Pizzini 2025 Pinot Grigio

 

I've tried several excellent white wines from the Pizzini family over the past couple of weeks and while it is hard to pick a favourite this excellent Italian-accented pinot grigio offers a lot of summer drinking pleasure at a very fair price. The Pizzinis grow and make their wines in the King Valley in north-east Victoria, but their wines all carry a taste of the family home: Trentino in the cool north of Italy. This is unoaked, fresh, vibrant and full of youthful joy. It would be perfect with coldld ham, or turkey dishes, or even fish and chips. Think pear and Granny Smith apple characters and vibrant zingy citrus acidity on the finish. Perfect for enjoying chilled on the back deck watching the cricket. $25. https://www.pizzini.com.au/ 

Veuve Monsigny NV Premier Cru Brut Champagne

Light, brisk and breezy Champagne for under $40 a bottle? It's hard to go wrong with this seasonal special at ALDI supermarkets, made by the team from Philizot et Fills at Reuil in the Marne Valley. There is nothing complex here. but there is plenty of enjoyment for parties or family gatherings (or perhaps with fish and chips) and at half the price of many of its competitors. It is a traditional Champagne blend of pinot noir, pinot meunier, and chardonnay grapes with fresh citrus flavours to the fore, vibrant bubbles and plenty of length. A lot of fun. $39.99 but seen on special for $34.99. https://www.aldi.com.au/

Coriole 2025 Negroamaro

 

Coriole is a family-owned and -operated wine producer in McLaren Vale with a long, impressive history of pioneering wines made from alternative grape varieties including piquepoul, fiano, sangiovese and montepulciano. This is a beguiling, medium-bodied and food-friendly "drink now" red made from negroamaro, a savoury red grape that is native to the warm climate of Puglia in southern Italy. It is an ideal choice to have a bottle or two on hand when friends pop by to share some pizza or a bowl of pasta. It is fruit-driven with bright aromas, some earthy notes and brisk acid on the finish. Fun and flavoursome. $30. https://www.coriole.com/

Moss Wood 2025 Amy's Cuvée Blanc

 

Here's a classic regional blend of semillon and sauvignon blanc from one of the founding wine producers in Margaret River; albeit with a difference. The Moss Wood 2025 Amy’s Cuvée Blanc is a new addition to the range. It is semillon-driven and barrel fermented to add texture and complexity. That sets its apart from its regional rivals with its palate weight and interest. There are vivacious tropical and herbaceous notes on the palate, savoury elements, oaky hints and impressive balance. One for short-term enjoyment. Pair with blackened fish for a fun food and wine match. $41. https://www.mosswood.com.au/

Mr Riggs 2024 The Magnet Grenache

Grenache, a grape that was once reviled, is having its moment in the sun - and this delightful example from McLaren Vale stalwart Ben Riggs demonstrates its immediate appeal. Many grenache vines were pulled out or bulldozed due to oversupply in the 1980s, but now fruit from surviving older vines is very much in demand. This is a bright and immediately enjoyable grenache that was made made from fruit from 100-year-old dry grown vines at Dogridge Vineyard. The old vines are low yielding, but each bunch provides concentrated flavours. Pair with steak, lamb dishes or hard cheeses to best enjoy the plummy, spicy palate. $30. https://mrriggs.com.au/

Corte Carista 2024 Soave Classico DOC

 

If you like to have a couple of bottles of white wine in the fridge for when friends drop around it is hard to go wrong with the Italian white blend Soave. This wine comes from the hills outside Verona in the north-east of Italy and is an extremely versatile choice for quaffing chilled on its own, or pairing with seafood dishes. This Aldi supermarkets seasonal treat is made largely from the Italian grape variety garganega and is crisp, dry and refreshing. There are citrus/sherbet notes here, brisk minerality and immediate drinkability. What stands out most, though, is the low price. Aldi has it on special for $11.99 - although not for long, I suspect.   

Wirra Wirra 2022 RWS Shiraz

Some McLaren Vale shirazes can be big, brutal drinks; the vinous versions of a rugby front row forward. This very clever composition is, however, somewhere between an agile back rower and a nifty half. Impressively balanced, in other words. It is named in tribute to Robert Strangways Wigley, a noted South Australian eccentric and state cricketer who established Wirra Wirra back in 1894. This is plush and poised as well as possessing power and presence. Think dark berry/currant flavours, spice notes and dark chocolate before a fleshy finish. The 2022 release is from four blocks, three of them biodynamic. It has been matured in French oak barriques (33% new) for 18 months. Drink now with a meaty casserole, or cellar for a decade or more. $80. https://wirrawirra.com/