2021 saw the brand new release of Sam Trimboli’s first ever Rosé – and it was a smash hit! Customers went nuts, ordering case after case after case. And it wasn’t just customers who loved this new pink, the wine show judges did too. The Pink Duck Rosé waddled away with Gold and a massive 95pt at the Royal Queensland Wine Show. The 2022 is the fresh follow up vintage of the Pink Duck – highly anticipated by many to be another showstopping blush. True to Sam’s Italian heritage, it’s made from nearly all Montepulciano with a splash of Vermentino to add extra lemony zip. A pretty hue, lovely ripe fruit and zesty freshness. No need to fly north for this one, it’s glorious drinking in any season.

Small parcels of the best quality fruit from across top regions in South Australia were chosen for this Reserve Durif – and it shows! It’s big, rich and mouthcoating, a ‘black red’ with some serious heft. Take that as a warning! The wine is named after a type of cattle (Hereford/ Shorthorn cross) bred for the harsh conditions of Australia’s far north, and has been crafted with steak in mind. Hints of black pepper and dark chocolate coat the palate with layers of rich red fruit and black cherry.

A memorable Durif, awash with lush black fruit and spice that comes in an appropriately distinctive bottle. Bill Calabria has won won Trophy after Trophy after Trophy for his wines – including the prestigious Stoddart. He has been on a short list for the Jimmy Watson Award at least twice, His ‘3 Bridges’ alone has been recognised at the Sydney International Wine Competition, as ‘Most Successful Winery or Brand’ … he’s been praised by Robert Parker and Halliday who’s placed four wines within his 1001 Top Wines. He was a local boxing champion as a teenager, winning 12 out of 13 fights (with seven KOs) before his mum found out and put a stop to it. “I made a lot of friends out of boxing,” he says. It’s given him rare opportunities including sparring with the Australian champion, and has also come in handy in other ways. A few years ago he confronted three men who’d come to the winery to steal wine. After they started throwing punches Bill fought back, literally knocked some teeth out, and they fled empty handed. This is an unashamedly weighty, full flavoured red with masses of lush black fruit, spice, liquorice and herbal hints and a toasty oak finish.

This limited release Patronus The Fawn Semillon was crafted from a select vineyard in the beautiful Barossa Valley. The wine is fresh, fruit forward and crisp with enticing aromas of fresh citrus, crisp apple and a hint of passionfruit. An enjoyable wine with balanced acidity and length. The perfect long lunch wine to crack open with friends.

Enticing florals lead you in, with green apples and citrus taking hold. Pleasantly rich pear and peach meld wth grapefruit for a zippy and crisp race across the palate. This fresh expression of Pinot Grigio comes from Angove Family Winemakers, one of Australia's oldest and most-respected wineries. And when you live in a place like sunny South Australia, you sure know to make a cool, refreshing white.

Punnets of strawberry, blackberry and raspberry flavour are miraculously shoehorned into a standard size bottle, while ageing in American oak adds a spicy, toasty finishing touch. 'Big Mac' McPherson grew up in the world of wine, tutored by his father Jock, who had established a winery in the Hunter Valley. Andrew went on to set up wineries at home and abroad and work for some Australia's top names. These days he crafts characterful wines by himself at great value prices. The Full Fifteen is perfect with roast beef or lamb and a wonderful companion to barbecues.

McLaren Vale is home to some of Australia's biggest reds and here's a prize example from the bestselling 'Black Pig' - a cassis-rich Cabernet with wall-to-wall black cherry and bramble tones and a delicious lick of menthol.

Shiraz Shiraz Shiraz Shiraz. And more Shiraz! Dive into Gold-medal McLaren Vale drops from 5 Red Star Chalk Hill and the Jimmy Watson-winning Scarpantoni family, savour a lavish Barossa treat from Mountadam, linger over “magician” (Halliday) John Quarisa’s lovely Gold-medal 30 Mile Shiraz, and then savour two top Langhorne Creek stars. These are excellent!