The Auswine Forum

I've got the mother coming over from the UK soon; she's always been very keen on her Italian wines, especially dry whites and Sangiovese-style light reds. I'm keen to get a few decent examples of Aussie offerings to let her try but I've only found a few I like so far - the Cape Mentelle Sangiovese and a couple of things from di Lusso in Mudgee spring to mind.

Does anyone have any suggestions that I can pick up without too much bother in Sydney or the two regions I'll be taking her to - Margaret River and the Hunter?

Thanks in advance...

In the Hunter there is a boutique winery called Catherine Vale Vineyard. They make a bunch of interesting varietal wines, including a Barbera, and a Dolcetto. They also produce a Madeira, by the looks of it.
I don't think you'll find their wines outside of cellar door, though.

In Sydney, you'll find most of the Brown Brothers italian varietal wines widely available. Pizzini, and Coriole are two other makers who's wines you shouldn't have too much trouble finding in Sydney as well.

Tertini and Knight may be worth contacting, as this Southern Highlands winery has an Arneis that is worth looking at.
Centennial Vineyards are another winery that produce a number of italian varietal wines. Again, they're limited in retail in Sydney, so you may want to call the winery to see who stocks them. Pretty sure they have a tempranillo, a Sangiovese and a barbera.

Finally you'll find a bunch of Pinot Grigio wines in most decent wine stores these days, but it's really a lottery as to whether they're made in the "grigio" or "gris" style, despite what is written on the label.

Piggs Peake in the hunter do a good Sangiovese - call ahead however since they often sell out of the reds quickly.

From bottle shops look out for Coriole Sangiovese.

Agree on the Pizzini wines, but there's a few amount of good producers in the King Valley kicking out some really good Italian varietals - try Dal Zotto and Christmont as well (all intertwined in some way with the Pizzini clan in some way)

Also from Victoria is the very good Galli Estate from Sunbury. They're excellent; reds very much made in a European style. Not sure if you'll find them where you are..

Hugh Hamilton did a fairly decent Tempranillo and Sangiovese along with a blend at one point in time, I last had the 2004's which I found agreeable and seemed to meet the textbook's for varietal, I've not tried their latest offerings, but have seen 'em about the traps here in Canberra for the 17$ mark.

winetastic wrote:Piggs Peake in the hunter do a good Sangiovese - call ahead however since they often sell out of the reds quickly.

From bottle shops look out for Coriole Sangiovese.

I forgot that one - on their members list so we get that already. Agreed that it's nice, interestingly it's also made from Mudgee grapes. I wonder if Mudgee might benefit from trying a few more Italian experiments?

Thanks everyone else for the recommendations, which I will look into.

Happ’s winery’s Three Hills range in Margaret River does a very good Sangiovese. They also do a Nebbiolo which I haven’t tasted.

Sam

Tar and Roses from Heathcote do a nice Sangiovese as well. Tscharke does a beautiful Albarino.

Another vote for Pizzini.

Also a vote for Di Lusso in Mudgee as I really enjoyed their wines when at the CD there.

2006 First Drop 'Minchia' Montepulciano form the Adelaide Hills is one of the few 'new wave' Aus-Italians that I've been impressed by, if you like the ripe, modern style with a savoury edge.

Tempranillo is a Spanish red grape variety.

Although it's a shiraz (haven't tried their Sangiovese), Tar & Roses shiraz 07 is more on the medium side of medium to full-bodied, has some, palate depth and elegance, is made in a European style so may appeal to your mum. Probably not to difficult to find if you look around a bit - I bought some from a liquor chain at a good price, have only one bottle left.

I tried some Tahbilk sangiovese a few years ago and found it agreeable in a savoury, drier style and the price to club members is very reasonable.

Cheers

daz

Cape Mentelle has a sangiovese at cellar door. Second Happs with all their varietals

Check out http://www.vinodiversity.com for more

cheers

Carl

Rawshack wrote:Agree on the Pizzini wines, but there's a few amount of good producers in the King Valley kicking out some really good Italian varietals - try Dal Zotto and Christmont as well (all intertwined in some way with the Pizzini clan in some way)

Yes - King Valley is very good for Italian (and other non-French) varietals. Brown Brothers and Pizzini are the most likely to be found in a bottle shop but I prefer Chrismont and Dal Zotto. Chrismont in particular is the staple winery of my non-standard wines in my cellar. Their white range consists of Arneis, Pinot Grigio, Albarino(I know; not Italian, but it is very good) and a sparkling Prosseco. In reds they do Sangiovese, Barbera and Marzemino. I can recommend them all. If you have a bit of time before the arrival you could order a mixed case.

In the Hunter I know that Margan does a sangiovese.

Loztralia wrote:I wonder if Mudgee might benefit from trying a few more Italian experiments?

Mudgee has a few producers that have been doing the warmer climate varietals for years. On the weekend I opened a 1996 Montrose Barbera. The last time I was out there several wineries were putting in more of these less traditional grapes too.

Just up the road from di Lusso in Mudgee is Mansfield. They do a variety of exotic reds like Tinto Cao, Touriga, Garnacha and Zinfandel - all great food wines.

I've had some excellent examples from Vinea Marson in Heathcote.

griff wrote:Cape Mentelle has a sangiovese at cellar door. Second Happs with all their varietals

Check out http://www.vinodiversity.com for more

cheers

Carl

I liked the Cape Mentelle Sangiovese when I was down there last month so took a couple home. Just as well because their 06 Shiraz was, I thought, really struggling so it was good to have something nice to say.

Pizzini and Vinea Marson get my votes.

Wayno wrote:I've had some excellent examples from Vinea Marson in Heathcote.

sangio and the Neb- New Worldy but good
the Rose is hot so I would avoid it.

Actually, think Luke Lambert's Neb deserves a mention here too. Like his winemaking philosophy.

jeremy wrote:Actually, think Luke Lambert's Neb deserves a mention here too. Like his winemaking philosophy.

Good shout Jeremy - i've got a bottle of the 05(?) in the cellar and I've heard good things about both the neb and the syrah

Hey Rawshack
2006 was the critics pick for Luke Lambert's wines so far. Haven't tried an 05 but very interested to see what his wines do over time given the low baume picking for emphasis on liveliness of fruit and natural acidity. I will be laying some of the 2007 down myself but I suspect the best wines are still ahead. Clever bugger is only 29.

We've got our first vintage of Teroldego this year, a red variety from the NE hills of Italy. Quite exciting as it is such a rare variety and we're not quite sure just how to treat it ... with kid gloves I suppose

I have heard there is a bottle or two in the eastern states, must try and chase one down.

Cheers

Mark G