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Lincolnshire Wine: Wizards from Oz
Written by Ben Straw on 8th February 2011
Strewth bruce! Steep Hill Wines’s resident expert Ben Straw packs his didgeridoo and goes ‘down under’ this month as we leap on more hackneyed Australia references than an energetic kangaroo... thankfully his Lincolnshire wines are more promising than our subheaders...
Today I’m going to take you on a visit down under. We’re going to visit an idyllic winery outside of Adelaide to a producer who has grown over the last fifteen years to make some stunning great-value Aussie wines.
Berton Vineyards was established by Bob and Cherie Berton in May 1996. Their 75 acres of vineyard in High Eden, part of the Barossa Valley region is 450 metres above sea-level on gently rolling hills.
With the purchase of the Yenda winery in Riverina Berton Vineyards have increased their production capacity and now export to the US, Europe and Asia.
They haven’t forgotten their roots, though, maintain their full-flavoured, very approachable style of wines.
Here’s a pick of some of my personal favourites from the, now rather extensive, Berton Vineyards range.
1 Foundstone Unoaked Chardonnay - £7.50
The first wines released by Berton Vineyards were under the Foundstone label. They still take pride in selecting the fruit from the same vineyards and producing wines that are consistently full of flavour and made ready to drink now. An appealing fruit driven wine with aromas of candied lemon, passionfruit and stone fruit.
2 White Viognier - £8.75
Viognier is forging a reputation in Australia as a complex, full bodied and flavoursome alternative to Chardonnay. This alluring Viognier displays aromas of apricot, orange blossom and peach. Enjoy with fish or creamy pasta dishes.
3 Reserve Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon - £10.50
The Reserve range features wines from regions that due to their distinct climate and soil have excelled at producing particular varieties. Coonawarra has a justified reputation for producing some of Australia's best Cabernet. Impenetrable black colour with fragrant aromas of blackcurrant, blackberry, fresh tobacco and sweet pepper. An intense and concentrated palate with a fine structure of abundant blackberry, cassis, minerals and light toasty oak combining on a long persistent finish.
4 The Black Shiraz - £8.75
A big, bold, massively fruity red wine. The large concentration of fruit and a deft touch of spice make this a hugely enjoyable Shiraz. Beautifully soft and smooth on the finish despite the high 14.5% alcohol level, which is hidden beneath the layers of blackberry, blueberry and plum. Wine's answer to espresso intensity!
5 Reserve Botrytis Semillon - £8.50 / 37.5cl
Warm days, cool nights, rich soil and water from the Snowy Mountains create the perfect growing environment for this Riverina Botrytis Semillon. It shows intense aromas of orange rind, apricot and honey. The palate bounces with orange, grapefruit and honey flavours that carry through to a beautifully balanced and persistent finish. Immensely enjoyable dessert wine! Try with blue cheeses and rich puddings.
Featured Lincolnshire wines are available at Steep Hill Wines, Lincoln. Call 01522 544737 or see www.steephillwines.com.