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.

This wine has an intense bright purple hue and an inkier royal red carpet colour closer to the centre of the glass. The aroma is an astonishing and lifted brace of blackberries, spice and even a perfume like touch of blueberries. Pure fruit and spice that is not in any way overwhelmed by winemaking artefact. The wine has a concentration of aromas that come from not over-ripe fruits. The smells change quickly in the glass and are fascinating to follow but the mouth beckons. There is quite a remarkable entry to the palate. A seamless soft but structured shiraz, lots of blackberries again for sure but also a mid-palate dark chocolate spice that whooshes through the mouth that you want to slow it down and check it out. There is some cream and spice from the French Oak and an almost chalk like tannin structure but it's all about the pure fruit.

Bleasdale is “one of the most historic wineries in Australia ... in 2015 celebrating 165 years of continuous winemaking by the direct descendants of the founding Potts family.” (James Halliday). Last year, winemaker Paul Hotker, a “master blender” , was named Halliday’s Winemaker of the Year. This “clever” 96pt blend shows his skill and style. “Clever cabernet-dominant blend incorporating malbec, franc, merlot and petit verdot to great effect. Red and black fruited, leafy cabernet, fine savoury tannins, line and length to burn. Gold at the National Wine Show ‘17 speaks volumes ... 96pts” (Halliday).

Portugal offers wine drinkers terrific value in the wine drinking stakes, as well as an awe inspiring range of native grapes. The country’s winemakers are also adept at producing some cracking wines with international stars. Take Aluado from one of Portugal’s top names. José Neiva Correia is a doyen of Portuguese wine with many awards to his name. Having consulted for many of the country’s top cellars, he now has his own estate, and combines generations of tradition with an inquisitive spirit undimmed by decades of experience. Using grapes from vineyards close to the coast, Aluado has lovely ripe peach fruit balanced by a zing of stony crispness. Just what you want, as a glass on its own, or served with seafood, salmon or chicken dishes.

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.

With 130 years of expertise under the family’s belt, Angove have plenty of experience to call upon. In recent years they have been awarded ‘Winery of the Year’ and many medals besides for individual wines. Fourth generation John Angove now heads up the cellar that Dr William Angove started in 1886 near Adelaide (by making award winning brandy – a product they’re still famous for) and, besides championing unusual grapes, John also pioneers modern styles of wine. His 2018 turns its back on the weighty, golden, heavily oaked Chardonnays of last century and embraces bright stone fruit, shot through by lemony brilliance. No wonder this grape is back in favour.

Showing ripe cherry and raspberry aromas following on to fruitcake and blackberry flavours, with well integrated oak and a long velvety finish. An Aussie through and through – try it with barbecued kangaroo!

Wine Spectator calls Portugal “the most exciting wine place on the planet”, with its terrific range of native grape varieties and wines that always offer standout value. The rich, mouthfilling Lobo e Falcão fits firmly in that category. It’s made at a 17th century estate owned by the Lobo de Vasconcellos family, once the location of the king’s falconry. Special barrels of wine were kept for the king when he visited. Today, talented winemaker Joana Lopes makes this red specially for us, blending Syrah with Portugal’s exciting native grapes. Previously awarded a Wine Enthusiast Best Buy Award, the 2018 has lovely intensity of flavour due to another low yield year. Generous wild berry fruit and spice with a velvet texture – a very moreish red.