In 1962 Alfred Liebich’s love of fishing led him from Barossa, where his family settled in 1852, to the Murray River. His ‘left bank’ vineyards produce plush Petite Sirah brimming with blueberry, black cherry and spice.

It’s wine like this, made using fruit from premium sites throughout the region, that make South Australia a first choice destination for lovers of big, generously rich and velvety Aussie reds - consider it the state’s great gift to the wine world, not just at home but all over the globe. This red shows distinctive characters of black fruit, eucalypt and spice, smoothed out by delicious dark chocolate and a touch of smoky oak.

Sam Trimboli LOVES Durif. He calls it a “stunning little powerhouse grape that develops astounding complexity”. The numberplate on his car even sports the word ‘Durif’, that’s how highly he rates it. The grapes for this wine come from a small vineyard that Sam helped establish in the 1980s and is now at peak maturity.

South of Lisbon on Portugal’s Atlantic coast, the Setúbal Peninsula is famous for its rolling Atlantic waves and its long lived, fortified dessert wines. However, the sunny climate, tempered by cooling ocean breezes, is also proving itself with bold, fruit forward reds. Parker rated winemaker Jaime Quendera firmly believes in the region and is dedicated to bringing it to the world’s attention. He was the man behind the ‘Best Red Wine in the World’ a few years back. This 2020 is a sumptuous blend of native Aragonez (aka Tempranillo), Syrah and Cabernet. Delicious with pork and chorizo casserole or chicken dishes.

South Australia has long had a reputation for turning out rich reds, deep in flavour and complexity. This Shiraz is no exception. Deep, dark, distinctive and delicious, rich in black plums and fragrant spice, this red is made for sipping with fine fare like fillet steak or slow-cooked lamb shanks. Enjoy!

Small parcels of the best quality fruit from across top regions in South Australia were chosen for this Reserve Durif – and it shows! It’s big, rich and mouthcoating, a ‘black red’ with some serious heft. Take that as a warning! The wine is named after a type of cattle (Hereford/ Shorthorn cross) bred for the harsh conditions of Australia’s far north, and has been crafted with steak in mind. Hints of black pepper and dark chocolate coat the palate with layers of rich red fruit and black cherry.

A memorable Durif, awash with lush black fruit and spice that comes in an appropriately distinctive bottle. Bill Calabria has won won Trophy after Trophy after Trophy for his wines – including the prestigious Stoddart. He has been on a short list for the Jimmy Watson Award at least twice, His ‘3 Bridges’ alone has been recognised at the Sydney International Wine Competition, as ‘Most Successful Winery or Brand’ … he’s been praised by Robert Parker and Halliday who’s placed four wines within his 1001 Top Wines. He was a local boxing champion as a teenager, winning 12 out of 13 fights (with seven KOs) before his mum found out and put a stop to it. “I made a lot of friends out of boxing,” he says. It’s given him rare opportunities including sparring with the Australian champion, and has also come in handy in other ways. A few years ago he confronted three men who’d come to the winery to steal wine. After they started throwing punches Bill fought back, literally knocked some teeth out, and they fled empty handed. This is an unashamedly weighty, full flavoured red with masses of lush black fruit, spice, liquorice and herbal hints and a toasty oak finish.

McLaren Vale is home to some of Australia's biggest reds and here's a prize example from the bestselling 'Black Pig' - a cassis-rich Cabernet with wall-to-wall black cherry and bramble tones and a delicious lick of menthol.