Wine without BS

Zonin Wines

Zonin family owned vineyards in Tuscany

Zonin Wines is Italy's largest, family owned, vineyard and winemaking facility and produces around 25 million bottles per annum and they export all around the world.

Recently I was recommended the Zonin Ripasso Valpolicella, which was fantastic. Then I started noticing other Zonin wines are being stocked in a range of major retailers so I began trying as many of their other wines as I could find.

To date I've had the pleasure of enjoying the following Zonin wines:-

2010 Ripasso Valpolicella
2011 Regions Montepulciano d'Abruzzo
2011 Regions Nero d'Avola Merlot
2010 Regions Merlot
2011 Regions Soave

NOTE: All except the Soave are red wines for those not familiar with Italian wines.

What excited me about these wines is that not only are they all very good, everyday quaffing wines, they are all under $8 with the exception of the Ripasso Valpolicella which comes in at $17! That is some amazing value for a very drinkable, imported wine. The Monetpulciano d'Abruzzo and the Valpolicella are my two favourites and the Soave was my least favourite, but it was still very respectable for the money.

In the under $10 category I'd be hard pressed to think of many wines I've had in Australia that are as good. In researching this post I also learnt that 'Ripasso' is a winemaking technique that sees grape skins already used in the making of Amarone put over the Valpolicella to start a second fermentation. The word Ripasso in Italian translates to 'review' or 'go-over'. The result of this process is additional complexity and body given to the Valpolicella.

Moral of the story! I never would've picked up a Zonin wine without the recommendation of someone else and I want to pass this recommendation on with my glowing endorsement for these great value wines! Enjoy!

 

 

 

Nine wines I tried recently

In a very different format than normal I thought I'd try a more direct and, for me and you, less time consuming way of giving my thoughts on a collection of wines I recently bought. When time permits I'll often grab a trolley at my local Dan Murphy's and wander the aisles looking for wines I haven't tried before. On a recent occasion I walked away with the nine wines listed below. Having gotten through them all over the past few weeks here are my thoughts:

Pewsey Vale 2012 Riesling - Eden Valley - $14.96
Never bad but I must say this vintage didn't impress me as much as past vintages have. I probably haven't had one since 2009 or so and would be unlikely to pick this vintage up again.

Tim Adams 2006 Cabernet Malbec - Clare Valley - $22.79
I expected more with 6 years bottle age and I could take it or leave it to be honest.

Some Young Punks 2012 Passion Has Red Lips Shiraz Cabernet - South Australia - $20.89 
Thankfully it is not just a fantastic label and for what is probably the 1st 2012 red I've had it didn't disappoint. Great Pizza and Pasta wine, also great for gifts and could use a quick decant.

Villa Maria 2011 Private Bin Pinot Gris - East Coast New Zealand - $18.05
For under $20 this was very good and definitely worth trying. Paired really nicely with some pan fried fish in butter, garlic and parsley.

Pallister Pencarrow 2011 Pinot Noir - Martinborough, New Zealand - $17.09
Another solid performer for a New Zealand wine for under $20. However, I'd be more inclined to spend less and get De Bortoli's Windy Peak Pinot, or, spend more are get the Two Paddocks Picnic Pinot.

Zonin 2010 Ripasso Valpolicella - Veneto, North East Italy - $16.15
This was recommended by an employee of Dan Murphy's and having never had a Valpolicella before this one I am very thankful for that recommendation. This is a great wine, a tad light in style and very tasty indeed! This actually does deserve a more detailed review and I will get one up in the near future.

Shingleback 2010 Black Prince Shiraz Cabernet - McLaren Vale - $15.19
Great value here and loved every drop! Just goes to show that Barossa Valley wasn't the only region that had a stellar 2010 vintage! Well worth buying.

Henschke Tilly's Vineyard - Barossa & Adelaide Hills - $14.25
Dan Murphy's website now shows this at $12.90 in any six pack so I feel a tiny bit ripped off. No complaints though as Henschke don't really make any bad wines in my opinion. Having said that this ain't the best white wine blend I've had for under $20 either but I feel better about myself drinking a Henschke label than many other sub $15 brands! Like driving a Porsche Boxster, you're in the cheapest thing they make but you still say you drive a Porsche :)

Kay Brothers 2010 Basket Pressed Grenache - Barossa Valley - $26.65
Amazingly good wine for the money thanks to a great vintage for Barossa Valley and my favourite from the lot! Will buy again no question!

Kay Brothers 2010 Basket Pressed Grenache

Xabregas 2010 Single Vineyard X Series Syrah

 The guys at Xabregas are pretty serious about Shiraz... or Syrah as they prefer to call it. This is fine by me as Shiraz is one of my all time favourite varieties. So when Xabregas told me they were sending over there two new, single vineyard Syrah's that show the different characteristics of two different vineyard locations within the Mount Barker region I was excited to try them side by side.

First we will start with the Spencer Syrah which had a vibrant colour of ruby, cherry and blood red like tones. A rather unique aroma that was unlike any other Shiraz I could recall reminded me of savoury and wood-like notes that was very pleasant. To drink it really benefited from 30+ minutes in a decanter and its flavours are in rather neutral territory between fruity and savoury. I can tell this wine will benefit greatly from further ageing.

On to the Figtree Syrah and the first difference I noticed was the colour. It had a far more noticeable purple tinge to it than any shades of red. To that effect it reminded me of many of the great Canberra districts Shiraz wines I'd enjoyed over the years. Its aroma had some floral and spicy notes and to drink it was noticeably smoother, softer and more enjoyable than the Spencer at this point in time.

To appreciate what Xabregas are wanting to demonstrate here you really do, and need to try them one after the other.

Xabregas X by Xabregas 2010 Spencer and Figtree Syrah's
Price - $50 rrp or $288 per six pack at Xabregas Online
Region - Mount Barker, Western Australia
Final Sip - Both well made wines that fans of cool climate Shiraz are sure to enjoy. For me, Spencer is the wine to put in the cellar, whereas Figtree is drinking perfectly fine now, but will also improve with age.

 

Wirra Wirra Wines 2012 'Hiding Champion' Sauvignon Blanc

I have said before that Sauvignon Blanc is far down the list when it comes to white varieties that I drink regularly or look forward to drinking. However, I must confess that if more of them end up being as enjoyable to drink as this latest release from Wirra Wira Wines then that is likely to change.

Classic pale straw in colour what is not so 'classic' is the rather softer and restrained aroma. At some points I could smell almost nothing and at times troipcal fruits were clearly present. A very elegant drinking Sauvignon Blanc with evidence of passionfruit and many tropical fruits for which I am highly confident many would end in word 'berry'.

Everything about it is simply softer, more refined and more elegant than I've previously associated with most Sauvignon Blancs. I just loved it!

Wirra Wirra Wines 2012 'Hiding Champion' Sauvignon Blanc
Price - $22 available from many fine wine retailers.
Region - Fruit from Adelaide Hills, South Australia, winery is located in McLaren Vale.
Final Sip - For me this is easily up there with the best Sauv Blanc's I've ever had!

Zema Estate 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon

I'm going to keep this pretty short and sweet as not much more has to be said other than this is a bloody brilliant Cabernet from the ever consistent Zema Estate.

Clearly 2009 was kind to the Coonawarra region and this wine has a perfect balance of fruit, oak and the classic Cabernet Capsicum notes. For those wondering if I've gone all 'BS' with the Cabernet and Capsicum reference take note. Cabernet grapes and Capsicums actually share common chemical compounds that will lead to similarities in the aroma in certain cases. So on this occasion you can blame science and not wine writers :)

Zema Estate 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon
Price - $28.95 and available in most good bottle shops
Region - Coonwarra, South Australia
Final Sip - Delicious now and I can't wait to try it in 8-10 years

 

Galafrey Wines Dry Lands Reserve 2012 Riesling

The name 'Dry Lands' in this premium Riesling by Galafrey Wines refers to the fact that the vines used for this wine are not irrigated as many might expect. The lack of irrigation leads to a lower yielding crop of smaller fruit clusters which is said to lead to more intense flavours in the final wine. Having enjoyed this wine recently I can confirm that the flavour of this wine is indeed 'Intense' and I love it for being just that.

It all starts off rather innocently with a pale lime/straw like colour and soft aroma of citrus fruit and minerals. Once this wine passes your lips though and it will hit your taste buds almost instantly. Sharp, and again 'intense', citrus flavours take over and demonstrate that this is nothing less than a full flavoured, highly acidic Riesling that will be exactly what many enjoy about this noble variety.

Galafrey Wines Dry Lands Reserve 2012 Riesling
Price - $29 from Galafrey Wines
Region - Mount Barker, WA
Final Sip -  A great Riesling that can be enjoyed on its own for a glass or two but to get through the bottle you will want to pair it with something with a reasonable amount of fat or oil like cheese or a salmon carpaccio.

A quickie with two Italians

Both wines above are sub $20 Italian IGT red wines. The 2010 Spolverino from Carpineto is a blend whereas the 2009 Farnese is 100% Sangiovese.

I didn't bother with tasting notes for either of them as neither was absolutely fantastic but given they share many key elements I'd thought I'd whip something up.

My pick of the two is definitely the 2009 Farnese Sangiovese. I enjoyed it with a few mates over a pizza and none of us had anything bad to say about it. The Spolverino on the other hand I found to be a bit watery and weak. 

While I am not sure I would buy either of them again I definitely wouldn't bother with the Carpenito Spolverino again when for a few extra bucks that same producers makes some pretty decent Chianti!

Outpost 2004 Howell Mountain Zinfandel

Californian Zinfandel has to be as close to American red wine royalty as it can get! It is after all as close to being ‘American’ as are a Burger & Fries. Originating from Italy where it is known as Primitivo, Californian Zinfandels are known for being big on fruit, alcohol and oak. The Outpost 2004 Zinfandel doesn’t lack any of those elements yet with the benefit of eight years bottle age this one is likely to be more palatable to some than a much younger vintage.

In the glass an ageing cherry red colour has an aroma that is full of cedar and oak with hints of subtle fruit and spice. This wine is drinking pretty much at its peak now and I can’t see it lasting more than another two years so no need to buy this for the cellar. It is however a great guide to how long a good Zin should be kept for as they have nowhere near the life of other premium reds. On the flip side of that though is that at least it doesn’t take 15-20 years of patience before you can enjoy a good Zin at its best. Some may even prefer them more youthful and, being a fruit and oak driven wine, they pair best with BBQ’d meats, Burgers and Ribs as well as some sharp cheeses! 

Outpost 2004 Howell Mountain Zinfandel
Price - $63 from Grand Central Cellars
Region - Howell Mountain, California
Final Sip - Given the lack of good California Zinfandels here in Australia the ability to get one that even the locals love, with some bottle age, for less than some premium Aussie Zin's are going for is a rare treat! 

Mandoletto 2011 Catarratto

(Picture shown not correct vintage)

Catarratto is an Italian white grape variety native to Sicily where it is the most widely planted variety. Outside of Sicily it is still one of the most widely planted grape varieties and often used as a component of marsala wine. This dry white wine version under the Mandoletto label of Fazio Winery and distributed in Australia by Fourth Wave Wines is a rather rare find and inexpensive to try at least once.

It is light yellow and slightly gold in colour and has a rather light aroma with nothing in particular worth sticking your nose in the glass to experience. It has a nice flavour with elements of pear, green apple and stone fruits. It is not as acidic as many Italian white wines often are so it can be enjoyed on its own as much as it would be a great accompaniment to things like seafood, light pasta or salads. 

Interestingly, I read some other reviews of other Catarratto wines and words such as 'unusual' and 'different 'seemed to be rather common. I like the wine myself but I can tell that this will be a wine with a divided opinion. 

Mandoletto 2011 Catarratto
Price - $9.99 from WineStar
Region - Sicily, Italy
Final Sip -  At $9.99 you don't have much to loose by giving it a try. I also find imported wines like this that punch well above their price point great gifts as people will think you spent far more just because it's 'imported'.

Olivers Taranga 2012 Fiano

I've had the pleasure of trying at least two previous vintages of the Olivers Taranga Fiano and I cannot recall disliking any of them. Fiano is an Italian white grape variety that originates from the Campania region in Southern Italy. A few producers in Australia make wine with Fiano but the Olivers Taranga's drop is the best I've had to date.

It has a light, pale gold like colour in the glass with an aroma and flavour that I really do struggle to reduce to other common elements. It is when writing reviews for wines like these that I wonder where the obsession lies with the majority of wine writers who stop at nothing to break down a wine into as many other elements as possible. Don't get me wrong, 9 times out of 10 you can smell and taste a wine and be reminded of another smell or taste, however every so often a wine comes along that, put simply, is unique enough to say it has a taste and aroma all of its own. 

Maybe one day I'll be eating or drinking something and think 'Hey, that reminds me of Fiano!', which brings me to yet another point to ponder. If the first time you experience a particular aroma or taste should whatever you experience first become the reference point? Let's say you've never eaten a Gooseberry, then you try a wine that you're told has a taste very reminiscent of Gooseberries... you cannot be expected to pick this up if you've never had a Gooseberry! I often read wine reviews and think how wine writers seem to be the most undiscriminating eaters as some of the things they've clearly had to have smelled or eaten before goes way beyond the average man or woman's experience!

Anyway, enough of that and if I REALLY had to list some elements of this wine that you may or may not discover yourselves it was a faint almond, possibly marzipan-like aroma, and some citrus notes on the palate. Apart from that it was all pure Fiano, and a bloody good one at that!

Olivers Taranga 2012 Fiano
Price - $24 from Olivers Taranga 
Region - Mclaren Vale, South Australia
Final Sip -  Simply a great white wine that has impressed pretty much everyone I've introduced it to and one that I intend of having around my place regularly.