LUNA INFLUENCE ON SUMMER BOTTLERS

Wc29Nov10

$12 BEAUTY with Sunday brunch seafood-filled omelette.

David Ellis

WITH Australians’ growing love-affair with Rosé-style wines, Cumulus Wines at Orange in the NSW Central West have released their 2010 Luna Rosa Rosado that’s a steal at just $12 for summertime enjoyment.

And interestingly they brought out Portuguese winemaker Francisco Antunes from a Cumulus stakeholder, The Berado Group (also a stakeholder in arguably the world’s most famous Rosé, Mateus) to work with Cumulus winemaker Debbie Lauritz on this moreish drop.

The two decided on 40% Cabernet, 20% Grenache, 20% Mourvedre and the remainder Chardonnay, picking the fruit in the cool of night under a full moon – hence the name.

This is a lovely fresh wine with a fruity perfume to enjoy chilled with a Sunday brunch seafood-filled omelette, or be adventurous and try it with Francisco’s favourite: Portuguese salt cod fritters with aioli.

ANOTHER luna touch for summertime pleasure is Western Victoria’s Blue Pyrenees Luna NV bubbly, that again was made from fruit picked in the cool of the night under a full moon – and again hence the name.

FESTIVE beauty with party-time finger foods.

Predominantly Chardonnay (76%,) Pinot Noir (20%) and with a touch of the previous year’s sparkling base, this is a Festive Season beauty with fresh lemon, shortbread and yeasty flavours that make it a nice match with party room hors d’oeuvres and most finger-foods. Well priced too at $18.

INNOVATIVE winemaker Jeff Byrne at historic Hunter Valley maker Audrey Wilkinson has created an interesting blend for warm weather partying, bringing together Semillon from the company’s own vineyards and Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand’s Marlborough. At $20 share this rewarding drop with cold summer seafood platters or bbq-grilled seafood and vegie kabobs.

(NEED A FOOD/DRINK IDEA? Check out  http://www.vintnews.com )