VALUE NEW PRIVATE LABEL WHITE AND RED

A NICE foil to spicy Thai foods, or with Italian creamy garlic or tomato-based pasta sauces.

David Ellis

THE Independent Liquor Retailers group that has something like 250 outlets across Australia, has launched its first private label wines that it whimsically calls The Owl & The Pussycat, and which will target those looking for quality wines in the $10-$15 price bracket.

They’ve launched with a New Zealand 2011 Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc and a 2011 Barossa Shiraz; the Sauvignon Blanc is quite a stand-out at $13.99 and was sourced from fruit from Marlborough’s Awatere sub-region. The distinctive flint/mineral characters and natural acidity of the region has carried through in the wine, that also displays subtle tropical fruit flavours, passionfruit notes and lovely lemon/lime characteristics.

Certainly worth seeking out at to enjoy with Italian creamy garlic or tomato-based pasta sauces, or as a foil to spicier Thai foods. And the Independent Liquor Retaiilers group says it’s also got a Cabernet Sauvignon and a sparkling in the pipeline.

ONE to start thinking about with the Christmas turkey – they’re a perfect match

ONE FOR LUNCH: THE Clare Valley’s Tim Adams and wife Pam have released a 2009 Tempranillo under their Mr Mick label that honours the late Mick Knappstein who for over 50 years made wines at Leasingham Winery that Tim and Pam bought in 2011.

Tempranillo was virtually unknown in Mick’s day, but Tim and Pam have discovered how well-suited it is to the district, producing a full-bodied yet easy-drinking red with smooth tannins, strawberry flavours and a beaut hint of spice.

At only $15, far less than many other local Tempranillos, it’s a wine that will go down well at the table with a wide diversity of cuisines – and certainly with the roast turkey if you’re starting to think already about what to put on the table on Christmas day.

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