A pinot in my pantry

The Casella family in the early days, who produce the vibrant [yellow tail] range.

WINESTEIN UNCORKED

Well it's been one hot, long summer, that's for sure. It's the kind of weather not really conducive to drinking those big, heavy-style reds that I usually devour.

But the relentless heatwave did give me a chance to jump ship and try some lovely whites, dessert wines, that sort of stuff.

Save it... Winesave.

A few champagnes got a good workout as well, thanks to the festive season and the uncanny knack of those close to me having babies all at once. Or getting married. Or both (not simultaneously I hope...).

But I still longed for the red, and it was these celebrations that led to an epiphany of sorts one balmy night, when I had a real craving for a red to drink with some veal cutlets that were cooking.

Being a little out of pocket, thanks to aforementioned festivities and buying books for bubs who yet can't read, I decided to reach deep into the pantry (yes it's OK to keep the cheap reds in there) and dig out a few quaffers I purchased some months ago from the bargain barrel at the (fantastic) bottleshop of the new Steve's Hotel in Nedlands, WA.

One was a 2006 shiraz from the McLaren Vale in South Australia, the other a 2004 Mornington Estate Pinot Noir from Victoria. Both were around the $5-$6 mark and I had never heard of them – but each hailed from a region renowned for producing quality wines of that style, and each had a little age.

And it's bargains like this you really should look out for. Sure, the $10 cleanskin from the bottleshop is STILL good value, but I was sweating something silly upon re-tasting this pinot – and it wasn't because of the heat.

The wine was simply magnificent. A treat. I wish I'd bought another dozen.

After sitting at the bottom of my pantry for six months – destined to live its life as a cooking wine – I was shaking my head in disbelief at its development in my pantry. And yes, I was happy to see it.

A triumph with my cutlets and tomato/cucumber tzatziki, it was indeed a revelation on its own.

This bargain buster was real ball-burster, and true to its terroir. Bold in flavour yet satin in its finish. Delicate yet definitely not demure.

It shows that if you go cheap – smartly – you can enjoy the equivalent of a $10 glass of red from that fancy wine bar, every night of the week for just $5 a bottle.

The short cellaring of this pinot in my pantry really gave it some personality that was missing when first tasted.

In conjunction with a nifty little product I recently came across – Winesave – you can open a bottle like this on Monday, and drink a glass or two each night, all through the week ... for no more than a coffee at your corner coffee shop.

Winesave is a little more reliable than your traditional wine stoppers. I drank half a bottle of the pinot that night and, when I returned to it three days later after using the product, it tasted just as good upon first uncorking it.

It works by spraying an odourless gas called argon (which is heavier than air) across the wine's surface in the bottle, protecting its complex characteristics of colour and taste for months.

For wine enthusiasts, it gives us the luxury of wines by the glass at home, including your cellar treasures.

WINES OF THE WEEK

UNCORKED – [yellow tail]

2009 Sauvignon Blanc, $10, 88pts
Don’t be alarmed that 14 per cent of fruit for this SB was sourced from New Zealand – it's still predominantly Aussie, with that classic grassy smell on the nose and a lush tropical fruit finish. Nice acidity at the finish, which is uncommon for SBs at this price.

2009 Rose, $10, 86pts
Fruit from this was harvested at night to retain flavour and freshness – and you can tell. It's luscious, approachable and very vibrant with flavours of strawberry and spice.

2008 Cabernet Sauvignon, $10, 88pts
This one is well-structured and very vibrant for a young wine, with a long palate belying its youth. Classic flavours of rich berries, pepper and spice. A great quaffer at the price.

*Winesave is available from Steve's Fine Wine and Food in WA. For national stockists, visit the Winesave website winesave.net.

Did you try any nice wines over the summer? Let us know by commenting below or emailing here.