The other day we prepared a pasta dish with a tomato ragu. I fancied a bottle of wine with it and thought a good basic Australian red would go well. I hadn't read the back of the label but Lindemans 2013 Merlot went down very well with my culinary concoction.
This wine is made predominantly from Merlot grapes grown in a variety of vineyards across the South East Australia region. It cannot claim to have a pedigree by originating from a single vineyard. I know that I rant about varietal labelling; so calling it Bin 40 goes some way to meeting my objections.
Because, the wine does not have a pedigree it would be dismissed by some wine experts. But, why be snobbish about perfectly acceptable wine? The Lindemans Merlot is a well crafted wine with a medium body and soft tannin and with a lovely fruity taste. It is little bit sweet but it is not "jammy" tasting. It is ready for drinking young which is just right for a spur of the moment decision. It goes well with food or it can be drunk on its own.
Of course, I would love to drink a top Australian wine on every occasion - from Charles Melton or Penfolds etc. - if I had the choice and the money. However, it is good to try an unpretentious wine every now and then to bring yourself down to earth. Bin 40 could have been produced anywhere in the world, as it is part of a standardised production process, so its quality is assured. The screw cap seal means that you are almost completely guaranteed that it will not be corked.
You know what you are getting and I knew that it would go with a tomato based dish without looking at the back label. I wouldn't choose to drink it with the finest roast beef and on a special occasion but for every day drinking it is fit for purpose.
There is nothing wrong with consuming processed food and drink every now and then and that is why I love baked beans on toast on the odd occasion and regard it as a bit of a treat.
Owing to to duty costs Lindemans Bin 40 Merlot is rather expensive but this does not stop it from being a popular wine. It gets faint praise from some wine commentators - even the winemaker!
https://www.lindemans.com/en-gb/our-wines/bin-series/bin-40-merlot?&lang=
http://www.drinksdirect.co.uk/acatalog/Lindemans_Bin_40_Merlot_75cl.html
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