Top 20 Wines from January 2026: Your Ultimate Summer BBQ Guide
January 2026 sales hits have delivered an absolute cracker of a wine lineup, and if you're planning a summer BBQ (or let's be honest, just surviving the heat with a cold glass in hand), we've got you sorted. From bubbles that'll make your mates jealous to reds that can handle a charred snag, here are the 20 wines that absolutely smashed it this month.
Bubbles to Start the Party
Nothing says 'summer arvo' quite like the pop of a cork, and G.H. Mumm Cordon Rouge Brut Champagne NV leads the charge with proper French finesse. If you're after something closer to home, the Petaluma Croser Sparkling NV from Adelaide Hills is an absolute beauty—crisp, elegant, and perfect for those moments when you're pretending to be sophisticated before the sausages hit the grill.
For the Prosecco lovers (and who isn't?), we've got a ripper duo: Dal Zotto Pucino Prosecco brings that King Valley magic, whilst Ponte Extra Dry Prosecco DOC Treviso delivers authentic Italian charm. And if you're feeling adventurous, the De Bortoli Limoncello Spritz is basically summer in a bottle—refreshing, fun, and dangerously easy to drink.
Whites That Won't Wilt in the Heat
When the mercury's climbing, you need whites with backbone. The Tar & Roses Pinot Grigio 2025 is a Victorian stunner, whilst the Cantina di Gambellara Monopolio Pinot Grigio 2024 brings Italian sophistication to your esky.
Chardonnay fans, rejoice: Robert Oatley Signature Series Chardonnay 2024 from Margaret River is textbook elegance, and the De Bortoli Buttery Chardonnay 2024 does exactly what it says on the tin—rich, creamy, and perfect with prawns off the barbie.
Don't sleep on the Tyrrell's Hunter Valley Semillon 2025—it's a classic that'll age beautifully, though we won't judge if it doesn't make it past February. The Little Goat Creek Organic Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2024 brings that Kiwi zing, whilst the Cleanskin Clare Valley Riesling 2024 is proof that you don't need a fancy label for brilliant wine.
Rosé All Day (Especially in January)
The Oakridge Rosé 2025 from Yarra Valley is summer personified—light, bright, and dangerously sessionable. Meanwhile, Gérard Bertrand Côte des Roses 2024 arrives from France in that gorgeous bottle that looks like a rose itself. Instagram-worthy and delicious? Tick and tick.
Reds That Can Handle the Heat
Just because it's stinking hot doesn't mean we're abandoning the reds. The St Hugo Signature Cabernet Sauvignon 2021 from Coonawarra is a powerhouse that pairs brilliantly with a perfectly cooked steak (or even a slightly cremated one—no judgement).
Shiraz lovers, you're spoilt for choice. Greenock Creek Barossa Valley Shiraz 2021 is big, bold, and unapologetic, whilst Torbreck Woodcutter's Shiraz 2024 offers Barossa brilliance at a more approachable level. The Metala White Label Shiraz Cabernet 2023 from Langhorne Creek is a cracking blend that'll handle anything you throw at it—or on the grill.
And for the Pinot devotees, we've saved two beauties: Hoddles Creek Wickhams Road Yarra Valley Pinot Noir 2025 brings elegance and finesse, whilst the intriguingly named Mystery Wine Pinot Noir 2024 from Adelaide Hills proves that sometimes the best discoveries come without the fanfare.
The Verdict
January 2026 has given us a stellar lineup that covers every occasion, from fancy celebrations to casual backyard gatherings. Whether you're team bubbles, devoted to whites, rosé-obsessed, or red through and through, there's something here to make your summer absolutely brilliant. Now stop reading and start pouring—those snags won't cook themselves.