08 Yarraloch Arneis Yarra Valley $9 Dandelion

Having dinner with friends at Dandelion in Elwood, I wanted a wine that would compliment the seafood I was about to order. The Arneis did just this! It is tight and elegant and shows restrained ripe lemon and hints of herbs on the nose.

2009 Georges Dubœuf Gamay Beaujolais $9 The Toff in Town

I'd just been to a talk which was part of the State of Design festival. My friends were waiting at The Toff in Town. It was cold outside and I decided a light red would be nice before heading to Chin Chin for dinner. Raspberry, strawberry, and other berries(red, currants) with some floral elements and good minerality. Lots of that soft, fruity, sweet aroma--with enough acid and mineral and earth.

2007 Petit Rimauresq • Mourvèdre blend • Côtes de Provence Fra • $11 • Cutler & Co, Fitzroy, VIC, Australia

I'd enjoyed an Rimauresq recently, so thought I'd have a glass of the 2007 Petit Rimauresq before dinner with friends at Cutler and Co. It's a Mourvédre, Grenache, Carignan blend. Just like a Pinot Noir, which we later enjoyed with dinner, the Rimauresq is quite earthy. There are hints of mushroom and minerals from the soil with berries and cherries on the finish.