Wines worth quaffing
We can’t all drink Dom or DRC every night, but neither should we drink Chateau Cardboard.
We can’t all drink Dom or DRC every night of the week, but neither do we necessarily want to drink Chateau Cardboard. The trick is to find wines that offer a pleasurable drinking experience without breaking the bank. The following wines all have a quaffability about them. That is not the same as saying that they are simple wines; far from it: their little intricacies make them all rather more-ish. Enjoy a cheeky glass on your own or a bottle with friends without taxing either your brain or your wallet.
Yarrabank Cuvee Brut Sparkling 2011 ($38). The big retailers might be full of cheap champagne deals but it is good to see quality Australian sparkling wine holding its own for a few dollars less. This lovely wine from Yering Station, for example, is intense and rich on the nose, with a subtle mix of honey and lemon sherbet. The palate continues in the same vein but it is in no way a heavy sparkling wine. Far from it. There is zesty fruit, good acidity, and a fine bead too. There are yeasty, biscuity elements to it, but their delivery is also subtle and the overall balance in the wine ensures that no one component outshines another. Better enjoyed from a wine glass than a flute. www.yarrabankwines.com
Fat Bastard Chardonnay 2014 ($16). The name is a dream for the sales and marketing people, and it is a good wine for gifting if you want to hand out an insult at the same time. Apparently winemaker Thierry Boudinaud exclaimed “My god, it’s a fat bastard!” upon tasting it, and so a brand was born. The wine itself is not as big as the name suggests: it certainly is full bodied but it is not huge. The ripe Californian fruit provides plenty of peach and melon flavours, and there are butterscotch and subtle spices in the background, but the finish is clean. Serving temperature is important: don’t over-chill it, but if you let it get to room temperature it can become blousy or, dare I say it, a bit flabby. redandwhite.com.au
Saint-Andre de Figuiere Saint-Andre Rose 2015 ($25). Provence in the south of France is the spiritual home of rose and it is wines like this blend of grenache, cinsault, syrah and cabernet sauvignon from Saint-Andre de Figuiere that make them so incredibly popular around the world. If you are expecting juicy lolly water you will be disappointed: this wine is dry, crisp and fresh. The salmon pink tone hints at its delicacy and a light bouquet of summer berries and citrus fruits continues the theme. On the palate the beautiful fresh fruit is underpinned by a musky spiciness throughout while the refreshing acidity keeps you coming back for more. It is a perfect “lunch with friends” wine, or one for an early evening glass. Enjoy it on its own or with food. www.vintageandvine.com
Marchesi Antinori Peppoli Chianti Classico 2014 ($35). Order a bottle of this wine when you arrive at your local Italian and the sommelier might just fall in love with you. It probably isn’t your looks that are firing their passions — it is the knowledge that you and your companions will all be happy with your choice. The Peppoli is one of those wines that satisfies oenophiles and detached quaffers alike: there is plenty of interest and authenticity in the sangiovese, while the small merlot component smooths off any rough, Tuscan edges to provide an easy drinking experience. Raspberries, dark cherries and violets combine with smooth tannins to deliver a vibrant wine that will go with anything from a vegetarian pasta dish to a steak, and lots in between. www.negociantsaustralia.com
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