Words from a Wine Glass

How good is this wine.  Not only because of it’s quality but it’s versatility.  I was lucky enough to enjoy a bottle of this with Christmas Lunch.

As is always the case, there is a heap of different meats, vegies and salads filling out the entire top of the dining table on the 25th day of December.  When in Queensland, like we were, I went looking for a cold glass of wine. Take a bow 2016 Ridgemill Estate Chardonnay.

It’s youthful hint of acid matched the seafood, the nice texture, fruit and generous palate complimented the turkey and the ham…easily.  The other thing about this ripper is, it just kept rolling on…and on…..and on………..and on………………and on.

The man behind this wine, Pete McGlashan, is a Chardy freak.  He consistently makes it so, so well!!

ridgemillestate.com

Region: Granite Belt, Qld     Price: $35     Source: Swap

If someone said to me, “When you’re in New South Wales, make sure you visit Cowra.  There’s some nice wines coming out of there,” it would be met with a rather quizzical look and a raised eyebrow.  Hold that thought.

This one from the Windowrie guys is worth having a good look at.  It’s organic and biodynamic and will attract those who hunt down this type of wine, but I reckon it will be more widespread because of how ‘chardonnay’ it is.

It shows itself as Chardonnay from the start.  Stone-fruits are evident but it was like it had been sharing a fruit basket with pears and bananas (just my opinion of course).  There is a nice texture to it as well, along the lines of pear peel (or skin whatever your preferred term is).  The other thing coming to mind was a mealy, yeasty, European wheat beer flavour/aroma (without the fizz and froth) which I thought was a nice, delicate and interesting dimension.

Now, I must say, it took a little time to settle down but when it did, it impressed me.  My advice, for what it’s worth and I know I’ve said this before when it come to white wines… don’t serve it too cold.  I’d be more than happy to tell my friends about this Chardy.

windowrie.com.au

Region: Cowra, NSW     Price: $25     Source: Sample courtesy of Define Wine and Windowrie

Disclaimer first up.  I helped Michael O’Brien at the Taste of Tasmania when he had a couple of staff that were not able to assist him pour tastings and sell his wine.  I tried this wine prior to this event.

The word ‘unoaked’ before Chardonnay has, and always will be, a concern to me.  Most that I have tried have been like a sheet of white A4 paper.  One dimensional, quite flat and uninteresting.  Maybe I’ve tried the wrong wines.  That’s probably my fault for not seeking out the right wines.

So, what can I tell you about this one.  To start with it was a tad subdued but with a little help became fresh and lively on the nose.  Same same on the palate where it also shows some citrus characters (similar to Riesling I thought) then add a nice smooth texture, a bit of length and it’s a pretty cool package.

Now, I’m not saying this one will knock your socks off because that is not what you should expect from an unoaked Chardonnay.  This is the perfect, easy drinking, ‘crack it, share it and relax with it’ summer afternoon drink.

domainedawnelle.com

Region: Upper Derwent Valley, Tasmania     Price: $36     Source: Wine Show Tasting