Grant Burge Moscato Rosa sparkling rose 2007

Barossa, $14

Not really sparkling, more a light spritz.   A light and sweet rose from grenache and frontignac.  Vibrant rose colour.  Strawberries and a bit of lime.  Great summer afternoon / picnic wine.

Cumulus Climbing Cabernet Sauvignon

This wine is an easy drinking, medium bodied red.  Halliday describes the flavours as 'powerful blackcurrent, cassis and cedar, with touches of bitter chocolate; fractionally green tannins', which is pretty accurate. Quite nice - recommended medium bodied red.  13.5 % alcohol, approx $17.

Wine: Pooles Rock Firestick Late Harvest Shiraz 2006

Hunter Valley, $16ish

Well this is an unusual one.  Chocolate, plum and berry aromas.  Similar flavours.  Smooth almost syrupy texture.  And it's sweet!  Almost a dessert wine.  Nice.  Apparently it's good chilled too.

Wine: Cumulus Rolling Sauvingon Blanc Semillon 2007

Central Ranges, NSW

I like sauvignon blancs in moderation - those yummy tropical flavours are lovely for a pre-dinner drink or two - but I find it cloying after a couple of glasses.

This wine has those tropical flavours but nicely balanced with lemon and almost a sort of honey.  I like it!