Wine Guide

Under $20

Le Chat Noir Vallée de l'Aude Sauvignon Blanc 2013 $15-$17

Score 87 Value Good

From Belgian winemaker Hilde Cheviot, this sauvignon from France's lovely south-west has a savoury, earthy accent to tropical and citrus varietal fruit. Dry, savoury, fine textured and mouthwatering. (Screw cap; 11 per cent alcohol.)

Ageing? No.

Food idea Goat's cheese salad.

Stockists include Smith Street Cellars, Fitzroy (Vic); Best Cellars, Darlinghurst (NSW).

St Hallett Gamekeeper's Shiraz Grenache Touriga 2013 $15-$17

Score 88 Value Fantastic

Easy quaffing red wine, rather like a Barossa Cotes-du-Rhone. The nose has red berry, blackcurrant, meaty and spicy notes ahead of a soft, juicy, middleweight palate. (Screw cap; 13.5 per cent alcohol.)

Ageing? No need.

Food idea Italian sausages seasoned with fennel seeds.

Stockists include Ian Marks Liquor, Woodend (Vic); Red Bottle, Alexandria (NSW).

$20-$35

Freeman Dolcino 2013 $24-$26 500ml

Score 94 Value Good

Hilltops (NSW) viognier, 50 per cent botrytised, a delicious sweetie offering luxuriously sweet passionfruit, floral and candied citrus characters. It's unctuous yet fine, lingering and sweet, offset by zippy acidity. (Screw cap; 12 per cent alcohol.)

Ageing? Drink over three years.

Food idea Pavolva with passionfruit topping.

Stockists include Olinda Cellars (Vic); Vintage Blue, Sydney (NSW).

Mediterrané by Redhouse Barossa Valley Sangiovese 2013 $20-$22

Score 89 Value Good

Italian-accented Barossa red smelling of cherries, prunes, leather and bitter chocolate. It's ripe yet savoury, medium bodied and slightly raisiny in flavour, with a grainy tannin backbone. (Screw cap; 13.5 per cent alcohol.)

Ageing? Drink over two years.

Food idea Gnocchi with pumpkin, sage and melted taleggio.

Stockists include Boccaccio Cellars, Balwyn (Vic); Mercato e Cucina, Gladesville (NSW).

Indulge yourself

Abbotts & Delaunay Alto Stratus Carignan 2012 $38-$40

Score 93 Value Good

Classy, refined Languedoc red. Dark fruit, licorice, dry herbs and undergrowth meet the nose; the palate balances ripe and savoury perfectly with subtle oak, ripe tannins, good depth and drinkability. (Cork; 14 per cent alcohol.)

Ageing? Drink over four years.

Food idea Boned and barbecued leg of lamb.

Stockists include North Sydney Cellars (NSW); Winestar, winestar.com.au

Tyrrell's Vat 1 Hunter Valley Semillon 2009 $75-$80

Score 97 Value Good

A classic edition of this esteemed label. It's in complete harmony – citrus, wax, fig, honey and toast on the nose, a complete, seamless palate of lovely depth and lingering presence, carried by superb acid balance.

Ageing? Drink over eight years.

Food idea Pan-fried fish.

Stockists include Dan Murphy's stores.

Wine of the week

Torzi Matthews Schist Rock Barossa Shiraz 2013 $18-$20

Score 92 Value Fantastic

Smooth, yet tangy and appetising, this Barossa Valley shiraz is a real crowd pleaser at a fair price. Berries, plums, spice and sweet oak aromas meet the nose, then intense regional/varietal flavours, easy texture and fine tannins complete a generous, easy drinking package. (Screw cap; 14.5 per cent alcohol.)

Ageing? Drink over four years.

Food idea A hearty steak pie.

Stockists include Boccaccio Cellars, Balwyn (Vic); Wine Culture, (NSW).

Brew

Stoke Amber by the McCashin Family $3.50-$4.50 330ml

Score 93

From Nelson, New Zealand, this cloudy, reddish amber ale has lovely sweet malt, yeasty and fruity hop aromas. The palate is rich, but not heavy or sweet, with a sustained aftertaste and appetising astringency. (4.5 per cent alcohol.)

Stockists include Dan Murphy's stores.

Something different

Stones Ginger Joe $8 500ml

Score 90

Ginger beer on steroids. A clear, golden drop with a pungent gingery, spicy aroma, sweet, spicy, warm flavours, a long sweet ginger aftertaste and a hefty dose of alcohol. Ginger freaks will love it; others beware! (8 per cent alcohol.)

Stockists include Piedimonte's, Fitzroy North (Vic.); Bondi Beach Cellars (NSW).