💎 A Classic Gem 💎
Some wines burst onto the scene with all the hype, others quietly do their thing, and then there are the ones with a fanbase so loyal they make footy supporters look disinterested. This week’s pick falls firmly in the latter camp and came highly recommended.
Judging by the dedicated crew who swear by it, this bottle has earned its spot on our hit list.
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A Mystery Blend with a Loyal Following 🥸
🍷 Houghton White Classic (NV)
White blends aren’t exactly the kind of wine we march into a bottle shop looking for, but when one of our subscribers recommended this Western Australian drop, we had to track it down.
After some detective work (aka frantic Googling), we found that it’s been made with Chardonnay and Chenin Blanc in the past. But the current mix remains a bit of a mystery. That means every bottle could be a little different, so we can only hope our review matches your experience.
What we can tell you is that it’s a solid, easy-drinking white that’s refreshingly crisp and goes down a treat. It’s the kind of wine that doesn’t demand much attention but quietly does its thing...making your meal (or your afternoon) a little better. Speaking of meals, this one is a Saturday lunch champion. Roast chicken salad? Perfect. Seafood? Even better.
Time for the label. Look, there’s vintage charm, and then there’s straight-up outdated. For whatever reason, this seems to take us back to 1995, and while we don’t completely judge a wine by its cover, it is something we consider at Vine In The Rough. It’s cheap, but it looks cheap too, so we’re docking half a point in the reality vs perception stakes. Luckily, what’s inside the bottle more than makes up for it.
Oh, and it’s gluten-free. So if you’ve got mates who need to keep an eye on that sort of thing, having a bottle of this on hand makes you the kind of legend who thinks ahead. Bonus points for you.
For $9.95 at Dan Murphy’s, we reckon it’s worth a go. It’s reliable, refreshing, and does what it needs to do.
VITR Official Score: 7.5 / 10
👍 Reality vs Perception: The label really lets this one down. It tastes great, but has somehow made itself appear cheaper than it is.
👩🎨 Label Aesthetics: We don't want to sound like a broken record, but the label may as well have been designed when records were still in general use.
👴 Comparison to Nonno’s Home Brew: Nonno wouldn’t make a white blend, but if he did, we imagine it would have as much mystery as this one.
🪩 Fit for an Engagement Party: Maybe if you decant it into something fancier, but we'd probably recommend you stick with this one instead.
🤑 Keep the Change: An everyday price under $10 makes this an absolute bargain.
Real Talk
📖 Fake It 'Til You Make It
Steely: No, it’s not about determination, but a wine with a lean, crisp profile that doesn’t muck around. More refreshing, less fluff.
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💡 Sip Tip
Catering: Not sure how much to buy for your next big event? Over-order. Most bottle shops let you return unopened bottles, but running out mid-party? That’s non-refundable.
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🍿 Sip & Snack
Tawny & Hot Cross Bun: Whether you like yours toasted with butter or straight from the pack, a warm hot cross bun meets its match in a lightly chilled Tawny.
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Until Next Week, Cheers 🍷
Some wines just do what they need to do, and this is one of them. Have a top-tier under $15 wine we should check out? Hit us up!
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