Sparkling red is an Aussie speciality and this rich example, from the creator of some of our most popular wines, doesn't disappoint. Andrew McPherson's aim with The Full Fifteen was to create a huge, black, spicy and smooth red. He delivered. Then, he decided to craft a sparkling version, brimming with tongue-tingling berry bubbles. And he delivered again.

Andrew has since handed over his winemaking reins to the talented Jo Nash and, under Jo's beady watch, this latest offering of Full Fifteen Sparkling provides a gorgeous mouthful of ripe fruit complemented by a fine mousse of tiny bubbles. Its versatility makes it the perfect match for a BBQ or the Christmas roast – not to mention being a great talking point at your next dinner occasion.

Antonio Federici is a small, 3rd-generation cellar in Lazio, just south of Rome. As you'll taste here, its wines are both authentic and exceptionally delicious.

Normally, they only supply their meagre output to top restaurants in Rome. But with most shut in 2020 and 2021, we managed to gain a small allocation of this superb, cherry-scented red.

On fine limestone soils (the rocks of which were used to build some of Rome's most famous buildings) they grow some of Italy's most characterful native grapes. From these they make a small range of highly awarded, rule-breaking wines.

No doubt the skill of top Italian consultant Franco and Matteo Bernabei come into play, as well as the commitment and passion of the family.

A great pizza or pasta red.

Today it is famous for breeding Lusitano dressage horses – and, of course, its very fine wine.

Lobo e Falcão Centenário Grande Reserva 2020 comes from José's secret tiny vineyard. It’s his ancient‘illegal’vineyard of 100-year-old – and even older – vines.‘Illegal’because the authorities argue that these old vines should not have the right to the Tejo denomination … simply because the vines are planted amidst equally ancient olive trees. But José refuses to stop making it. One taste will show you why! Just like the old days, the grapes are hand-picked and trodden by foot in the cellar's traditional old‘lagars’(stone troughs). Lavishly dense with velvety black fruits, dark chocolate and spice on a long, sumptuous finish, It’s absolutely spectacular

This juicy, full of fruit Aussie red sums up the best of Aussie wine – gorgeous ripe fruit, good intensity and freshness. Great value too. Way & Cat is short for ‘wayfaring catador’, catador being Spanish for taster. So the name is a tribute to how the team source their fruit – they head out into the vineyards to taste the grapes of their grower friends. When they find the selections they like, they vinify each parcel separately, then blend the results into fruit first expressions of the varieties they chose.

That blend changes vintage by vintage, depending what performs well that year. It's top for versatility too – great as a glass on its own, tasty with roasted vegetable quiche, sausage and mash. And just the ticket at a barbecue.