Best Aussie wines

I could say it's to celebrate the return from Down Under of my friend Rhiannon, the editor's relentlessly chirpy Aussie gatekeeper.

I could even use it as a vehicle for cheap jokes at the expense of my beer-loving ocker brother-in-law.

But I'll be honest: Australia Day is for me simply an excuse to write about Aussie wines like these.

Tinder Box Chardonnay 2008 (M&S, £9.99 reduced to £4.99 until 31 January)
Juicy, creamy fruit, toasty with being over-oaked, rounded without losing any of its pleasing acidity. Good - and an amazing bargain at this price.

Leasingham Bin 7 Riesling, Clare Valley (www.ocado.com, £9.99 RRP reduced to £7.99 until 16 March)
Classic Clare Valley riesling at a good price: this is packed with bright, zesty lime flavours, dry but juicy, with characteristic petrolly notes (I know that sounds weird but if you don't know Aussie riesling, they really do have that flavour - in a good way).

Plantagenet Samson's Range Shiraz/Cabernet Sauvignon 2007, Western Australia (Waitrose, reduced from £7.99 to £6.39 until 16 February)
The fruit here is bold and bright, plummy, but it's saved from jamminess by the backbone of the cabernet. I enjoyed this with roast lamb. Good value while it's on offer.

Katnook Founder's Block Cabernet Sauvignon 2007, Coonawarra (Waitrose, £9.99)
Katnook is an iconic producer of Coonawarra cab, one of Australia's most instantly recognisable styles. This has typical rich, full, minty blackcurrant fruit, but it's not just a fruit bomb: there's good structure and backbone to it.

Tim Adams The Fergus 2006, Clare Valley (Tesco, £10.40)
This is an idiosyncratic blend of Grenache, cabernets sauvignon and franc, shiraz and malbec, although the accent tastes to me like it's on the shiraz. Rich and velvety, with sweet, slightly smoky fruit: very attractive.