Canella Prosecco NV Piedmont $25
Amid an ocean of mediocre prosecco, there are a few beacons in the fog, Canella Prosecco NV from Italy's north-east, is one. Expect a fresh nose of green apple and pear while, in your mouth, soft citrus fruit is perfectly balanced. MATT SKINNER, Herald Sun

When its good (and this is an excellent example), fizzy Prosecco from northeast Italy has just the right combination of fun fruit (think green apples, lemon rind and a hint of nectarine) and crisp, refreshing dryness. MAX ALLEN, Weekend Australian


Bollini Pinot Grigio 2008 Trentino $22

The Trentino zone lies within Trentino-Alto Adige, Italy's northernmost wine producing region. Trentino, a sub-zone of the southern Valdadige appellation, is comprised of several non-contiguous vineyard areas running north and south parallel to the Adige River. Their hillside exposition, stony, alluvial soils and cool, dry highland climate converge to produce ideal conditions for aromatic white vine varieties, such as Chardonnay and Pinot Grigio, resulting in a crisply defined, fruity style.

Bollini Pinot Grigio is styled to show intense varietal aromas, with an especially fragrant, perfumed bouquet, elegant, delicately focused white fruit flavors and a slightly flinty quality on the palate. The texture is crisp and clean in the mouth, with superb acid balance and a subtle nuttiness on the finish. The fresh, refined style is ideal for frequent, casual consumption. BOLLINI WINES

Pieropan Soave 2008 Veneto $33

Pieropan are the greatest producer of Soave bar none. They have farmed the steep hillsides around the medieval village baring the same name for centuries and their wines show just how good the garganega-based whites under this DOCG once were (and still are in their case) before the commercialisation of the style all but took over and changed perceptions.

The 2008 is the first wine bottled under a screwcap…thank God! The wine itself is a perfect example of what good Soave is all about; delicate aromas of pear and apple (fruit and blossom) are matche on the palate along with typical mid-palate texture and weight before the wine finishes with a nice almond bitter twist. It's the perfect accompaniment to seafood. PWS

Umani Ronchi Villa Bianchi Verdicchio 2008 Marches $15

Umani Ronchi is a medium-sized producer owned by the Bennetti family and based on the Adriatic coast near Ancona. The main gaime here is the production of the Marche's main white grape variety, verdicchio. The vineyards are in the coastal range with the best zones located around the towns of Jesi and Mettalica.

Villa Bianchi is an entry-level example and exhibits textbook characteristics that include light citrus and apple aromatics alongside some nuts. The palate is lively and fresh and without food is a nice vibrant summer drink. Throw in some seafood and this wine really comes alive with more fruit and a good phenolic cleansing quality to finish. PWS

Bastianich Friulano 2007 Friuli $33

Famed New York restaurateurs, the Bastianich family owns wine properties in Italy in Tuscany and his native Friuli. PWS

The 2007 Friulano is a very pleasant, soft-textured white with pretty varietal notes of ripe peaches, mint and flowers. The wine offers good length, not to mention terrific value. Anticipated maturity: 2008-2009. ANTONIO GALLONI

Toscolo Vernaccia San Gimignano 2008 Tuscany $22

Toscolo, an Italian renaissance word meaning Tuscan boy, is Neil and Maria Empson's labour of love from a long-time passion for this extraordinary region. The Empsons chose friend and star oenologist Franco Bernabei to style the wines and their experience and expertise gives them access to a cross-section of Tuscany's finest vineyards. 2007 is the first vintage of Toscolo Vernaccia, from the towered medieval town of one of Tuscany's finest gems, San Gimignano. Perched on a hill overlooking the Val d'Elsa, its intricate lacework of ancient white stone is set against a fairy tale backdrop of deep green valleys and mountains, seemingly plucked from a Rennaissance fresco. The wine is delicately aromatic with a bouquet of white flowers, pear and honeysuckle with a firm citrussy freshness. MICHAEL TREMBATH


Monte Antico Toscana IGT 2006 Tuscany $20

Monte Antico is a blend of sangiovese, merlot and cabernet sourced from across the various growing areas of Tuscany. Made with the help of famed consultant oenologist, Franco Bernabei, this wine has always been a good solid drink. In 2006 the wine has benefitted from the strength of the vintage and the wine is has leapt a level of quality and now represents stunning value for money for a wine of this style. PWS

Bright plum, dried cherry and flowers on the nose. Full-bodied, with fine tannins and refined berry and cherry flavors. Drink now. (90) JAMES SUCKLING, Wine Spectator

Poggerino Chianti Classico 2007 Tuscany $38

Run by the brother and sister team of Pierro and Benedetta Lanza, Poggerino is a 46 hectare estate just outside the beautiful hilltop town of Radda in central Tuscany. Through a combination of exhaustive renovation in the vineyards and the application of modern winemaking techniques in the cellars, the perfectionist Lanza has taken the wines of Poggerino into the top echelon of Tuscan producers.

Unlike many more well-to-do Tuscan properties, the owners here work in every aspect of the business; Pierro looks after both the vineyards and the winemaking while Benedetta takes care of the marketing and administration. Moreover, they are typical of the new breed of young Tuscan winemakers in that they couple a 'hands on' approach with technical knowledge and great respect for their own vinous heritage. As such, the Poggerino style falls into the more modern category expressing the dark cherry and spiced fruit of sangiovese within a framework of cedar and vanillin provided by smaller French oak ageing. PWS


What an absolute joy to drink this chianti - focussed yet so pure and balanced with its dark, black, fruits alongside earthy touches of spice and cedary oak. Gorgeous, round yet fine tannins drive this medium-bodied wine before a long finish with refreshing acidity. An absolute stunner. JANE FAULKNER, A2, The Age


Cantina Santadi 'Grotta Rossa' Carignano 2007 Sardinia $23

Very dark red with inky highlights. Blackcurrant, raspberry, gingerbread and smoky graphite on the nose, plus an exotic suggestion of baking spices. Then suave, silky and plump in the mouth, with harmonious acids keeping the enticing blackberry and plum flavors fresh and lively. Typically ripe, sweet and pliant for carignan from Sardinia, with a very smoky, long finish. STEPHEN TANZER


Speri Valpolicella La Roverina 2007 Veneto $27

The Speri family are located in the heart of the original zone and still make wines guided by tradition and a quality ethic. Their Amarone is one of the leaders in the style and their entry-level La Roverina is a fresh expression of all the dark cherry and herbs one would expect from a cleanly made valpolicella. PWS

The 2007 Valpolicella Vigneto La Roverina offers up red cherries, flowers and wild herbs in a fresh, vinous expression of Valpolicella best suited for near-term enjoyment. This is a lovely effort from Speri. Anticipated maturity: 2009-2012. ANTONIO GALLONI, Wine Advocate


Poderi Colla Barbera d'Alba Costa Brune 2006 Piedmont $42

The Colla family are one of the most famous names in the region; mostly due to the legendary Beppe who for many years made the wines at the Prunotto estate. Today the estate baring the family name is run by his much younger brother, Tito. It has steadily been building its reputation for Barbaresco and Barolo from two of the greatest sites, Roncaglia and Bussia, but they also make excellent barbera.

Unlike the traditionally styled nebbiolo-based wines, the barbera sees a good lashing of new French oak maturation. In saying that, it doesn't overwhelm the fruit but rather buttressed the drak plum and cherry flavours with good cedar nuance while wood tannins add structure. It will last in the cellar for another 5 years. PWS


Marcarini Moscato d'Asti 375ml 2008 Piedmont $20
Better known as a producer of brilliant Barolo from two of la Morra's premium sites in La Serra and Brunate, Marcarini also make brilliant Moscato d'Asti. It's fresh and lively and grapey and fun! Delicate florals meld with the fruit and the sweetness is tempered by the light frizzante (fizz) which carries the finish through.PWS