Cheap Italian varietals

Chalmers Vermentino 2010 ($20)
Vermentino is an Italian white variety that's shining from Australian vineyards, with Chalmers setting a cracking pace. This energetic, mineral-driven wine bristles with plenty of crackle and crunch, showing preserved lemon aromatics, dried herbs and a chalky, dry finish. 

Thorn Clarke Morello Barossa Nebbiolo 2008 ($18)
This gear will drink as well out of fancy stemware as an old Vegemite jar, but don't discount how additionally good this wine is with food. Dark cherry fruits sit in a rich, velvety wash of texture with a savoury vein that belies its price point. 

La Pieve Chianti La Pieve 2008 ($25)
Savoury, kind of earthy, a dusting of sweet spice and an old fashioned grainy tannin belt makes this wine an attractive partner to more neutral-flavoured foods. Pizza is a treat to partner with La Pieve; it's a delicious, medium-weighted sangiovese-dominant blend with plenty of pluck. 

Chrismont La Zona Barbera 2010 ($26)
Here is smokiness, spice, leather and bright, red cherry fruit - barbera is a natural buddy for the red sauces of many an Italian dish. This bad boy from King Valley feels pretty and juicy, with enough complexity to see out a parmagiana. An easy guzzle. 

Brown Brothers Prosecco NV ($17)
With flavours that run from finely sliced nectarine to a tickle of mandarin and back to a hint of musk, the BB Prosecco is equipped to take on the chill and sweetness of gelato. It has rose petal texture and grapefruit acidity, which makes drinking brilliantly fresh... but dangerously easy.