I’ve been in the wine trade for 23 years, and I’m delighted to say I’m still learning, and can still be surprised by tasting something new and exciting.
About three weeks ago, I was lucky enough to meet a winemaking boffin called Daniel who let me taste an amazing selection of his wines from the Barossa and Eden valleys in Australia. The range included a Kerner, a grape which I had never encountered before, and the wine was delicious…both elegant and gluggable.
Daniel Chaffey Hartwig and Theo Engela set up Chaffey Bros Wine Co in 2008 and have quietly been making excellent wines ever since. There’s a longer history of winemaking in the family with Daniel’s Great Uncle Bill Chaffey setting up Seaview in McLaren Vale many years ago. I can remember selling the Seaview sparkling wines in my Oddbins days, and they were always good. So, Daniel grew up surrounded by wine. It’s clearly in his blood.
His wines are all minimal intervention, from low yielding old vines (up to 84 years old), and are unfined and vegan friendly. Also, (not that a label SHOULD matter) the bottles look amazing with very eye-catching funky designs.
These four are now all available in limited quantities from Inverarity One to One.
Not Your Grandma’s Rosé 2018 (Inverarity One to One, £14.49). I love a good rosé all year round, not just when it’s sunny. This is a doozy from old vine Grenache and Mourvedre, cofermented with Riesling, Gewurztraminer and Kerner. There’s a lot going on in the glass, but the balance is superb. Have a glass of this while you’re cooking…and the rest of the bottle with piri piri prawns.
Kontrapunkt Kerner 2017 (Inverarity One to One, £18.99). This is from the Eden Valley, and is actually a blend of Kerner (97%) and Riesling (3%) and is one of the best and most interesting wines I’ve tried in the last six months. There’s a lovely spice and power to the wine, and the finish goes on forever. To be honest, Daniel had me at Kerner.
Dufte Punkt Riesling Gewurztraminer Kerner 2017 (Inverarity One to One, £17.49). This one reminded me of a good, old-fashioned Alsace blend in that all the grapes are there to play a part in your glass and on your palate. The Kerner gives spice and texture, the Gewurztraminer is the luscious note and the Riesling provides elegance, finesse and gravitas. The blend is more or less equal with each grape making up about a third of the mix. Enjoy a glass of this whilst listening to French electronic house music.
La Conquista! Tempranillo Grenache Graciano 2016 (Inverarity One to One, £17.49). This is Australia’s answer to a good Spanish red such as Rioja and should be enjoyed with a tomato and chorizo risotto. Or a mixed grill. Cheers!
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