Welcome to the fourth edition of Liquor Barons’ On The Vine.

In this edition, we are inspired by international flavours. But don’t worry; we have also thrown in a couple of traditional favourites that are first-rate wines with super value. With so many new varieties appearing, the panel decided to put a few of them to the test and we were delighted with just how good these wines are. If you haven’t tried, we strongly suggest you give them a go. And who knows, you might be as comfortable with them as you are with traditional favourites such as chardonnay and sauvignon blanc.

The brief for the panel was to find wines that delivered both quality and value, and we are delighted to be able to do so. Fiano is an Italian variety that has proved highly successful in Australia. Verdejo is a Spanish variety that is quite close to the more familiar Verdelho. Pinot grigio has also become very popular, and the one chosen is from the King Valley, one of the best regions for this variety. Then there are the sauvignon blanc and chardonnay from two of the state’s best producers, Leeuwin estate and Evans & Tate. Plenty to like in this selection.

Good drinking!

On The Vine Edition Four $120 Premium Wine Six Pack:

• Gordon Ramsay | Vibrante Bianco 2022 $17.99
  Yes, this blend of white varieties from Italy is part of chef Gordon Ramsay’s stable, having been created to match specific dishes in his chain of restaurants. It has a nutty, slight stone fruit character with plenty of lingering flavour. A refreshing, crisp acidity keeps it focused to a long finish.
• Chalk Hill | Fiano 2023 $22.99
  This wine captures so much of its variety that it is the most famous native to Sicily. Retains a clean, fresh palate with a subtle creamy, nutty infusion lifted by a faint citrus character. The clean lingering acid ensures a clean, long finish. Excellent drinking now.
• Leeuwin Estate | Art Series Sauvignon Blanc 2023 $29.99
  I have to say I think this is the best Art Series savvy yet released. It combines the beautiful aromatic nuances evident immediately with a beautifully crafted textural palate. The palate is sublime with its rich intensity and centration of fruit lifted and revealed with a minerally acidity. That texture comes from barrel and some tank-fermented components.
  It has created an ideal expression of this variety.
• Millbrook | Regional Verdejo 2022 $21.99
  This somewhat unusual variety hails from Spain and is closely aligned to the better-known verdehlo in WA. It has a crisp, lemony lime lift with traces of crunchy green apple and an almost sherbet-like lip-smacking finish. Great summer drinking.
• Evans & Tate | Redbrook Estate Chardonnay 2019 $34.99
  It opens with a distinct stone fruit and toasty lemon brioche character. The palate is multi-layered with a trace of struck match, adding complexity to the deep stone fruit and lemon curd richness. This cooler year resulted in a wine of both texture and focused length. It’s one of the best and most consistent chardonnays at this price point.
• Pizzini | Pinot Grigio 2023 $19.99
  One of the very best producers of this variety. Pizzini is based in Victoria’s King Valley, a region well suited to a range of Italian varieties. It’s typically light and crunchy, yet an excellent pure-mouth feel exists. Captures those essential apple and pear crumble characters with a light splash of citrus to bring further tang to the racy palate.