Spain continues to inspire Australia with wines of character, tradition and freshness. These characters plus a little bit of passion and beauty can be tasted in this ripping Vino Tinto from Bodegas Borsao. Made from Tempranillo sourced from vineyards in northern Spain that have been producing quality Tempranillo for generations, this flavoursome red shows delicious cherry and plum flavours and it ideally matched with red meats and hard cheeses.

McGuigan produce another fantastically smooth and rich Merlot from their Black Label range. It is a soft and flavoursome wine with ripe fruit flavours of raspberry, cherry and plums integrated with subtle oak.

Not only has this family estate won 60 Golds in a decade, but also 'Best Wine in the World'. That was for their 2005 Shiraz in 2008! The secret to this weighty, spice packed red is the sandy soils, which hold little rain for the vines, plus the unrelenting hot sun. The result is a modest yield of small berries crammed with juicy flavour. With this style of wine, award winning winemaker Jaime Quendera is now forging a reputation for Setúbal's rich, bold reds. Mostly Shiraz along with a splash of local variety Alicante, Jaime finished the wine in expensive oak barrels to add a gorgeous spicy vanilla lift to the blueberry, blackberry and peppery fruit. A fine treat to serve with spicy chorizo sausages, a hearty stew or the Sunday roast.

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.

A typically full flavoured Clare Valley Shiraz from the crew at Annie's Lane; exhibiting ripe, plummy fruit characters with a touch of spice and some regional minty notes.

Ripe and generous, the leafy, minty characters of Cabernet are complemented by the softness and plummy fruit coming from the Merlot. A nice touch of sweet oak completes the picture.

The region of Cariñena is “home to some of the best value reds of Spain, if not the world” (Decanter) and this gorgeously intense, ripe fruit red is from one of the most awarded cellars there. High up and inland, the Cariñena region (confusingly it’s also the name of a grape!) enjoys a climate both Continental and Mediterranean. In lay terms, that means plenty of sunshine, but not too hot. Add in the grand age of the vines and the stony soils and it’s the perfect recipe for intensely flavoured, well balanced reds. Viña Altogrado in a nutshell. Made from old vine Garnacha grapes, this red is seriously long and brightly fruity – the ideal partner for traditional Spanish lamb dishes, grilled meats or tapas. A great choice for a barbecue, too.

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.

Maretti Italia is a vibrant range of wines from Pavia IGP, crafted to capture the spirit and generosity of Italian winemaking From Sicily, the Maretti Nero d’Avola shows aromas of ripe cherry, plum, and a hint of dried herbs. Medium bodied, it offers juicy red fruit, soft tannins, and a touch of spice, finishing fresh and balanced with a subtle savoury edge.

Crimson with violet hues. Spiced plums and peppercorns with fruit cake and forest floor aromas. The palate is a mix of violets and spice with hints of dutch licorice and lingering plum and cherry flavours. This is a fruit driven, medium bodied wine with soft, silky tannins and a savoury, persistent finish.

This Mr Mick Rosé is very close to the Tuscan style of rosé, with the alluring complexity of bright red fruits that lingers on the palate before a cleansing, dry finish with fresh acidity at the end. This beautiful rosé is a great match with most Asian cuisine, or with any dishes that has has a little spiciness.