Yalumba Y Series 2018 Sangiovese Rosé

Wow! There's some serious rosé fun to be had here at a bargain basement price. This outshone several more expensive rosés in a blind tasting, and is the perfect for choice for summer refreshment with salads, picnics or Middle Eastern cuisine. It's pale and dry with some savoury sangio notes and wonderfully crisp and vibrant on the the finish. This was wild fermented and is out and proud as being vegan friendly. Aromatic, pleasingly fruity and great value for $15. www.yalumba.com.  

Lillydale Vineyard 2018 Gewurztraminer

Lillydale Estate in the heart of the Yarra Valley has undergone a couple of ownership changes - and several years of neglect - so this is its first gewurztraminer release for a decade. Talented winemaker Nicole Esdaile and Wine Network Consulting are assisting the Chinese owners with the restoration of their Yarra Valley vineyard and brand - and this is an impressive start. It is fresh, vibrant and unmistakably gewurz; with Turkish Delight, pear drop and lychee notes to the fore. There's plenty of length here, and oodles of Asian spice, along with a dry finish. Traditional wisdom says to pair gewurz with spicy Asian dishes, but I reckon this would also work well with cold turkey and stuffing on Boxing Day. Taste this at the Yarra Valley Cellar Door. $35. 

Pike & Joyce 2018 Descente Sauvignon Blanc

I get it. Sauvignon blanc is not for everyone. But when done well, like it is here, is is a bloody brilliant wine for summer enjoyment; fresh, zesty and vibrant and a perfect foil for crustaceans and grilled fish dishes, as well as oysters. This is a zingy wine for immediate enjoyment made from 100% Lenswood fruit, which presents with citrus and tropical flavours and zingy acid on the finish. A classic cool-climate white with widespread appeal to all except insufferable wine snobs. $26. www.pikeandjoyce.com.au.         

Shaw + Smith 2016 Adelaide Hills Shiraz

Many people regard the cooler Adelaide Hills as being ideal for sauvignon blanc and pinot noir, but shiraz also thrives in them, thar hills, albeit in  different style to those found down the track in the warmer Barossa. This is a classic cooler-climate shiraz with a sense of delicacy and femininity (am I allowed to say that?) allied to medium-bodied strength, spice notes and fine tannins. This might not be quite what you are expecting from an Aussie shiraz, but it remains a red of with definite swagger and style. 92 points. $48. www.shawandsmith.com.