Wine Region: Riverland

(2021) Arguably the most interesting thing about this wine is not the stuff in the bottle, but the bottle round the stuff: 100% recycled plastic, it is also recyclable and weighs just 63 grams when empty - about 87% less than a standard glass bottle. It is also a unique, letter-box-friendly flat shape, said to take up around half the volume of a standard glass bottle when being shipped, all of which give very attractive eco-credentials. The wine itself is a rather sweet Merlot with soft strawberry and summer pudding flavours, vanilla and a little dustiness, and barely perceptible tannins but decent balancing acidity. Some oak influence (almost certainly staves or chips rather than barrels). In many ways it's a shame this unique supermarket package doesn't contain a more interesting wine, but then it is a crowd-pleasing style and maybe that's what counts for people who pick a bottle up, attracted by the unusual packaging. Watch the video for more information and to see the bottle.

(2019) From old vines in the Riverland, carefully made with different techniques for different parcels of vines, with portions wild-fermented, some aged in older oak barrels, some in concrete tanks, this is juicy and forward, wth a full aromatic expression, lifted peppery notes, florals, and juicy berry fruits. In the mouth it's no shrinking violet with 14.5% alcohol, yet it is breezy and bright, fruit rushing through the mid-palate with spices and a tart rasp of plum skin acidity, the picture fruity but keen and grippy in the finish. Quite a lot going on at its modest price. Watch the video for more information and food-matching ideas.