CHRISTMAS ENTERTAINING HG
AUSTRALIAN HOUSE & GARDEN| 165
$20, which is crisp and citrusy. With
other shellfish, serve a weightier white
such as the2015 Stonier Chardonnay,
$25, which has juicy-fruit flavours,
subtle oak and balance.
Rosé is an ideal tipple for Christmas.
Try the elegant2016 Delamere Rosé,
$25.Order direct from the winery.
To accompany roasted meats, pour
a complex medium-weight red such
as the 2015 Giant Steps Pinot Noir, $35.
The red fruit is bright, the mid-palate
plush and there is great varietal
expression and complexity.
And to partner the Christmas
pudding? I’ll be serving a Pfeiffer
Classic Rutherglen Muscat, $29/500ml,
a 10-year-old drop, luscious and raisiny.
Also excellent is Baileys of Glenrowan
Classic Muscat, $30/500ml, with dried
fruit and citrus peel tones. #Morewines to try this Christmas 201 6 HUGH HAMILTON ‘THE FLOOZIE’
SANGIOVESE ROSÉ, $ 25 Gorgeous dry rosé with red-berryand ripe-applearomas, and a vibrant
blush-pink hue. 201 6 BIRD IN HAND ROSÉ, $ 20 A stylishand textured pinot noir rosé, deep pink in
colour, withgoodpalate weight and softness. 201 6 CLONAKILLA VIOGNIER NOUVEAU, $ 25
Thisearly harvest viognier is ultra clean, pure andzippy. The moderate alcohol, light body and bright
palate make it incredibly refreshing. 201 6 JIM BARRY WATERVALE RIESLING, $ 19 Perfectly poised
with fresh aromas of lemon zest, bath salts and lime. Fabulous intensity and drive on the palate.FOR SOMEONE
SPECIAL
2009 JacquartBlanc
de Blancs, $90
This fine bubbly delivers
gorgeous nutty notes, a
little fresh bread and
a whisper of
toffee. The
palate is rich
and full-
flavoured.RED-WINE
LOVERS
2014 Wynns Coonawarra
Estate Black Label Cabernet
Sauvignon, $45
Violet and cassis aromatics and
a concentrated mid palate. One
for the cellar.STOCKING FILLER
2014VasseFelixClassicDryRed,$19
Vibrant raspberry fruit, medium body
and gentle drying tannins.FOR THE DIFFICULT-
TO-BUY-FOR
2015 Schmölzer andBrown Brunnen
Chardonnay, $44
By husband and wife vignerons Jeremy
Schmölzer and Tessa Brown (below), only
small quantities are made but it’s worth
hunting out. Lovely stone fruit, juicy
grapefruit and white nectarine flavours.Styling by Kayla Gex. Photography by Rob Shaw (bottles), Jeremy Schmölzer (portrait).
WINESTOGIFT
4 of the best Drinks
FESTIVE
CHEERS
C
hristmas is a special time and
I always track down my favourite
drops to serve on the day. While
searching for drinks of reliability and
class, I’m also mindful of value.
To get the cheer flowing, hand your
guests a Prancing Pimm’s on arrival. Mix
200ml of Pimm’s No. 1, 200ml cranberry
juice and 300ml each of lemonade and
soda. Add fresh lemon juice, sliced
strawberries and cucumber to taste.
Pour into elegant tumblers brimming
with ice and garnish with torn fresh
mint and a medley of citrus peels.
For beer lovers, serve ice-cold Coopers
Thomas Cooper’s Selection Artisan Ale,
$20/six. It’s an unpasteurised, all-malt
pilsner made using Bavarian hops.
Extremely stylish, fresh and cleansing
with gentle integrated bitterness.
Vintage Champagne is always a treat
and the2005 Lanson Gold Label
Champagne,$70, is one of the best buys
of the season. It has aromas of fresh
cream and pastry, with a lively palate.
Serve with bite-sized goats’ cheese puffs.
If oysters are on the menu, I recommend
the2016 Leo Buring Clare Valley Riesling,Sip, sip, hooray!To n i
Patersonselects the best
drops for making merry.