FULL FLAVOURED YET SOFT AND COMFORTING

Wc09July12

TRY this one with oven-baked lamb chops and roast vegetables.

David Ellis

WITH sales of Merlot booming across Australia – its now our third-most popular red after Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon – there’s certainly no lack of choice on bottle-shop shelves.

And one label that’s doing particularly well, not only here but in countries as far-flung as Japan, Norway, Vietnam, Canada, Finland and Hong Kong, is Weemala from Mudgee in NSW, whose Merlot is always full-flavoured while retaining a nice varietal softness.

Their just-released 2010 is one to keep an eye on as its even richer and fuller than the 2009, a wine that’s already done exceptionally well on the show circuit. Maker Peter Logan sums-up the 2010 as having “a deep, dark side to its character while still being soft and comforting.” Nice dark chocolate, blackberry and blueberry flavours are to the fore and its one that’s not dominated by oak.

It also somewhat over-delivers at $18 and makes for a delightful winter-time companion with beef stews or oven-baked lamb chops and roast vegetables.

LUSCIOUS and full-flavoured cool climate Pinot Gris to enjoy with Asian seafoods.

ONE FOR LUNCH: PINOT GRIS is Italy’s most-popular white wine being sold there as Pinot Grigio, and here local versions are enjoying an amazingly fast-growing army of Aussie fans.

Banjo’s Run in NSW’s Southern Highlands has a very moreish 2011 Pinot Gris from its cool-climate vineyard at Exeter, this one having rich pear and tropical  fruit flavours and a slight citrus zest..

A luscious and full-flavoured wine with Asian seafood as a match at the table written all over it, it is available through the cellar door at $32 a bottle or $352 a case (pay for eleven, get twelve, during July) plus freight. Give proprietor Bill Hall a ring on 0408 228 724 to order of go onto www.banjosrun.com.au

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