RICHARD SAYS
Best’s 2025 Riesling 11.5%, Grampians, Victoria, RRP $25
Riesling is a variety that hugely reflects its site, the growing conditions, and winemaking that should utterly respect the fruit. It doesn’t need oak, so it can be quick to market, and yet can be cellared for decades.
For sheer numbers, South Australia’s Clare and Eden Valleys may hold Riesling cachet but in particular Best’s, Crawford River, Granite Hills and Seppelt’s (Drumborg) very consistently wave the Riesling flag for Victoria.
Best’s (in the Grampians) produces a dramatic range of quality wines, with their various age-worthy Shiraz wines always on my purchase radar. And you can also tour the historic underground cellar at no cost.
This wine starts with a youthful pale colour, then we’re away into the bracing aromatic world of lime, passionfruit, red apple and ginger spice notes. The palate is dry, fruit filled, graceful and utterly refreshing. It’s an altogether lovely wine, which also has won several well-deserved trophies. Plus the price is a complete gift.
With? This zippy wine will complement plenty. Pan-fried salmon was a winner but chicken or pork dishes, even pasta with a creamy sauce, and also many Asian inspired dishes will work.
GRANT SAYS
Yering Farm Pinot Rosé 2024 13%, Yarra Valley, RRP $28
On a perfectly sunny Autumn day my wife and I took a jaunt out to the Yarra Valley in a mini bus full of Irish lads and lasses to experience a few cellar doors and showcase what is on offer just an hour out of Melbourne’s CBD. It was this charming and rustic boutique producer that stole my heart. Yering Farm vineyards and orchards produce quality booze but you won’t find their products on the shelves of the bottle shops. It’s all in house. Of all the excellent wines I tried throughout the day, this cheeky rosé stuck with me the most. Made from 100% pinot noir off the vines within eyesight of the welcoming and unpretentious tasting bench, it strikes the perfect balance between generous fruity flavours, savoury aspects, palate weight and crisp acidity. Pinot noir is perfect for making rosé, but it ain’t cheap. So to score a bottle of this for under $30 is a real steal. Expect notes of crunchy red apples, musk, peaches and cream all tied up with leafy herbs and a pillow, soft texture. Definitely pay these legends a visit and soak up the sun on the wooden outdoor tables over a game of giant jenga while you take in the gorgeous landscape. And their ciders are phenomenal too!
Pair with: Grilled prawn and mango salad with parsely, radish and a sweet chilli mayo. : Grilled prawn and mango salad with parsely, radish and a sweet chilli mayo.
