Best Australian Wines to Drink This Spring – 2026 Edition
25 September 2026

Best Australian Wines to Drink This Spring – 2026 Edition

Discover the best Australian wines to drink this spring, from crisp Clare Valley Riesling and fresh Pinot Grigio to food-friendly Chardonnay and lighter Grenache. Our 2026 spring wine picks are bright, versatile and perfect for barbecues, picnics and long lunches.

As we wave winter off and settle into spring, the days get longer, afternoons start warming up and we naturally spend a little more time outside. One weekend might be spent by the coast, the next enjoying a long afternoon picnic. Lunch has a habit of stretching on, and there are suddenly a few more reasons to open a bottle with friends.

The wines we reach for tend to change too. Something a little lighter, brighter and easy to enjoy, whether it’s a bottle for the barbecue, a long lunch or simply the first warm afternoon of the season.

That’s where some of the best Australian wines for spring come in. Think crisp Riesling, Pinot Gris with a little texture, an easy Pinot Grigio, Chardonnay with freshness and a lighter red like Grenache when you’re still in the mood for red.

And you don’t need a cellar-door budget for any of them. Every wine below has been picked and tasted by our Master of Wine, so we’ve already narrowed down the options. All that’s left is deciding what to open first.

What Makes a Wine “Spring-Ready” in Australia?

Spring wines are really about freshness and versatility. Think bright acidity, plenty of fruit, softer tannins and wines that don’t need a big meal or an hour in a decanter before you can enjoy them.

It’s generally the time to move away from the heavier reds of winter and reach for something a little lighter and brighter, although that certainly doesn’t mean putting the reds away completely.

And lighter doesn’t mean forgettable. As our Master of Wine Nick Bulleid notes, some of Australia’s most versatile and food-friendly wines are also surprisingly affordable.

What Are the Best Australian Wines to Drink This Spring?

Riesling

For a fresh spring white, Clare Valley Riesling is hard to go past. BackVintage has been sourcing fruit from this part of South Australia for more than 15 years, building a long-standing relationship with a region renowned for the variety.

The BackVintage Clare Valley Riesling 2025 is pale lemon, almost water-white, with lime and lemon pith coming through first, followed by delicate floral notes. There’s a little generosity through the palate, but still plenty of freshness and that crisp finish you want from a Clare Valley Riesling.

It’s also a great Australian white wine for a barbecue, particularly alongside fresh prawns or seafood. Give it a good chill for a picnic or keep a bottle in the fridge ready for the first warm afternoon that calls for it.

Pinot Gris

Pinot Gris can sometimes be a little forgettable, but the BackVintage Adelaide Hills Pinot Gris 2025 ($16.99, 94 points) has plenty going on.

It comes from a single vineyard in the Adelaide Hills, with the wine split between two ferments before spending several months on lees to build texture.

Pale bronze in the glass, there’s nashi pear and white peach on the nose, along with a subtle bready character from the lees. Stone fruit carries through the palate, but there’s enough freshness to stop it becoming too rich.

This is one we’d bring out for a long Sunday lunch. Give it a good chill and serve it with grilled chicken, seafood salad or whatever else ends up on the table.

Pinot Grigio

If Pinot Gris is the one with a bit more to say, Pinot Grigio is its quieter, easier-going cousin.

The BackVintage Langhorne Creek Pinot Grigio 2024 brings white flowers, ripe pear and a touch of lychee, leading into a fresh, clean palate that’s best enjoyed while the wine is young and lively. Huon Hooke also named it a Top Value pick.

It’s probably the easiest bottle on this list to take to a picnic or barbecue, fresh, easy-going and unlikely to start a five-minute conversation about what’s in the glass.

Chardonnay

The BackVintage Padthaway Chardonnay 2024 was harvested at night, while temperatures were cooler, helping preserve the fruit’s freshness and natural acidity before it made its way to the winery.

It’s picked up some impressive scores too, receiving 95 points from Vino Masters and 92 points from Wine Enthusiast.

In the glass, citrus and white peach come through first. Subtle oak and a gentle lees character add a little more richness and texture, while the freshness keeps everything nicely balanced.

It’s a Chardonnay made for the table and a great choice when you want a white with a little more body. Pour it alongside seafood, grilled chicken or a light pasta and let lunch take its time.

Grenache

Spring doesn’t mean putting the reds away completely. If you’re looking for a lighter red wine for spring, Grenache is hard to go past.

The BackVintage McLaren Vale Grenache 2024, made by Mike Farmilo, is priced at $16.99 and has been awarded 94 points.

It’s juicy and bright, with plenty of red berry fruit, gentle tannins and enough natural acidity to keep everything fresh. You can even give it a slight chill on a warmer afternoon.

Bring it out for a finals footy gathering, pour it alongside a relaxed Sunday lunch or keep a bottle handy when you want a red that doesn’t feel too heavy for the season.

What We’re Drinking This Spring

Spring has a way of changing the mood, and the wine in your glass tends to follow. The heavier bottles move towards the back of the rack and suddenly something fresh, bright and easy to share sounds much better.

That’s really what these wines are about. Riesling for the first warm afternoon, Pinot Gris or Chardonnay around the table, Pinot Grigio when you want something easy, and Grenache when you’re not quite ready to give up red.

They’re good wines, they’re well priced and you don’t need a special occasion to open them, which is exactly how spring drinking should be.

Browse the full BackVintage range at Your Wine Ally and find a few bottles for the warmer months ahead.

The wine guide

A Few Notes from Your Wine Ally

Explore our answers to common wine questions, then discover a few bottles selected for the occasion.

Frequently asked questions

What are the best Australian wines to drink this spring?

The best Australian wines for spring are generally fresh, bright and easy to drink as the weather warms up. Riesling, Pinot Gris and Pinot Grigio are great choices for crisp whites, while Chardonnay works beautifully around the table. If you prefer red, a lighter style like Grenache is ideal for spring barbecues, lunches and warmer afternoons.

What is a good light red wine for spring?

Grenache is one of the best light red wines for spring. It offers bright red berry flavours, softer tannins and plenty of freshness without the weight of a bigger Shiraz or Cabernet. You can even give Grenache a slight chill on warmer days.

What’s the best rosé wine for spring?

For a spring rosé, look for something dry and fresh, with delicate fruit and enough acidity to keep things lively.

Our pick is the Renaissance de Ciceron Rosé de Syrah 2024. It might not be Australian, but it’s too good a spring bottle to leave off the list. Hand-harvested near Béziers in the south of France, it’s very pale pink with delicate red berry aromas, a subtle savoury edge and a soft, rounded finish.

Serve it well chilled with seafood, fresh salads or as an easy bottle to open over a spring lunch.

What food goes with spring wine?

The best spring wine and food pairings tend to keep things fresh and uncomplicated. Seafood, salads, barbecued prawns, grilled chicken and cheese boards are all good places to start.

Riesling and Pinot Grigio work particularly well with seafood and lighter dishes, Chardonnay has enough texture for chicken and pasta, while a slightly chilled Grenache is a great option when the barbecue gets going.

What’s a good budget per bottle for Australian wine?

You don’t need to spend a fortune to find good Australian wine under $20. Many of the BackVintage spring picks sit between $15 and $20 a bottle, making it easy to have a few different styles on hand without blowing the budget.

Whether you’re looking for an affordable Australian Riesling, Chardonnay or a lighter red like Grenache, there are plenty of great-value Australian wines in this price range.

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