Wine & dine

If you’re seeking guaranteed food-friendly wines for your next meal, here are four top examples and their ideal matches.

2015 Grant Burge Filsell Barossa Old Vine Shiraz

Aromas of blueberry, plum and mocha are complemented by rich flavours of dark chocolate, coffee and vanilla on the palate of this wine. The Filsell is an excellent partner for rich beef dishes, such as eye fillet or slow-cooked beef cheeks.

$44, grantburgewines.com.au

2016 El Desperado Red Blend

The sangiovese in this blend brings aromatics of cherry cola and raspberry, and fine tannins, while tempranillo adds a perfumed lift and spicy richness, with shiraz delivering a deep colour, berry fruits, pepper notes and velvety tannins. These traits create a medium-bodied, textural flavour bomb, which can accompany any food, on any occasion. Try it with pizza on a Friday night, pasta with fresh tomato and chilli, or lamb shanks with sauce and crusty bread.

$20, thepawn.com.au

2017 Elephant in the Room Pinot Noir

This wine is heavy on flavour, but light on its feet with a core of ripe, vibrant fruit. It has sufficient weight to accommodate moderately spicy Asian cuisine, with fresh, bright acidity that cleans the palate and leaves you wanting more. It is a relaxed and versatile partner to any meal. $6 can / $24 six-pack craftwinecan.com.au

2016 Kay Brothers Basket Pressed Shiraz

For this wine, we use our 1928 basket press – a traditional approach that gently presses the grapes for softer tannins and cleaner juice. The 2016 exhibits rich, juicy raspberry, blackberry and plum flavours, underscored by savouriness and fine-grained tannins. It pairs particularly well with grilled beef, especially served rare and with roast beetroot. $28 kaybrothersamerywines.com