This week's reds and whites from around the world: blends, sparkling, sweet and yellow

(Igor Dutina)

Various blogs and reputable publications highlight wines to help consumers -- ranging from novices to connoisseurs -- navigate the immense world of wine. The selection this week includes Australian merlot-cabernet blend, South African Chenin blanc or steen, French sparkling hiding its age, Spanish aged sweet sherry and Rioja, Australian Riesling and New Zealand pinot noir.

Various blogs and reputable publications highlight wines to help consumers - ranging from novices to connoisseurs - navigate the immense world of wine. The selection this week includes Australian merlot-cabernet blend, South African Chenin blanc or steen, French sparkling hiding its age, Spanish aged sweet sherry and Rioja, Australian Riesling and New Zealand pinot noir.

Here are some of the recommendations from WineWeek.com.au, Australia's top weekly wine podcast; Wine Spectator, wine rating guide; Decanter, prestigious wine publication; theWineDoctor.com, a wine blog with weekly tastes and reviews; and The Grand Crew, a grassroots community wine blog that shares select reviews with Relaxnews.

REDS
2008 Dog Point Pinot Noir, New Zealand AUD 40-45 (€27-30)
2005 Rymill MC2, Coonawarra, Australia AUD 15-18 (€10-12)
2004 Sainsbury's, Taste the Difference, Rioja Reserva, Spain £9.17 (€6.50)

WHITES
2009 Frankland Estate Poison Hill Riesling, Australia AUD 25-28 (€17-19)
2009 Ken Forrester Chenin Blanc Stellenbosch Petit, South Africa $10 (€7)
2008 Chateau de Fontenille, Entre-Deux-Mers, Bordeaux, France £8.99 (€5.80)

SPARKLING
François Pinon Vouvray Brut Non Dosé NV, France $15.99 (€11)

SWEET
2003 Château d'Arlay, Cotes du Jura Vin de Paille, France €34
Alvear Pedro Ximenez "1927 solera," Jerez, Spain $26 (€19)

Sources and more information on these selections:
http://wineweek.com.au/ (video)
http://www.decanter.com/
http://www.thegrandcrew.org
http://www.winespectator.com/webfeature/show/id/42347
http://www.thewinedoctor.com/weekend/francoispinonvouvraynondosenv.shtml