Nautilus Estate Marlborough Brut NV RRP $45
This is an elegant NZ sparkling wine that punches above it’s weight (and price point). It is made in the champenoise style ie. the Chardonnay and Pinot Noir grapes are handpicked, fermented and left on lees for 36 months (which is twice as long as most sparkling wines FYI) and finished with a good splash of previous vintages. This has produced a sensational sparkling brut that is light but complex – think rich, nutty, toasted brioche flavours with a touch of red apple. It is ideal as an aperitif or paired with classic seafood dishes – especially creamy natural oysters. You can enjoy that true champagne experience without the $$$. This definitely one to stock up on for your summer holiday celebrations! You can find this magnificent drop in Australia here or from major retailers.
Maretti Wines, the much-loved Italian wine brand has justed launched of its new Italia range. It is sourced in the picturesque regions of Pavia and Puglia famed for its amazing seafood. We tried a number of their new wines which includes five Italian-inspired varietals, a Sparkling Pinot Grigio, Pinot Grigio, Sangiovese, Rosé, and Pinot Noir, each bold in flavour, fresh in character and effortlessly enjoyable. Compared to many Australian varietals they are more delicate and restrained in their flavour profile. Sangiovese is a very delicate wine, perfect for a summers day. I really like the sparkling pinot grigio, not a varietal you often get in ‘sparkling’ but its dry, apple and lemony citric flavours are really refreshing. To celebrate, Maretti is giving wine lovers the chance to win a dream escape to Italy’s Amalfi Coast, including return flights for two, five nights’ accommodation and spending money.
Yellow Tail X Sophie Monk Prosecco -Spring’s Most Playful Pour
Spring gifting calls for something crisp, crowd-pleasing, and just a little cheeky. Say hello to Prosecco and Prosecco Rosé, the newest sparkling duo crafted from Alpine Valley grapes and fronted by Sophie Monk, whose love of bubbles is matched only by her ability to make them feel like a party. We cracked open the Prosecco this week. It opens with a bright nose of green apple, white pear, and citrus blossom. On the palate, it’s clean and fruit-forward, with notes of lemon sherbet, Granny Smith, and a hint of almond. The mousse is lively but not aggressive—think spritz rather than sparkle bomb. The Prosecco Rosé is more fruit forward and fun with strawberry and watermelon aromas, with a touch of rose petal and crushed mint. It’s juicy, vibrant, and dangerously sessionable. At these prices – ideal for garden gifting, brunch baskets, or your “just because” shelf. At $19 RRP and available nationwide at Dan Murphy’s and BWS.
Aldi best buys – As voted by Australians
ALDI shoppers have voted!. Over 382,000 Aussies shared their absolute favourites reveal the must-have ALDI grocery buys of 2025 in ALDI’s annual The People’s Picks Awards. The 2025 winning products show that Aussies are opting for value first, with the most affordable item on the podium at just $2.09 and each item this year under $10. One of our favouirtes, the prawn gyoza didn’t make the list, but we loved the cripsy spring rolls, snacked on the cheese n’ biccies, gave our airfryer a work out with a delicious spanakopita which is cracking value and has lots of juicy filling. The wagyu burgers we a win, but our favourite was the woodfired pizza which came up a storm in our Gozney pizza oven !
- Best Newcomer: Specially Selected Wood Fired Pizza 420 g Ham (Mushroom & Fior Di Latte Mozzarella), $7.99
- Certified Gold: Emporium Selection Triple Cream Brie Cheese 200 g, $4.49
- The BBQ Boss: Ready, Set… Cook! Wagyu Beef Burgers 400 g, $8.99
- The Socialite: Urban Eats Greek Spinach & Cheese Spanakopita 750 g, $8.89
- Aussie Made Fave: Jindurra Station 4 Star Grass Fed Beef Mince 500 g, $9.49
- The Lunchbox Legend: Snackers Market Tasty Cheese and Water Crackers 4 Pack 100 g, $3.99
- The Time Lord: Urban Eats Cocktail Spring Rolls 60 Pack 1 kg, $5.99
- Partner in Grime: Di-San Pre Wash Stain Remover 750 ml, $2.09
Belkin UltraCharge Pro- New 3-in-1 Magnetic Charging Dock with Qi2 25W
This is such a cool charger. My desk has had many different plugs, power cables and a lot of mess. Woot! it is now clean. What a life changer. Belkin’s 3-in-1 Magnetic Charging Dock is fast, polished, and quietly brilliant. I have been living with it for three weeks now. It lives on my kitchen counter, by my dining table where I work. It’s Qi2-certified, it delivers up to 25W wireless charging—matching wired speeds. iPhone hits 50% in 25 minutes, Apple Watch Series 10 reaches 80% in 30, and AirPods get a steady 5W. ChillBoost™ cooling keeps temps 7°C lower, with a fan you can switch off.Design-wise: chrome finish, soft-touch silicone, weighted base for one-handed snap-on, adjustable viewing angles, and case-friendly alignment. Comes with a 45W USB-C power supply, 1.5m cable, and 2-year warranty with $2500 CEW. Made from 85% recycled materials. It’s not just fast—it’s future-proof. oh and I just love I can touch drop my wireless headphone case onto the surface and magically its charged! Buy here or at major retailers.
Ella Baché, Multi-Acid Regen Peel
This clever little bottle packs a high-performance cocktail of Alpha and Beta Hydroxy Acids (AHAs + BHAs) that work like tiny skin renovators. The AHAs dissolve the bonds between dead skin cells on the surface, literally lifting away that dull, flaky layer that’s been cramping your glow’s style. Meanwhile, the BHAs dive deeper into pores to clear out congestion caused by heavy winter moisturizers and general seasonal sluggishness. I’ve been testing this for two weeks, and what surprised me most is how lightweight the solution feels – it’s definitely not a cream or thick treatment. I simply pop it on and continue with my regular skincare regime. No waiting around, no dramatic peeling drama, just smooth integration into your nightly routine. Within days, my skin felt noticeably smoother. At RRP $95, it’s an investment – but considering a single professional peel can cost double that, your winter skin (and wallet) will thank you. At major chemists and online.
Fiano is having a moment—and it’s long overdue
This ancient Italian varieta from Campagnia has found its groove in McLaren Vale, thanks to Oliver’s Taranga and sixth-generation winemaker Corrina Wright, aka the Queen of Fiano. I am a big fan of a chardonnay (well most wines really), and Fiano has a number of elements which will appeal if you are a ‘Fiano virgin’. The 2025 vintage is delicious; its vibrant, textured, creamy and food-friendly—think pine nuts, kaffir lime, and a hints of tropical fruits. It’s got great creds with its 2024 Oliver’s Taranga Fiano winning “Best Fiano at the 2024 McLaren Vale Wine Show”. With over 70 Aussie wineries now producing Fiano and a 318% surge in plantings over the last decade, it’s clear: Fiano is the sustainable sip of the season. Pair it with seafood, pasta, or spice, and raise a glass to the first-ever Fiano Day 17th October. RRP $29, available nationwide.
Belkin’s 3-in-1 Magnetic Charging Dock
It’s the first time I have used the touch/wireless charger from the Belkin range. Belkin’s 3-in-1 Magnetic Charging Dock not only looks good, but as it promisees it is fast, polished, and quietly brilliant. Qi2-certified, it delivers up to 25W wireless charging—matching wired speeds. My iPhone 16 Pro Max hits 50% in 25 minutes. Whilst we didn’t try an Apple Watch, they claim Series 10 reaches 80% in 30, and my wireless headphones took around 20 mins to get full charge. ChillBoost™ cooling keeps temps 7°C lower, with a fan you can switch off. Design-wise: chrome finish, soft-touch silicone, weighted base for one-handed snap-on, adjustable viewing angles, and case-friendly alignment. Comes with a 45W USB-C power supply, 1.5m cable, and 2-year warranty with $2500 CEW. Made from 85% recycled materials. It’s not just fast—it’s future-proof. Buy here or from major retailers. $219.95.
Lanson Le Black Creation 258: World Champagne Day
World Champagne Day on the 24th October, demands discernment -Not just bubbles. I am a huge fan of the Lanson style. Its big, bold, balanced. Lanson Le Black Creation 258 is a unique creation. Unlike Lanson’s more approachable offerings (Le Rosé, Le White Label Sec), Creation 258 is an interesting bottle of restraint and precision. It has no malolactic fermentation. No overworked dosage. Mmmmm? It’s a powerhouse of lean, mineral-driven structure that lets the fruit speak with some chalky tension. It’s built on 50% reserve wines and aged for over four years, giving it a maturity that belies its non-vintage status. On the nose it is citrus, green apple, and toasted hazelnut. On the palate its has much higher taut acidity compared to their much loved range. It has a saline edge, and a fine mousse that feels more Grand Cru than grocery shelf. Chef Luke Nguyen is their ambassador has created a recipe of Chargrilled Lemongrass Beef Skewers which is a bold pairing. The wine’s linearity slices through the sweet-savoury marinade, while its subtle spice echoes the char. It’s not a classic match—it’s a clever one. Lanson Le Black Creation 258 is available at Dan Murphy’s for RRP $71.99.
As a lifelong Mac user, I’ve long been a fan of Belkin. The company has consistently made quality Apple peripherals that typically have a sleek, stylish design that aligns with Apple’s own aesthetic. The UltraCharge 2-in-1 Foldable Magnetic Charger is no exception. Designed to be easily portable, it fits an iPhone and an AirPods case, and there’s an extra 5W USB-C slot to optionally charge a smartwatch. Sitting on my desk it’s easy to adjust and finally makes my iPhone lockscreen a useful display – I’ve added news and weather widgets to it. The UltraCharge features “the World’s First Qi2 25W Certified Collection” which according to Belkin’s internal testing can charge an iPhone from 0-50% in just 29 minutes. There’s also an UltraCharge 3-in-1 which wirelessly fits an Apple Watch. Both models support the iPhone 12 and upwards, as well as the Google Pixel 10. The UltraCharge 2-in-1 is available from belkin.com/au for $119.95.
