This top South Australian drop should be opened while you’re relaxing around the pool enjoying beef tartare or barbecued lamb cutlets. The sparkling red comes from siblings Trent and Amelia Burge, sixth-generation Barossans who named the brand in honour of the family’s 1845 Corryton Park Homestead in Eden Valley. Deep crimson in colour, the Corryton Burge Sparkling Red NV has juicy notes of blackberry and plum on the palate with subtle aromas of dark chocolate and espresso. Would work well as an accompaniment to a celebratory brunch. RRP: $28 Available at corrytonburge.com.au

Aussies love a glass of Champagne over the summery months. But sparkling reds are also becoming an increasingly popular alternative. A glass of the Château Tanunda Sparkling Shiraz NV is the perfect companion to a pot-luck barbecue with friends. The first recorded production of a ‘sparkling burgundy’ was recorded in 1881 by the Victorian Champagne Company. It’s the gift that keeps on giving. And this elegant, aromatic wine is a testament to both tradition and innovation: it’s all dark cherries, blackberry and spice. The wine is 100 per cent shiraz with a soft, creamy palate of strawberry and red cherry fruit and a fresh, lively finish. Bottoms up. RRP: $28 Available at chateautanunda.com

NSW’s Hunter Valley is home to some of the oldest shiraz vines in Australia. And while they may not be as big and bold as a shiraz from the Barossa, they are celebrated for their complexity. Add bubbles to the equation and you have an easy-drinking red that is full flavoured with hints of spice and smokiness. The underlying influence of oak is evident on the palate and enhances the depth of this wine, which has a rich fruit sweetness and crisp, acid finish. Visit the cellar door to become part of the Fizzy Family and receive discounts through the wine club. Try with barbecued chicken and salad. RRP: $26.50 Available at petersonhouse.com.au

This Grampians Estate wine is typical of a shiraz crafted in a cool climate. It’s medium-bodied and elegant, with subtle notes of chocolate and raspberry flavours. The Grampians Estate Rutherford Sparkling Shiraz 2021 is produced using the méthode traditionelle. It’s soft, spicy and refreshing with a hint of licorice on the nose. Buy this for your boss for Christmas. Or pair with a Christmas feast of roast lamb and baked potatoes. RRP: $40 Available at grampiansestate.com.au

Best’s Great Western Sparkling Shiraz is an obvious choice given the history of the Great Western Region, where sparkling shiraz has been produced since the 1890s. Australians are being drawn to the drop in droves, with sales of sparkling reds soaring over summer. Winemaker Justin Purser ferments the grapes in stainless steel and matures them in oak and makes the wine using the méthode traditionelle. The result is a sparkling shiraz that is both savoury and medium bodied. It matches well with duck dishes or game meats and pairs well with berry desserts and Christmas pudding. RRP: $35 Available at bestswines.com