It’s wine like this, made using fruit from premium sites throughout the region, that make South Australia a first choice destination for lovers of big, generously rich and velvety Aussie reds - consider it the state’s great gift to the wine world, not just at home but all over the globe. This red shows distinctive characters of black fruit, eucalypt and spice, smoothed out by delicious dark chocolate and a touch of smoky oak.

The word 'Nacional' is reserved for treasures that fly the flag for Portugal. Touriga Nacional certainly does that. Ten years ago the Freitas family planted the grape on their acclaimed Fava vineyard. In 2015 it produced a wine so special that it was bottled under the vineyard name for the first time ever. It won a string of Gold on its debut - making over 60 Golds in 10 years for this fine family estate. The 2016 won Grand Gold, and the 2017 here has won Gold, Double Gold, Grand Gold and Best in Show ... ! Dating back to 1920, Casa Ermelinda Freitas is run by fourth generation Leonor Freitas, who has been awarded a 'Comendadora' (equivalent to a Dame) for her services to Portuguese wine. Her daughter Joana follows in her footsteps. Aged in barrel, this rich red is packed with spicy berry, herb and mineral character. A top match with slow cooked beef or lamb.

For over 20 years, John Quarisa has worked as a winemaker for some of the most recognisable wineries in Australia. During his time at Casella, he was instrumental in securing them the prestigious Jimmy Watson Trophy in 2004. John has since branched out to create a range of wines that bear his family name. This particular range, named after his wife Josephine Quarisa, features this outstanding Coonawarra Cabernet, which over a couple of vintages has picked up several Golds. This one has two, something Mrs Q must be stoked about.

The wine displays a complex aroma of lifted violets, red berries and mint with lovely cedary oak. The palate is brimming with rich plums, blackberries and subtle chocolate and earthy notes. The intense flavour is balanced by fine sandy tannins and spicy vanillin oak.

As close as you get to genuine Châteauneuf power – and with a Gold medal pedigree too, winning Gold for the last eight vintages. Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre are the three mainstays of this champion that boasts layers of velvety ripe black fruit, liquorice and spicy complexity. It's from the only co-operative cellar in Châteauneuf du Pape, the top appellation of the southern Rhône, and is owned and run by local growers. The grapes are from vineyards that abut the famous name appellation and share the same stone strewn soil that promotes superb ripeness and richness of fruit. The vines are old and gnarled, producing few grapes but with rare concentration of flavour. It's made by Châteauneuf winemaker Thierry Ferlay ... and it's very, very good!

Caroline Mooney specialises in small batch Single Vineyard releases from carefully selected sites. This 2017 has scores of 93 and 91pts. Philip Rich calls it "varietally correct" complimenting its " Apricot kernel, honeysuckle and a gentle beeswax". It is quite rich and will aprtner salmon or simmilarly slightly fattier fish splendidly.

Kings' Creed live by their creed to craft small batch wines of quality with bold character. The Adelaide Hills is located in the Mount Lofty Ranges, east of Adelaide. Its diversity in terms of altitude, climate and soil helps it produce its distinctive cool climate wines. Here, Ben Riggs sources the finest Pinot Grigio fruit to make a wine loaded with crisp, juicy just ripe pear with a touch of citrus. As winemaker Ben Riggs says, "2021 vintage was one of the greats. Excellent winter/spring rainfall, sunny warm spring followed by one of the mildest summers on record with only one day over 36 and beautiful mild evenings. Whites are incredibly fragrant, aromatic with delicious fresh acidity and lovely fleshy fruit palates."