Under $20
Ryder Watervale Clare Valley Riesling 2014 $15-$18
Score 88 Value Good
The Ryder label consistently guarantees well-priced, likeable South Australian dry riesling. The 2014 has delicate lime, blossom and cinnamon-like aromas, ahead of a refreshing, light, quenching palate. Easy drinking. (Screw cap; 12.5 per cent alcohol.)
Ageing? Drink over the next two years.
Food ideas Fish & chips; prawn and lemongrass stir-fry.
Stockists include Red Bluff Cellars, Black Rock (Vic); Best Cellars, Darlinghurst, (NSW).
Les Courtilles Cotes du Rhone 2012 $18-$20
Score 88 Value Good
French wine man Bernard Schurr has a great sense of the quality/price equation, and the grenache-shiraz he created sums it up – berry, peppery spice, aniseed and meaty characters; medium body, juicy balance, tight, savoury structure. Great value. (Screw cap; 14 per cent alcohol.)
Ageing? Drink over two years.
Food ideas Veal sausages with lyonnaise salad.
Stockists Leo's Fine Food & Wine, Kew and Heidelberg (Vic); Best Cellars, East Sydney (NSW).
$20-$35
De Bortoli Estate Grown Pinot Noir 2013 $23-$25
Score 90 Value Good
Yarra Valley pinot of appealing varietal purity. Delicate red fruit aromas are bright and breezy, and the succulent palate has elegant pinot flavours, good persistence, acidity and soft tannins with a long finish. (Screw cap; 13 per cent alcohol.)
Ageing? Drink over the next two years.
Food ideas Chinese egg noodles with shredded duck; grilled salmon.
Stockists include Renaissance, Hawthorn (Vic); Elizabeth Bay Cellars (NSW).
Stella Bella Margaret River Tempranillo 2010 $28-$30
Score 92 Value Good
Classic tempranillo aromas give this red a distinct Spanish accent, with black cherry, currant, old leather and spice cupboard aromas. It's finely textured with good balance of ripe and savoury flavours, backed by a savoury grip of dry tannins. (Screw cap; 14 per cent alcohol.)
Ageing? Drink over two years.
Food ideas Stuffed red peppers; paella with mixed meats.
Stockists include Prince Wine Store, South Melbourne (Vic); Mascot Liquor, Botany Lane (NSW).
Indulge yourself
Chateau de Montfaucon Baron Louis Lirac 2010 $43-$46
Score 92 Value Good
From the opposite side of the Rhone to Chateauneuf-du-Pape, this grenache blend is fragrant and fruity, with cherries, pepper, florals and earth on the nose. It's silky in the mouth with good depth, sustained flavour, and balanced drying tannins. (Cork; 14 per cent alcohol.)
Ageing? Drink over two years.
Food ideas Pot-roasted veal with provençale herbs; spring lamb cutlets.
Stockists include City Wine Shop, Spring Street, Melbourne (Vic); David Jones, Sydney (NSW).
Giant Steps Sexton Vineyard Chardonnay 2013 $43-$45
Score 94 Value Good
A complex Yarra Valley chardonnay from one of the region's most beautifully sited vineyards. White stone fruit, citrus, milk toffee and subtle parmigiano aromas follow through a seamless, lingering palate of great presence and structure. (Screw cap; 13.2 per cent alcohol.)
Ageing? Yes, two to five years.
Food ideas Poached salmon; mild cheeses.
Stockists include Purvis Cellars, Surrey Hills (Vic); Amato's Liquor Mart, Leichhardt (NSW).
Wine of the week
Lindauer Brut Cuvée NV $11-$14
Score 92 Value Fantastic
Lindauer's New Zealand sparkling wines are astonishing. They offer quality and refinement, yet low price. Brut Cuvée blends Gisborne and Hawke's Bay chardonnay and pinot noir in a slightly copper-tinged bubbly that combines attractive biscuity complexity with apple patisserie-like notes. It has sustained, rich, clean flavours, and a whisper of sweetness perfectly counterpointed by zippy acidity. (Cork; 12 per cent alcohol.)
Ageing? No.
Food ideas Party nibbles; dim sum.
Stockists include Dan Murphy's stores; Vintage Cellars stores.
Brew
Schöfferhofer Hefeweizen Bier $4-$6 500ml
Score 90
Wheat beer's burpy, filling richness is an acquired taste. This hazy German version has a lacy white head and a complex, yeasty nose with banana, wheat malt and caramel overtones. It tastes smooth and velvety with moderate underlying bitterness. (5 per cent alcohol.)
Stockists include Vintage Cellars stores; Dan Murphy's stores.
Something different
Cuarenta y Tres Liqueur $40-$50
Score 88
A golden Spanish liqueur with a name that refers to its 43 ingredients. Vanilla, spice, orange and almond caramel aromas pervade a very sweet liqueur with lingering, attractive flavours. Great with coffee or as an ingredient in sangria. (31 per cent alcohol.)
Stockists include Nicks Wine Merchants, Doncaster East (Vic); Dan Murphy's stores.