MICHAEL COOPER’S BEST WINE BUYS ARE EASY ON THE POCKET

Today sees the announcement of wine writer Michael Cooper’s Best Wine Buys of the Year, with both the red and the white picks coming in at under $20.

Eradus Awatere Valley Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2009 took out the crown for the best white and Michael says at $18.99 this weighty, rich and rounded wine is priced sharply.

The five star red, Thornbury Hawke’s Bay Merlot 2007, again offers unrivalled value for money.
“In major tastings featuring many Hawke’s Bay reds twice its price, this wine stands out for its richness and sheer class, yet you can buy it for under $20,” says Michael.

This year Michael reviewed 3033 New Zealand wines and rated them in this comprehensive guide, which is considered the bible for New Zealand wine lovers.

3033 wines - how does he do it? This is an astonishing achievement, not only tasting them all but then giving us wine drinkers the most comprehensive but at the same time brief and accessible advice.
I have been buying Michael Cooper's Buyers Guide for many years, this is the 18th edition, and it is interesting to observe them on the shelf growing in size every year refelecting the enormous growth in the NZ wine industry from the early 1990's.
This latest edition is a 600 page whopper which will accompany on all my buying trips to my favourite wine supplier up in Ponsonby Road, Glengarry Wine Merchants.
And tonight with the lamb shanks we will try the Thornbury Hawkes Bay Merlot 2007, hard to believe it is less than $20 a bottle. I'm off to buy a dozen.

As well as information on the year’s two best buys and shortlisted wines, Michael includes detailed information on the 2009 vintage, gives clear and frank tasting notes and value-for-money ratings as well as when-to-drink recommendations.

This year’s book also features a special report on ‘The Wine Glut’ and looks at what oversupply of grapes means for the pockets of New Zealand wine drinkers.

Michael Cooper’s Buyer’s Guide to New Zealand Wines (Hodder Moa, $34.99 RRP)