The Aussie wines the Halliday Tasting Team will be opening this festive season

Shanteh Wale, Katrina Butler, Marcus Ellis, Dave Brookes, Toni Paterson MW, Jane Faulkner, Mike Bennie, Philip Rich and Jeni Port.

Marcus Ellis

Mewstone Wines Hughes & Hughes Riesling 2025, Tasmania

Riesling is always a festive wine for me – refreshing, versatile at table and it can take a deep chill – and the 2025 Hughes & Hughes Riesling does everything I want it to, with a burst of citrus and orchard florals underpinned with river-stone mineral notes, plus a beautifully balanced palate, sugar a quiet ballast to the thrilling acid line.

Shanteh Wale

Thomas Wines Braemore Semillon (Magnum) 2025, Hunter Valley

Semillon, semillon, semillon – both young and mature. The 2025 Thomas Wines Braemore Semillon (in magnum, obviously) is perfect for our Aussie Christmas weather and fresh seafood. Its lower alcohol will also ensure most of the family will make it through to pudding before the food coma hits. And, of course, it’s unmistakably, delightfully Australian.

Jeni Port

Chambers Rosewood Old Vine Muscat Non Vintage, Rutherglen

Ever since my grandparents brought out the tawny port on Christmas Day to serve with the plum pudding, I associate the holidays with sweet treats. Cue Rutherglen Classic muscat (average age six to 10 years) to partner the plum pudding (hot or cold), the home-made pan forte, the rich fruitcake, the Florentines or the decadent vanilla ice-cream. I’m thinking of Chambers, Morris or Campbells who consistently overdeliver in the Classic category, combining a stunning raisin-y richness and complexity with spirit freshness. Too hot for muscat? Try muscat on the rocks, nothing better.

Jane Faulkner

Yangarra Estate High Sands Grenache 2023, McLaren Vale

Part tribute to the late Pete Fraser from Yangarra, yet the High Sands Grenache is one of my favourite wines and 2023 the finest to date, so I’ll be drinking it when I can. A backup is Yangarra’s skin-contact roussanne, Roux Beauté. Thanks for the beautiful wines, Pete.

Toni Paterson MW

Tyrrell's Wines Vat 1 Semillon 2013, Hunter Valley

I'll be breaking open a 2013 Tyrrell's Vat 1 Semillon. Despite its 12 years of age, it's strikingly youthful, with a fine-boned, detailed palate and pristine citrus. If you're quick, you may be able to score some 'museum release' bottles currently listed at a few fine wine retailers.

Mike Bennie

The Other Right + Scintilla Wines Eau d’Amis No. 9, Adelaide Hills

An Australian answer to Macvin du Jura, fresh grape juice left in barrels to gain complexity and dashed with a touch of spirit to mop things up. It's styled up by two rebellious but keenly clever younger gen South Australian winemakers. Drunk chilled, even poured deep in a tumbler on the rocks, is a magnificent, rich, but keenly saline and savoury drink that goes with breakfast as much as it does with the most lavish festive season spread.

Katrina Butler

Dave Brookes

Peter Lehmann The Master's Collection Margaret Semillon 2017, Barossa

In my personal festive drinking manifesto, I work off the acronym CARTEL: Constant Alcoholic Requirements That Elicit Libation. You can of course choose your own deity... Bacchus is a good one for obvious reasons. These constants are sparkling (including sparkling shiraz) and riesling, but this year I'm adding in a Barossa semillon for the sole reason that they are flippin' delicious. It is also one of those "IYKYK" situations as they don't usually get the love and attention they deserve. There are many great examples to choose from, but this year it will be the 2017 Peter Lehmann Margaret Semillon. It's a stunning wine, Marg is a gem, and a glass is bound to bring a smile to the face of everyone at the table.

Philip Rich

Mulline Gris 2025, Geelong

I love casual eating outdoors and the two Bens have nailed this skin-contact pinot gris. It’s almost equal parts white wine, rosé and light red. It’s bright, flavoursome and refreshing and I’d be equally at home drinking this out of a wine glass or tumbler and with just about anything that comes off the barbecue!

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