Solaris Picardy Bird in Hand Carlos Serres Cantine Vitevis Ca’ Botta Best Wine Deals

Most Aussie red drinkers know our Shiraz can be big, bold and packed with flavour. You could argue that these are the biggest reds on the planet. But that would be discounting Italian reds — especially those from the Amarone-producing region of Valpolicella — which can be just as powerful. The secret? Traditional techniques like air-drying grapes pre-ferment to intensify richness and structure. Source them from a high altitude grower who yields his vineyard low, air dries the fruit for an extended period and ferments to maximise extraction, and you've got yourself a bruising rivalry!

In this 6-pack, we’ve matched three massive, low yield, air dried reds from Ca' Botta with three bold Aussie reds, including the opulent Yaldara Grand Shiraz and full-bodied Angas King Reserve. It's a side-by-side look at what happens when both hemispheres go big — in flavour, structure and style.

Three grapes. Three countries. One killer 6-pack.

Australia is now making some of the best Grenache on the planet. The Lienert's Sieben Klon is made from 8 distinct clones. It is fragrant, medium bodied and delicious. Dandelion's Faraway Tree is sourced from the Firehawk Farm vineyard in McLaren Vale- perhaps the greatest region for Grenache on the planet. Chianti remains the spiritual home of Sangiovese, and Bartali one of its most excellent producers. Rioja sets the gold standard for Tempranillo. Carlos Serres are one of only 2 Rioja producers who have been at it for over a century - with old vines, incredible fruit density and an ability to consistently punch out ripping Temps. This magical six-pack spans the globe, yet will set you back just $180.

Whether you’re a Grenache fiend, a sucker for Sangiovese, or just want to see how Rioja stacks up, this is a rare chance to taste six benchmark wines side by side — no airfare required.

A premium alternatives pack which we think is a bit of a no-brainer. We kick off with the following four Aussie alternatives. After Five's 5 trophy winning Barossa Montepulciano, which is as good a Monte we have ever seen. From Kilikanoon, their stunning, $96, 96 point, flagship Grenache. Artis brings us a magnificently perfumed Nero and Songlines, an old vine, 100% whole bunch Barossa Grenache. Then we have a Riserva Chianti from the low yielding and fabulous 2020 vintage, and a densely powerful Rioja, made by one of just 2 producers who are more than a century old. These are all excellent and we've no doubt you'll have as much fun with them as we do..