Lyons Will Estate 2025 Gamay

 

Gamay is a delightful grape variety that is sadly under-used in Australia. Best known for Beaujolais and some Loire Valley reds, it offers lighter style drinking and can be enjoyed lightly chilled. Thank goodness for producers like Lyons Will Estate in the Macedon Ranges of Victoria, where Renata Morello makes two different expressions of gamay. This is a vibrant drink now style, with 40% whole bunch, wild ferment, semi carbonic maceration and three weeks on skins adding some palate oomph. Unfined, unfiltered and Vegan-friendly, this an excellent Australian iteration full of youthful vinous joy: crisp with nicely balanced acid across the palate. Pair with anything from a mushroom tart to French onion soup. $50. lyonswillestate.com.au    

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/ 

Curly Flat 2023 Chardonnay

 

I am a huge fan of the wines made by Curtly Flat at Lancefield  in the Macedon Ranges - always composed and  excellent value. This is a very stylish cool-climate chardonnay from Jen Kolka and her team with classic citrus on the nose and peach, apricot and mandarin flavours along with a salty tang, minerality and lightly nutty oak notes. One for lovers of White Burgundy who prefer to buy Australian. Think length, impressive purity and depth of flavour and consider pairing with a roast chicken and sage stuffing. I'll give it 94 points. $55. www.curlyflat.com.