I extend my apologies to all the Riesling producers in Australia whose wines I’ve enjoyed over the years. What I’m about to say takes nothing away from the quality you produce. Okay, so it sounds like a disclaimer, and in many ways, it is, because this wine is such a consistent performer. If I walk into a bottle shop and can’t make up my mind, this Riesling is my fall‑back, my go‑to, my Toyota Hi‑Lux of wines. In a word, reliable. I’ve bought, opened, poured and drunk more bottles of this than I can count. I’ve served it to friends, relatives, Riesling fanatics and deniers alike, and it always comes through. I don’t hide the fact that it’s a favourite, and there’s always a bottle in the drinks fridge. This is yet another release that nails it!

Smiths Wine Store Y Series Wines

Region: South Australia    Price: $15 Source: Sample thanks kindly to Hill- Smith Family Estates

You could serve this up to anyone blind they would immediately know it is Riesling. So varietal! A little floral but lemons and limes are front and centre. On the palate it’s those citrus flavours of limes and lemons that are the expected main players, a nice surprising touch of minerality and some lovely lively acidity that carry this through to reasonably good, long finish. This is a ripper drink for the money.