I looked up bract and I think I know what it means but I couldn’t think of a simple example. The beer is bold and full of flavour with some tropical flavours, and is perfect for enjoying on lazy afternoons.

Bentspoke Bract to the Ditch New Zealand IPA 375ml

This skipper feels less Ahab, and more Kermit al la Muppet Treasure Island. That’s to say it’s light, responsible and has just enough citrusy bliss to keep scurvy far away. Is the Cabin Fever number in that film as good as I remember or have I lost it?

Sailors Grave Sou East Skipper Mid 375ml

Textured wax that plays like the best vinyl, smooth and hitting all the notes you want and a couple you didn’t even know about. From the honey blossom ripeness to the spritely, pithy, mineral feel that flows over the palate, this is one to come back for and to take BYOing.

Velich Welsch Riesling 2022

One of our most reliably loved, southern Rhône producers. Each bottle makes dinner a little more chic and adds some earthy spice and a juicy handful of cranberries, blood plums, cherries, and blue fruits. It’s bold in flavour but kept sensible with tannin.

Pierre Amadieu Cotes du Rhone Rouge 2022

It’s the wine to take to a BBQ. Not as a gift to the host, but for you and whomever you went with. Full of almond blossom, with plenty of lift from the Touriga, plus some dried herbs – thank you Mataro. There’ll be sparks between the meal and the wine so enjoy.

Dune Tirari Negroamaro Touriga Mataro 2022

Unlike my Italian, this lands fruitfully-smooth with cherry and raspberry, but it settles with some savoury tannin and crisp acidity. Nonno might’ve have told me that when he slept in Carlton gardens, after filling out his immigration paperwork and waiting for PTV to northern Victoria, he dreamt of Nebbiolo but I can't be sure. My Italian isn't bene.

Chalmers Dott Nebbiolo 2022

Fleshy bosc pear and a little apple richness that has me searching ‘easy apple and pear tarte tatin recipe’ and finding nothing as clean, simple and delicious as the wine. With clean lines and fresh acidity it hits the spot and is park ready or appropriate on those nights when you can ignore the weather and focus on what you love; your taste, and enjoyment.

Wangolina Pinot Gris 2023

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

This is an April to November special that feels like a blanket on a cool night. No warmth from the ABV, but plenty of chewy tannin and almond essence in that lovely, curvy body.

Ionis A Canto Primitivo 2021

For the smooth red lovers who find bliss in polished oak structure, but still love a bit of juiciness and ripe, berry pie flavours.

Intrepidus Nero D Avola 2023

There are plenty of skin-contact tannins that are wrapped up in lovely citrus peels and smidges of lychee. After the initial fruits impresson, it gets savoury and salty before finishing with enough chew to convert red drinkers.

Wangolina Malvasia Istriana 2023

This feels like a party Chardonnay that can also come to dinner and knock everyone over. Anita Goode and her crew on the Limestone Coast always deliver! This has heaps of bright peach fuzz and nectarine, plus some zesty acidity – Yum!

Wangolina Chardonnay 2023

The Blanc that’ll push the one person in the group that’s not crazy about the grape, palate-and-heart-first, into loving it. Flavours are fresh and grassy with a good dose of lime and great value. Anita Goode and her team continue to deliver!

Wangolina Sauvignon Blanc 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.

Tumblong Hills Table of Plenty Barbera 2022

From a family-run vineyard in the Barossa, every drop is full of sweet fruits and slinky spices that come through all fleshy and with some nice weight.

Rusden Driftsand GSM 2022

McLaren Vale Grenache that’s turned all the way up and pours with fanning tannins and pepper that comes kicking, but not screaming. There’s more though – like sweet cherry, sarsaparilla and some sage and green herb flavours.

Naked Run The Aldo Grenache 2021

All stainless fermentation makes for glasses of crunchy, bright raspberry and morello cherry, plus a raspy tannin and a bouquet garni. Crowd-pleasing doesn’t translate in Italian, but if it did it might be, piacere della folla – even nonna’s pronunciation gets better after a glass of Farina.

Farina Valpolicella 2020

An aromatically blessed wine that tastes like summer nectarines and white peaches. There’s also some nice pear pith and a smidge of spice. You’ll love it if you’re keen on Chardonnay, and with mussels and ginger, or tempura, or a salmon bagel. Anim use only old oak for just a subtle amount of influence. Great winemaking! Great Wine!

Anim Wines Pinot Blanc 2023

Lovely weight, texture and tannins that are comparable to the finer side of an emery board in how they tease and tug all the flavours out. That structure is made complete with dark cherries, a hint of sweet spices and dense, deep purple fruits. It’s the Pinot to bring all mid-weight red drinkers and Pinot lovers together in harmony.

Future Perfect Estate Pinot Noir 2023

You head in thinking you know what it’s going to be like, Pinot Noir – a little bramble and wild strawberries with raspberry seeming to ripple through the glass, and enough tannin to cradle your attention. But there’s more, it’s long with electricity and something lively that you can pause with, and contemplate; or just keep drinking, occupied with something else until you notice the wine is elevating everything in a lovely way.