IS THIS THE WORLD’S MOST FOOD-FRIENDLY WINE?

YOU won't regret trying this for a
first time with seafood, chicken, pork, Asian
or vegetarian cuisines, or creamy cheeses.

Wc28OCT13

David Ellis

THERE'S the possibility you've never heard of Gruner Veltliner, but in fact this is a drop that's hailed as "the world's most food-friendly wine," and while originating in Austria is now being grown with great success in Germany, Italy, Slovakia, the Czech Republic, and even the USA and New Zealand.

And more recently in Australia too, where in the Adelaide Hills it's proving particularly at home – the Hills' warm days and cold nights during the growing season, equalling the climate of homeland Austria's very best Gruner wine regions.

One Adelaide Hills maker with an outstanding Gruner Veltliner (pronounced "grooner velt leaner") is Hahndorf Hill Winery, whose just-released 2013 is wowing visitors at the Cellar Door with its citrus and stone-fruit aromatics, and a delightfully smooth palate of nectarine, stone-fruit and grapefruit flavours, a juicy core of citrus, and a long mineral finish with a surprise Gruner Veltliner trade-maker kick of spice and white pepper.

TRY a glass or three of this great
red with a great cut of prime beef.

This is an enjoyably vibrant and zippy wine you can happily put on the table with seafood, chicken, pork, Asian or vegetarian cuisines, or enjoy with soft cheeses, creamy Camembert, Blue Cheese and fresh Ricotta. At $28 it's great value, and if you have trouble locating it get onto www.hahndorfhillwinery.com.au , or give them a call on (08) 8388 7512; delivery is $6 for six bottles and $12 for 12 bottles across Australia.

ONE TO NOTE: ANGUS the Bull Cabernet Sauvignon is a drop that winemaker Hamish MacGowan, and his wife and business partner Brigitte conceived to enhance one of life's great joys – a great cut of prime beef with an equally great glass (or three) of a great red.

The 2011 is the 10^th vintage of this wine, and if it's not the best Hamish has made, it comes pretty close to it. This is a steak-eater's wine with aromas of ripe black fruits, dark chocolate and vanillan smoky oak, and on the palate powerful dark fruit flavours and nice tannins.  At $19.95 you won't go wrong when you put it on the table with that prime beef dish – now, or anytime as it improves in the bottle over the next 4 to 6 years.

NEED A FOOD/DRINK IDEA? Check out  http://www.vintnews.com We're also on Australian Good Food Guide http://www.agfg.com.au  in main blog.