Pizzini 2010 Sangiovese Shiraz

The Pizzini family make an excellent range of wines in the King Valley in north-east Victoria but it is  hard to go past this delightfully savoury blend for everyday drinking pleasure.  A perfect partner for pizza or pasta dishes, it is extremely food friendly and  very quaffable. Medium-bodied and boasting sweet fruit and some gentle spice,  it is a wine for enjoying with family and friends. $20.

1er Yarra Valley 2010 Chardonnay

If Franco d'Anna were a baseball player he'd be described as "seeing each pitch like melon". He's hitting the ball out of the park with the quality of his wines across all three of his ranges; the regional Wickhams Road series, the excellent Hoddles Creek range and this, his premium label. There were an equally impressive 2010 Pinot Noir and 2010 Pinot Blanc released alongside this wine, but this just oozes class, with every element in tune - like a world-class orchestra. It is a flighty filly right now, but offers just the right combination of citrus and stonefruit notes, with terrific texture and great zingy acidity. If this were a Burgundy, we'd be prepared to pay a fortune for it; so that makes the price tag for this Yarra Valley gem an absolute bargain. $40. www.hoddlescreekestate.com.au.  

Kyeema Vineyard 2011 Chardonnay Viognier

Quality fruit is the key to the appeal of this, the first white wine to be released under the Kyeema label - the premium range of wines from Capital Wines. The Kyeema chardonnay vines are over 30 years old and have previously provided fruit for the iconic Eileen Hardy wine. This is a very textural offering as a result of the addition of some bright, early-picked viognier, a variety more usually blended with shiraz. This is not a co-ferment; the chardonnay is fermented in oak and the viognier in stainless steel, but there is still a seamlessness to the wine, along with real drinkability. $36.  www.capitalwines.com.au.

Bloodwood 2010 Chardonnay

Stephen and Rhonda Doyle were pioneers in the cool-climate Orange wine region, planting their first grapes almost three decades ago. This is a simply stunning chardonnay - and outstanding value for money - seamless and elegant with delightfully racy fruit (both tropical and grapefruit notes), great minerality, nutty nuances in their place but not intruding and and some crisp, refreshing acidity. Just 12.5% alcohol and an impressive package. $27. www.bloodwood.biz.

Goaty Hill 2011 Riesling

This is an absolutely ripping riesling from the Tamar Valley in Tasmania that took out the honours at the recent Festivale tasting. It’s fresh as a daisy (bottled only a few weeks ago) with vibrant aromas, bright Granny Smith and lively fresh lemon and lime zest notes on the palate, crunchy acidity and pristine minerality. It ticks all the boxes for dry riesling and would be fantastic with freshly shucked oysters, fish and chips or spicy Asian dishes. If you haven’t tried a Tassie riesling for a while this is the one to go for. $28. www.goatyhill.com.au.