I can’t remember when or where I heard it or read it but, “being different is a super power” has stuck in my head for I don’t know how long.

Let’s be honest shall we. Fiano is different to the mainstream white wine varieties we see in bottle-shop fridges and on shelves. In saying that, it has become more common for some of my friends to say “let’s find something different to try” in a bottle-shop as we scour the displays. It is also quite common for me, when on my own, to think and do the same (my wife can attest to this).

This is where the ‘super power’ of the alternative varieties comes into play (I must also say, soon the term ‘alternative varieties’ will be, and should be, a thing of the past). It may not wear its underwear on the outside of its pants or wear a cape but, it has a deserved presence in the hero’s-of-the-white-wine-world. This is an excellent example of why.

First Ridge Website

Region: Mudgee, NSW     Price: $30    Source: Samples thanks kindly to First Ridge and Define Wine

Lovely tropical fruits show up on the nose, leading into pretty luscious flavours on the palate. Those tropical fruits show up again on the palate with peaches, pears and melon characters providing the oomph (a technical wine term of course) and winsome texture. There’s a refreshing addition of a lemon-like citrus hit as it eases its way to a pretty good finish. This is quite a delightful wine that made an impression on me from the first aroma I received until it left my palate after tasting it. ‘Yum’ (another technical wine term) factor is high with this wine.