Sangiovese is becoming an Aussie favourite these days, and some of the best wines are coming from central and northern Victoria. This is a fragrant wine from the hands of Jo Nash, with aromas of rhubarb, cinnamon and sweet cherries. A textural wine, the palate unfurls with flavours of plum, raspberry and gentle earthen notes. Excellent value for money.

Origin: Southern Italy. Mainly Grown In: Italy, Argentina, France, USA. (In Australia it is found in Heathcote, King Valley and McLaren Vale) Key Facts: Sangiovese is THE Italian grape — the Da Vinci of the Italian wine world — Complex, awe-inspiring and a curious balance of sophistication and rusticity. In addition to being Italy’s most planted red grape, It was on the reputation of this grape that the Italian wine industry was built, and for good reason. Its bright-faced acidity, classic mouth-puckering sour cherry flavours and herbal Mediterranean touch (like savoury notes of oregano and thyme) are as earthy and rustic as they are seductive. And if Da Vinci was right that "nature is the source of all true knowledge", well wine lovers, let's drink from nature herself. Fun Fact: Italy has over 2,000 native grape varieties — Sangiovese is the most famous, but is only one.