Chinese businessman and philanthropist Jack Ma is quoted as saying, “Trust the young people; trust this generation’s innovation. They’re making things, changing innovation every day. And all the consumers are the same: they want new things, they want cheap things, they want good things, they want unique things. If we can create these kind of things for consumers, they will come.”
What I have discovered over the past year or two is a number of young, and not so young, winemakers are doing pretty amazing stuff when it comes to putting that red and white fermented grape juice into bottles for our enjoyment. Some methods being used are ‘innovative’, some are ‘back to basics’, some are ‘hands off’ and some are ‘minimal intervention. Which ever way they are made, the wines that end up on our dining table alongside a terrific meal, or being drunk out on your patio on a relaxing afternoon, are unique to that winemaker. She/he has put their stamp on it and owns what you smell and taste.
Joe Warren was a chef for 12 years before deciding to move from the kitchen to the winery in 2010 eventually starting up Serere Wines in 2018. He sounds like he’s a ‘hands off’ sort of winemaker. He says, “just let the sites speak for themselves”.
The fruit for this Rousanne came from the Indigo Vineyard in Beechworth, which is quite a stunning place. All hand picked then basket pressed before being placed in old French oak where it went through wild fermentation. The resultant wine is simply beautiful and delicious and textural and lush! One of my mates used the word “Gorgeous”! There’s lovely fruit flavours dominated by juicy pears, with hints of peaches, apples and apricots, along with a herbal note in there too. There’s some terrific texture and a deft touch of acid on the fruitful palate providing lovely width and weight on a very good long finish.
Joe certainly has a ripper wine on his hands with this one and, as Jack Ma said, “…consumers, they will come.” Get some while you can.
Region: Beechworth, Victoria Price: $32 Source: Wine Swap
Words from a Wine Glass 