When you ask Alessandro Gallici if he comes from a family of winemakers, he laughs gently at the notion – no, his father was a truck driver. However, he was born in Friuli and his family had a little bit of land and a few rows of vines that had been theirs for generations. They vinified the fruit in a shed just for their own consumption. Now, for a number of years he’s been president of an important local winery, but in 2010 he started up on his own. Made with grapes selected from top areas – Colli Orientali and Grave – this wine delivers delicate pear fruit and crisp minerally ‘zing’. Enjoy solo or match with salads, mushroom ravioli or creamy linguine.

It displays fragrances of fruit and white flowers on the nose, with hints of Golden Delicious apples and almonds. Delicate and medium-bodied, well-balanced and refreshing.

Portuga is made by Casa Santos Lima, a grand Portuguese estate in the Lisboa region, just north of the capitol. João Santos Lima founded it in the 19th century and it has been in the same family for three generations. Diogo Sepúlveda is the winemaker today. He has worked vintages all across the world, including Bordeaux's prestigious Pomerol and California's Napa Valley. He is a talented winemaker, who relaxes in his spare time by wrestling bulls (all muscle, no knives!). Portuga is a rich, velvety blend of traditional native varieties, with Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah, aged gently in oak. Delicious either served on its own, with rich pork dishes, or tangy tomato pasta. It's an ideal wine for a barbecue too or with mature hard cheeses.

Pale yellow colour. Aromas of rose petals, lemon blossom and citrus dominate the nose, while the palate is characterized by freshness due to the acidity, soft round texture and long aftertaste. An excellent aperitif wine. Goes well with seafood, fresh salads and pasta. It can be great companion to traditional Greek stews.

Strelley Farm Estate is located in the heart of Tasmania's Coal River Valley wine region and is connected to the historical town of Richmond by the oldest bridge in Australia, the Richmond Bridge. A blend of Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Riesling and Gewurztraminer, the naturally sparkling wine displays bright passionfruit and citrus aromatics with flavours of lime, red apple and nougat.

Perla del Mar is the white sibling to the tasty Perla Negra. It comes from a special coastal vineyard called La Marina, 35 miles from Alicante. The wine’s delightfully fresh and fruity style is thanks to the grape selection (mainly the fragrant and ‘grapey’ Moscatel), the fact that the vineyards are surrounded by sea to the north, south and east, and, finally, to the modern methods of talented winemaker Pamela Geddes. Having been in charge of sparkling wine production for Seppelt in Australia, she knows all about keeping flavours crisp and fruity in warm climates. Perla del Mar is an elegant, refreshing wine with a vibrant, lime zest core and hints of lychee and other tropical fruits. It’s the archetypal summer apéritif – all year round!