Hit List|Wine|Grenache|Sparkling

200 Aussie wines for every occasion (and budget)


Read time 10 Mins

Posted 22 Oct 2026

By
Amelia Ball


A selection of red, white and rosé wines in glasses, with a white wine pouring into a glass

Ever wanted a cheat sheet of some of the most reliable and approachable Australian wines? You’re welcome.

We love a good bucket list of all the things to do, places to visit and dishes to eat for a life well lived. And while we could compile the most coveted wines to try (that most of us will never encounter), we’ve gone a different way. Instead, we think a list of quality, approachable bottles to call on at all times is arguably a lot more useful – and affordable. So, that’s exactly what we’ve done with this selection of 200 Australian wines to try.  

Why 200? We wanted to cover as many grape varieties, styles, regions and top producers as possible from right across the country. This includes giving prosecco and traditional sparklings their own sections, along with a whole suite of white wines, reds, dessert wines, fortifieds and even some zero%* highlights. And while we haven’t capped the wines at a particular price, most fall under $30 – although there are a few key exceptions well worth tracking down if you find yourself with a little more to spend. 

The following wines are grouped by variety or style, and, within each section, you’ll find a spread of options that cover a whole lot of ground. Maybe a Tassie sparkling, an easy-drinking Margaret River white blend, a bright McLaren Vale grenache or even a classic Barossa tawny. These are the sorts of wines that can slot right in with a Tuesday night pasta, Saturday with friends or a special dinner party where you really want to impress.

Consider the following selection your new go-to list of the best Australian wines you need to try. Bookmark this page and call on it for every occasion.

Prosecco Australian prosecco has come a very long way in a very short time – the first one was released just over 20 years ago by Dal Zotto in Victoria’s King Valley. Since then, this sparkling wine has become one of our best – and best-value – drops. Expect a reliably bright, refreshing and crisp style of bubbles with trademark crunchy green apple flavours and a dry finish.  
Sparkling wineFrance might be able to claim traditional method sparkling wines, but our Aussie producers have made them their own. This selection covers some of the biggest names in local bubbles, as well as a few rosé styles, and they all offer incredible bang for buck. You can expect crisp and refined wines full of fresh apple, citrus and subtle bready notes. Just don’t be saving them for a special occasion. 
RieslingRiesling is one of this country’s most under-valued, over-achieving wines, whether it’s from South Australia, Western Australia, Victoria or beyond – it loves a cool climate. Loaded with citrus, florals and great acidity, riesling is a total food wine, and it can keep a lot of different palates happy. Dip into this diverse mix whenever you’re after a break from your usual go-to white. 
Sauvignon blanc & blends When it comes to fruit-driven white wines that are so fresh they jump out of the glass, sauvignon blanc comes out on top. But not all are overtly tropical, especially Aussie expressions – think grassy, vegetal notes, citrus flavours and bright acidity. And when blended with that star grape, semillon, they’re even more approachable. If your idea of a good time is a long lunch with friends on a sunny day, these are the wines to reach for every time. 
Pinot gris & grigioWhether you go for the crisper, drier Italian style of pinot grigio or the slightly richer French style of pinot gris, which often has a subtle sweetness on the finish, you really can’t go wrong. Often among the most affordable white wines, pinot gris and grigio can be an ideal choice when friends can’t agree on a white wine. These very friendly wines are absolutely made for the dinner table. 
ChardonnayCool climate or warm, rich or lean, citrus or melon flavours, buttery or full of minerality – take your pick. Chardonnay is a bit of a shapeshifter of a wine, depending on where it’s grown, when it’s picked and how it’s treated in the winery. That’s why we highly recommend trying a few wines from this list that come from different regions and are made in different styles to figure out where your taste lies.
Other white wines We know we’re not doing these wines any favours by lumping them all together in the one category, but these varieties are made by fewer producers and they are somewhat lesser known, so we’re doing it anyway. From chenin blanc and fiano to viognier, albariño and more, these are the best white wines to call on when you feel like something different – and delicious. 
RoséIt’s hard to believe that rosé wasn’t really a thing in Australian wine until pretty recently. It wasn’t taken very seriously, at least. Today, though, just about every producer makes a rosé, and they’re some of our most popular and drinkable wines. Pale, dry, crisp and loaded with soft berry notes, red-fruit flavours and excellent acidity, rosé is a top option whenever you need a bottle to work with a range of dishes. 
Pinot noirGreat pinot noir often comes with a hefty price to match, but there’s a growing number of standout examples at more affordable prices that are nailing the brief. Styles range from light and pretty to brooding with richer fruit flavours, and the various regions represented in this list are proof that Australia is a powerhouse when it comes to pinot noir.
GrenacheWe’ve chosen straight grenache wines here, but there are so many grenache blends that also deserve your time. By featuring the variety as a standalone wine, we hope you get a real sense of this grape’s best features – juicy red-fruit flavours, a touch of spice, depth, complexity and sheer drinkability. If you only ever go for shiraz, start here. 
ShirazFew varieties are as widely grown or beloved as shiraz, with Australia long putting its spin on it across almost all of our regions. That means there are countless styles to explore, from big and bold to lighter and more savoury, all showcasing fruit-driven, spiced and peppery notes. While we’ve tried to cover some ground, these wines proudly reflect some of South Australia’s most famed regions, but that doesn’t mean they’re all the same style. Discovery awaits.  
Cabernet sauvignonCabernet fans tend to have their favouite regions, but there’s a lot of diversity to embrace with this variety. You’ll find wines below from Australia’s flagship cabernet regions – WA’s Margaret River, and Coonawarra, as well as the Barossa Valley and McLaren Vale, and they all demand a try. Cabernet is known for being rich and structured, and, with age, it develops earthy, leathery and complex notes. But cabernet can also be a pretty wine – expect notes of violets, other florals and bright blue fruits.
Other red winesMuch like our grouped-together white wines, we’ve done the same here, but there’s so much to love in this diverse mix, especially if you’re into food-friendly wines. There’s sangiovese, tempranillo, malbec and more, which all prove that Australia is smashing it out of the park with Mediterranean varieties and other lesser-known styles that don’t always get the spotlight. 
Dessert wines & fortifiedsOne of the best gifts you can take someone hosting you for dinner is a bottle of dessert wine or a fortified. There’s a good chance no one else will have thought of it, and we think you’ll convert a few people in the process. Australia has a long history with all of these rich, sweet and indulgent wines, and they’re some of our most underrated wine treasures.
Zero%* wines If it’s been a while since you tried a non-alcoholic* wine, they now come in every style, and they’re getting better. This means that everyone can enjoy a glass, and more people are adding them to their regular rotation along with their traditional favourites, too. And yes, we’ve slipped in a bottle of NON, which we know isn’t technically non-alc wine, but it’s such a great sub, we had to throw it in. 
*contains not more than 0.5% ALC/VOL