Spring is here and you can step out of your wine comfort zone with some of these recommendations from wine writer Winsor Dobbin.
Spice friendly
Grosset 2026 Alea Riesling
This is the little brother of Jeffrey Grosset’s star Clare Valley riesling duo: the Polish Hill and the Springvale, widely acknowledged as being among the best in Australia. The floral Alea has a touch more sweetness than that duo but has the same qualities; it is made using organic and biodynamic principles and offers vibrancy and bright acid. It is ideally suited to being enjoyed chilled with Thai, Korean or Vietnamese cuisine. $49.
Award winner
Jacob’s Creek 2026 Le Petit Rosé
Here’s a cheapie that is a serious bargain. When a new-release sub-$20 wine that is widely available cracks several trophies at major wine shows, then it merits a good look. This snagged the trophy for best rosé at the recent Royal Sydney Wine Show (and later won best rosé in Perth and other shows). It’s a great summer quaffer: fun, dry and food friendly. It is a fresh and lively blend of pinot noir, grenache and mourvedre with bright acid and some chalky texture. Ideal for enjoying chilled with a picnic, charcuterie plate, or Middle Eastern dishes. $20, but you might find it on special.
Bargain red
Brockenchack Archie Scott 2024 GMS
The current releases from family-owned Brockenchack in the cooler Eden Valley region of the Barossa are very much in the zone. This is a blend of grenache, mourvedre and shiraz, three varieties that marry very well together. This flavoursome but medium-bodied red offers excellent value and is very food friendly. I’d pair it with a spring barbecue, or maybe some baked halloumi. $28.
Local hero
Pig In The House 2026 Organic Rosé
Spring has well and truly sprung and rosé season is back with a vengeance. Here’s one from the O’Dea family in the Central Ranges of NSW that’s floral, full of fresh, youthful vibrancy and won’t break the bank. It paired a treat with a lamb rissoles in pita bread. It is a blend of two unlikely allies; shiraz and sangiovese, with a melange of fruit and savoury flavours. Oak has added some backbone, but this is all about youthful enjoyment. Distributed by Single Vineyard Sellers. $25.
Tasmanian standout
Wickhams Road 2025 Tasmania Chardonnay
This is one of three new-release chardonnays from the d’Anna family at Hoddles Creek in the Yarra Valley, all offering exceptional value at under $20 a bottle. The Yarra and Yea Valley releases are from 2026, this one from a vineyard just outside Launceston is from 2025 as it needed time to soften out. It’s a classic dry cool-climate chardonnay, still tense and led by bright fruit with older oak playing an unobtrusive support role. Fabulous for the price. $19.99.
Brilliant bubbles
e’Stellar Legacy Sparkling
Joe and Cathy Casella, of Australian winemaking empire Casella Family Brands, began this journey in 2017 when they purchased Graeme Miller’s historic Dixons Creek site. In 2025, they added the neighbouring Mandala property to launch e’Stellar Estate. Winemaker Martin Siebert found a 15-year-old museum sparkling base, resting on lees, in storage, from the original Graeme Miller days, which is now disgorged and released as this limited offer as a tribute to local legend Miller – and a little slice of history. $60.
See more of Winsor’s wine news and reviews at www.gourmetontheroad.com
