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The Yarra Valley range is a new trio of wines from Oakridge, also featuring a rosé (which I have yet to sample) and a very good pinot noir. The fruit is selected from the regular Oakridge vineyards and made in the same way as the more expensive vineyard series wines, being fermented in open-top fermenters with whole berries and then spending a short time in French oak puncheons before being matured on lees. This wine is all about the quality fruit, the skills of winemaker David Bicknell and the price. Classic cool-climate chardonnay in the vein of Chablis for $30.
Great Bordeaux can be expensive - often prohibitively so. Good Bordeaux can be hard to track down, but can be worthwhile taking a punt on, even given the French region's inconsistencies. This one is bottled under screw cap, which removes one potential issue and ensures freshness. Bernard Schurr is a Rhone-based vigneron/negociant who sources fruit from the major wine regions of France. This is a classic right bank blend of merlot (55%) and cabernet sauvignon (45%) from a small vineyard north of Saint-Emilion. It is a wine of charm and restraint and a lovely introduction to beguiling Bordeaux. Imported by Fourth Wave Wines. $27. www.fourthwavewine.com.au.
Imagine Daniel Craig as James Bond, strolling onto a super yacht in Monte Carlo. That's the same kind of effortless cool and style that you'll find in this red blend from riesling master Jeff Grosset. Only 6,000 bottles were made of this cabernet sauvignon/cabernet franc blend which is a gentle but intense with dark berry flavours, minerally hints and a soft, smooth finish. This comes from the highest, coolest site in the Clare Valley and is a wine of impeccable balance. It is also unfined, so is suitable for vegans. $90.
www.grosset.com.au.
Hay Shed Hill winemaker Michael Kerrigan has come up trumps with this impressive traditional West Australian blend from Margaret River fruit. This is a perfect "midweek" white, fresh, vibrant and very easy to drink with tropical and citrus fruit flavours allied to a brisk flinty finish. Ideal for quaffing on a warm autumn afternoon, or pairing with fish dishes. $20. www.hayshedhill.com.au.
The Salatin family has been making
wine in Treviso, just inland from Venice, since 1528 – and their wines are
imported into Australia by family company Vino Bambino. This is wine of lovely
balance, with cherry and spice aromas and a fresh palate that is smooth and
soft. Extremely easy to drink. A versatile food wine that would pair well with a
cheese platter. The range also includes a line-priced and equally good pinot
grigio. $19. www.vinobambino.com.au
While Tim Kirk and his team at Clonakilla are best-known for their shiraz-viognier blends and other world-class reds, the riesling is, for me, the best-value wine in the entire range. Riesling thrives in the granite soils and cool climate of Murrumbateman, outside Canberra. This is fine and lean and immediately appealing with lemon, lime and grapefruit notes, spiky acidity and lots of length. Pair this with Thai or Vietnamese dishes. While I was sipping and savouring my usually restrained wife devoured the rest of the bottle.
$32. www.clonakilla.com.au.
A beautifully savoury red from Heathcote at a very reasonable price. Sangiovese is to the "go to" Italian grape for wine lovers looking for medium-weight earthiness and balance and this offers those attractive deli notes along with bright, sweet fruit flavours, including dark cherry notes. There are some chewy tannins here, too. Older oak has added herbal palate interest and texture. This would pair brilliantly with calves liver and onions, or a pan-fried fillet steak. $24. www.tarandroses.com.au.
