There’s an art to choosing the perfect summer pour, whether you’re hosting a festive feast, settling in for a long lunch or simply raising a glass to the season.

From the perfect bubbly to a chardonnay that tastes far more expensive than it is, we asked South West sommelier Katia Taschetti to share the bottles she’ll be reaching for to elevate any occasion (and all $50 or under).

Originally from Umbria, Taschetti has been working in the Australian hospitality industry for 15 years, including time at Perth’s renowned Restaurant Amuse and Mt Lawley Italian venues Testun Bar and Three Coins & Sons, both of which she co-owns.

She’s also one of the respected local wine industry figures featuring at this year’s Pair’d Margaret River, the acclaimed wine festival that returns to the South West later this month.

Ahead of the festival and with the silly season just around the corner, we spoke to Taschetti about the wines she thinks all WA vino-lovers should know about.

Best value wine: Juniper Estate chardonnay 2025

$35

“Juniper Estate chardonnay seriously over-delivers on deliciousness and value,” Taschetti says. “A beautifully layered Margaret River chardonnay with finesse, purity and freshness from a fantastic producer. And if you feel like treating yourself, their single-vineyard wines are absolutely worth the upgrade!”

Best new wave wine: Luda Mala riesling 2026

$36

Taschetti says winemaker Tarun Victor-Gordon, of family-run Luda Mala, is part of an exciting new generation of independent local winemakers.

“For this wine, he sources some of the State’s finest riesling fruit from 44-year-old vines in Porongurup (from his good mate Rob Diletti at Castle Rock) and turns it into a textural, salty, energetic and mouth-watering wine,” she says.

“And seriously, we should all be drinking more riesling!”

Best wine for Christmas lunch: Windows Estate Petit Lot mousseux (sparkling chenin blanc) 2025

$50

“Christmas calls for bubbles,” Taschetti says, “and what better than a traditional-method sparkling wine made right in our own backyard by a small, family-owned winery?”

She says this sparkling from Yallingup’s Windows Estate is “beautifully creamy yet full of zing”.

“It’s perfect to start, finish or enjoy at any point during Christmas lunch,” she says. “The kind of wine made for good company and long lunches that effortlessly turn into dinners.”

Pair’d Margaret River is on November 19-22. Katia Taschetti will take part in the Somms in Town series on November 20 and 21. Find the full program and tickets at pairdmargaretriver.com.