Australian House & Garden 153H&G DRINKS
Photography by Rodney Macuja.
W
hen the mercury is on the rise,
my tipple of choice is riesling.
It’s the most cleansing and
refreshing of all the whites, with pure
and focused fruit fl avours and a poised,
crisp palate. And the alcohol is always
at a moderate level. Seek out the 2014
Logan Weemala Riesling ($18) with its
aroma of bath salts and fl owers – it has
been expertly made with the palate
having balance, harmony and drive.
Shaw+Smith is celebrating the 25th
release of its popular Adelaide Hills
sauvignon blanc with the recent 2014
vintage ($25). While this wine has
always had great merit, the 2014 is tamer
and more refi ned. Lemon and grapefruit
fl avours predominate, with a dash of
passionfruit and a hint of grassiness.
A bottle of 2009 Peter Lehmann
Margaret Semillon ($32) is the ideal
accompaniment to Sunday lunch. It is
an incredibly complex wine with smoke,
toast, butter and lemon characters, and
an absolute steal at the price. Let the
tightly bound layers of fl avour unravel
over conversation and a series of courses.
Leaner styles of chardonnay work
best in summer. Fortunately, Australia
now makes numerous refi ned and
elegant chardonnays, perfect for sipping
with or without food. The Philip Shaw
The Architect ($20) is an affordable
example of this style. It is lemony-fresh,
racy and simply delicious!Rosé is ideal when the sun is shining.
Luna Rosa Rosado ($15), from NSW’s
Central Ranges, is made from merlot,
shiraz and mourvèdre and has distinctive
cherry notes and gentle sweetness. The
2014 Pink Billy ($25) from Philip Shaw
is another excellent rosé and will appeal
to the discerning drinker. It has gentle
savouriness to balance the bright, sweet-
scented lemon and strawberry nuances.
Its creamy palate marries well with
dishes such as cured ocean trout with
fennel slaw and pink grapefruit.
Light, soft, reds can work well in hot
weather, as long as they are not served
too warm – try chilling them for 30
minutes before serving. The 2013
Mount Trio Pinot Noir ($22) is elegant,
aromatic, perfumed and soft. If you’re
hosting an evening barbecue, consider
the 2013 Angove Long Row Shiraz ($10),
which is sweet-fruited, fl eshy and soft.
Don’t forget to serve non-alcoholic
options such as iced tea, too. I like T2’s
Smarty Pants ($22/150g), a blend of
green tea, basil, spearmint, liquorice
root and apple. Chill it down and add
piles of ice, cucumber, fresh lime and
basil leaves. Equally delicious is Pumping
Pomegranate ($14/100g), a fragrant blend
of apple, hibiscus, rosehip, pomegranate
and saffl ower fl owers. Throw in some
berries and mint for a drink with a
difference. Both will leave you feeling
refreshed and invigorated. #To sip a glass of chilled wine on a
summer’s a ernoon is one of life’s
great pleasures, writes Toni Paterson.
SUNNY OUTLOOK
SUMMER DROPS
2014 Charles Melton
Rose of Virginia, $24
A multi-varietal rosé made
from grenache, cabernet,
pinot meunier, shiraz
and pinot noir – it has a
heady perfume and plenty of
berry fl avour – little wonder
it’s an Australian favourite.
2014 Shaw+Smith
Sauvignon Blanc, $25
A classic drop that
always over-delivers
on quality. Tight, fresh,
crisp and refi ned.
2014 Grosset Alea
Riesling, $36
An o -dry style that is
completely divine. The
sweetness and acidity
are perfectly integrated
and the lemon and fl oral
aromas are heavenly.
2014 Vickery Watervale
Riesling, $24
Classic Clare Valley riesling
that has intense lime
fl avours and elegant
proportions. Dry, crisp
and perfectly satisfying.