Clonakilla 2017 O'Riada Shiraz

One of Australia's finest red wine bargains, this is named after Irish musician and composer Sean O’Riada. He died, prematurely, in 1971, the year Clonakilla was established by John Kirk at Murrumbateman, outside Canberra. He was Kirk’s cousin. From a wet winter and early spring, followed by a warm, dry summer, this is a wine of elegance and beauty. Think red cherry flavours, floral aromas, spice notes and layers of delicious flavours. Simply stunning with beautiful balance; this is the girl next door who might just be the next supermodel. $36. www.clonakilla.com.au. 

Wirra Wirra 2019 Scrubby Rise Chardonnay

Smart wineries go with their strengths. So while McLaren Vale is the source of fruit for Wirra Wirra's red wines, growers in the much cooler Adelaide Hills provide grapes for the winery's whites. This is undoubtedly one of the best-value chardonnays around; fresh, crisp and vibrant with the cool-climate fruit allowed full voice. This is a very new wave chardonnay, none of your big oak or overt lees stirring here. Think lively citrus aromas and flavours; plenty of refreshment and the ability to match with a wide range of cuisines. It was a star with pan-fried whiting fillets. $18. www.wirrawirra.com/

Heartland 2016 Spice Trader Shiraz Cabernet Sauvignon

There is no wine region in Australia offering better value right now than Langhorne Creek. If you are looking for a red wine with palate interest that won't break the bank then this shiraz-cabernet blend from Ben Glaetzer will tick a lot of boxes. The rich, plummy and spice notes of the shiraz combine impressively with the cassis and tannin structure of the cabernet in a very tasty all-purpose wine that would be a ripper with a gourmet hamburger. $18. www.heartlandwines.com.au.  

Grosset 2019 Polish Hill Riesling

I'll almost certainly be accused of being predictable and mainstream for recommending this wine - but I simply don't care because it is an outstanding new release  of one of Australia's benchmark white wines. OK, it's not a discovery, and it is a wine with which many vinophiles are familiar - but that doesn't make it any less worthy. Think incredible intensity from a difficult dry year, bright acid, amazing length, classic citrus and mineral notes and joyous freshness and you will be close to the mark. I'd buy at least two bottles, one for enjoying now, another for opening in a decade or so. Organic. Classic. But you'll need to move quick smart because of the low-yielding vintage. $61. www.grosset.com.    

Terre a Terre 2016 Crayeres Vineyard Shiraz

The Crayères vineyard is in the Wrattonbully GI, located just north of Coonawarra and south of Padthaway. The climate in Wrattonbully is very similar to Bordeaux, so it is no surprise that cabernet sauvignon does so well. More surprisingly, so does shiraz. Xavier Bizot and Lucy Croser have produced a real tantaliser with this blend of shiraz and cabernet franc, with its medium body, dark red fruit and chalky tannins, integrated oak and stoney minerality. A wine of balance and length. An each way bet. Drink now, or cellar for up to five years. $40. https://terreaterre.com.au 

Alkoomi 2019 Chardonnay

Here is a wine that offers superb value for money vintage after vintage. How the Hallett family in Frankland River manage to produce such a stylish, charming chardy for under $20 beats me, but it is certainly good news for canny consumers. Fresh and lively, I suspect unoaked, this is a terrific midweek drinking proposition, ideal for quaffing after work or pairing with a stir-fry or salad. Terrific buying. $18. www.alkoomiwines.com.au.   

Risky Business 2019 King Valley Pinot Gris

Risky Business is a joint venture between grape grower/viticulturist Rob Quenby and vintner John Waldron, who source fruit from Western Australia and Victoria’s King Valley, producing mainly small batches. This is a fresh, particularly appealing new release with lively pear and green apple flavours and vibrant acidity. More grigio than gris in my book and a terrific wine for enjoying young and a good match for Thai dishes. $25. 
www.riskybusinesswines.com.au