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| From the Epi-centre of Australian Wine |
| By vino india |
| Australia continues its engagement with India. A South Australian Government business delegation visited India. If the pop up banner was anything to go by – “An Open Door for India” – the giant of the Australian wine industry, South Australia has plans for the Indian market. |
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Kishore Chittanoori, Tina Kies, Justin Harman, Harsh Puri, Brian Smedely,
Justin Fairweather, Richard Dolan |
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| The South Australian Wine Industry Association took the lead to bring some wineries to explore the Indian market, first hand. Wines by Geoff Hardy had the distinct advantage that following a similar visit last year, the General Manager, Richard Dolan, was successful in forging an association with Mumbai based Berkmann Wine Cellars for distribution. The other participants were Kies Family Wines represented by Tina Kies, Managing Director; Alpha Box & Dice represented by Justin Fairweather, Managing Director; and OzMac Exporter represented by Kishore Chittanoori, Director. |
| A classroom wine tasting around South Australia wines was set up at Akira Back at the JW Marriott New Delhi Aerocity, for the F&B professionals of the new collective “Delhi Aerocity” and Delhi Airport hotels. |
| Justin Harman, Advisor, TradeStart South Australia and Brian Smedely, Chief Executive, SAWIA kicked off the classroom. Presenting an overview of the South Australian wine industry, they shared a very interesting presentation with very lively facts and figures. First, the good news for India. The market for Australian wine in India has been growing at a time when the world thinks the Indian market is too complicated. And Australia maintains its position as the largest exporter to India. In a long list of 100 plus wine countries to which South Australia export wine, India stands at 29th rank. |
| The South Australian wine industry was established in the mid-nineteenth century. South Australia accounts for almost 46% of Australian wine production coming from about 49% of Australian grapes planted in South Australia and around 51% of Australia’s grapes that are crushed in South Australia. South Australia is clearly the epicentre of Australian wine production. South Australia has 18 diverse regions under its hood, and they produce a wide range of wines in different climates and weather conditions. |
| The rare phylloxera free vines, some of which are more than a century old, are found in South Australia. Langton’s is a famous wine classification for top wines in Australia and has three levels. Under Exceptional Wine, 13 of the 21 mentioned wines are from South Australia. Under Outstanding Wine, 28 of the 53 mentioned wines are from South Australia. Under Excellent Wine, 39 of the 65 mentioned wines are from South Australia. Adelaide became the 9th and the most recently announced “Wine Capital of the World”, following the likes of Napa in California. |
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Wines from South Australia |
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Kies is a family owned and family run winery that is managed by the 5th and 6th generation. The Kies family came from Germany to settle in the Barossa Valley during the late nineteenth century. Tina told us that most of their cases are sold via the cellar door, which is also the first at the southern end of the |
| Barossa Valley. The Barossa valley is traditionally associated with the flagship – Shiraz – but here Merlot is taken very seriously because the Kies winemaker, Jo Irvine, is very passionate about this grape. The wine making style is focused on making non-complex, everyday wines. |
| 1. Hill Block Riesling, Barossa Valley, 2016 – Pale yellow green with aromas of lemon rind, and green apple. The palate was simple – citrus fruit with zesty acidity, finishing short. |
| 2. Deer Stalker Merlot, Barossa Valley, 2016 – Bright ruby red with purple tones. An expressive nose of jammy, ripe plums with a hint of vanilla. The palate exploded with ripe dark cherries and juicy plums with velvety tannins and a sweet finish. A winner. |
| 3. Chaff Mill Cabernet Sauvignon, Barossa Valley, 2012 – Medium ruby red with a nose dominated by dark berries with hints of cedar wood and mint. The palate was marked with cassis and plums, giving way to some clove with firm tannins were firm, supple but not harsh. A good varietal expression from the region. |
| 4. Klauber Block Shiraz, Barossa Valley, 2014 – Ruby red with hints of inky tints on the rim. The nose was a mix of red and dark fruits, mixed with spices. The palate displayed brambly fruit, black olives, and warm spices. Pleasant tannins, though a bit young, which should soften with cellaring. An everyday wine. |
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Alpha Box & Dice are a small boutique winery based in McLaren Vale with quirky wine labels and equally distinguished wine making philosophy. Globetrotter wine maker, Justin Lane, combines his passion and acquired skills to make “wines beyond boundaries – regional, varietal or stylistic”. It is their endeavour to makes wines that are an expression of the region’s terroir and |
| the vintage conditions. They don’t follow the tradition of consistent wine, vintage on vintage, but makes wines that are more limited edition! |
| 1. Wightmare Chardonnay, Mc Laren Vale, 2015 – Pale lemon with green hints with a clean nose of citrus fruits and tree fruits, maybe a hint of peach. Lemon zest, melon, and juicy red apples showed on the palate with a nice acidic structure. A bit rich with a creamy mouthful, the wine finished pleasant. |
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Wines by Geoff Hardy is family owned and family operated, that was founded by Geoff Hardy when he left Thomas Hardy and |
| Sons to start his own wine expedition. Three South Australian wineries were founded – Pertaringa in McLaren Vale, K1 by Geoff Hardy in the Adelaide Hills and Hand Crafted by Geoff Hardy sourced from a variety of premium regions across South Australia. Pertaringa vineyards in Mc Laren Vale has a special place for the brand – it was bought in 1980. In the local Kaurna language, Pertaringa means ‘belonging to the hills’. Richard presented the Pertaringa range of wines. |
| 1. Pertaringa Two Gentleman’s GSM, Mc Laren Vale, 2014 – The name is inspired by creators of Pertaringa vineyard – Geoff Hardy and Ian Leask. Blend of 60% Grenache, 30% Shiraz, 10% Mourvèdre. Pale ruby with red fruit dominant nose that initially shows dried rose petals, leading to cherries, dark fruits and hints of spices. The palate has red and dark fruits, with some mocha notes and soft and smooth tannins. Uncomplicated summer afternoon wine. |
| 2. Pertaringa Understudy Cabernet Sauvignon, Mc Laren Vale, 2014 – Dark with fruity nose of cassis, plums and blackberries and some herbal tones. The palate of blueberries, dark cherries with some underlying mint freshness and hints of oak, with ripe tannins. Lingering and smokey finish. |
| 3. Pertaringa Undercover Shiraz, Mc Laren Vale, 2014 – An unusual name that comes from the context of the history of the region of McLaren Vale that provides other Australian wine regions with red grapes for wine production. Slightly closed nose opened up to bramble fruit, dark plums with some pepper and smoke. The palate was marked with juicy dark fruits, blackberries with intermixing pepper, cinnamon and vanilla notes. Simple and fruit driven expression of Shiraz. |
| A group company of vino india planned and set-up this tasting, giving vino india the exclusive opportunity to be present. |
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