STICKY TIMES NOW WINTER’S APPROACHING

LOOK forward to winter puddings and this one.

Wc28Mar11

David Ellis

COOLER autumn nights and the thought of approaching winter bring two things to mind: steaming rich puddings, and good dessert wines – “stickies” – to go with them.

And a name we associate immediately with the latter is Robert Fiumara and his wonderfully rich and sweet Lillypilly Estate Noble Blend from Leeton in the NSW Riverina – the 2002 Family Reserve Noble Blend alone already garnering no less than 24 Trophies and 26 Gold Medals at Australian and international wine shows.

“Wines like this come along once in a while,” says Robert in an almost dismissive aside. “And while this one is still drinking well, stocks are diminishing, so it’s near the end of its show life.”

So enter Lillypilly Estate Noble Blend 2008, that’s already grabbing the attention of show judges and consumers alike. Bright gold in the glass, its got fragrant citrus blossom and fresh melon aromas, while intense ripe fruit flavours reflect its 75% Semillon, 15% Muscat and 10% Riesling make-up. Pay $22.50 for a 375ml bottle and enjoy with rich winter puddings or a Crème Brulee.

HISTORY in the making: 50th vintage of a legendary great.

ONE FOR LUNCH: Penfolds have released their 2008 Bin 28 Kalimna Shiraz, the 50th vintage of this legendary great that launched in 1959 as the very first of the company’s Bin Range.

Originally a single-vineyard wine it’s now a blend, in this case warm-weather fruit from the Barossa, Langhorne Creek, McLaren Vale and Padthaway. It’s a wine that’s intense, almost brooding, with fruit flavour that’s dominated by ripe blackberries, liquorice and confectionery – you could almost liken to it to drinking liquid Christmas cake. Pay $33.99 and enjoy with a special occasion Boeuf en Croute, or rare-grilled Black Angus beef fillets off the barbecue.

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