I usually write about the rarest, finest and most expensive wines. It is easy to sing the praises of a 40- or 50-year-old wine that tastes like poetry in a bottle. I do, however, taste at the other end of the spectrum - when I choose economy class wines for airlines or hotels, or taste samples sent to my office.
Recently, I had the chance to gather a long list of value-for-money wines all retailing for less than HK$500, with most costing under HK$300 a bottle. I define value wines as those that taste way above their retail price. Here are some fantastic vintages that won't break the bank.
White wines under HK$500 a bottle
2011 Schloss Lieser-Thomas Haag Niederberg-Helden Riesling Spatlese
Mosel, Germany
This is a sensational, lightly sweet riesling with the limey freshness and crisp uplifting flavours one would expect from an excellent Mosel. The floral aromatics are delicate and enticing with a long finish. This beauty will keep for many years. 90 points
2010 Dog Point Sauvignon Blanc