I remember the times when visiting a cellar door to try wines and the person behind the counter would start with, “…our entry level wines.” I have to say, I am not a fan of the words ‘entry level’. It seems so, I don’t know, derogatory, for want of a better word. I was saying recently to a wine loving mate of mine that, thankfully, it has been a very long time since I have heard the term used. These days, wineries are giving all their wines an identity which I applaud. Take these wines for instance. Most punters know this particular range of Yalumba wines as the ‘Y’ Series, full stop.
These are two of my all-time favourite wines from the range. Ones that I purchase regularly. They consistently offer incredible value for money.
Region: Various, Australia Price: $15 (regularly discounted) Source: Retail Purchase
2021 Viognier
Utterly varietal on the nose. Tropical fruit aromas, a little floral and that pollen/honey blossom like character too. The palate is fresh with the distinct apricot characters, a little addition of peachy notes, it’s textural with a lovely mouth-feel and just a hint of acidity giving some extra character on the finish.

2021 Riesling
It offers plenty of lemony and limey characters, as you’d expect. However, the difference is, considering it can be found regularly at around $10, you get more than you would regularly expect. It’s fun and refreshing with great palate presence and a nice little pinch of acid on the finish. It’s such that, it is so reliable, if it was found in the dictionary, the definition would be, ‘fall back, Riesling’, which it is for me.
