The Italian Take Over

The diversity of Australia wine culture is going through a bit of a revival at the moment. Well by that I mean it started about 15 years ago and only now ist the wine consumer seeing them on the market. Part of the lag is due to the vines. Take Sagrantino which is one of the hottest wines in Australia at the moment. Once the vines are planted, they take 10 to 15 years to produce a crop which is around 6 to 11 years later than a Shiraz vine.  All of the below wines take grape varieties that were linked to the success in Italy but then they add in the climate and innovation of the Australian wine-maker to produce something unique.

Scott Fiano 2012

This little known variety heralds from Avellino in Campania which is a region in the south of Italy. The town is about 50 kilometers in land with the temperature creeping up during the summer. There is not much of this variety in the world so it is interesting that Sam Scott has really focused his attention on producing a wonder wine with texture and food friendly flavours. While the grapes for this wine are grown in the Adelaide Hills they are grown in Kersbrook which is more similar to the Barossa than it is other areas in the Hills such as Piccadilly Valley. On the nose the wine smells like fresh pears, honeysuckle and cinnamon infused melon but it is the palate that really sets this apart. The power of the flavours mixed with the amazing acid level means that everything is vibrant and fresh. Hand over some fried sardines and pour a glass of this and I’m in heaven.

Alcohol: 13.5%

Price: $25

Rated: 90

Drink: Now – 2020

Wirra Wirra Mrs Wigley Moscato NV

On a hot day a Moscato d’asti is a perfect foil to keep away the beads of sweat from forming. I guess it is also funny that the Piedmont region produces some of the longest living wines and also concentrations on wine that is supposed to be drunk soon after release. The Wirra Wirra version is a fun filled wine with sweetness in the form of musk sticks and grapey goodness thrown in.  This type of wine is meant to be glugged more than though about so crack one open at the start of the meal to get people in the mood for pleasurable entertainment.

Alcohol: 4.5%

Price: $17

Rated: 85

Drink: Now

Amadio Aglianico 2010

The Aglianico variety originates from Basilicata which is a mountainous area in the south of Italy. During the summer growing period the days are characterised by warm to hot stages with colder nights refreshing the vines. The wines are generally medium bodied with plenty of tannic presence. The Amadio version is wild and savoury with flavours of wild boar, wild herbs, plum skin, raspberry jubes and dried earth.  The savoury goodness of the wine is beautifully balanced by the structure and texture of this affordable high quality wine. At 35 bucks this is hard to beat as it offers interesting flavours and a stylish food friendly nature.

Alcohol: 14%

Price: $35

Rated: 89

Drink: Now – 2018