Mount Langi Ghiran 2009 Billi Billi Pinot Grigio

Esteemed Victorian winery Mount Langi Ghiran pioneered pinot grigio in Australia and has been making the style for almost 20 years - well before it became insanely fashionable. This has just 11% alcohol and is young and vibrant with pear and tropical fruit salad flavours and great finishing acid. This is a wine that has real drinkability – and it's a delicious alternative to Kiwi sauvignon blanc. $15.

Red Knot 2008 Shiraz

It's been a while since I've had a $15 red as satisfying as this little gem from renowned McLaren Vale producer Shingleback. It's a rich, flavoursome wine with plenty of grunt but the oak is nicely integrated and it is beautifully soft on the palate. Every time I looked down my glass was empty - always a good sign. Great value for $14.95.

Stefano Lubiana 2009 Sauvignon Blanc

Here's a sauvignon blanc that's a rare pleasure to drink. Made by the talented Steve Lubiana at Granton in the Derwent Valley, 20 kilometres north of Hobart, it has no herbaceous harshness, or excess acid. Instead this is beautifully balanced white with fresh, zippy apple and citrus flavours. Try this tangy, crisp and refreshing wine with pan-fried fish fillets, or lightly-spiced Asian dishes. $28.

Cookoothama 2007 Cabernet Merlot

Everyone loves a bargain and you won't find many better red wines for under $15 than this little beauty from the Nugan Estate stable. There are earthy/plummy aromas and the palate follows through with dark cherry, currant and chocolate characters, lovely soft mouthfeel and well-integrated oak. Every home should have a few bottles of this delightful all-purpose, medium-bodied red. It will even cellar well for a couple of years. $14.95.

Ten Minutes By Tractor 2007 Wallis Vineyard Chardonnay

This is my favourite of the individual vineyard chardonnays from this outstanding Mornington Peninsula producer. A wine with wonderful pristine fruit character, elegance and restraint with vibrant acidity. French oak barrique maturation has added complexity but the oak is never instrusive; letting the fruit do the talking. Excellent. $55.

Pepper Tree 2009 Limited Release Semillon

Winemaker Jim Chatto is doing some very good things at Pepper Tree in the Hunter Valley and this is exhibit (a). It's a crisp and zingy wine, with lively citrus flavours on the palate, a hint of spice and plenty of length and definition. It went down very well with a kung pao chicken dish and it remains a mystery to me why these vibrant, youthful Hunter semillons aren't all the rage over summer. They should be. $22.

McGuigan The Shortlist 2007 Barossa Valley Shiraz

There are plenty of big, gutsy Barossa shirazes out there; many of them simply too oaky or too high in alcohol for my palate. This, however, is a very different beast; it has plenty of flavour but it is also beautifully balanced, making it wonderfully easy to drink. All the elements of great Barossa shiraz are in place without any hint of excess. Take a bottle of this along to your favourite pizza or pasta joint and you certainly won’t be disappointed. $22.