There was a time – not that long ago – when Australian wine abroad was dismissed as too big, too bold, too shouty. All sunburn and swagger, no subtlety. We were the loud bloke at the international dinner party, pouring Shiraz with both hands and calling it “breakfast”.
Well. We’ve grown up.
Quietly, confidently, Australian winemakers have become some of the most thoughtful, precise and exciting in the world. Cooler climates, gentler handling, less oak, more restraint. Wines that don’t bludgeon you into submission but lean in and whisper something interesting instead.
And here’s the best bit: while Europe’s classics now require a small bank loan and a signed permission slip, Australia is producing extraordinary wines at prices that still feel – dare we say it – fair. Twenty-five to sixty-five dollars now buys you complexity, character and real pleasure, not just a famous label and a story about monks.
So in 2026, instead of reaching automatically for something French “because it feels safer”, consider this: Australian wine has never been better, more diverse or more drinkable. And it’s right here, waiting politely.
10 Australian wines to drink in 2026 (all $30–$50, all excellent)
Thistledown Thorny Devil Grenache – McLaren Vale
Grenache at its most persuasive: pale, perfumed, quietly confident. Red berries, savoury spice, and a finish that lingers just long enough to make you smug. This is not a shouty red – it’s a knowing smile.
Price: $25-30
Vasse Felix ‘Filius’ Chardonnay – Margaret River
Elegant, citrus-driven and beautifully balanced, this Chardonnay proves once and for all that oak is a seasoning, not a lifestyle choice. Think lemon curd, white peach and minerality rather than buttered toast.
Price: $25–$30
Stefano Lubiana Brut Reserve Sparkling – Tasmania
Tasmania does sparkling frighteningly well, and this is proof. Fine bubbles, green apple, toasted brioche and enough seriousness to justify opening it on a Tuesday “just because”.
Price: $45–$50
Tar & Roses Sangiovese – Central Victoria
Bright, cherry-fruited and refreshing in a way that makes you want another sip immediately. Brilliant with food, forgiving without it. The wine equivalent of a good dinner guest – lively, charming, not exhausting.
Price: $25–$30
Bondar Rosé – McLaren Vale
Rosé for grown-ups. Dry, savoury and structured, with strawberry, herbs and just enough grip to stop it being frivolous. This is not a poolside novelty – it’s a serious wine that happens to be pink.
Price: $25–$30
Shaw + Smith Shiraz – Adelaide Hills
Cool-climate Shiraz that behaves itself beautifully. Pepper, dark berries, fine tannins and no sense of excess. Perfect for people who like red wine but don’t want to wrestle it.
Price: $45–$50
Brokenwood Semillon – Hunter Valley
Crisp, zesty and gloriously refreshing, with citrus bite and whisper-thin texture. It’s the sort of wine that makes you feel clever for choosing it – especially with seafood or on a warm evening.
Price: $25–$30
Dalrymple Pinot Noir – Tasmania
Silky, savoury and understated, with red fruit, forest floor and gentle spice. Pinot that doesn’t demand attention but earns it anyway. Elegant rather than showy — which is always preferable.
Price: $40–$45
Pike & Joyce ‘The Hill’ Riesling – Adelaide Hills
Electric acidity, lime zest and that wonderful Riesling purity that makes your mouth water just thinking about it. Bone dry, utterly refreshing and criminally underrated as a dinner wine.
Price: $30–$35
Yalumba ‘The Signature’ Cabernet Shiraz – Barossa
A classic done properly. Rich but controlled, layered but approachable. Blackcurrant, spice, polished tannins and a sense of confidence that only comes from knowing exactly what you are.
Price: $60–$65
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