Heartland Shiraz continues to achieve that magical double: popularity with both wine experts and the general consumer. The Heartland range comes from the same man responsible for the 100 Parker Point Amon-Ra. In our humble opinion, Ben Glaetzer (pictured left) is one the world’s best winemakers.

The magical double was made official when the 2004 Heartland Shiraz was chosen as best out of a record 762 entries over 15 classes, not only by a panel of judges but also by a separate panel of wine consumers, in the 2005 Advertiser/Hyatt South Australian Wine of the Year competition, judged in its home state capital, Adelaide.

Among its latest credits are a gold medal at Mundus Vini 2007, Germany’s most important wine competition. At home, the 2006 was selected among the Hot 100 South Australian wines by the Adelaide Review magazine and Australia’s Top 100 wines ’07, as selected by the The Advertiser in Adelaide.

Winestate magazine, in its ‘Best Wines of 2007′, gave the 2006 five stars and equal top in its category. Toni Paterson MW in ‘What to Drink 2007′ said: “This wine is over the top in every way… but it has been exceedingly well made – so if you like your wines laden with blackberries, plums, prunes and five spices, you’ll adore this one. It is great value: better than many more expensive wines.”

The last I heard, the ‘wine of the people’ is to start flying high – as the wine selected for serving on board Singapore Airlines business class. It has been so popular with us lately, not just because it’s the perfect winter warmer, but it simply represents incredible value for money. Especially with 10% off until the end of February, you can pick up a bottle for €12.59.

Here’s your (impossible) challenge for the week: Find a wine as good as the Heartland Shiraz in your local supermarket for under 18 quid.