VALUE BUY FOR BIGGER OCCASIONS

Wc17Nov08

wine with david ellis

WHEN the call's for a few bottles for larger-size celebrations and you don't want to too-heavily hammer the wallet, De Bortoli's Windy Peak range is one that can pretty-much always be relied on to provide the goods.

They've around a dozen wines under the Windy Peak label, so there's just about something for every taste from Chardonnay and Shiraz to a Pinot Grigio, Sangiovese, Pinot Noir, a Rosé and Pinot Noir Chardonnay Sparkling.

The 2008 Sauvignon Blanc Semillon sourced from Victoria's Yarra and King Valleys is one of the stand-outs of their more-recent releases, with a nice grassy bouquet and gooseberry and grassy varietal characters on the palate from the 85 per cent Sauvignon Blanc, and citrus notes from the Semillon.

One of those buy-now, drink-now wines this one's light-bodied and will go well with a range of foodstuffs, in particular Thai and Vietnamese dishes and most seafoods.

At just $14.99 it's good value if you've need for a few bottles on one occasion.

ONE FOR LUNCH: WITHIN a couple of decades of being planted to grapes in the 1890s, Koonowla in South Australia's Clare Valley was producing 7000 cases of wine a year.

But a disastrous fire and challenging times in 1926 saw it converted to grain and wool production, until Andrew and Booie Michael bought the property in 1991 and restored it to its original purpose of winemaking.

With highly-regarded winemakers David O'Leary and Nick Walker on board, they're producing exceptional wines, including a value-priced The Ringmaster series who's ripe and luscious Ringmaster 2006 Shiraz further profited from 18-months in French and American oak; a steal at $15 to accompany a rack of lamb.

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PHOTO CAPTIONS:

[] WITH a dozen in the range, Windy Peak is $14.99 value buying  

[] TRY this ripe and luscious Shiraz with a rack of lamb