Dan Murphy’s has announced the winners of its 2026 Best in Glass Wine Awards, including eight wines under $15 crowned among the best in Australia.
Two retail at $10—Tolley Clare Valley Riesling, which took home Best Value Riesling; and Tangaroa Sauvignon Blanc, which took home Best Value Sauvignon Blanc—proving $10 still buys a world-class drop.
It’s not the first accolade for the Tolley Riesling, which recently won Gold at the London Wine Competition 2026. Here’s how the judges described it: “Bright citrus and apple aromas lead to a crisp, lively palate with pear drop nuances, vibrant acidity, and a clean, medium-length finish”.
An additional six winning wines in the 2026 Best in Glass Wine Awards retail at under $15: Yarra Burn Premium Cuvee N/V ($12); Evans & Tate Classic Semillon Sauv Blanc ($11); Elephant In The Room Fiano ($12); Gemtree Dragons Blood Shiraz ($13); Wynns The Siding Cabernet Sauvignon ($13.90); Cat Amongst The Pigeons GSM ($13)
Now in its second year, champions in the 2026 competition were selected from a blind-tasting of the entire Dan Murphy’s wine range by Dan Murphy’s Wine Merchants. To be eligible for the awards, every wine must be widely available in Dan Murphy’s stores and retail for under $50,
Dan Murphy’s General Manager Andrew Shedden said: “Our customers often tell us that the hardest part of buying wine is the ‘wall of choice’ – walking in and not knowing where to start. These awards are about solving that problem.
“This wasn’t necessarily about finding the perfect wine for a cellar; it was about finding the best wines for our customers to enjoy tonight. Whether it’s a $10 Riesling that punches well above its weight or a $47 Sparkling for a major milestone, we’ve done the hard work of tasting hundreds of bottles to ensure that if it has a ‘Best in Glass’ sticker on it, it’s a guaranteed win for your dinner table.”
The judging process consisted of multiple stages. Dan Murphy’s Wine Merchants shortlisted finalists through initial tastings of the 1000+ eligible wines. These wines were re-tasted by more than 55 Merchants across state-based panels, with scores tallied to determine the top-performing wines from Australia and beyond.
Each category names three winners: Best, Best Value, and Best International, making it easier for wine drinkers to navigate. Judges’ notes focus less on technical detail and more on helping everyday wine drinkers find the right bottle for the right occasion.
Among the standout winners were Gemtree Dragons Blood Shiraz ($13), which was crowned Best Value Shiraz, a bottle the judges said was swathed in dark berry flavours and elegant tannins that acts as the perfect companion for a mid-week meal.
For those seeking international flair, the Sieur Darques Grande Cuvee ($22) secured Best International Sparkling, bringing French elegance to the table at an accessible price point. Meanwhile, the Chandon Vintage Brut ($47.90) delivered local prestige as the Best Aussie Sparkling champion.
To celebrate the awards with their customers, Dan Murphy’s stores around the country will be hosting ticketed in-store tasting events on 30 May. The events will give customers the chance to sample a selection of the winning wines, guided by a knowledgeable Wine Merchant’s from the Dan Murphy’s team.
For more information click here: https://www.danmurphys.com.au/discover/australian-wine-awards.
2026 Best in Glass winners
Best Sparkling
- Best Aussie: Chandon Vintage Brut ($47.90)
- Best International: Sieur D’arques Grande Cuvee ($22)
- Best Value: Yarra Burn Premium Cuvee N/V ($12)
- Best Prosecco: Brown Brothers Brut Premium Prosecco ($19)
Best
- Best Rose: Dominique Portet Rose ($25)
- Best Riesling: Rieslingfreak No. 34 Riesling ($22)
- Best Sauvignon Blanc: Greywacke Sauvignon Blanc ($29)
- Best Chardonnay: Isabel Estate Single Vineyard Chardonnay ($25)
- Best White Blends: Leeuwin Estate Classic Dry White ($16)
- Best Pinot Gris/Grigio: Sidewood Adelaide Hills Pinot Gris ($21)
- Best Other White Varietals: Pizzini Arneis ($23)
Best Value
- Best Rose: De Bortoli La Boheme Pinot Rose ($17)
- Best Riesling: Tolley Clare Valley Riesling ($10)
- Best Sauvignon Blanc: Tangaroa Sauvignon Blanc ($10)
- Best Chardonnay: Xanadu Fusion Chardonnay ($17)
- Best White Blends: Evans & Tate Classic Semillon Sauv Blanc ($11)
- Best Pinot Gris/Grigio: Josef Chromy Distant South Tassie Pinot Gris ($16)
- Best Other White Varietals: Elephant In The Room Fiano ($12)
Best International
- Best Rose: Mirabeau X Provence Rose ($24)
- Best Riesling: Dopff Riesling Grand Cru Schoenenbourg ($45)
- Best Sauvignon Blanc: Patient Cottat Sancerre ($44)
- Best Chardonnay: Louis Latour Macon Villages ($32)
- Best White Blends: Maison Les Alexandrins CotesRhone Blanc ($21)
- Best Pinot Gris/Grigio: Santa Margherita Pinot Grigio ($23)
- Best Other White Varietals: Torroxal Albarino ($28)
Best Red Wine
- Best Shiraz: Torbreck The Sporran Shiraz ($40)
- Best Pinot Noir: Stonier Pinot Noir ($40)
- Best Other Red Varietals: Pirramimma White Label McLaren Vale Petit Verdot ($24)
- Best Cabernet Sauvignon: Greenock Creek Four Cuttings Cabernet Sauvignon ($35)
- Best Grenache: Langmeil Rough Diamond Grenache ($20)
- Best Red Blend: St Hugo Cabernet Shiraz ($39.90)
Best Value Red Wine
- Best Shiraz: Gemtree Dragons Blood Shiraz ($13)
- Best Pinot Noir: Marlborough Sounds Pinot Noir ($16)
- Best Other Red Varietals: Bleasdale Malbec ($17)
- Best Cabernet Sauvignon: Wynns The Siding Cabernet Sauvignon ($13.90)
- Best Grenache: Cat Amongst The Pigeons GSM ($13)
- Best Red Blend: Majella The Musician Cabernet Shiraz ($16)
Best Red International
- Best Shiraz: Chateau Cres Ricards Oenothera ($31)
- Best Pinot Noir: Decoy by Duckhorn California Pinot Noir ($44)
- Best Other Red Varieties: Frescobaldi Nipozano Riserva ($32)
- Best Cabernet Sauvignon: Chapelle De Potensac Medoc ($38)
- Best Grenache: Paul Jaboulet Secret de Famille ($22)
- Best Red Blend: Coutada Velha Signature ($16)
Prices are the My Dan’s member price.