Shelmerdine 2009 Pinot Noir Rosé

It's starting to get warmer, which means chilled rosés are back on the agenda - and you'll struggle to find better than this delicious number from the Yarra Valley. Made from pinot noir grapes grown in the high-altitide Lusatia Park vineyard, its is crisp and clean with barrel fermentation having added complexity and interest to the strawberries and cream flavours. Fresh, dry and lots of fun, it would be great with Lebanese dishes, or a picnic. A bargain at $20.

Shaw and Smith 2007 Adelaide Hills Shiraz

If only all Australian shirazes were this good. Shaw and Smith use cool-climate Adelaide Hills fruit but still manage to produce a beautifully balanced medium-bodied wine that has plenty of juicy impact while at the same time offering elegance and hints of spice. French oak plays an understated support role with the vibrant fruit the star here. Deep red in colour, aromatic and appealing, this is a wine of concentration and quality that is drinking splendidly right now but will also cellar well. $38.

Aja 2008 White

A wine designed specifically for drinking with a range of spicy Asian dishes? Sounded like a lot of tosh to me. But I put Aja, a blend of verdelho, semillon and sauvignon blanc, to the taste test with some spicy chicken and a gado gado salad and it came up trumps. There’s plenty of appealing upfront fruit and some nice crisp, juiciness on the finish that suggests this low-acid number will, indeed, partner well with a variety of Asian spices. Winemaker Liz Jackson has done a good job. $20.

Logan 2009 Sauvignon Blanc

Sauvignon blanc remains as divisive as ever; people either love it, or hate it. This excellent cool-climate offering probably won't convert any of the haters, but it will certainly please the fans. It has fresh, green aromas and the palate is zingy and zesty with lashings of tropical fruit and pomelo. It's young, it's crisp, it's dry, it's perfect for spring. Very enjoyable. $22.