Bertani Valpolicella 2011
DOC Valpolicella $14.95 (277319) 12.0% alcohol
This is a well-priced, easy-going sipper with the balance and structure to front up well to grilled burgers, meat-laden pizza or spicy wings. Hi-toned aromas of dark berry fruit, cedar and charred toast herald a straightforward river of cassis, kitchen spice and sweet, ripe cherry. It’s medium bodied and nicely textured with a medium-length finish that layers on strawberry and vanilla flavours with excellent, balancing acidity. (Vic Harradine)


Cono Sur ‘Reserva’ Chardonnay 2011
DO Casablanca, Chile $12.95 (270066) 13.4% alcohol
There’s good value here—aromas of tropical fruit, citrus and peach waft easily for this medium-weight, nicely textured Chardonnay. It’s brimming with sweet tropical fruit, pineapple, mango and melon interlaced with moderating lemon chiffon pie and pineapple. It finishes with lip-smacking, tangy white grapefruit and succulent, ripe peach. (Vic Harradine)


Cono Sur Merlot Rosé 2011
DO Rapel Valley, Chile $9.95 (122481) 13.0% alcohol
Strawberry with hints of spice and plum aromas on the nose, it sports a well-balanced, flavourful wave of red cherry and red currant interwoven with ruby red grapefruit on the palate. The aftertaste is sheer delight—lengthy and lip smacking with juicy blood orange, sweet ripe berry fruit and juicy tang throughout. This summer sipper’s great value and versatile at the table—pair with pizza, Greek salad, Caesar salad topped with grilled chicken or lighter-styled dishes. (Vic Harradine)


Kacaba Cabernet Merlot 2009
VQA Niagara Escarpment $16.95 12.7% alcohol
Perfumed aromas of berry fruit, spiced black plum and fennel herald a medium-full bodied, nicely textured wash of rich, black currant and dark plum compote interwoven with dark toast and excellent moderating acidity. It’s balanced with good grip from a lick of tannin on the aftertaste. Well paced and well priced—pour alongside gourmet sausage, burgers or meat-laden pizza. (Vic Harradine)


Masi ‘Modello delle Venezie’ Rosé 2011
IGT delle Venezie Rosato, Italy $10.95 (587725) 12.0% alcohol
Lively aromas of red cherry, sweet strawberry and lemongrass roll easily from this crisp, refreshing, value-packed gem. Tangy red grapefruit, red cherry and currant flavours wash over the palate persisting through the lip-smacking aftertaste. It’s balanced and beautiful sipped on its own and versatile with food—white pizza, fried chicken, deli platter or pan-seared salmon. (Vic Harradine)


James Oatley ‘TIC TOK’ Shiraz 2010
Central Ranges, NSW, Australia $15.95 (187187) 13.5% alcohol
Dark berry fruit, toasty notes and hints of black pepper on the nose, this nicely balanced, medium-bodied red dishes up a warm and satin-smooth wash of sweet, ripe mulberry, black raspberry and juicy, sour cherry. It finishes with good fruit and lip-smacking acidity making it the perfect partner with prawn and chorizo paella. (Vic Harradine)


Veramonte ‘La Gloria Reserva’ Sauvignon Blanc 2011
Casablanca Valley, Chile $12.95 (602649) 13.5% alcohol
This jumps from the glass with lifted aromas of citrus, pit fruit and savoury herbs. It washes over the palate with nicely paced flavours of lemon-lime, green apple and ripe pear. It’s mid weight and moderately textured with good fruit flavour and oodles of acidity throughout. The lip-smacking finish makes skillet-seared fish or grilled prawns great partners. (Vic Harradine)


Willm ‘Réserve’ Gewürztraminer 2010
AOC Alsace $15.95 (269852) 13.0% alcohol
Intense aromas of rosewater, exotic spice and honeysuckle herald a delightful, delectable, off-dry, mouthful of mid-weight, generously textured flavour—spiced yellow plum, tropical fruit and lemon drop candy. Balanced and beautiful, the aftertaste lingers luxuriously with crisp, refreshing tang. Lovely sipped on its own and even better with Münster or spicy Asian cuisine like tandoori chicken and garlic Nan. (Vic Harradine)