Red Wine Grosset Polish Hill Riesling 2021. Originally an old milk depot, Grosset is a charming small family-run winery in South Australia’s Clare Valley that was founded back in 1981 by Jeffrey Grosset. Over the years Jeffrey has played a key role in promoting Riesling in Australia, campaigning to encourage local winemakers to switch to screw caps which help preserve the variety’s freshness and verve. Their iconic Polish Hill Riesling begins life in a stunning 8 hectare single vineyard in the Clare Valley which was planted in 1996 on silty clay and gravel soils. The vines here struggle to get nutrients from the soil which creates low yields of tiny berries with concentrated flavours and aromatics. The land is farmed both organically and biodynamically, producing very healthy fruit which is fermented in stainless steel tanks to preserve the natural character of the Riesling. In the glass you’ll immediately notice the zingy lime and white floral notes while the first sip reveals a mouthwatering acidity, a light body and gentle hints of citrus, stone fruit, and honey. The well-developed structure and depth of flavour make this a great wine to cellar for a few more years or enjoy now alongside salads, sushi, and spicy Asian dishes.
2021
Red Wine Grosset Polish Hill Riesling 2021
Red Wine Chateau Purcari Rara Neagra de Purcari 2021. Chateau Purcari lies nestled in the south-eastern corner of Moldova just 30km from the Black Sea. The estate has a long and rich history dating back to 1827 when the Emperor of Russia Nicholas I issued a special decree recognising its status as Moldova’s first official winery. Over the years the estate has racked up many high profile awards for its superb wines including winning a gold medal at the Paris World Exhibition in the 19th century. More recently, Purcari won a string of medals at the Decanter World Wine Awards including a gold medal for their Rara Neagra de Purcari. This robust, full-flavoured red is crafted from estate vineyards which grow at 110-185 metres above sea level and enjoy a special microclimate with ample sunshine and the cooling effect of the nearby Black Sea. To preserve the quality of the grapes they are carefully harvested by hand and vinified using the traditional winemaking techniques which have been used on the estate for generations. The young wine is matured in French oak barrels for 6 months which adds complexity and hints of baking spice and toasted oak to the rich dark fruit profile of this powerful Moldovan red.
2021
Red Wine Kozlovic Teran 2021. Decant 1 hour before serving. The Kozlovic family have been making wine in Istria ever since their winery was founded back in 1904. Currently run by Gianfranco and Antonella Kozlovic, the family work some 25 hectares of vines which are planted with local varieties like this gorgeous Teran. The hardworking couple are perfectionists at heart and are constantly working to produce the best wines possible from their historic family vineyards through a combination of modern winemaking techniques and respect for their ancestral land. The grapes for this handsome bottling come from the family’s 30 year old Teran vines which are carefully harvested by hand. After a 10 day maceration and fermentation the young wines are transferred to oak barrels for 8 months to add further complexity to the finished wine. The result is a delicious medium-bodied wine which exudes dark forest fruit aromas and hints of bitter chocolate. Gentle tannins and a refreshing acidity make this ideal to pair with dishes as diverse as a margherita pizza topped with buffalo mozzarella, a generous plate of charcuterie or even fish dishes. Given that Istria bears many cultural similarities to nearby Friuli in Italy, so it is no surprise that the region produces wines which offer such gastronomic potential!
2021