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/ 

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.   

Taylors 2023 St Andrews Chardonnay

 

The Clare Valley is not where I would immediately look for classy chardonnay, but this one is a very pleasant surprise; delivering a lot of immediate drinking pleasure. It is a very elegant and appealing chardonnay from the upper echelons of the Taylor family's multiple ranges. This is a smooth and sophisticated drop with lots of length and stylish varietal character. Think restrained stone fruit flavours, nutty hints and well-integrated French oak that aids rather than dominating. Along with hints of shortbread and flinty minerality, this is a complete package. Match with roast chicken or a leafy goat cheese salad. $45. https://www.taylorswines.com.au/ 

Standard price

Moss Wood 2024 Ribbon Vale Chardonnay

 

There are some very impressive chardonnay releases coming out of Margaret River right now - and this is up there with best of them. There is plenty happening on the palate of this single-vineyard release, but it also has a touch of the supermodel about it; shiny without a hair out of place. From a very fine vintage this has seen aging on lees  to add complexity, but it retains all the elements of a classic cooler-climate chardonnay: citrus flavours to the fore. It's full flavoured but effortlessly elegant and decidedly delicious. Pair with pork or poultry dishes. $80. https://www.mosswood.com.au/