Soumah 2025 Marzemino

Marzemino is a rarity in Australia. The Italian red wine grape is primarily grown in Trentino in the north-east of Italy, but now seems very much at home at Hexham in the Yarra Valley. It is known for being Mozart's favourite tipple. Brett Butcher and his Italophile team at Soumah appear to have mastered what can be a tricky variety. With black cherry and plum flavours to the fore, this is deliciously feisty - and spicy - with bright acid on the finish. The Soumah team suggest chilling slightly and pairing with an antipasti plate. Sounds good to me. $45. https://soumah.com.au/

Gundog Estate 2026 The Chase Semillon

There are a lot of wine lovers who adore the complexity of aged semillon. For me the magic of fresh, newly bottled semillon has an even greater allure. This is a new release from Matt Burton at Gundog Estate in the Hunter Valley, Australia's semillon heartland. It is one of three 2026 semillons - Wild Semillon and Off-Dry Semillon are the others. Made from mature vines, it is is a very brisk, feisty young white with fresh natural acidity and lively citrus/Granny Smith notes. This would pair with anything from sardines on toast to a summer picnic. Pure, unoaked, carbon neutral and also Vegan friendly. $35. https://gundogestate.com.au/    

Turkey Flat 2026 Rosé

 

For several years now this wine has been a benchmark for dry rosés that are perfect for the Australian lifestyle. It is dry and refreshing, fresh and vibrant, and pairs with a wide range of food styles. Made by the Schulz family, long-tine Barossa producers, this made from grenache grapes and was released alongside an equally impressive 2026 Pinot Gris, which is actually more grigio in style. Aromatic, crisp and zingy, this has summer berry, pink grapefruit and Turkish Delight notes. Best served well chilled and its youth. $30. https://turkeyflat.com.au/

Pig In The House 2026 Pinot Grigio

The 2026 releases under the Pig In the house label from the O’Dea family's organic Windowrie Wines operation in the Central Ranges of NSW are right on target for fun, affordable summer drinking. The picpoul is excellent and I also thoroughly enjoyed the organic rosé. With PGs very much in vogue, this is probably going to be the most popular - a wine full of youthful verve that is ideal for serving chilled across a range of food styles. This is pale, but bright and enthusiastic. Flavoursome with zesty citrus notes and nice bight acidity. Well made and terrific value. Distributed by Single Vineyard Sellers. $28. https://www.windowrie.com.au/collections/pig-in-the-house

Kyneton Ridge 2025 Vermentino

Vermentino is a white grape variety that thrives in warmer climes and is found across Italy, primarily in Sardinia, Liguria, Corsica, Piedmont and Tuscany. It boomed in Australia briefly but appears to have ceded popularity to fellow Italian variety fiano. That's a pity because when well done, as is the case here in Victoria's Macedon Ranges, it has a lot to offer as a food-friendly wine for enjoying chilled. The palate offers fresh, lively melange of tropical and stone fruit flavours with a saline element. This would be excellent paired with pan-fried whitebait. $35. https://kynetonridge.com.au/  

Longview 2021 The Piece Shiraz

Longview, at Macclesfield in the Adelaide Hills, is a delightful spot to visit for a wine tasting: lovely views, excellent food and wines that offer terrific value. This is a special release - hard to find in retail - that is probably worth the journey on its own. Back in 2011, the Saturno family launched The Piece Project, which annually invited four street artists to to create murals live, in front of a crowd. Each winner is awarded not only a cash prize but also the label of premium shiraz label The Piece Shiraz. Illustrated by Tim Phibbs, this is a superb cool-climate shiraz, shining at five years of age. It is dark, for sure, and also intense and savoury, while remaining well balanced. We enjoyed it with beef casserole and herbed dumplings, but it could easily be cellared for a decade or more and saved for a special occasion. $120. https://www.longviewvineyard.com.au/

Ten Minutes by Tractor 2025 McCutcheon Pinot Noir

I was all set to review the very impressive 2025 Wallis pinot noir, but then this stablemate from the same Mornington Peninsula producer just edged it. Just. Winemaker Imogen Dillon is in fine form with her recent releases. A product of what vigneron Martin Spedding describes as a "magnificent" vintage, this is a cool-climate Main Ridge pinot from the top order; beautifully balanced, classically flavoured and immediately appealing. Quality fruit has been aided by 11  months in new and old French oak. Think dark fruits and silky tannins. I could easily drink copious amounts of this one. Pair with classic French dishes, or take a bottle along to your neighbourhood bistro on BYO night. $98. https://www.tenminutesbytractor.com.au/