The festive season comes with a whole lot of codified drinking activity, from matching sparkling red wines with breakfast and outdoor-in-sunshine consumption through to the one-hand-on-backyard-cricket bat ‘other hand drink’ and wine-for-seafood selection. It’s a menu that requires some dedication and accuracy to make the magic happen. 

For me, the first thing to do is get that fizzy red wine sorted. Sure, it might not tickle everyone’s fancy, but the breadth of offering available these days should make just about everybody happy. There’s a kaleidoscope of frothy, fun pet nats that show off a range of ruddy hues; serious and traditional sparkling shiraz from stately wineries; and – my favourite – an array of excellent, proper Lambruscos (not the sweet, bland stuff) that drink wonderfully on festive days. 

Of course, beer, cider and seltzers seem ubiquitous with the merry season, and the variety at our fingertips these days is phenomenal. Craft and microbreweries jostle for shelf space with an incredible, technicolour assortment of styles, from classic lagers used for crushing thirst via fruit-infused brews, traditional cider styles and, of course and importantly, increasingly great non-alcoholic versions. Ready-to-drink cocktails and seltzers should also be found hanging out in your esky, with a groundswell of boutique offerings that defy the bland ‘and cola’ offerings that dominated the market for years. 

Related story: Mike Bennie on why Australian sparkling wine is on the rise 

Also, try to stick with lighter red wines, preferably ones that can take a chill, if so desired (or ice cubes – go on, why not?). Gamay, pinot noir and grenache all come in lither, brighter styles, and there’s a wealth of fresh and bright reds now on the market, just begging for summer consumption. They’re likewise versatile with food – crisp and refreshing, particularly when consumed colder. Think of them as the ultimate Control+Alt+Delete for your mouth. 

Three to try

Heaps Normal x Yumbo Tough Stuff Shandy ($5)
A collaboration between non-alc brewers Heaps Normal and Yumbo Soda Co, which makes brilliant artisan sodas. This is a tangy yet beery, vivacious zero-alc drink that will prove the ultimate refreshment come warm days. 

Shobbrook Wines Poolside 2022 ($42, Barossa Valley, SA)
The name says it all, really… but this is Barossa shiraz – impossibly light, crunchy and vibrant. A few pay grades up from rosé and ideally consumed cold, with a bucket of prawns. 

Two Metre Tall Huon Dry Apple Farmhouse Cider ($14, Tasmania)
Wild fermented and made in a traditional, pleasingly bitter, appley but sour style, and very refreshing, this is the food-friendly cider of your dreams. 

Related story: Still not drinking merlot? Mike Bennie campaigns for the return of the much maligned red wine