More great value picks this week, including a very portable mid-weight Portuguese red blend, a new-and-improved version of a Kiwi Sauvignon Blanc and a juicy red from the Southern Rhone.

Vincente Faria Bicycle Thief Red Blend 2018 (1.5L) $15.75 — Portugal
Looking at the price for 1.5 litres of wine, I fully expected this to be a reductive red blend that pandered to the sweet tooth of the North American market. Or that it was simply not very good. But this blend of four Portuguese red grapes—Touriga Franca, Tinta Roriz, Touriga Nacional, Trincadeira—holds its own. There’s a distinctive wood spice on the nose, along with dark red fruit. On the palate, it’s medium bodied (think “Gamay”, given its light tannins and peppery tinge to wild red berry fruit that ranges from raspberry to prune).

I’m not a big fan of Tetra Paks for a myriad of reasons, but this compact pouch with its built-in spout lets you the enjoy wine by the glass, while keeping it fresh up to six weeks after opening, the company declares. The rugged plastic-like packaging, which reportedly allows the wine to be chilled in 65% less time than a traditional bottle, also makes it safe for picnics and pools.

Enjoy it with pizza, pasta and hamburgers off the grill. 87

Francois Labet “Dame Alix” Côtes-du-Rhône 2019 — Rhone Valley, France ($13.80)
A very dry red blend of Grenache, Syrah and Mourvedre that rests just a hair short of medium-bodied. Look for a dark ruby in the glass, sour cherries on the nose and a light blend of pepper-dusted jammy red fruit in the mouth. Nothing complex but a very easy drinking red with rock solid value. A nice pairing with hors d’hoeuvres, cheese and red meat. Serve 14-16C. 87

LeftField Sauvignon Blanc 2020 — New Zealand ($16.95)
The grapes for this Sauvignon Blanc used to be sourced from Nelson on New Zealand’s South Island, but inconsistent harvests there has led to a decision to blend this wine from multiple regions—some from Nelson and some Hawkes Bay, with the majority from Marlborough. The result is a broader spectrum of riper fruit and softer acidity. There’s harmony between notes of grapefruit, Granny Smith apple, lemongrass and passionfruit, with hint of tomato leaf on the nose and a pleasingly smooth texture on the palate. Great with seafood dishes, but also a terrific patio wine! And keep in mind that this used to retail for $19.95. 89