Fine wines flow from Jacob's.(South Florida Sun-Sentinel)

Byline: Bob Hosmon

It is difficult to find a better buy than the wines from Jacob's Creek. Indeed, this Australian-based winery produces quality wines at such affordable prices that even the wealthiest connoisseur would be making a mistake by not trying them.

Consider the 2003 Jacob's Creek Semillon Chardonnay, a tropical fruit winner that finishes with a fresh and zesty sensation. The 2003 Jacob's Creek Chardonnay delivers melon flavors, but even though the wine spends time in oak barrels, the taste of oak is not discernible.

For those looking for red values, there's the 2002 Jacob's Creek Merlot. With little oak taste, this user-friendly red puts more expensive merlots to shame. I also like the 2003 Jacob's Creek Grenache Shiraz, an easy-on-the-palate red that should be slightly chilled for serving. It's a perfect warm-weather choice.

Of all the red wines produced by the Barossa Valley-based winery, my favorite is the 2002 Jacob's Creek Shiraz Cabernet. Shiraz can be overwhelming and often overpowers the food served with it. By blending it with cabernet, you get an elegant taste that makes it one of the most food-friendly wines.

SERVE WITH: The Semillon Chardonnay blend goes well with cold salads made with seafood or chicken; the Chardonnay with lobster, grilled white fish basted with butter, or roast ...