Stylish tipples for spring
Instant refreshment
Angullong 2019 Pinot Grigio
Angullong is a small family-owned wine producer based in Millthorpe, outside Orange, in the Central West of New South Wales. This is a lovely wine for summer enjoyment, a cool-climate pinot grigio in the crisp and fresh Italian style. It is floral with an expansive array of fruit flavours ranging from citrus to stone fruit and finishes brisk and fresh with lively acidity. Versatile and nicely balanced. Perfect for enjoying after work, or for pairing with a salad or picnic. $22.
Stylish red
Elderton 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon
This is an estate-grown and -made cabernet from the Ashmead family in the Barossa Valley, a winery that manages to make wines that are both bold and Barossan but also elegant. This is full-bodied and rich but also soft and smooth on the finish with classic regional cassis fruit flavours allied to judiciously judged French oak. It is drinking well right now but could cellar for a decade or more. Pair with a char-grilled steak. $35.
Shaw Vineyards 2019 Shiraz Rosé
My tasting group sampled several 2019 vintage rosés a couple of weeks ago and this was the winner by popular acclaim. The good news is that is also very affordable. This is delicate and dry, a pale blush colour reminiscent of the rosés of Provence – which is very climatically different to Canberra, where this is grown and made. This is bright, savoury and grippy – and very food friendly. I’d match it with Lebanese dishes, or perhaps with a gourmet veggie burger.$25.
Something different
Yalumba 2018 Organic Viognier
Viognier is a rare grape from the Rhône Valley in France that has found favour with the Hill-Smith family, who have been making wines in South Australia since 1849. There are several viogniers in the Yalumba range; this one has a soft, approachable palate with honeysuckle and apricot notes to the fore. Organically-grown and -made, it is very approachable and best enjoyed young. Enjoy this with poultry dishes or a dahl curry with rice. It is vegan friendly. $25.
Ripper Riesling
Ottelia 2019 Riesling
John Innes is the vastly experienced former winemaker for Rymill in Coonawarra now making his own wines under the excellent-value Ottelia label. This uses fruit sourced from the cool-climate, limestone and rocky soils of Kongorong, south-west of Mount Gambier. Flinty and vibrant, it offers fragrant citrus notes and tangy grapefruit and minerality on the palate. Great with Asian dishes, or a prawn slider. $25.
See Winsor’s work at www.gourmetontheroad.blogspot.com.