Francois Lurton 2023 La Mule en Provence Rosé

Hidden behind one of the blandest, hard-to-read labels around, you'll find one of the best value wines for summer quaffing. Made by Francois Lurton, a member of one of France's most famous winemaking families, for Aldi stores, this offers the essence of a Provencal summer with its pale colour and bright wild berry notes, alongside savoury characters and some lively minerally tang on the palate. It is made largely from grenache and cinsault grapes and we paired it with spicy kofta skewers and tahini cauliflower, but it would pair with anything from a picnic to a vegetable quiche. Lovely stuff for enjoying well chilled. $12.99.   

Boydell’s 2024 Barrington Field Blend White

What a gloriously gluggable white wine for enjoying over the summer. This is the first field blend from Hunter Valley-based Boydell’s, a label with a long history. It is a rather unusual blend of 40% verdelho with 20% fiano, 20% chardonnay and 20% gruner veltliner. The four elements come together brilliantly with three varieties unoaked and the chardonnay spending some time in barrel before being blended. This is all about refreshment and vibrancy and a wine ideal for enjoying with a picnic or a seafood feast. Drink young and serve well chilled. $35. https://boydells.com.au/

PHi 2022 Syrah Grenache

 

Taking a sip of this wine is like taking a vinous trip to the Rhone Valley. PHI is the 21st letter of the Ancient Greek alphabet and symbolises balance, harmony and proportion. This red blend has all that and more. There is juiciness, but also elegance. There's savoury and spicy notes, but also impressive fruit weight. The grapes comes from Heathcote and the wine is made by the De Bortoli Yarra Valley team. I paired it with some poached tuna and teriyaki aubergine and it proved an inspired combo. A wine for savouring, with or without food. Soft and plush on the finish. Serious but fun. And downright delicious. $35. https://www.debortoli.com.au/

Jean 2023 Chardonnay

 

Here is a fun French chardonnay that fits the bill for summer enjoyment. It is fully fruited (no one is going to mistake it for Chablis) wine from the warmth of the south of France with plenty of flavour. It comes from the team at Maison Jean Loron with fruit source from vineyards on rocky, elevated hillsides. It is bright and fresh with citrus and tropical fruit flavours on the palate, and it finishes quite dry. Easy to drink, ready for immediate enjoyment, and ideal for pairing chilled with salads or perhaps with fancy pork snags. $30. https://www.singlevineyards.com/

The Other Wine Company 2024 Sangiovese

 

This bright and food friendly young sangiovese is a new addition to the Other Wine Co. portfolio. It's a thoroughly modern take on the classic Italian grape variety from the team that also produces wines under the Shaw+Smith label. This is made from grapes grown in the elevated (and cool) Mount Lofty Ranges in the Adelaide Hills. It is designed as a fresh, uncomplicated, drink-now red and delivers on all counts. There are blue fruit flavours to the fore, hints of spice and lashings of bright acidity. Fermented as a combo of whole bunches and whole berries, it spent two weeks on skins before being basket pressed to old oak and stainless steel. Fun drinking with anything from a vegetable pizza to a gourmet burger. $28. https://www.theotherwineco.com/