ark Richardson, red specialist at Tyrrell’s calls Heathcote “undoubtedly Australia’s most exciting new red wine producing region.” Buying up vineyards here was the brainchild of Bruce Tyrrell – and it has yielded a red that wins huge numbers of loyal fans every year.

Penfolds Max's Shiraz is a tribute to former Chief Winemaker, Max Schubert, a legend in Penfolds history. His constant pursuit of excellence paved the way for those who followed in his footsteps, growing the brand's status and heritage in the process. Fruit-driven and generous in flavour, this fine red has a contemporary, persistent palate with subtle tannins leading to a soft, oak finish.

Rockbare's second label, Mojo Shiraz punches way above it's weight in the quality division. Rich and ripe, this versatile wine would not be out of place at the dinner table or at a BBQ.

Swan Bay is the great second label of Scotchman's Hill on the Bellarine Peninsula. Medium bodied, fleshy, generous fruit, this is real value drinking Shiraz that will live for a few years to come.

Brooding in style, the Mail Coach Shiraz is a medium to full-bodied wine showing dense regional fruit and impeccable balance on the palate. High-end French oak contributes to a tasty and supple tannin-profile, and together with concentrated primary fruit, ensures further complexity and development in bottle. 'This excellent current-drinking shiraz gets just a little Viognier to tickle up the spices a tad. The palate has that typical grainy gravelly Heathcote character. It's more medium bodied with a savoury edge. The palate is long and consistent. Ideal food-wine style.' - 91/100. - West Australian, Perth, 27 Jun 2013.

Considered the black beauty of wine, Nero dAvola displays bold aromas of respberry and blueberry, finishing with chalky tannins.

McLaren Vale and Shiraz - the perfect match. Steve Maglieri is the icon behind the Serafino name and his Shiraz is a typically wonderful full-flavoured and full-bodied red with the black and red fruits you can handle. A rich and voluptuous palate with a silken, textured finish that is a perfect match to big, rich beef dishes or a robust lamb ragu.

High up in the Adelaide Hills, Paracombe is owned and operated by the Drogemuller family, which it has passionately done since 1983. Sourced from both estate and selected grower fruit, Paracombe Shiraz shows wonderful ripe fruit aromas with a delicate cool-climate aspect. Notes of cherries, plums, pepper and spice are notable along with a palate of layered spicy fruit and a fine tannin structure.

Intense, textured and showing pure fruit flavours, Jester Shiraz is considered Mitolo's baby G.A.M Shiraz using the same barrels in which the G.A.M was previously aged in. The palate is full of bright, red berry flavours, a subtle herbal character and an overall savoury quality to the finish. Made to be upfront and approachable for early appreciation, the Jester Shiraz delivers excellent quality for the price.

Tempranillo is an easy going red variety and well suited to the climate and deep red soils of Northern Heathcote. With soft fruit and fine tannins, Woodfired Tempranillo has modern grainy flavours, ample structure and savoury tannins. This wine will pair perfectly with dishes like chargrilled chorizo and Manchego cheese.

No two words go together as well as Canberra and Shiraz in the wine world. The favourable terroir and hands on winemaking make Lerida Estate's Shiraz a must have. Brambly spice aromas are complimented by a palate that is long and refined with flavours of berried and touch of pepper. With age, the wine will become progressively richer, revealing warmer, more complex flavours, riper berries and a little liquorice.