The award-winning, affordable Odd Bins wines every wine lover must try

Qualified chef and president of the SA Sommeliers Association, Spencer Fondaumiere, believes the Checkers Odd Bins wine selection can hold their own and he shares three that were recent winners at the 2021 Michelangelo International Wine & Spirits Awards.

Odd Bins wines are unique in that each is numbered and once the bin is sold out the number is never repeated — so there’s always something new to try.

GOLD AWARD

Odd Bins 42: 2019 Demi-Sec Rosé Méthode Cap Classique

Who doesn’t like a bit of sugar in their fizz? Cap classique is made in the exact same way that champagne is made, meaning that this Odd Bins is a champagne-style wine and epitomises the Odd Bins story. A bit of sugar gives plenty of leeway as far as food and wine go — be adventurous and pair it with oriental cuisine such as dim sum or wonton soup.

Price: R99.99

Tasting notes: Perfectly balanced with fresh strawberry compote and red currants on the nose.  

Wine of origin: Western Cape 

GOLD AWARD

Odd Bins 984: Cabernet Sauvignon/Merlot/Cabernet Franc/Malbec/Shiraz blend  

This full five-varietal Bordeaux-style blend is very traditional and is a familiar and much-loved style of wine. Big and imposing with lots of ripe red and black fruit, it is very grippy and lengthy.

It is a wine you can hug — the sort you drink in front of the fireplace on a cold night. It delivers value and exudes opulence and tastes expensive, and after a sip or two you can’t help but think that you should have paid more for it.

This wine is a very obliging companion to a slow-cooked short rib.

Price: R69.99

Tasting notes: Sweet cherry, mulberry and blackcurrant with dried peaches and star anise. 

Wine of origin: Coastal region

DOUBLE GOLD AWARD

Odd Bins 307: Chardonnay

A sophisticated, elegant and complex wine. It's always exciting to taste a new chardonnay because you don’t really know what expression you will get — how wooded is wooded? Is the citrus restrained, lemon or ripe orange?

Is a rounded palate similar to a glass of full cream milk or more subtle? This chardonnay promises and delivers tropical hints of citrus and vanilla and a rounded fruity palate.

It has a lovely texture that sits on your tongue and complements the ripe fruit notes. Easy drinking, it’s good on its own and would complement a simple supper like a grilled chicken and spring vegetable salad.

Price: R59.99

Tasting notes: Tropical aromas, hints of citrus and vanilla and a rounded fruity palate.

Wine of origin: Coastal region