Refreshment plus
Sevenhill 2014 Inigo Riesling
A classic dry Clare Valley riesling, the perfect drink for summer quaffing. This is a superb young wine for the price, full of youthful exuberance; with lemon blossom aromas, juicy lemon/lime fruit flavours, flinty minerality and dashing acidity that is ultra-refreshing when this wine is served chilled. An ideal companion for fish dishes and crustaceans but also brilliant as an after-work pick-me-up on a warm evening. $20
Spanish accent
Alternatus 2014 Tempranillo
It is no wonder the Spanish variety tempranillo is rapidly gaining in popularity in Australia. The major grape in the Rioja region, it has some appealing savoury notes and softness that set it apart. This is a beautifully packaged wine from McLaren Vale in South Australia; all fun and funky, and what is in the bottle matches the look. It has bright fruit but is also soft and seductive with hints of spice that make it very food friendly. $25.
Something special
Willow Creek 2014 Pinot Gris
If you feel like splashing out a little – maybe for Valentine’s Day – this is a really lovely wine from the Mornington Peninsula that has both crisp summer appeal and the texture and structure of a more serious white. From a difficult vintage that produced intensely-flavoured grapes it has both citrus and Bosq pear notes, a grippy complexity on the palate thanks to barrel fermentation, and plenty of length. This would be fabulous with a mushroom risotto. $35.