Grosset 2017 Polish Hill Riesling

When it comes to both quality and consistency, this is arguably Australia's greatest white wine. As a lover of both rieslings and the Clare Valley, this would be my go-to white if I had just 50 bucks and change in my pocket and someone to impress. The 2017 vintage was superb one in the Clare; I'm seeing brilliant rieslings across the board and this estate-grown, certified organic wine from what has been declared one of the world's great vineyards, once again leads the pack. I left my sample a few weeks and it is now very much in the zone, flamboyantly floral, vivaciously vibrant and palpably powerful. Think intense lime citrus notes, tight structure and ultra-dry acid finish. One of the great vintages and worthy of 98 points. $55. www.grosset.com.au.  

Trentham Estate 2016 Estate-Grown Merlot

If your budget is a little tight in the post-Christmas period then wines like this one will come as a blessing. The Murphy family from Trentham Estate in the Murray-Darling region almost always over-deliver on value, and this is a cracking example of good-quality merlot at a very reasonable price. It is impressively "together" unlike several of its kins who tend to be all sweet fruit and softness. Cherry, plum, spice and silkiness are all part of the package, but the end result is impressively integrated. Impressive new packaging, too, alongside a medium-bodied dry red that would be a very good choice for a summer holiday barbecue. $20. www.trenthamestate.com.au. 

Pizzini 2017 King Valley Pinot Grigio

This is a quintessential summer wine; perfect for pairing with picnics, beach cricket or just sunny afternoons on the deck. Wonderfully fresh and crisp, it is like drinking from a cool mountain stream. The nose features a fresh-cut flower bouquet, along with ripe stone fruits, while the palate has classic pear notes, alongside fresh grapefruit and lime flavours. The bright acid continues right through the palate. This is made by an Italian family in the north-east of Victoria and unashamedly mimicks the northern Italian grigio style. It would pair with everything from deep-fried whitebait to a mushroom pizza. Go ahead. Splash out and you won't be disappointed. I don't expect to hear from anyone who is. $21. www.pizzini.com.au.

Ten Minutes by Tractor 2015 McCutcheon Pinot Noir

Looking for a Christmas present for a serious pinotphile? A bottle that can be enjoyed with the Christmas turkey, or confidently cellared for a decade or more? The McCutcheon was my pick of the outstanding 2015 pinots from Mornington Peninsula producer 10 Minutes by Tractor, a wine with both flavour and structure. This has great balance and tremendous length with all the classic cool-climate pinot characteristics; expressive fruit, savoury notes, sous bois earthiness and tremendous length. Sinewy and powerful, this underwent wild yeast fermentation and spent 15 months in 22% new French oak barriques. Quality with a capital Q and well worth 95/100 points. This is all but sold out at cellar door, but you might find it some in quality retail outlets.
$78. www.tenminutesbytractor.com.au.

Coriole 2017 Chenin Blanc

The perfect summer quaffer, sipping this is like biting into a cool Granny Smith apple straight from the fridge. This is an absolute ripper for under $20 and won a recent gold medal at the National Wine Show. Chenin blanc, which thrives in the Loire Valley in France, is, most unusually, the primary white grape variety at Coriole in McLaren Vale and was first planted in 1977. This is fresh, vibrant and aromatic with a zingy, zesty palate that has plenty of brisk acidity. Versatile with food, this would pair with anything from spicy Asian dishes to a summer salad. If you haven't tried chenin blanc before you'd be a fool not to sample this. $18. www.coriole.com.