Barossa and Shiraz are synonymous in the mind of avid winelovers around the vinous globe. However, there are many other compelling interpretations of Shiraz from across Australia’s diverse viticultural landscape. Peter Bourne takes a snapshot of Australia’s best Shiraz for the Vintec Club Wine Trends blog.
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Juicy Fruit _ GTW Panel Tasting
Top Gun? Kate Bush? Everything ’80s is back and so is our love affair with grenache – especially with more recent approaches to the winemaking. The Gourmet Traveller WINE tasting panel, convened by Peter Bourne, lined up this succulent perfumed variety to find what winemaker’s are doing with it now and found many delightful surprises
Barry Morey at Sorrenberg – Winemaker of the Year 2022 Finalist
Barry Morey is a modest man, who sees himself as a vigneron rather than a winemaker. ‘Winegrower’ is perhaps the best name as for him, it’s all about growing the best grapes he can – the actual winemaking is just a natural evolution from the vineyard to the bottle. His Sorrenberg wines leap out of that bottle – brimful full of flavour, power, depth and personality. Peter Bourne digs into Barry’s winemaking philosophy
‘O’ for Outstanding, Olio’s Lino Sauro – Food & Wine pairing
Trading one island for another, Sicily’s Lino Sauro set up shop in Sydney, creating the stunning menu at Olio. Here he shares half a dozen delicious recipes including Freemantle Octopus, Squid Ink Pasta and Slow Cooked Pork Belly, all matched with wines picked by Peter Bourne
What to Drink with…Gamebirds
While not hugely popular in Australia, gamebirds – be they wild or tame – offer the chance to experiment with a variety of drinks as curated by Peter Bourne, in
Best Buy Wines Australian and Imports from less than $25 up
Peter Bourne’s recommendations for all tastes and wallets
2021 Yalumba Organic Viognier, South Australia, A$22
NV O’Leary Walker Romalo Sparkling Shiraz, Adelaide Hills, A$35
2017 Henschke The Wheelwright, Eden Valley, A$140
2019 Il Villaggio Nero d’Avola, Sicily, Italy, A$20
2020 Bonny Doon Vineyards Le Cigare Volant, Central Coast, California, A$60
2019 Moss Wood Cabernet Sauvignon, Margaret River, A$160/NZ$175
Tasmanian Pinot
This beloved wine is among the country’s best thanks to the Apple Isle’s cool climate . Although it’s a small region, producing less than one percent of Australia’s wine, there are marked differences in pinot wines from Tasmania as Peter Bourne explains, in
New-Wave Riesling
Riesling is an old-school grape isn’t it? Why should I be drinking it now? Peter Bourne answers these questions, and more, by looking at the new world of fun and funky rieslings with lots of depth and character and which speak of their place and maker rather than their inherent variety, in
Barbera
Barbera originated in Piedmont, Italy, where it plays second fiddle to the regional hero Nebbiolo . That said, the local Piedmontese winegrowers enjoy Barbera as their daily red and save Nebbiolo besotted by the on-trend variety. Peter Bourne looks at this fresh, bright and vibrantly juicy variety in
Beaujolias Bounces Back – GTW Panel Tasting
No-one would blame you for thinking Beaujolais a little unfashionable these days. But our panel – convened by Peter Bourne – champions of the underdog that they are, gave it a little love and got a lot back in return in
What to Drink With…Pork
When it comes to selecting the best wine match for pork, much will depend on the dish’s accompany flavours writes Peter Bourne in
Australia’s Best Cellar Door Awards 2022 – Orange
The Gourmet Traveller Wine expert team of judges spent months scouring the landscape to find the absolute pinnacle of wine region experiences across Australia. Orange is thriving, with eating and drinking venues back in full swing. Accommodation has been boosted and restaurants abound – try the Split Milk ice-creamery. Nearby Millthorpe is a must, but if time is short, visit Ferment, which acts as the cellar door for a number of local winemakers. Peter Bourne does the scouting for you in
Australia’s Best Cellar Door Awards 2022 – Mudgee
The Gourmet Traveller Wine expert team of judges spent months scouring the landscape to find the absolute pinnacle of wine region experiences across Australia. Mudgee continues its reinvention with a diverse offering of wines led by varieties from the Mediterranean environs, and the old-timers are joined by newbies along with a vibrant restaurant, coffee and wine bar scene. Peter Bourne scouted out the best in
Best Buy Wines Australian and Imports from less than $25 up
Peter Bourne’s recommendations for all tastes and wallets
Trentham Estate Three’s a Crowd Pinot Noir, Murray Darling, A$16 (1.5l pouch)
2019 Centennial Vineyards Reserve Tempranillo, Central Ranges, A$35
2016 O’Leary Walker Claire Shiraz, Clare Valley, A$110
2018 Château du Cèdre Heritage Cahors AOC, Cahors, France, A$30
2018 Domaine d’Ourea Gigondas AOC, Rhône Valley, France, A$79
2019 Henschke Marble Angel Cabernet Sauvignon, Barossa Valley, A$75
Skin-Contact Whites
Wines labelled “skin-contact” are everywhere at the moment. What are they? Peter Bourne explores wines that have been fermented on their skins in
A Taste of the Bario – Food & Wine Pairing
GT WINE and Byron Bay’s Bario Eatery and Bar has teamed up to bring you a top selection of restaurant quality recipes that you can create at home and enjoy with wines specially selected by Peter Bourne to complement.
Riesling Round-up – GTW Panel Tasting
Which region rules over riesling – WA’s Great Southern or Eden Valley in SA? Convened by Peter Bourne, our expert panellists taste and rate the best on offer.
Aromatic Whites Dinner hosted by Peter Bourne
Book your spot at a night of sensory indulgence at our Aromatic Whites Dinner in Sydney. Enjoy a specially crafted line-up of wines chosen for their complexity and aromatic offerings from an impressive list of Australia’s top and new-wave winemakers. Paired with a stunning four-course Vietnamese feast from Cash Only Diner, it will be the ultimate experience with exceptional pairings of aromas, flavours, texture and acidity. It’s bound to be a night of exploration and indulgence.
Gourmet Traveller WINE Sydney Dinner
Host: Peter Bourne Date 5 April, 2022
Place: Cash Only Diner
1 Barrack Street, Sydney
Time: 6.30-10pm
Cost: $225 per person (inc GST) four-course dinner included ($202.50 for subscribers)
Bookings For phone and subscriber bookings, call 0408 489 507 or email events@gourmettravellerwine.com
Places are strictly limited
Best Buy Wines Australian and Imports from less than $25 up
Peter Bourne’s recommendations for all tastes and wallets
2019 Seppelt Hundredweight Hill Shiraz, Heathcote, A$13
2006 Patina Cabernet Merlot, Orange, A$35
2019 LAS Vino Wildberry Springs Chardonnay, Margaret River, A$85
2018 Mengoba Bierzo Brezo Mencía, Castilla y León, Spain, A$30
2008 Charles Heidsieck Brut Millésimé, Reims, France, A$210
2018 Mount Langi Ghiran Langi Shiraz, Grampians, A$200