Ripe currants and earthy spices. Things feel ripe here, but never too dense, it’s easy-drinking French red. La Buvette has to go well with bavette (flank steak) right? Boil your spuds that night/morning before the meal for extra crunch and deliciousness, this is wine for tumblers, and not the goose neck kind. Plays well out of the fridge thanks to all the juicy notes.

Castelmaure La Buvette Grenache Carignan NV

Very violety and full of the floral charm to backup all the red fruited substance, and a little nutty tannin. There's depth and savoury intent, this absolutely punching above it's $. Don't be scared to get a crust on that porterhouse, blanch some spring beans and ubereats in some maccas fries you'll have yourself a grand ól time!

Vine Mind Shiraz & Friends 2022

Light and dry, but full of jubey fruit and berry flavours that taste better than the chemical-compound, squishy alternatives and might be cheaper than the punnets required to make an actual bowl of mixed berries at the moment. It’s a chilled red, so drink it when you’re chilling in the park, or when you want to keep refreshed while eating a roast chook.

Fin Le Vin du Rosier 2024

Light and fragrant with a little fleshy melon and salad leaves. This is simple and clean and for all you who want a racy Riesling over lunch-dinner, but offers enough to think about. There’s some nice power here and it’ll do you some shine through if you bring it to the park and dance, glass in hand, to Juliane Werding’s Großstadtlichter after dark.

Winzerkeller Seewinkel Gruner Veltliner 2022

Wangolina Sauvignon Blanc 2024

We’re not sure why this is named after John McEnroe, although when Mr Arli came in for his appointment he was wearing shorts, and on the evidence of those legs, he’s absolutely a tennis player. Like a relaxed hit, or intense set, this is perfect on a still, summer afternoon and instead of dodgy line-calls, you’ll get murky tropical fruits and banana ester.

Arli Wines Riesling Plus Pet Nat 2024

So Lilla, so much lime blossom and so many great times ahead. At brunch, over lunch, through the afternoon and way after dinner, you’re golden. Like dry nashi pear cascades with a dab of creamy bread. This one will get you both in flavour country if they love Campari, but you want it straight.

So Lilla by Arli Prosecco NV

This feels like the kind of wine to warm you up a little on a spring evening by the river when it just gets a little colder than you thought it would do. With bread, and a basket of cheeses, antipasti and some glasses we think you’ll have an evening to remember and come back for a second bottle.

Sensi Vernaccia di San Gimignano 2022

Ten for the nectarine and appley aromatics, plus ten for that smidge of bitter lemon that it finishes with. Ten because that’s how many full glasses you get which'll see you talking sweet nonsense with a crush before, during and after sunset. (1500ml)

Three's A Crowd Pinot Grigio

Classic Yarra Pinot that’s made for us to celebrate all the YV Pinots we love. With all its strawberry, hibiscus, rose and poached rhubarb, this is a brilliant one-size-fits-all wine that can go solo, with a cheese board, or dinner. In the words of Byrne... You’ll guess you must be having fun.

This Must Be The Place Yarra Valley Pinot Noir 2023

Well-balanced sweetness. Dark berries and plums that sparkle, or bubble even. Notes are worth journaling because they’re mulberry and a stingy piece of dark chocolate – apparently, I break off too much and need to be ‘monitored’ at family functions when the block comes out. Don’t worry, it’s on my list of things to work through with my therapist.

Gudilly Sparkling Shiraz NV

Offer up glasses of flowing, liquored berries, sweet cherries and some blackcurrant essence tonight to yourself or those lucky enough to be in your (and this bottle’s) company. Soft n plush with enough tannin to keep you engaged, even after the conversation has lulled and everyone’s on Insta.

Gudilly Shiraz 2022

Philosophers say that even in dreams, we create problems because we want something to overcome. I have this recurring dream where, despite pouring from a full 750ml bottle, I can’t fill up my glass with the 150mls I want which means I only ever get to enjoy just a sip of all the black currant cassis and tobacco a wine like this offers.

Gudilly Cabernet Sauvignon 2022

It's user-friendly Sangiovese so there's only a light coating of the dusty tannin the grape is known for. Expect plenty of earthy depth and an acidity that is pretty like a string of pearls. Fruits are all glossy and juicy raspberry, red apple and plush cherry.

Gudilly Sangiovese 2023

Aromatic and easy-drinking that’s one of those you open, pour, drink and forget about. This doesn’t mean it’s ambient, just that it’s agreeable with all the plush red fruits and berries you’ve grown up loving in Pinots. So good with dips and chips. Speaking of… how come people don’t have dip for dinner? Why is it always a snack and why can’t it be a meal?

Gudilly Pinot Noir 2023

Aromatic and easy-drinking that’s one of those you open, pour, drink and forget about. This doesn’t mean it’s ambient, just that it’s agreeable with all the plush red fruits and berries you’ve grown up loving in Pinots. So good with dips and chips.

Gudilly Rose Pinot Noir 2023

Half Time starts with a good squeeze of juiciness, before some earthy Italian herbs and fresh spices come flowing in with that bitter amaro and the savoury finish we can’t get enough of. Delicious with some Middle Eastern comfort food, but also chips and afternoon footy.

Half Time Red 2023

There’s also a lovely core of red fruit sweetness and some mulberry at the core that come wrapped in tobacco leaf. We call this level of acidity perfect for a luncheon, meaning it can hang with a cheese board, antipasti, and some chatter.

Trinity Hill Hawkes Bay Red Blend 2021

Light and bright with a good, fresh tension. The bottle’s all crisp and fresh with red fruit crunchy ripeness. This is a real no-brainer that you’ll want two of for a 6-person dinner party, just open them up, and watch the Pinoty smiles widen.

Cavedon Pinot Noir 2023

Tumblong for juiciness and a nice, crisp dose of acidity that will be right at home, sidling up to your bowl of bolognese, or Tuscan bean soup. Gentle handling of the grapes in the winery means the flavours are ripe with cherry, dried herbs and some soft chalky tannins.