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Coles exclusive bags Best Under $20 wine award

Story Bay Semillon Sauvignon Blanc 2017Story Bay’s $7 Semillon Sauvignon Blanc 2017 has been named the Best Under $20 for the second time in three years at the Winestate Wine of the Year Awards in Adelaide.

The value-for-money white wine, which is sold exclusively at Liquorland, First Choice Liquor and Vintage Cellars,  was selected from a field of 2,500 wines over 12 months of blind tastings by winemakers, wine scientists and Masters of Wine.

Winestate publisher and head of the judging panel Peter Simic said the wine, from Western Australia’s famed Margaret River region, stood out from the rest for top quality and value.

“It was pretty close but this wine had the highest rating out of all the tastings at the lowest price, it really deserved the trophy,” he said. “For the amazing value price of A$7, plus high blind judging score, this should be everybody’s everyday drinking wine!”

Coles acting chief executive Liquor and Hotels, Cathi Scarce, said the award reflected the hard work of winemaker Alana Langworthy from WA winery Nocturne Wines.

“To have this recognition from some of the industry’s top wine tasters is further evidence that we’re getting it right by working with the best winemakers in Australia to deliver amazing quality wines at a great price,” she said.

The Story Bay Semillon Sauvignon Blanc 2017 is described as having a vibrant tropical fruit aroma with notes of lime and blossom, hints of herbal tea and fresh cut grass and a zesty and refreshing acid backbone that provides structure and length.

“Margaret River is famous for style, but it’s not a region that people associate with value, so it’s an absolute delight to be recognised for a wine that everybody in Australia can enjoy,” Langworthy  said. “The strength of the region is that it is so diverse, which allows us to work with fruit from a range of microclimates which provide different flavours. The result is a multi-dimensional wine which has textural crunch and depth of flavour that can stand toe-to-toe with wines selling for three times the price.”

The family-owned winery has a strong relationship with Coles Liquor and has been supplying the liquor giant with exclusive wines for more than seven years.

“Making great value wine that is also recognised as being among the best in the country makes us really proud of the partnership with Coles, which has allowed us to evolve and grow our business,” she added.

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