Banrock Station Shiraz 2004
Australia $13.90 (668962) 1L
Turning your nose up at screw caps and wine in a box? Get over it, these easy drinking wines are quaffable, affordable and downright handy. Pepper and spice and plum fruit that is nice, that's what this wine is made of. Light to medium bodied, mellow and warm, it would be the perfect companion to grilled burgers. A $1.25 million donation is going to the "Bring Back the Salmon Lake Ontario" fund from Banrock and every wine purchase helps sustain that. (VH)


Deakin Estate Chardonnay 2005
Victoria $10.05 (588418)
Vanilla and tropical fruit aromas set up this medium-bodied, well-priced white. There are full fruit (peaches and green apple) flavours with a light touch of oak and these carry through to the clean and refreshing finish. Lovely on its own, it would also be well served with a crisp green salad topped with light vinaigrette and grilled chicken strips. (VH)


Penfolds "Koonunga Hill" Shiraz/Cabernet Sauvignon 2003
South Eastern Australia $16.10 (285544)
Pleasant plum and gamey notes waft from the nose of this medium-bodied Aussie crowd pleaser. The flavours (black licorice, savory plum, spiced currant) are sweet, juicy, rich and complex. A touch of oak, a dash of zest and a lengthy finish mark this a winner. Fairly priced, but a bargain until May 21, at the discounted tag of $14.60 (VH)


Wolf Blass "Eaglehawk" Chardonnay 2005
South Eastern Australia $12.10 (606392)
This is a good example of why Australia is successful. It's just a very well-made wine that sells at a competitive price. You can't go wrong. For your $12 you get flavours of vibrant, attractive fruit (peach and tropical), a palate-pleasing round texture, and a crisp finish. It's a natural for a wide range of dishes, including roast chicken, pork tenderloin, and grilled white fish. (RP)


Wyndham Estate "Bin 444" Cabernet Sauvignon 2002
South Eastern Australia $16.00 (110486)
The cherry and eucalyptus nose opens the door to an extremely well balanced Cab. The mid-palate is sweet (14.5% alcohol) currant and black cherry fruit wrapped around ripe tannins and deftly-handled oak. The lengthy, almost brawny finish suggests it has the verve to match up to a garlic-slathered medium-rare, grilled steak. (VH)

Reif Estate Gamay Rosé 2005
Ontario $10.95 (669366)
This lovely summer sipper has a lifted nose of sweet cranberries then rolls it out on the palate with sweet and involved fruit flavours that include currant, strawberry and spice. There is deft balance, a lengthy fruit forward and tangy finish at a great price point. Great with all manner of canapés. (VH)

Baron Philippe de Rothschild "Mouton Cadet Blanc" 2004
AOC Bordeaux $12.95 (2527)
One of those wines you haven't tried in years? Pity. This has become a world-wide favourite now selling 15 million bottles per annum. The nose is sweet tropical fruit with a hint of vanilla and the flavours are warm and mellow with pear and apple to the fore. It is medium-bodied and held together by a lengthy finish and enough acidity to make it clean and refreshing. Incredible price for a wine of this provenance. (VH)

Mondavi "Woodbridge" White Zinfandel 2004
California $9.95 (249656)
Peppery, stewed fruit aromatics greet the taster while the flavour profile lies in the apricot and peach spectrum. It has good balance and finishes with a zesty tang. Low alcohol (10%) and under ten dollars, this was made to start off that garden party as a refreshing aperitif and/or to match the light nibblies being passed around. (VH)


Pacific Wine Partners "Twin Fin" Cabernet Sauvignon 2002
California $13.95 (613273)
Remember when you often bought California Cab that was delicious, interesting and affordable? Two ex-pat Aussie winemakers have hit it big with this luscious new listing. It has gobs of black fruit, minty aromas and flavours plus a zesty tang and enough grip to provide structure and balance. It's new, it's hip, it's wisely under screw cap and it's lip-smackin' good. (VH)