The days are getting warmer and longer. It’s time to fire up the barbecue and enjoy a glass or two of wine and a meal with friends. Wine writer Winsor Dobbin suggests some fantastic wines for under $20 that will give your barbie a real boost.

1. Jim Barry 2007 Watervale Riesling
A superb young Clare Valley riesling that's clean and crisp with a zesty finish. It's dry and mouth-filling and the back-label blurb says it's like "a party in your mouth". Spot on. If you haven’t tried riesling for a while this one might change your perceptions. It’s very drinkable and terrific value. Try it with spicy marinated prawns. $15.

2. Blue Pyrenees 2005 Chardonnay
This is a quintessentially Australian chardonnay from Victoria's Pyrenees region; with cashew nuts nuances on the nose, stone fruit characters on the palate and a soft, creamy finish with oak playing a subtle support role. It's a rich and soft wine with a zingy dry finish. It would be a great partner for a whole grilled snapper. $19.

3. Villa Maria 2007 Private Bin Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc
Sauvignon blanc sales are going through the roof – and the 2007 wines from Marlborough in New Zealand offer everything fans of the style expect: herbal aromas, oodles of zesty, ripe gooseberry flavours and citrus characters. There’s some lovely texture in a wine that would be great with seafood, salads or a plate of antipasti. Shop carefully and you’ll find it for around $20.

4. Taylors 2005 Eighty Acres Cabernet Shiraz Merlot
Eighty Acres is a new range of wines from ever-reliable family owned Clare Valley winery Taylors. This is the outstanding wine of the quartet, with some rich dark fruit characters on the palate and a soft, mouth-filling finish. A hugely enjoyable wine for everyday drinking, and the perfect partner for gourmet sausages. $17.

5. Koonara 2004 Angel's Peak Cabernet Sauvignon
There aren't too many bargain-basement Coonawarra cabernets around, but this is one of them, making it well worth snapping up a bottle or two. There's a gorgeous nose, lovely balance, bone dry berry flavours and some nice softness on the palate. A great wine for everyday drinking. Versatile, too. It would work with everything from a fillet steak to a lamb chop. $15.

6. Clos Pierre 2006 Yarra Valley Pinot Noir
Pierre Naigeon is a leading winemaker from Burgundy who travels to Australia each year to make a range of delicious, and affordable wines. This is a very good Yarra Valley pinot for the price, with lovely lifted cherry aromas, a mix of juicy fruit and savoury characters on the palate and a long soft finish. It would be great with pork ribs. Available only from Dan Murphy’s stores. $16.

Winsor Dobbin is a wine writer for several Australian newspapers and magazines. Get more wine suggestions at the website www.winetips.com.au.