Wine & spirits: Wise buys

Any wine enthusiasts still believe they have to pay extra to get better wine. Well, it ain't so, and I say so. There are many little tricks to spending your money wisely when shopping at a liquor store.

Newly released brands are often launched at special introductory prices. This is the time to try these hopefuls; not once all your friends tell you about a great wine they've discovered and the only thing you discover is the once bargain price has gone up a buck or two. Brands not widely advertised also offer some hope of savings. Look, too, for wines produced in regions that are currently out of vogue. Hardly anyone drinks Greek red wines today, yet the best reds of Greece are very good and sell at very reasonable prices. And, of course, check out my picks below.

Whites

Aveleda Vinho Verde ($8) From northern Portugal, this wine has intense crispness and a vibrant, fresh lemony taste. It's a fine aperitif to get the stomach juices flowing and makes a good match for raw oysters or steamed mussels.

Vina Tarapaca Sauvignon Blanc ($8) This wine was delightful when served to me with a tiny sprinkling of finely chopped sweet strawberries. With simple cheese straws served on the side, it's a memorable opener.

Rocca delle Macie Orvieto Classico ($9) From Tuscany in the heart of Italy, this is a great everyday veal and pasta wine. The flavours are balanced and ripe, though not so assertive as to interfere with delicate food flavours.

Konzelmann Pinot Blanc ($10) A decent wine at a reasonable price -- this has been Herbert Konzelmann's goal since day one. This medium-bodied fruity wine will please with or without a side plate of cheese and crackers.

Deakin Estate Chardonnay ($10) The perfect Aussie white to go with that other Down Under speciality -- the barbie. Whole fish, seafood pasta, chicken breast and grilled vegetables all pair well with its fullish, buttercream cookie flavour.

Winzer Krems Gruner Veltliner ($10) The Austrian white wine you can drink with red-wine foods. It has more body and mineral structure than most fruit-driven or oak-supported whites, and has a bracing, white pepper aroma.