Party time
Yellowglen NV Chardonnay Pinot Noir Prosecco
Looking for an affordable bubbly for a pre-Christmas party? This special cuvee for Aldi stores is a bargain – a blend of chardonnay, pinot noir and prosecco grapes that is bright and vibrant, pale in colour; on the ripe melon and tropical fruit salad flavour spectrum and has a crisp acid finish. It impressed my tasting group with its excellent value. This is a wine for enjoying young and fresh and it is available only at Aldi stores. $7.99.
Grenache with grunt
The Quiver 2019 Grenache By The Group
The Group is a new collection of grape growers in South Australia combining to produce quality wines with chef Matt Moran heading the publicity. This has plenty of gusto, along with perky, vibrant, and smooth fruit. The grapes for this wine are grown on Dave and Jen Wright’s Wlypena Vineyard in McLaren Flatand it is available at Liquorland and First Choice stores.$34.
Pinot Pleasure
Derwent Estate 2017 Pinot Noir
Tasmanian pinot noirs are all the rage – and this one from the Derwent Valley offers classic cool-climate flavours with a reasonable price tag. The Derwent Estate vineyards overlook the river at Granton, north of Hobart, and produce fruit that is much sought-after by big corporate wine producers. They keep some of their fruit to produce outstanding wines such as this one. $40.
Cool chardonnay
Serafino 2020 Sorrento Chardonnay
It can be hard to find a quality chardonnay for under $20 nowadays but this new release from Serafino Wines in McLaren Vale delivers in spades. Named after one of the most famous resort towns in Italy, it aims to evoke a summer beach ambience. It is impressively fresh and varietal with fruit the focal point. Pair with flathead and chips for a summer feast. $19.
Barossa style
St Hallett 2018 Blackwell Shiraz
If you are looking for a classic big, rich Barossa shiraz that is full-blooded without any excesses of alcohol or oak, then this long-time favourite is well worth a look. Featuring depth, dark blackberry and cherry fruit flavours and lashings of dark chocolate/mocha and vanilla characters it comes with both power and opulence – a wine of structure and texture that is also a proven bet for the cellar. $55.
Ripping Riesling
Harewood Estate 2020 Denmark Riesling
If you are one of those people who do not drink riesling because it is “too sweet” then you need to catch up. Most Australian rieslings today are bone dry – like this one of a trio of releases from Harewood Estate in the Great Southern Region of Western Australia. This, the Porongurup release, and a Mount Barker version are all lip-smackingly good, but for me Denmark was the prince. You will find these at Amato’s in Leichhardt or Annandale Cellars. $30.
See Winsor’s work at www.gourmetontheroad.com