Dan Murphy's 2023 Decoded Wine Awards winners

Dan Murphy's annual Decoded Wine Awards winners have been announced, celebrating excellent wines from Australia and New Zealand without the intimidating wine jargon.

Demystifying wine and taking out the guesswork for ordinary consumers is the main aim of the Decoded Wine Awards, said Andrew Shedden, Head of Wine at Dan Murphy's.

"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," he said.

The winners have been grouped by style and price to make choosing a straightforward affair, and for the first time this year, food pairing suggestions have also been included 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 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," said Shedden.

Another misconception the awards prove isn't the case is that good wines are expensive, but Shedden said one of the aims of these awards is to allow people to try something new that's still in 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," he said.

Dan Murphy's is offering an exclusive Spend for Rewards offer for My Dan's Members. Get up to $50 off when you shop the award-winning wines picked by our panel of expert judges in the 2023 Decoded Wine Awards.

THE WINNERS:

Lighter White - Under $25 
WINNER: Pikes Traditionale Riesling $21.90
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 

Lighter White - Over $25 
WINNER: Greywacke Sauvignon Blanc $31.90
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 

Fuller White - Under $25
WINNER: Brokenwood Chardonnay $22.80
Tasting Notes: A generously welcoming Chardonnay packing an intense punch of stonefruit in total harmony with the creamy vanilla oak.
Food match: Yakitori chicken 

Fuller White - Over $25 
WINNER: Kumeu River Chardonnay $48.90
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 

Lighter Red - Under $25 
WINNER: Pizzini Nonna Gisella Sangiovese $21.90
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 

Lighter Red - Over $25 
WINNER: Martinborough Vineyard Pinot Noir 63.90
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 

Fuller Red - Under $25 
WINNER: Cat Amongst The Pigeons GSM $14.90 (Grenache, Shiraz, Mataro)
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 

Fuller Red - Over $25 
WINNER: Grant Burge Filsell 2021 $40.90
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 

Rosé 
WINNER: De Bortoli La Bohème Act Two Pinot Noir Rosé $17.90
Tasting Notes: Ethereal aromatics, perfect, delicately handled red berry fruit notes, creamy texture and a lovely long finish. La Boheme stars again in Decoded.
Food match: Sushi 

Sparkling 
WINNER: House of Arras Brut Elite NV Tasmania $46.90
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 

Blanc de Blanc 
WINNER: Taltarni Blanc de Blancs $23.90 
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 

Prosecco 
WINNER: Dal Zotto Pucino Prosecco $19.90
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. 

Sparkling Rosé 
WINNER: Jansz Brut Rose $25.90
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 

Pet Nat 
WINNER: Sherrah Pet Nat $30.90 
Tasting Notes: Funky, fresh and fun. Lively and lovely. Savoury biscuit note. It's good to be alive. Food pairing: Quiche 

Something Different 
WINNER: Zonzo Estate Limoncello Spritz $20.90
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
Tasting Notes: Luxuriously leathery, black fig liqueur, dark toffee and wonderful. Deeply decadent.
Food pairing: Chocolate and walnut 

Low & Lighter Alcohol 
WINNER: Pewsey Vale Eden Valley 9% Lighter Riesling $18.90
Tasting Notes: Retains all of the usual delightful "rizza" citrus flavours whilst coming in at a "better for you" 9% alcohol.
Food pairing: Shell fish

Zero Alcohol
WINNER: Grant Burge Prosecco Zero $17.90
Tasting Notes: Zesty, refreshing, energy-packed. A remarkably well made zero alcohol offering.
Food pairing: Cheese gougere 

Featured Image: Andrew Shedden, Head of Wine at Dan Murphy's

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