Twin Fin Cabernet Sauvignon 2005
California $12.95 (613273)
Pitched at the hip n' happening scene—a red convertible and surfboard prominently displayed on the label—it's right at home on the deck or patio. Dark berry, spice and wisps of minty aromas float of this medium-bodied and lightly textured drink-me-now red. You'll find Montmorency cherry, sweet cassis and more spice on the palate. It finishes fruity and nicely balanced. Serve with meat that sizzled on your BBQ. (VH)


Twin Fin Shiraz 2005
California $12.95 (34132)
Spice and coffee aromas billow from this medium-bodied and medium-textured bistro-styled red. The fruit flavour is in the black briary berry zone with a hint of spice and black plum. There's a distinctive dry finish of dark fruit flavours with a dash of aromatic bitters. Pair with grilled gourmet sausage, pizza or burgers. (VH)

Santa Carolina Carmenère 'Reserva' 2005
Valle del Rapel $12.95 (57133)
Deep purple, almost opaque in the glass, the richly scented aromas reflect warm, ripe dark berry fruit along with spice box and notes of black licorice. Fully textured, the expressive warm flavours (14.5% alcohol) deliver the ripe fruit promised on the nose. Look for rich and raisiny flavours of black currant and, well, dark raisins. It's medium bodied and ready to drink with burgers, pizza and steak. Exceptional value, this earned its final half star from that. (VH)

Ruffino 'Fonte al Sole' 2006
IGT Toscana $12.85 (18994)
Lovely perfumed aromas of berry fruit, spice and a touch of earthiness. This medium-bodied blend (Sangiovese-predominant with a splash of Cabernet) shows well on the palate with black cherry flavours that are nicely set off with zesty red currant and a hint of spice. It's mellow and ready to drink with imperceptible tannin and not a splinter of oak. It finishes fruity and nicely balanced. Pair with Italian dishes with a tomato-based sauce—lasagna, pasta or pizza. (VH)


Santi 'Sortesele' Pinot Grigio
IGT Delle Venezie $ 12.95 (637603)
The gorgeous straw/gold colour will capture your interest. There's an involved and lifted nose of mineral and yellow peach aromas. The flavours consist of ripe citrus and super-ripe apple compote. It offers good texture, medium weight and a zingy citrus zest bite on the finish that lines it up for pairing with seafood dishes like pan-seared white fish under a generous drizzle of freshly squeezed lemon. (VH)

Sogrape 'Gazela' Vinho Verde Non-vintage
DOC Vinho Verde $8.40 (141432)
Named not because of colour, although this has a faint green tinge, but because it's a 'young' wine and meant to be drunk on purchase. Made from an indigenous grape blend—Loureiro, Arinto, Trajadura and Azal—and fashioned for drinking with seafood, pair this with prawns, scallops or tuna ceviché. Floral, mineral and pear aromas on the nose, the flavours are focused on lemon-lime zest and delicious tang. It's balanced, spritzy (resulting in a slight 'prickle' on the tongue), crisp and refreshing, and only 9% alcohol. This is extremely well priced. (VH)

Robertson Winery Shiraz 2007
WO Robertson $11.95 (610949)
Robertson is a perennial winecurrent favourite and this Shiraz doesn't disappoint. Lifted alluring aromatics billow from the glass with mixed spice box, black licorice and mixed red and black berry fruit to the fore. There's a solid core of tangy fruit flavours—red cherry, ripe pomegranate and black Damson plum. The finish lingers with hints of kirsch liqueur, yet more spice, and racy mouth-watering zest. It's medium-bodied, nicely textured and very good value. (VH)

Julian Chivite 'Gran Fuedo' Reserva 2003
Navarra $15.95 (479017)
This easy-drinking Tempranillo blend also has Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot that add complexity. The lifted nose is a mélange of heady aromas including spice, tar and mint while the flavours are in the tangy red cherry and cranberry zones. They're carried along effortlessly on the medium-bodied and medium-textured frame. The finish is warm and full of spice and juicy black plum with hints of sweet cassis. (VH)


Segura Viudas Cava 'Brut Reserva' Non-Vintage
DO Cava $14.95 (158493)
This is a popular go-to sparkling wine as an aperitif or with a wide variety of seafood or white meat dishes. Gorgeously coloured—light gold with a distinctive tinge of green—you'll discover aromas of citrus and mineral. A fine perlage (a steady stream of tiny bubbles) is the mark of classy bubbly and is evident here. Ripe grapefruit and white peach flavours form a focused attack on the palate while the finish is crisp and refreshing. (VH)


Tapeña Garnacha 2006
Vino de la Tierra de Castilla $13.75 (72553)
Earthy and mineral tones on the nose, this really delivers on the palate. Rich and expressive flavours of black berry and red cherry are carried along nicely with moderating acidity and nuances of coffee and spice. Medium bodied and with just enough texture, it's one of those wines that improves with each sip due to excellent balance and a crisp refreshing finish. Serve slightly chilled, ten minutes in the refrigerator before serving, either on its own or with pizza or burgers. (VH)


Tapeña Tempranillo 2006
Vino de la Tierra de Castilla $13.75 (72942)
Ripe red berry fruit and maraschino cherry aromas drift off the glass of this light-bodied red. The flavours are freshly squeezed black grapes and sweet cherries. Bistro-styled and easy drinking, the good balance and lovely tang on the finish set this up as a versatile food wine. Pair with all manner of grilled meats and sausage or pizza and pasta dishes. (VH)