Ten Australian wines to define the nation

RAISE the flag. Tattoo on a flag. Smear on the green and yellow sunblock. And crack open only Australian drops on Saturday.

RAISE the flag. Tattoo on a flag. Smear on the green and yellow sunblock. And crack open only Australian drops on Saturday.

That goes for the whole Esky full, by the way. We're good at crafting great refreshing brews, and distinctive home-grown wines that reflect who were are and how we eat and drink.

Certain styles are unique to us and recognised internationally. Sparkling reds - add another star to the Southern Cross. Mature Hunter Valley semillon - the vinous mirror of our green and gold. The extraordinary fortifieds of the Rutherglen and bursting ripe reds of South Australia - bottled sunshine. Then there are the new names we've adopted after giving up the traditional European tags: sparkling for Champagne and apera for sherry; topaque for tokay. Claret has become known now as the great Australian red blend of cabernet and shiraz.

No matter how you celebrate on Saturday, toast and taste with pride.

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1. Arras Brut Elite NV - $39

Tasmania

houseofarras.com.au

THE latest cuvee, or blend, is numbered 501 and appears as delightful as ever, its three-quarters pinot noir, close to a quarter chardonnay and a small dollop of pinot meunier with decent matured material. All showing wafts of ocean, vanilla cream biscuit and refreshing light lemony tingle to finish. Celebrate in style.

Goes with: Party nibbles

Rating: 4.5/5

2. Campbell's Sparkling Shiraz - $30

Rutherglen, Vic

campbellswines.com.au

ARGUABLY the most unique of Australian wine styles, this says it all with rich, fragrant shiraz fermented in the bottle with fine, dark crimson bubbles releasing full-flavoured plum and pepper spices with a cleverly cut coat of powdery tannins to finish. Raise the flag.

Goes with: Spiced duck breast

Rating: 4/5

3. Skuttlebutt 2012 Semillon Sauvignon Blanc - $18

Margaret River, WA

stellabella.com.au

THE sauvignon may be the lead player in percentages here but its potential "loudness" is superbly measured, toned back to show more refined field grass. Fruit power is not compromised. Smart drinking.

Goes with: Chicken curry

Rating: 4/5

4. Krinklewood 2012 Semillon - $22

Hunter Valley, NSW

krinklewood.com

THIS variety in this region is highly respected worldwide as a mature style, but as a youngster it can be uncertain. The 2012 vintage seems to have imparted a little dash of sav blanc-like character, here with grassiness, spring vegetable notes of snow peas and sugar snaps as well as its trademark varietal bite. Brilliant.

Goes with: Goat's cheese and balsamic dressed herbs

Rating: 4/5

5. Annie's Lane Riesling - $22

Clare Valley, SA

annieslane.com.au.

OUR crisp and dry take on riesling from Clare and Eden Valleys as well as WA's southern districts tingles the spine as well. This has enticing floral lifts with subtle citrus, bite and juicy minerality. There's zest and flavour in spades. Cool.

Goes with: Thai beef salad

Rating: 4/5

6. Yalumba 2010 The Scribbler - $20

Barossa Valley, SA

yalumba.com

YALUMBA has long championed the blend of cabernet and shiraz, which used to be known here as our "claret" but now is becoming better thought of as "the great Australian red". Done well, as here, even $20 versions can offer fantastic depth, marrying sweet spicy red fruits with medium bodied strength.

Goes with: Meatloaf

Rating: 4/5

7. Oliver's Taranga Vineyards 2010 Shiraz - $29

McLaren Vale, SA

oliverstaranga.com

NOTHING more Australian than a big generous shiraz and the joy here is there's no mucking about. It's good dark plum and blackberry flavoured juice with the right amount of oak and a little smattering of spice and pepper. All the good things that big, sun-shiny shiraz can be. That's why we love it.

Goes with: Best ever rib eye

Rating: 4.5/5

8. Mt Monster 2011 Cabernet Sauvignon - $16

Limestone Coast, SA

mtmonster.com.au

MT Monster is a real place, north of the more famous Padthaway and Coonawarra regions yet still right in the zone for seductive cabernet sauvignon. It starts with fragrant black and blue berry fragrance. It reveals a juicy fruit and faint mint cocktail mix and match. Great bargain varietal.

Goes with: Lamb chops

Rating: 3.5/5

9. Seppeltsfield DP116 Aged Flor - $28

South Australia

seppeltsfield.com.au

JUST to add to the the confusion, this doesn't take the official "apera" name for sherry. The aged flor gives us a clue that it's an amontillado style with a bit of nuttiness and wood age together with its candied orange and lemon peel senses. Great aperitif sipping.

Goes with: Goes with white cheese tartlets

Rating: 4.5/5

10. Baileys of Glenrowan Founder Classic Topaque - $25

Glenrowan, Vic

baileysofgenrowan.com.au

TOPAQUE is our new word to replace tokay - the muscadelle grape variety in fortified mode. The classic style offers great value - this with a top class score at last year's Australian Fortified Wine Show for its balance of toffee sweetness, fruit cake flavours and power.

Goes with: creme caramel

Rating: 4/5