By

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.

Be the first to like.

By

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

Be the first to like.

By

Ballewindi Pinot Noir 2011

 

Ballewindi is one of Kooyong’s Mornington Peninsula vineyards. While Kooyong has a reputation for fine Pinot, the Ballewindi is not just for Pinot lovers.  Its attractive, silky smooth texture is generous and all too more-ish.

You can’t go wrong with perfumed cherry & raspberry fruit spiced up with some cinnamon oak. It is not all fruit however, there is some dried thyme and mushroom savouriness as well.  Elegantly medium bodied with a delicate but lingering finish.  Why not try it with pink fish such as Chermoula Salmon.

Date: October 2012   Price:  $27    Value:  $$     Drink: Now – 3 years

 

Be the first to like.

By

Chrismont Simpatico Cuvee Brut 2005

There is so much to celebrate this month & this is the wine that will make any occasion a celebration. Especially, a sneaky summer sunset rendezvous by the seaside.

Arnie Pizzini & his father Arnold diversified from tobacco into wine, first planting grapes in the 70’s. Since then, they have seen great success with the Italian varietals that have become iconic in the King Valley although Simpatico is made from the traditional Champagne blend of Pinot Noir (70%) & Chardonnay (30%). Arnie also produces a stylish Prosecco that is well worth seeking out.

The Simpatico is fresh & creamy with rich berry fruit showing through the citrus & ripe apple. And it would not be a vintage sparkling without some yeasty bread to round it out. On the palate, the fruit has plush & generous proportions but maintains a sense of delicacy & interest with its touch of minerality. It is one of those wines that encourages you to take your time to enjoy the company you are with & to savour the lingering flavours & texture.

The Chrismont wines rate high on ‘foodability’ & this is no exception. A fresh chilled Smoked Salmon mousse with melba toast & these curvaceous bubbles are, well, it just has to be said – simpatico!

www.chrismont.com.au

Value: $60.00

Note: This review was first published on Wine Diva

Be the first to like.

By

Brancott Estate Living Land Series

Brancott Estate have just released this new Organic series – Living Land.  Not content to simply make sure that their vineyards are organically thriving, this Kiwi producer has gone further – from revitalising wetlands to being part of Earth Hour. Proving that Marlborough has so much more to offer than just SB, there is also a Pinot Noir.

Sauvignon Blanc 2011 $19.99

 

Lush ripe stonefruit, citrus with melon & elderflower to complete the SB chorus. Flambouyant flavours supported by slightly crunchy acid along a long elderflower length.

Pinot Noir 2011 $19.99

A fresh velvety pinot with varietal cherry, nutmeg & savoury mushroom characters with some vegetal notes creeping in. The concentration & complexity lasts to the last warm spice finish. A good wine for kicking back & chatting with friends over dinner.

 

For more information, visit their website which is one of the more interesting & inviting that I have come across recently.

Be the first to like.