive. Crystal clarity and superb length made this an easy call for the judges.
Food match: Pad Thai noodles.
Best Sparkling Rose Jansz Brut Rose $25.90 State: TAS
Tasting Notes:
Amazingly complex and beguiling with red apple, toast and citrus notes with a creamy texture and energy to burn.
Food pairing: Smoked tomato and white anchovies
Best Pet Nat
Sherrah Pet Nat $30.90 State: SA,
Region: McLaren Vale
Tasting Notes: Funky, fresh and fun. Lively and lovely. Savoury biscuit note. It’s good to be alive.
Food pairing: Quiche
Best Something Different
Zonzo Estate Limoncello Spritz $20.90 State: VIC
Region: Yarra Valley
Tasting Notes: A bomb blast of tangy citrus/mint flavour. Loads of fun. Pour over ice. Food pairing: Lemon and mint tart
Fortified & Vermouth
WINNER
Grant Burge Black Apera PX $98.90 State: SA,
Region: Barossa
Tasting Notes: Luxuriously leathery, black fig liqueur, dark toffee and wonderful. Deeply decadent.
Food pairing: Chocolate and walnut
Best Value
De Bortoli Show Muscat 500mL $20.90 State: NSW,
Region: Riverina
Tasting Notes: Beautiful balance with deep toffee richness for miles. A superb after-dinner tipple.
Food pairing: Nuts and old cheddar
Low & Lighter Alcohol
WINNER
Pewsey Vale Eden Valley 9% Lighter Riesling $18.90 State: SA
Region: Eden Valley
Tasting Notes: Retains all of the usual delightful “rizza” citrus flavours whilst coming in at a “better for you” 9% alcohol.
Food pairing: Shellfish
Best Value
Tread Softly Pinot Noir $12.90 State: SA
Tasting Notes: Light, easy-drinking, soft red fruits – chillable. Lighter reds are the “buzz” now. Lovely red berry notes.
Food pairing: Mushroom arancini
Zero Alcohol (*contains not more than 0.5% ALC/VOL)
WINNER
Grant Burge Prosecco Zero $17.90 State: SA
Tasting Notes: Zesty, refreshing, energy-packed. A remarkably well-made zero-alcohol offering.
Food pairing: Cheese gougere
Best Value
Banrock Station Shiraz $10.90 State: SA
Tasting Notes: Good zero-alcohol reds are hard to come by. Banrock has succeeded in producing a convincing medium-bodied red with an authentic Shiraz character.
Food pairing: Meat pie
Pic: Andrew Shedden
