Dan Murphy’s Best in Glass Awards: Affordable Gems Uncorked for 2025

There are plenty of wine awards that celebrate bottles few of us will ever actually get our hands on. Sure, a $500 Shiraz sounds nice — but what about something you can toss in your trolley without needing a second mortgage? That's where Dan Murphy’s Best in Glass Wine Awards 2025 comes in. It's a refreshing shake-up focused on everyday wines: accessible, available nationwide, and all under $50.

Held fittingly in Prahran, just a cork’s toss from Dan Murphy’s first-ever store, the awards crowned 46 wines across reds, whites, rosés, sparklings and everything in between. The real clincher? Every winner rings in under $50.

Over 700 wines were swirled, sniffed, and sipped by Dan’s in-house Wine Merchants, with a streamlined judging approach that favours real-world drinkers over traditional wine show puffery. Each category crowned three titles — Best, Best Value, and Best International — making it easier to grab a good bottle whether it's steak night or date night.

Andrew Shedden, General Manager of Premium and Luxury, put it simply: "There’s so much choice out there it can be overwhelming. Our team tasted over 700 wines to surface the standouts for all occasions." And with winners like Fifth Leg Semillon Sauvignon Blanc ($13.29) and Shingleback Red Knot Shiraz ($12.99) scooping Best Value awards, you'll have change left over for an Uber home.

South Australia flexed hardest, racking up 13 wins, with Barossa Valley and McLaren Vale leading the charge. Victoria held its own with strong cool-climate showings from Yarra Valley and King Valley. Western Australia’s Margaret Rivermatched top-performing regions for wins.

Tasmania’s sparkling houses — think Jansz, Devil’s Corner and Clover Hill — made sure bubbles weren't overlooked. France, naturally, cleaned up on the international side.

Want to get your hands on these winners? Best in Glass tasting events are happening across Dan’s stores on Saturday, 17th May for a redeemable $20. Or, pop by select stores every Friday and Saturday throughout May for free tastings.

Here's your cheat sheet to the trophy cabinet:

Shiraz

• Best: Langmeil Valley Floor Shiraz ($32.99)
• Best Value: Shingleback Red Knot Shiraz ($12.99)
• Best International: Cave De Tain Saint-Joseph Grand Classique ($46.99)

Pinot Noir

• Best: Nanny Goat Vineyard Pinot Noir ($41.29)
• Best Value: Little Yering Pinot Noir ($21.99)
• Best International: Decoy California Pinot Noir ($49.99)

Grenache

• Best: Teusner Joshua Grenache Shiraz Mourvèdre ($35.29)
• Best Value: The Ethereal One Grenache ($17.99)
• Best International: Chapoutier Cote Du Rhône ($22.99)

Cabernet Sauvignon

• Best: Xanadu Cabernet Sauvignon ($40.29)
• Best Value: K by Krondorf Barossa Cabernet Sauvignon ($13.99)
• Best International: Chateau Haut Madrac Rouge ($34.99)

Red Blends

• Best: Deep Woods Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot ($35.99)
• Best Value: Chateau Tanunda Chorus Tempranillo Shiraz Grenache ($20.29)
• Best International: Chateau Peymouton Saint Emilion Grand Cru ($48.99)

Chardonnay

• Best: Oakridge Valley Series Chardonnay ($29.99)
• Best Value: Madfish Gold Turtle Chardonnay ($16.99)
• Best International: Jean Marc Brocard Chablis ($44.99)

Sparkling NV

• Best: Clover Hill Tasmania Multi Vintage Exceptionnelle ($45.99)
• Best Value: Devil’s Corner Sparkling Cuvée NV ($26.99)
• Best International: Charles Orban Blanc de Blancs Champagne ($49.99)

And that's just the beginning — see the full Best in Glass winner list here.

Affordable, accessible, and actually drinkable — now that is worth raising a glass to.