NZ & International Bordeaux and bordeaux-style

I HAVE KNOWN the Johnny Q brand for some time, introduced initially because of the price. These wines used to be my go-to ‘big red’ when I was a backpacker budget-buying my way around Australia and New Zealand some years ago, when I found the range represented quality at an affordable price. While the initial appeal was price point, I’ve discovered that there is so much more to love about this brand.

A sub-brand within the Quarisa range, the range is made from grapes sourced from South Australia. Founder and winemaker Johnny Quarisa is a hardworking, fun and easy going individual, traits he wished to represent in the wine, alongside the motto, “Never take life too seriously”. With thirty years of winemaking experience it would be quite within John’s rights to take the whole thing very seriously indeed, but luckily for us his good-humoured approach to life spills over into the glass.

It’s no mean feat to make an approachable cabernet sauvignon but, despite its youthfulness, this cabernet is just that. It’s deeply coloured in the glass with aromas of cassis, currant, smoke and toast on the nose. The palate is well weighted with bold tannins beautifully balanced by the fruit sweetness present. A wonderful example.

It cheers me when an affordably priced wine wins a top spot, as it removes a barrier to entry and encourages those that might want to explore the more challenging bigger reds without taking too much of a risk. I know that’s how I got my start. Procure, procureliquor.co.nz