The word 'Nacional' is reserved for treasures that fly the flag for Portugal. Touriga Nacional certainly does that. Ten years ago the Freitas family planted the grape on their acclaimed Fava vineyard. In 2015 it produced a wine so special that it was bottled under the vineyard name for the first time ever. It won a string of Gold on its debut - making over 60 Golds in 10 years for this fine family estate. The 2016 won Grand Gold, and the 2017 here has won Gold, Double Gold, Grand Gold and Best in Show ... ! Dating back to 1920, Casa Ermelinda Freitas is run by fourth generation Leonor Freitas, who has been awarded a 'Comendadora' (equivalent to a Dame) for her services to Portuguese wine. Her daughter Joana follows in her footsteps. Aged in barrel, this rich red is packed with spicy berry, herb and mineral character. A top match with slow cooked beef or lamb.

There’s bundles of flavour in this classy Grenache, Shiraz and Mourvédre. A special blend that offers soft layers of fruit, and rich and velvety charm – The Black Pig delivers again!

The Pike brothers established Pikes winery in the Polish Hill sub-region of the Clare Valley in 1984, renovating an old stone shearing shed to house their winery and cellar door. Neil is the veteran winemaker (he’s done 38 vintages in Clare); Andrew the seasoned viticulturist (he spent 22 years working for big names like Wynn’s Coonawarra and Southcorp before establishing Pikes). Together they turn out formidable wines that earn plenty of show medals and critical acclaim. Their richly textured 2017 'Wilfred's Block' really is magnificent. A definitive Australian blend of inky, slatey Cabernet and sumptuous, spicy Shiraz, it’s a contemplative wine – the layers of flavour will reveal themselves slowly – and perfect for winter sipping. It will cellar well until 2032, but is still drinking beautifully now. Decant, pour into big glasses, and savour with good food and good friends.

Visit the quality obsessed winery of Deep Woods and you'll find winemaker Julian Langworthy working his magic. He's behind their recent 97 point 'Best Cabernet in Show' - which also won the 2016 Jimmy Watson Trophy! The Redlands is the sister wine to the triumphant Reserve – a deliciously deep, intense Cabernet with a dash of rich Shiraz for extra sumptuous drinkability. A Margaret River marvel to savour with rack of lamb, roasted vegetable lasagne or a juicy rib-eye steak.

A frequent Gold medal winner, Stones & Bones is so-called because it’s grown in a landscape littered with ancient boulders and dinosaur fossils. In the modern Portuguese tradition, the wine is a blend of local and international grapes. Touriga Nacional, the backbone of vintage port, joins forces with Syrah, Tinta Roriz and Alicante to produce truly mammoth, rich fruit flavours. Equally impressive is the winemaker, Diogo Sepúlveda, who relaxes after work by cycling or playing football, or, more unusually, bull wrestling! Having worked in Pomerol, then in the Barossa with heirloom Shiraz vines, his credentials for making this rich, old vine Portuguese red are second to none. For maximum enjoyment, decant and serve with a rich beef casserole.

Pinotage defines the unique character of South African reds with its smoky berry character, while Shiraz adds a little more spicy oomph. In Grill House, Trophy winning Gerhard Swart has created a gorgeous, punchy rich red – but then he is known locally as ‘King of Pinotage’. As the name suggests, it's looking for a grill or barbecue (or 'braai' as the South Africans would say).

"Coriole has earned its reputation as one of the blue-blood producers of McLaren Vale” (James Halliday). "What Coriole does better than any other McLaren Vale maker is to fashion wines of such balance and finesse ... equipped with the structure, balance and layers of fruit to unfold slowly” (Jeremy Oliver). We're not arguing with these fine critics! Clark Hill, named after the land on which the Coriole estate was built, is an impressively rich blend of lush Cabernet planted in 1988, and spicy Shiraz planted in 1969 when Coriole was set up. Savour subtle lavendar aromas and a melee of plum, cassis and redcurrant flavours lifted by elegant, exotic spice.

A striking creature with a most lustful heart, the night is her ally in performing her craft. She strives to obtain a ruby red treasure, of unsurpassed beauty and value past measure. A calling in life, her great reason to live, she takes what she wants but chooses to give. Adrian Hoffmann is the source of the Mourvèdre and Grenache. Old vines, big flavour, just what you would expect from his Ebenezer vineyards. The other part - the Shiraz - has come from Redheads' long-time partner in crime John Kalleske over in Koonunga. Bright, lifted red fruit aromas of sweet cherry and plum combined with floral and turkish delight characters. Subtle savoury notes, dark morello cherry and red plum characters. A mid-weight GSM with softly woven tannins.

With his wines acclaimed by critics worldwide, Diffonty is a household name in the southern Rhône. Fine wine expert and Rhône fan Robert Parker described the Diffonty Cuvée du Vatican Châteauneuf wines as “full-bodied, powerful, rich and oozing unmistakable Provençal character”. Comprising mostly Grenache supported by a little Syrah, the Réserve de l’Abbé is made by Jean-Marc with as much care and attention as he affords his top reds. Using grapes from just outside the Châteauneuf boundary, the wine was fermented in traditional wooden and also stainless steel vats before blending and bottling. It’s sumptuous and velvety, with warming red berry and wild herb complexity. Best decanted early, the wine’s ideal served with a hearty casserole.