Every now and then it doesn’t hurt to be a little picky with your wine choices. It’s your palate after all! In saying that, summer calls for fruitiness, a few touches of citrus and, of course, drinkable easy summer wines.
Whether you’re a stickler for punchy white wine, a bottle of bubbly or an aromatic red, we’ve got you covered in our summer wine guide with some refreshing Australian tipples. Below, you’ll find a specially curated list of the best Australian made summer wines for 2023 – perfect to bring to your next soiree!
Image via BWS.
Brown Brothers Cienna
Brown Brothers is considered the largest affordable winemakers in Australia. But while their wines are inexpensive, it doesn’t mean they’re mediocre. Take their Cienna for example. It’s a refreshingly light-red wine with aromas of berry fruit and touches of spice. Juicy, punchy, but far from heavy – it’s the perfect summer wine. Fun fact: Cienna is a new grape variety bred between sumoll (a Spanish grape) and cabernet sauvignon. It tastes a bit like shiraz.
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Campbells Rutherglen Muscat
When you reach the end of a three-course meal, it’s the ideal moment to bring out a dessert wine. Especially if you’ve got a cheese board coming! And if there’s one we would highly recommend, it is the Campbells Rutherglen Muscat – a lusciously textured dessert wine with flavours of raisin, caramel and Turkish delight. It’s sure to make your dinner guests feel a little giddy and warm as you settle in for good conversations and hearty laughter. Cheese and wine? Now that’s our type of pairing!
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De Bortoli Emeri Pink Moscato
Now here’s a quintessential picnic drop, daringly sweet and easily matching all sorts of hors d’oeuvres. Meet De Bortoli’s Emeri Moscato – a pale pink coloured wine, evoking scents of musk and strawberry as it rises to a refreshing finale. One of Australia’s best summer wines, it is the perfect aperitif ready to be enjoyed before the main course. If you’re a stickler for pairing your wines, the Emeri Moscato goes well with light savoury bites, like goats cheese tarts or salmon blinis.
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De Iuliis Hunter Valley Chardonnay
Nestled within the rolling leafy hills of Hunter Valley, just over two hours south of Sydney’s CBD, is a family of winemakers that exceed the expectations when it comes to small-batch wines. Thankfully, their Hunter Valley Chardonnay makes for the perfect accompaniment or secret, family-kept ingredient for any balmy summer evening with friends. With subtle aromas of vanillin oak and melon, wine lovers will find this well-balanced wine creamy, clean and cusped with hints of green pear and peach. Best for drinking now or cellaring for four years to improve well with its age.
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The Ethereal One Sangiovese
With many Australian vineyards getting adventurous with their grape growing, it’s about time us wine enthusiasts get on board, too. Let’s start with The Ethereal One Sangiovese, grown in sunny South Australia and holding a gold award from the Australian Alternative Varieties Wine Show 2020. It’s a nuanced wine, bursting with strawberry and raspberry, anise, and the forest floor. Being an Italian grape, it goes best with tomato-based dishes. If you’re looking for the perfect summer red, this is it.
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Infamous Dodger Fiano
Vibrant, floral and fruity. For an easy and drinkable summer drop, you can’t look past one of the best Australian white wines: Infamous Dodger’s Fiano. This 2020 vintage showcases Infamous Dodger’s creative freedom that has paved their way to excellence and, unsurprisingly, awarding the winemaker with a gold medal in the Australian Alternative Varieties Wine Show in 2020. An overall fresh and approachable blend, this Fiano exhibits citrus blossom, melon and pear aromas. On the palate drinkers with find layers of flavour and a crisp mouthwatering finish. Best paired with seafood!
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Pocketwatch Pinot Noir
Produced by the five-star winery Robert Oatley Vineyards, the Pocketwatch Pinot Noir is both light on the palate and full with flavour. It was fermented with grapes grown in Mornington Peninsula and Yarra Valley, showcasing a beautiful red wine with touches of oak on the nose. Expect a flavour profile of red fruits like cherry and raspberry, with an underlying earthy finish. Pair with a roasted chicken or grilled salmon and you’ve got a delectable evening!
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Printhie Mountain Range Pinot Gris
If you’re in search of a drinkable and easy summer wine, Printhie’s Mountain Range Pinot Gris should be at the top of your list this 2023 season. Hailing from Orange in New South Wales, there’s no denying that Printhie has earnt a reputation for their exceptional cool climate wines. With a five-star rating from James Halliday, Printhie’s Mountain Range Pinot Gris is well worth the hype. Featuring luscious honeysuckle flavours, this drop also comes equip with a textural mouthfeel and balanced acidity at every sip. For an Australian made summer wine for 2023, you can’t go wrong with Printhie’s.
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Robert Stein Dry Riesling
Here’s a wine you could drink now or cellar for later. It’s up to you! The Robert Stein Dry Riesling harnesses the classic taste of dry Riesling, with plenty of lime and fruit characters. As it washes across your palate, it finishes up with a crisp swish, leaving a trace of sweetness. Taking home multiple gold medals and trophies, there’s no denying that Robert Stein’s Dry Riesling is one of the best Australian white wines. Be sure to match this drop with Asian cuisine to spice up your night!
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V.no Sparkling Wine
Want to drink but not deal with nasty hangovers? Well, the V.no Sparkling Wine is non-alcoholic, making it a great way to curb those next-day consequences without disrupting your party lifestyle. One of the best summer wines, it tastes just like any other sparkling wine with a citrus palate and a crisp finish. It’s also vegan friendly and holds just 26 calories per 100mL. Drink like a queen, dance like a trooper, and feel 100% sober with V.no Sparkling Wine!
Do you love to support local? Read on through our list of 6 Unique Boutique Wineries in Australia that you must visit in 2023. Or, if you love something brewed, you can’t go wrong with these Top 10 Australian Made Craft Beers and Ciders for Summer 2023.
Looking for something drinkable this summer? The perfect summer red? Or a refreshing Australian white wine? Read ahead!
Now that that the weather is finally starting to clear up and our evenings are nice and balmy, it’s clear that soirees are back on the cards. And, regardless of the occasion, the one thing you cannot forget is the wine. Yes, even if your host implores you not to bring anything, it’s always recommended to come prepared. Nobody likes to run out of booze!