We make a wine for that: pairing the moments that matter with great Australian wine

We firmly believe that there's a wine for all the moments in life that matter – whatever the mood, the food or the company.

And, thanks to the incredible diversity of styles, varieties and even price-points available to us, it’s never been easier to find the perfect bottle.

Heading to a mate’s dinner party? We make a wine for that. Binge-watching your favourite show on the couch? We make a wine for that. Going out to a family barbecue? Yes, Australian producers make a wine for that, too. 

If you need help to find the wine that best fits your specific occasion, we’ve put together a list of suggestions below.

Catch-up with mates

When meeting up with friends – whether you’re hitting up a BYO restaurant, having a sip and snack session, or hosting a long lunch – the options for wines to pop on the table are just about endless. But generally, when catering for a group, we suggest going for easy drinking styles that will appease a majority of palates – think lighter-bodied reds (such as gamay, pinot noir or grenache), chilled reds, rosé, riesling and pinot grigio.

Not only does Australia produce great examples of these varieties and styles at a range of price points, they’re also all quite food-friendly – which is just what you want when you’re catching up with mates. If you or your friends are feeling a little more adventurous, savagnin and viognier are also wines that pair well with a wide range of food.

Cosy moments

Whether you’re curled up under a blanket in front of the fire at home, out camping with the family, or enjoying a Sunday roast at your local pub, there are plenty of Aussie wines that are just right for these, and other, cosy moments. 

Juicy, vivacious expressions of barbera and grenache are perfect to sip fireside. The most compelling examples, those with complexity and a sense of place, are also brilliant conversation starters. Relax with company and talk about what's in your glass. 

For a wine to drink alongside a pub roast with all the trimmings, look for something with more body, richness and structure. Malbec, shiraz and cabernet sauvignon will generally go well with beef and lamb – the tannins in the wine will help cut through the richness of the meat. If you’d rather a white, try a fuller bodied style made from a Rhône variety such as marsanne or roussanne – something structured yet not overwhelming. And lastly, chardonnay and roast chicken are always great friends.

Date nights

If you’re looking to treat your significant other to something a bit special, sparkling wine is always a fabulous choice. While there’s top-notch sparkling made all over the country, date nights call for Tasmanian expressions – they’re some of the finest examples in the world. Australia also makes incredible chardonnay and riesling, with the premium bottles the perfect addition to any night in with your favourite person. 

Celebrating a birthday? Spoil your partner by finding a great birth year wine (shiraz and semillon both age remarkably well). And fortified wines are the perfect nightcap – either with (or instead of) dessert. 

Lazy afternoons

Whether that’s binge-watching trashy television, reading your new favourite book, or hanging out with mates, for lazy moments you want something easy and delicious.

For reds, try pinot noir or gamay. For whites, there are some great examples of fiano and chenin blanc to be found – both these wines are surging in popularity across Australia. These are wines you can really take your time with as you while away a lazy day.

Sunny days

Barbecues, picnics, poolside hangs – all these moments are made better with a great bottle of Australian wine. 

Italian and Mediterranean varieties are our go-to here, as they are best friends with sunshine, salads and barbecues. Pecorino, vermentino, sangiovese, mencía and even an easy-drinking GSM will hit the spot – especially when you pick lively, fresh and youthful examples of these wines. Don't be afraid to reach for a chilled red, or an amber wine either.

If you work in the wine industry and want to participate in Wine Australia's 'We Make a Wine for That' campaign, you'll find more details on their website.

Become a member to access all Halliday's wine and spirit reviews

Sign up to become a Halliday member and unlock a wealth of benefits, including:

- Brand new wine and spirit tasting notes delivered to your inbox weekly
- Digital access to our library of over 185,000 tasting notes from over 4000 wineries and distilleries
- Four issues of Halliday magazine delivered to your door per year
- Member-only articles and stories written by Australia's best wine writers
- Early access to Halliday events across Australia
- Discounted Halliday Wine Club subscriptions
- Free shipping on Halliday wine packs
- Member-exclusive offers from our winery, distillery and retail partners

And much, much more. Become a Halliday member today.