I am fortunate enough to taste thousands of wines over the course of a year.
Some I am able to review in newspapers or magazines, others on my various blogs, or perhaps just recommend on social media.
There are always some terrific wines that slip through the cracks, however; perhaps after I've reviewed too many wines made from one grape variety or too many from the same producer.
Here are a dozen wines for summer enjoyment, something for every budget, almost all of which can stand being chilled as the mercury rockets over the holidays.
I hope you are able to track down and enjoy at least one or two of them.
ANGOVE LONG ROW Chardonnay Pinot Noir Sparkling Wine $10.
A cracking choice when cheap and cheerful fizz is required; crisp, clean and refreshing. Enjoy well chilled with Christmas and New Year toasts.
BERTON VINEYARDS METAL RANGE 2017 The Vermentino $12.
If you are looking for an affordable thirst-quencher with plenty of fresh lemon and pear flavours then you've come to the right place. A perfect party wine.
RUTHERGLEN ESTATES NV Classic Muscat. $22.
Looking for something to pair with the Christmas cake or pudding? This classic style of rich and luscious fortified from north-east Victoria will do nicely.
ALTERNATUS 2017 Fiano. $23.
Looking for a chilled glass or two to pair with freshly shucked oysters? This wine made from a fast-emerging Italian grape steps up with its lively fresh palate.
RUN FREE 2017 Riesling $25.
A crisp and delicious dry young riesling from the Singlefile winery in the Great Southern of Western Australia.The citrus notes here are a perfect match for seafood.
REDMAN 2015 Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon. $30.
The wines from the Redman family in Coonawarra are on a brisk upward trajectory. This is a regional classic, floral and dark with Christmas cake flavours and lots of length.
LONGVIEW 2017 Fresco Nebbiolo. $36.
Made in a "Vino Novello" style by the talented team at Longview in the Adelaide Hills, this is excellent in its youth and with its cherry and spice notes would be great with turkey.
TERRE A TERRE 2015 Cabernet Franc $40.
Look for lighter-style cabernet franc to become all the rage in 2018. This is a very good example, full of vibrant fruit and well-integrated French oak.
TAPANAPPA 2016 Piccadilly Chardonnay. $40.
From the Croser family vineyards in the Adelaide Hills, this is an exceptionally good-value chardonnay.Classy with structure, stone-fruit flavours and brisk acid.
MARCHAND & BURCH 2016 Mount Barrow Pinot Noir $60.
A collaboration between the Burch family of Howard Park fame and Burgundian producer Pascal Marchand; this is a bright, savoury and silky pinot.
CHAMPAGNE JEEPER Brut Grand Assemblage. $95.
From one of the smaller, private Champagne Houses, this is a standout blend of largely chardonnay with smaller amounts of pinot noir and pinot meunier. Fine and long.
HENSCHKE 2014 Mount Edelstone $225.
The perfect choice if you want to push the boat out with the Christmas turkey; a beautifully balanced single-vineyard shiraz from the cool Eden Valley. All class.
Some I am able to review in newspapers or magazines, others on my various blogs, or perhaps just recommend on social media.
There are always some terrific wines that slip through the cracks, however; perhaps after I've reviewed too many wines made from one grape variety or too many from the same producer.
Here are a dozen wines for summer enjoyment, something for every budget, almost all of which can stand being chilled as the mercury rockets over the holidays.
I hope you are able to track down and enjoy at least one or two of them.
A cracking choice when cheap and cheerful fizz is required; crisp, clean and refreshing. Enjoy well chilled with Christmas and New Year toasts.
BERTON VINEYARDS METAL RANGE 2017 The Vermentino $12.
If you are looking for an affordable thirst-quencher with plenty of fresh lemon and pear flavours then you've come to the right place. A perfect party wine.
RUTHERGLEN ESTATES NV Classic Muscat. $22.
Looking for something to pair with the Christmas cake or pudding? This classic style of rich and luscious fortified from north-east Victoria will do nicely.
ALTERNATUS 2017 Fiano. $23.
Looking for a chilled glass or two to pair with freshly shucked oysters? This wine made from a fast-emerging Italian grape steps up with its lively fresh palate.
RUN FREE 2017 Riesling $25.
A crisp and delicious dry young riesling from the Singlefile winery in the Great Southern of Western Australia.The citrus notes here are a perfect match for seafood.
REDMAN 2015 Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon. $30.
The wines from the Redman family in Coonawarra are on a brisk upward trajectory. This is a regional classic, floral and dark with Christmas cake flavours and lots of length.
LONGVIEW 2017 Fresco Nebbiolo. $36.
Made in a "Vino Novello" style by the talented team at Longview in the Adelaide Hills, this is excellent in its youth and with its cherry and spice notes would be great with turkey.
TERRE A TERRE 2015 Cabernet Franc $40.
Look for lighter-style cabernet franc to become all the rage in 2018. This is a very good example, full of vibrant fruit and well-integrated French oak.
TAPANAPPA 2016 Piccadilly Chardonnay. $40.
From the Croser family vineyards in the Adelaide Hills, this is an exceptionally good-value chardonnay.Classy with structure, stone-fruit flavours and brisk acid.
MARCHAND & BURCH 2016 Mount Barrow Pinot Noir $60.
A collaboration between the Burch family of Howard Park fame and Burgundian producer Pascal Marchand; this is a bright, savoury and silky pinot.
CHAMPAGNE JEEPER Brut Grand Assemblage. $95.
From one of the smaller, private Champagne Houses, this is a standout blend of largely chardonnay with smaller amounts of pinot noir and pinot meunier. Fine and long.
HENSCHKE 2014 Mount Edelstone $225.
The perfect choice if you want to push the boat out with the Christmas turkey; a beautifully balanced single-vineyard shiraz from the cool Eden Valley. All class.
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