JP Schmitt Rittersberg Riesling 2007 SHELF PRICE: $45 $37

Schmitt's 07 Riesling is truly dry, ripe and interesting in flavour, and weight ibn at only 12.5% alcohol. Lemon , apricot, and herb aromas lead to a sassy, bright, juicy palate. The finish is a bit lean, but I am tempted to add "blessedly so" because it is refreshingly saline, citric, and straight-as-an-arrow. DAVID SCHILDKNICHT


Dominique Portet Sauvignon Blanc 2008 SHELF PRICE: $29 $25

Spotlessly clean bouquet; very restrained varietal expression, possibly fermentation or maturation in old French oak; good structure and length. Diam. JAMES HALLIDAY The Australian Wine Companion

Joffa's Hill Chardonnay 2008 SHELF PRICE: $25 $21

Joffa's Hill is a relatively new release to the market and comes off a vineyard planted 10 years ago in the Red Hill South area of the Mornington Peninsula. The estate is owned by the Malkin family who currently have a meagre 1-acre devoted to chardonnay and 11/3 acres planted to pinot noir.

The wines are made by Andrew Thomson and the chardonnay was fermented in both French oak (25% new) and stainless steel to retain freshness. The resulting wine is full-bodied with aromatics of citrus and peach combined with barrel-derived vanillin. On the palate the wine is rich pairing good fruit depth with vanilla and butterscotch flavours. The key to this wine is the fact that this richness is kept in check by good acidity and retains a freshness and energy that buffers the bigger elements of the wine. It should be drunk over the next 3-5 years. PWS

Brown Brothers Pinot Chard Pinot Meurnier SHELF PRICE: $25$22

Given their commercial success and widespread distribution it is easy to forget that Brown Brothers are a serious winemaking outfit. This is evidenced by the quality of much of their range but more than anything through the excellent quality of their sparkling wines. The current non-vintage bats way above its price-point and shows an unusual amount of complexity (autolysis) matched with excellent finesse and flavour. A brilliant wine for the price and perfect for the festive season! PWS

Consistently one of the great-value sparkling wines; this makes yet another award winning appearance, this time for unmatched value. WINNER BEST VALUE SPARKLING WINE, NICK STOCK, The Penguin Good Australian Wine Guide

Seppelt Silverband Sparkling Shiraz SHELF PRICE: $39 $30

Elegant spicy red fruits are immediately enjoyable, but do expose some sweetness on the finish which some will greatly enjoy. Crown Seal. JAMES HALLIDAY The Australian Wine Companion

What Australian Christmas is complete without a sparkling red on the table? This unique style has long been a favourite with the Turkey and despite its sometimes waning fashionability the best examples are extremely interesting wines. The undisputed king of the style over the years is Seppelt and the Silverband is made using only Grampians fruit and delivers excellent depth of sweet berry fruit along with good finishing energy. PWS

Chateau Guiot Rose 2008 SHELF PRICE: $25 $20

Light, bright red. Raspberry and candied cherry on the nose. Light-bodied red fruit flavors are a touch candied and provide good palate coverage. Finishes with firm grip, a hint of white pepper and good sweet persistence. This is very easy to drink. STEPHEN TANZER www.wineaccess.com

Guigal Cote du Rhone 1500ml Magnum SHELF PRICE: $50 $40

A blend of 50% Syrah and 50% Grenache, the 2005 Cotes du Rhone is a real head turner. Full-bodied, with a deep ruby/purple color and sweet notes of berry fruit, a hint of road tar, and some pepper, the wine is dense, chewy, ripe, and a surprisingly big mouthful of juicy, velvety-textured wine to drink over the next 3-4 years.

The Rhone Valley's most successful producer continues to ratchet up the level of quality of his Cotes du Rhone cuvees, of which he produces hundreds of thousands of cases. Both Marcel Guigal and his son Philippe realize how important quality is and demonstrate that commitment in these lower level wines. They just get better and better, which is incredibly admirable. ROBERT PARKER 2008

Rusden Estate Driftsand Grenache Shiraz 2007 SHELF PRICE: $25/$22

This elegant blend of Grenach 60% and Syrah 40% defies the Barossa trend of overwhelming rich grenache syrah. Aged for 12-18 months in old French oak the wine displays elegant perfume and hints of raspberry and floral notes. Delicate and fragrant, with a long subtle finish. PWS

Rusden is where the gifted Christian Canute makes wine on the family property in Barossa. He has a unique ability to produce wines of great finesse combined with the intensity and power obtained from the best Barossa Valley fruit. Jay Miller Wine Advocate # 181




Coldstream Hills Pinot Noir 2008 SHELF PRICE: $30 $26

In a year in which no Reserve pinot noir was made, this wine could well attract significant show success. It has excellent texture and structure, with pure cherry and plum fruit supported by a judicious amount of French oak and perfect tannins on the finish. JAMES HALLIDAY The Australian Wine Companion


Brancaia Tre 2007 SHELF PRICE: $25 $23

There's wonderful intensity of fruit in this wine, with crushed raspberry and the blackberry and hints of coffee and fresh flowers. Full-bodied , with velvety tannins and a long, soft-textured finished that shows loads of fruit. Sangiovese, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. Best after 2010. 25,000 cases made. JAMES SUCKLING Wine Spectator. NUMBER 10 IN THE 2009 TOP 100 WINES

Morris Liquer Muscat 500ml SHELF PRICE: $20 $18

More touches of red-brown than the Liqueur Tokay, precisely as it should be; fragrant raisin varietal fruit luring you into the second glass; perfect balance. JAMES HALLIDAY The Australian Wine Companion