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The realtively obscure pinot meunier grape has been planted at the cool Seppelt Drumborg vineyard since 1966, and is a key component in sparkling wine production, regularly making up 10% or more of the Salinger blend. It creates a fascinating dry table wine in the style of gamay and winemaker Adam Carnaby is delighted with this rare release, which is unashamedly fruit driven and matured in mainly large format older oak. It is a red that can be chilled for a few minutes, like releases from Best's Great Western and Oakridge, and would be a very good choice to match with a spring picnic. Downright delicious. $36. www.seppelt.com.au.
Looking for a delicious "drink now" white wine that doesn't demand too much contemplation? You've come to the right place. This is made from an Italian grape in a fresh and vivacious style by the "non-traditional" duo of marketer Nick Stacy and winemaker Mike Kerrigan. It is their second vermentino release using from Mount Barker in Western Australia's remote Great Southern region. This is unwooded, very fresh with lively acidity. It is aromatic and pure - like a fruit salad exploding in your mouth. A versatile wine that will come into its own on warm summer days. $22. www.vinaceous.com.au.
Michael Hall is a British-born craftsman who was trained as a jewellery valuer and took up wine later in life. This new release underlines he has taken to his new vocation like a duck to water; an elegant pinot in the style of village Burgundy rather than the heavy metal style that is much in vogue. This is a structured but elegant wine that offers excellent value and features a blend of Adelaide Hills fruit from high-altitude Kuitpo and Piccadilly. Three-quarters was open fermented and 25% barrel fermented with 8% whole bunch adding structure. The blend was matured for 11 months in almost entirely older oak. The end result is bright, crunchy and deliciously drinkable with an ultra-dry red berry finish.
$30. www.michaelhallwines.com.
The wines from Angullong, outside of Orange in the central west of New South Wales, just get better and better. This is a well-priced white that spells summer enjoyment. It is vibrant and fresh with lively cool-climate characters; and is made in the brisk, refreshing Italian style. It is long and lean with a nice balance of citrus and tropical fruit salad flavours and finishes with brisk, attention-grabbing acid. There is no winemaking artifice here; it is unoaked, clean and ready enjoy. A wine for sipping chilled on the back porch, or perhaps paired with salads and picnics. $20. www.angullong.com.au.
