Need help in selecting a white wine

[Innkeeper]

There are the three Vs from Italy that offer what you are looking for. They are in the order I like them Vermentino, Verdicchio, and Vernaccia. All can be found in the low end of your price range.
I have enjoyed Vermentino even with heavy dishes, such as haddock in cream sauce.

One thing that all have in commmon with your riesling from Oz is that they have not been subjected to new oak. If you think that you would like a wine that tastes like wood instead of grapes, try a chardonnay. They do have a chardonnay in both Australia and New Zealand that I do like. It is called "Unwooded" or "Unoaked" Chardonnay.