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Five interesting wines to try this week

 

 

Shaw Vineyard Estate Riscato – ($15) made in the style of moscato however Shaw from Murrumbateman have used a pleasing blend of semillon, riesling and a tint of shiraz. Instead of the floral, Turkish delight of the muscat family that is the normal realm of moscato expect to find orange blossom and fresh citrus. Sweet and frothy, a refreshing quaffer for sharing with friends or unwinding the stress of the day.

919 Dry Apera – ($29) A pale dry Apera created in the style of Fino Sherry from Spain via the Barossa Valley, Australia. This is a well styled wine with yeasty apple and nut characters in abundance. A little rounder than its Spanish counterparts but offers length and structure to enjoy with tapas, antipasta or just a bowl of warm almonds with flaked salt.

Pizzini Nebbiolo 2009 – ($48) The Northern Italian Nebbiolo is still finding its feet in Australia, however in the hands of families such as the Pizzinis it will find its niche. This Nebbi is rich with cherry, exotic spice and perfume while remaining elegantly bodied & lingers along the palate. The varietal tannins are ripe and provide structure to flesh out the palate.  One to savour as the weather gets cooler and enjoy with venison and truffled mash.

Krinklewood Wild White 2012 - ($16) Set in the gorgeous Broke Fordwich region, the gardens and the cellar door is a like a little slice of Provence in the Hunter Valley….. a little slice of Biodynamic Hunter Valley. It definitely should be on your visit list. The Wild White has some spicy floral character coming from a dollop of fragrant gewurwtraminer to the ripe tropical stonefruit verdelho making up this year’s blend. Fresh, dry & fleshy on the palate. A wine made for crisp summer drinking – right now.

Meerea Park Indie Shiraz Pinot 2010 – ($36)  There are very few pockets of Hunter Pinot left and the brothers Eather at Meerea Park have put this batch to good use.  The Pinot Noir gives the blend a lightness & freshness as well as some raspberry fruit and lemon thyme herbs. The shiraz adds its juicy cherry fruit. The Indie is densely packed with complex and soft fruit with a hint of firmness on the spicy cinnamon finish.  Try it for yourself. It is enjoyable now or in seven odd years.

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Easter – no bunnies here!

After the thrill of Easter eggs and frill of Easter baskets comes the meal to celebrate the spirit of new life.  For some more orthodox religions, this also means the breaking of the fast in a traditional feast with all the trimmings.  Where ever you live, whether Northern or Southern hemisphere the milder weather is welcomed.  Like we just needed another reason to celebrate!

Easter menu’s range from traditional ham, roast pork or lamb with seasonal vegetables to more modern styles.  Don’t forget the seafood/fish feasts for Good Friday (this, I confess, is when we aim to have fish and chips by the beach as a family). Dessert is always the height of anticipation on any celebratory menu and may well be a simnel cake or at least the last slices of it or a simple repast of hot cross buns. These never last long in my house for some reason and perhaps if they did, I would turn them into a bread and butter pudding with a Topaque or Liqueur Muscat sticky caramel sauce.

Whatever your plans, here are a few wine suggestions to make your Easter more memorable …… Read More

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Wine of the Month: Pipers Brook 2010 Gewurztraminer

Gewurztraminer holds a special place in my heart. I love the opulent nose & ripe fruit that you get with this grape. It wraps itself around your tongue offering luxury & refreshment as it moves. The cool Tasmanian climate is able to get the right mix of ripeness & delicacy with the dry structure to keep it all together.

There is lush rose, Turkish Delight with lychee & spice in nose & palate. The fleshy fruit weight is part of the varietal attraction. The fresh acid keeps the wine lively.

Enjoy with salt & pepper squid or spaghetti tossed with shredded chicken, lemon, capers, fresh basil & chilli. Good by itself as well.

Date: October 2011   Price: $25+ Value: $$$   Drink: Now – 3 yrs

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Knappstein Three 2010 Gewurztraminer Riesling Pinot Gris

Anyone who is after an Alsace fix, look no further.  This is a blend of some of the best varietals from the Alsace & will knock your socks off. Tim Knappstein is one of the Clare’s innovative producers & has both a winery & a microbrewery on site. Something for everyone!  Old dry grown Gewurz makes up 72% of this blend being joined by 18% Riesling & 10% Pinot Gris.  This is a great hook up with each of the varieties bringing their own contributions to the party.

The aromas of roses & Turkish delight are Gewurz-like in intensity but there is the added minerality from the Riesling & some pear apparent too.  You cannot accuse the palate of being skinny but it is only just reaching fuller bodied without overstepping into flamboyance. The acid shows the fineness of the Riesling & keeps the blend fresh and in line along the long length. The team have left just a little residual sugar in the blend it is only 5 g/L just adding to the fullness & balance.

A really good wine for matching with Asian spices & some of those stickier sauces, but why not have a glass before dinner – just in anticipation.

Date: October 2011   Price: $ 22   Value: $$$   Drink: Now

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Piggs Peake 2011 Gewurztraminer

Based in the Hunter, you probably won’t find Piggs Peake in your local wine store. Maybe you will find it on a wine list occasionally, but this boutique winery sells much of its wine through its wine club, The Lucky Swines Club & cellar door. Winemaker Steve Langham sticks to his philosophy of making wines that people want to drink & that he himself loves to create. And considering how popular his cellar door always is, this philosphy seems to be hitting the right notes.

I love a Gewurztraminer for its generous spicy rose aromas. I could sit & smell them all afternoon.  This one is offdry with the balance & poise to delight along its plush long length. A refreshingly good food wine to match with fragrant herbs & spices or a little indulgence by itself.

Date: August 2011   Price:Value: $$  Drink: Now to enjoy that fragrant freshness

www.piggspeake.com.au

Note: if they have sold out, make sure that you pick up a bottle of Wiggly Tail Marsanne instead.

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