De Iuliis Hunter Valley Verdelho is full of rich tropical fruit characters, including pineapple, passionfruit and rockmelon. A vibrant acid backbone complement the fruit nicely to produce an undervalued food-style wine.

Sitting atop a high hill in the heart of the Hunter Valley, Bimbadgen have been producing quality wines like their Verdelho since 1968. Pineapple and tropical fruits arise on the nose followed by a citrus and troplical palate with lovelly herbal notes on the finish.

The Audrey Wilkinson Verdelho shows lifted tropical aromas with hints of spice and ripe melon.The palate has lashings of fruit salad and hints of apricot and citrus zest.

First Creek are really winning over a lot of new fans, especially wine drinkers who may have previously not given the Hunter Valley its fair dues. In the glass: Deep garnet to purple. On the nose: Black and blueberry fruit, and spice. On the palate: Medium to full-bodied with luscious texture and soft tannins. Showing black cherry, blueberry and vanilla alongside red liquorice notes. Long and moreish.

Sparkling shiraz is as Australian as anything, and one of the best value is from Seppelt, with the current vintage drinking superbly. Surprisingly soft and plump with ripe and giving tannins; while it's dry, there's some sweet fruit sensation on the palate that helps with dishes that have heat spikes and spice, especially Indian. Lots of plum fruit, spice and earthy notes, too, with fine acid and the fizz hit offers a refreshing lift.

Poured into a glass, this Chardonnay from Hunter Valley displays a bright lemon to lime colour. A swirl of the glass reveals white peach aromas that are enhanced by a gentle touch of cashew nut. As a whiff of the wine is followed by a sip, upfront peach and melon flavours impress you, that are held together by tight acidity. Consume this wonderful white wine within 2 to 3 years from vintage. Pair it with white meat dishes such as chicken and fish preparations.