10 BEST WHITES $20 or under

2017 TRENTHAM ESTATE ‘THE FAMILY’ PINOT GRIGIO $16 This picturesque winery on a bend in the Murray just outside vibrant Mildura punches above its weight. The pinot grigio illustrates why this variety has become so popular on the cafe scene: it’s light, delicate and fresh, with clean honeydew melon flavours, finishing with a hint of sweetness.

2018 ALKOOMI ‘WHITE LABEL’ RIESLING $15 Another outstanding vintage for this Frankland River pioneer means it is the only wine to make a repeat appearance in the Best of the Best. This is quintessential summer drinking: clean, fresh and vibrant with bright lemon zest aromatics, intense lemon/lime flavours and a crisp, dry finish.

2018 CLAYMORE ‘JOSHUA TREE’ WATERVALE RIESLING $20 Quality and value underline why South Australia’s Clare Valley is such a great riesling producer. This one has dramatic, voluminous aromas and youthful exuberance. There are apple, pear and lime juice flavours with a bright, vibrant finish.

2018 DI GIORGIO FAMILY KONGORONG RIESLING $19 Coonawarra’s DiGiorgio family has never been afraid to do something different, so sourcing riesling from Mount Gambier’s Kongorong should not surprise. This first vintage has attractive lemon and lime blossom aromas, fresh, vibrant, juicy green apple flavours and a crisp, dry finish.

2018 RICHARD HAMILTON ‘THE HILLS’ SAUVIGNON BLANC $20 This succulent Adelaide Hills sauvignon from one of South Australia’s oldest family wineries has wonderfully ripe tropical fruit aromatics, sweet pea and passionfruit flavours that are vibrant and pristine on the mid-palate, finishing crisp and dry.

2017 MIKE PRESS SAUVIGNON BLANC $12 This small family winery has become something of a byword for value as quality is impressive across the range. This Adelaide Hills sauvignon blanc has gently aromatics, a hint of florals and restrained tropical fruit and intense passionfruit, peach and guava flavours. It’s clean and refreshing.

2017 ROSS HILL ‘FAMILY SERIES’ SAUVIGNON BLANC $20 The Orange region has certainly found its voice in recent times and Ross Hill is adding to the volume. The aromatics of this sauvignon are pure and restrained: it has attractive white peach and honeydew flavours, taut structure and crisp, fine acidity that persists.

2017 MAD FISH SAUVIGNON BLANC SEMILLON $18 This blend shows the care that Janice McDonald, Gourmet Traveller Wine’s Winemaker of the Year for 2018, takes with all her wines. It has pure, bright, cool tropical flavours that are deep and long. Neatly balanced and pleasantly quaffable.

2017 CLAIRE CREEK CHARDONNAY $5 Aldi is the latest of the large supermarkets to make an impact with its budget-priced wines, some of which offer remarkable value. This gently perfumed chardonnay is clean and fresh with bright stone fruit and ripe melon flavours, with lively, cleansing acidity to finish. Worth a look.

2017 LINDEMANS ‘BIN 65’ CHARDONNAY $10 For more than a decade the ‘Bin 65’ chardonnay has been a reliable quaffer. The 2017 shows what a good region the Murray Darling is for budget-priced wines. It has ripe peach, apricot and nectarine flavours and excellent weight on the mid-palate: clean, fresh and viscous, with a longish, dry finish.