Words from a Wine Glass

This time of year can be quite frustrating.  The days are still nice and warm (when I get the opportunity to leave the office to find out) and it’s still sunny when I get home, but there’s a bit of a cool breeze coming off the Derwent River.  As much as it dampens the desire to sit out on the deck, it doesn’t take away the need for an end-of-the-working-day, satisfyingly de-stressing white wine…and I think I’ve found one that fits the bill easily.

The nose was a little subdued, but with a bit of coercion came pears and slightly floral aromatics.  Juicy pears present on the palate, citrus notes too, texture gives it some good mid palate weight, plenty of flavour on the finish, although it does fall away reasonably quickly.  For me, this sits easily in the ‘go to’ grigio category.  There wouldn’t be many unhappy punters in the crowd if you poured this for them on a warm sunny afternoon.

Angullong Website

Region: Orange, NSW     Price: $20 (good value)     Source: Sample courtesy of Angullong Wines and Define Wine

When I was a kid, and it’s probably the same with most kids these days, I did not eat many vegetables.  Potatoes, carrots and peas were about it for me.  If I found anything else on my plate there were always attempts to sneakily feed the dog under the table or try and ditch it in the bin when mum left the kitchen.  These days, there’s not much in the way of vegies I don’t eat.  It has been a similar progression with wine for me as well.

Starting out, it was red wine and red wine only.  Barossa shiraz and Coonawarra Cabernet were about it as far as I was concerned.  Couldn’t get enough of it.  I avoided white wine like I avoided broccoli as a kid.  How times have changed.  There aren’t many wine varieties or styles I don’t like.  However, I have always struggled with Sauvignon Blanc.  I’m not going to shout it from the roof tops, but it’s certainly growing on me and I’m not averse to trying it these days.  I’m more than happy to admit to liking quite a few.  This one fits into this category.

Quite aromatic, passionfruit for sure, maybe a tad lemony…I think.  Lively, fresh palate with plenty of flavour.  Passionfruit again,  a hint of, sort of, snow pea character (definitely not an under-ripe character) and some nice gentle acidity.  The surprise for me was, it finishes dry with just a hint of sweetness.  This is pretty good and will certainly have a friend in Thai food.

Angullong Website

Region: Orange, NSW     Price: $20     Source: Sample courtesy of Angullong Wines and Define Wine

Deh Lo. Ver-deh-eh-eh-lo.  End o’ day come and me wan’ go home for, Deh Lo.  Ver-deh-eh-eh-lo.  End o’ day come and me wan’ go home.  Okay so the Banana Boat song doesn’t quite go like that (it’s stuck in your head now isn’t it) but, the tropical feel of the song is indicative of the fruit that this wine purveys and more!

I don’t see much Verdelho in bottle shops around Hobart let alone get to try it.  That’s fair enough I suppose because it’s not exactly a well known variety in these parts, but mention it and people remember.  A bit like that song I mentioned, it’s rare you’ll here it on the radio but every knows it, and sings along, when they hear it.

Very good fruit salad nose to get things started and it doesn’t ease off at any stage of proceedings.  It has a rich, juicy, textural palate where pineapple, passionfruit and apple seem to be the main ingredients of this fruit assemblage.  I don’t know if it’s because of that generous fruit salad flavour of the wine but I could almost swear there was some creaminess too (on top, just how I like my fruit salad).  I really enjoyed the freshness of this Verdelho as well, which I reckon can be attributed to a nice touch of acid on the finish and it complemented the ample fruit.  Good work!

Gartelmann Website

Region: Hunter Valley, NSW     Price: $22     Source: Sample courtesy of Gartelmann Wines and Define Wine

I’m not saying I’m an old fella by admitting to knowing who Dean Martin is (click here if you don’t know or want more information about him).  Some of his songs are legendary and he had such incredibly dulcet tones.  The reason I mention this is because I reckon he could have swooned many with a song about this grape variety.  It would’ve been so easy for him.

Vermentino seems such an, I don’t know, intimate yet strong word and how good is it that it’s attached to an Italian grape variety.   And, I wouldn’t be surprised at all if some Italian ‘Madre’ (Italian for mother in case you were wondering) named their children ‘Vermentino’.  This isn’t as silly as it sounds you know.  For instance, ‘Valentino’ means brave or strong in Italian so a suitable meaning for Vermentino could be something like “attractive and moreish”.  Something to think about…or not.

This is delicious from head to toe.  Quite aromatic with floral notes, pears and a hint of lemons/limes.  The nose is pretty much an invite to…”come on, you’re going to enjoy this wine”.  The palate is fruity but be prepared for a nice zesty punch that it has.  Pears make an appearance here too and probably adding the nice texture it has.   There’s some bit part players like grapefruit, lemon and a hint of apricot as well.  It sits very nicely on the palate with some subtle acid doing its bit on the finish.

For me it was singing out, “Where’s the food?!”  As much as we drank it on its own, this would shine with food but don’t get too fancy.  This is what Italian varieties are all about.  Ciao!!

Chapel Hill Website

Region: McLaren Vale, SA     Price: $20 (Sadly sold out at cellar door)     Source: Swap

I’ve tried plenty of pinot gris and grigios in my time but I can not remember ever trying one from the Orange region of New South Wales.  Actually, I have to admit, I didn’t even know they grew it out that way.  If this is an example of what is available from the area, give me more please!

Dive your nose into the glass and you get pears, pears and more pears…and a touch of honey notes too.  On the palate there a plenty of those pear flavours but that’s not all you get with this model.  It’s a gris with cool bonus extras that present from the first sip to the last.  It’s creamy, textural with excellent palate weight, but wait, there’s more.  How would you like citrus flavours, delicate spice notes and a nice splash of acid adding to a pretty substantial finish?  Well, you get those as well at no extra cost.  It’s a Gris with more; providing style, substance and genuine interest.  I suggest you race to your local dealer now!

Gartelmann Wines Website

Region: Orange, NSW     Price: $27     Source: Sample courtesy of Gartelmann Wines and Define Wine