Drop Of The Week
Coonawarra Road Trip
Road trip! These two words more often than not seem to create a little excitement. But this was a road trip with a difference. I refer to the Coonawarra Roadshow which hit Brisbane’s City Hall last Sunday 10 August. Over a hundred wines were on show from 24 wineries. Why travel south when all the good juice is brought to you!
Part of the Limestone Coast region and located four hours south of Adelaide, there’s one thing that sets Coonawarra apart from other regions around the country. Dirt. Yep, dirt. But it’s more than just any dirt. It’s the famed Terra Rossa soil. This perfect mixture of sand and clay which sits over limestone is the key. So much so that there is a strip of Terra Rossa running directly through the region only 2 km wide and 27km long. Whilst this strip only accounts for 12% of the region itself, it is what has put the region on the map.
Although Coonawarra is in South Australia, it is tagged with the warm climate brush. This is not fair says Rymill Coonawarra’s Managing Director John Rymill, “Cooler nights and a longer ripening period ensure we are able to harvest top quality fruit.”
Cabernet Sauvignon is the flagship variety here. Why? Because it just works. 60% of the region is made up of Cabernet followed by 20% Shiraz. Clearly a red grape dominated region but you can still find other varieties in the ground including Riesling and Chardonnay. Some classic Cabernets I came across at the tasting were Yalumba’s The Menzies, Parker Estate and Leconfield. All delivered a great balance of fruit and oak and are certainly worth seeking out.
Some wineries to keep an eye out for include Raidis Estate who are making some top booze at very modest prices. Be sure to check out their Riesling, Pinot Gris and the latest addition to their range, the 2012 Shiraz. Hollick and Wynns continually pump out consistent juice yet their single vineyard wines is where the party is at. Balnaves, Majella and Brands are also worth adding to your watch list.
Wines to look out for this this week:
Balnaves Shiraz 2010 $24
This proves Coonawarra is not all about Cabernet Sauvignon. Medium bodied, black fruits and yummy mint jostle about delivering a vibrant wine with a grippy tannin finish. A tiny drop of Viognier has been added here to lift the aromatics of the wine. Have with steak and a big smile.
Readily available.
Rymill MC² 2012 $20
A blend of Merlot, Cabernet and Cabernet Franc, this is a versatile wine which easily suits a range of food. Have with anything from BBQs to your Sunday roast. Black fruits and plums leap from the glass along with some clove and pepper spice. Soft and wonderfully smooth with a little tannin grip and good length.
Often discounted below the RRP, it is also readily available.
by Steve from Qwine
