FOUR MARYS, A WINE THAT’S TRUE TO NAME

FROM vines whose history can be traced back to 1088.

Wc19Mar12

David Ellis

PROFESSOR Robert Lusby is a vascular surgeon with a love of winemaking on the side, and with winemaker son James comes up with some great – and rewarding – surprises from the family’s small Tintilla Estate in the Hunter Valley.

One such is their just-released 2010 Tintilla Four Marys Pinot Noir, so-named after the four Marys in Bob Lusby’s life: his mother, an aunt, his sister and his wife are all named Mary Lusby.

Bob and James’ 2010 Pinot Noir was made from fruit off 180 year old vines – the variety having been introduced into the Hunter Valley way back in the 1830s, when cuttings were imported from the famous Clos du Vougeot vineyards that were founded in Burgundy in France in 1088.

Tintilla’s vines are quite low-yielding, and thus this wine has nicely concentrated berry fruit flavours. Pay $30 and linger with it over a long and relaxing meal featuring duck or game as the main course.

SUCCESS story of three immigrant German brothers in New Zealand.

ONE FOR LUNCH: IT’S just over 30 years since Theo, Alex and Marcel Giesen arrived in New Zealand from Germany, starry-eyed at the prospect of becoming successful winemakers and joining the small vanguard of pioneers planting Sauvignon Blanc vines in the Marlborough region of the South Island.

Since then their’s has been one of the great immigrant success stories, with their Giesen Estate Sauvignon Blanc now selling across the globe, and here in Australia becoming one of our top-selling New Zealand Sauvignon Blancs.

The latest release, the 2011, was made from no fewer than 32 parcels of fruit and displays typical Sauvignon Blanc citrus and tropical fruit flavours and notable acidity. Pay $19.99 and enjoy with Greek or Caesar salads, Thai dishes or Sushi.

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