Our Top 10 Australasian Wineries

As the end of February draws near summer slowly becomes fall  in the southern hemisphere and that means that it’s almost time for the 2013 harvest from wine producing countries such as Argentina, Chile, South Africa, New Zealand and Australia. In the first of our “Top 10” series on our favourite wineries from the southern hemisphere we take a look at our Top 10 wineries from Australasia (New Zealand and Australia). So here goes…..

Penfold’s (Australia):

Not something you’d imagine I would put into a list of top wineries because of all the bog-standard wines that adorn our supermarket shelves. Not that these wines are bad in any way, it’s just that Penfold’s make an array of great wines that are available in Hong Kong and these are the ones you should be drinking. Bin’s 389 and 707 immediately spring to mind, but the Yattarna Chardonnay is definitely one of my favourites, as is the Kalimna Block 42. When looking at buying Penfold’s wines, look outside the supermarkets and contact Jebsen Fine wines (marcovazquez@jebsen.com) for more exciting wines from this iconic Aussie winery.

Urlar (New Zealand):

Urlar is a tiny little winery in Gladstone owned and managed by Scotsman Angus Thomson and makes, in my view, the best New Zealand Pinot Noir I had in 2012. The winery does not produce a lot of wine and is still very young but has the potential to be one of the stand-out wines from the country.  The winery is located in Wairarapa region and makes a stunning Pinot Gris too. With only 5,000 cases of the Pinot Noir made, it’s one that should certainly be in everyone’s cellar for enjoyment this and for the following few more years. Urlar wines are available in Hong Kong from Kerry wines (yuki.lo@kerrywines.com)

Villa Maria (New Zealand):

Villa Maria is one of New Zealand’s biggest and most popular vineyards. They make an array of great wines from around the country but what stands out from them for me is their Riesling. They range from the dry and very crisp, fresh and clean to the slightly off-dry (which is definitely my style) and make them from a variety of single vineyards around the Awatere and Wairau Valley’s. They also make great aromatic wines from Gewurztraminer and Viognier. I recommend Villa Maria wines for their whites more so, of which the grape varieties aforementioned are my favourites. Villa Maria wines are available in Hong Kong from Summergate Fine Wines (info@summergate.com)

Forrest Winery (New Zealand):

I have had the pleasure of lunch with John Forrest a number of times as he passes through Hong Kong either heading home to New Zealand or heading out into Europe and I must say his wines are exceptionally good. His reds and whites are outstanding especially his Shiraz and Chardonnay but what he does best is Riesling. Made from vineyards located in Marlborough his Doctors Choice Riesling is an absolute favourite of mine and is very affordable. However, if you want to get the best from his winemaking skills then look out for the John Forrest Collection wines, not cheap, but certainly good value if you can wait long enough for them to age a little. Forrest wines are available in Hong Kong from Kerry Wines (yuki.lo@kerrywines.com)

Umamu (Australia):

Umamu is on my list of Top 10 wineries in Australasia as it makes my favourite sparkling wine from the southern hemisphere; the 2005 Umamu Sparkling Chardonnay. It’s aged already 8 years and tastes like a great Champagne should taste with yeasty, bready notes and is one that inspired thoughts of pairing with breakfast dishes. The grapes are sourced from Margaret River, arguably one of the best areas for Chardonnay in Australia and the wine is left on the lees for 4.5 years to give it that incredible flavour. Umamu wines are very affordable and available from One Red Dot Fine Wines in Hong Kong (nicolas.zozoula@onereddot.com)

Schubert (New Zealand):

The Schubert winery is located in Wairarapa and aside from Kai Schubert being one of the funniest and most pleasant men I have had the pleasure of interviewing, his wines are pretty darn good too and the only wines in my Top 10 from New Zealand where I prefer the red wines they make. Kai makes some excellent Pinot Noir, a grape he loves and has spent his life devoted to making great Pinots. Kai, himself a German, studied under German wine making legend Ernst Loosen and certainly both the sense of humour and ability to craft great wines has rubbed off. Look out for his “Block B” Pinot Noir and “Marion’s Vineyard” Pinot Noir – you won’t be disappointed. Schubert wines are available from Kedington Wines in Hong Kong (info@kedwines.com)

Kumeu River (New Zealand):

Kumeu River stands out for me as it makes, in my humble opinion, the best Chardonnay in New Zealand. Owned and managed by the Brajkovich family still today with mum Melba running the winery, sons Michael, Milan and Paul doing the winemaking, vineyard management and marketing respectively and daughter Marijana also working with the marketing side of things. Their stand out wines are the Maté’s Vineyard Chardonnay, Hunting Hill Chardonnay and Coddington Chardonnay. If Chardonnay is your thing then you are going to love these wines too. Kumeu River wines are available to buy on line from Wine N Things in Hong Kong (www.winenthingshk.com)

Clonakilla (Australia):

Clonakilla winery in Canberra, Australia makes some of the most elegant Shiraz I have ever tried from Australia hence why it is in the Top 10 list of great wineries in the region. They have elegance and finesse and, if nothing else, are more rounded and feminine than the Shiraz wines found from warmer climates in more southern climbs such as the Barossa Valley. There is a real sense of terroir in their wines and I can highly recommend the O’Riada Shiraz and their Shiraz Viognier. Clonakilla wines are available from Watsons Wine Cellars around the city (www.watsonswine.com)

Longview (Australia):

This wine makes my Top 10 list mainly because Peter Saturno, the man behind the marketing of the wines, is a legend! The winery itself is a fantastic one as it really engages the people of the area (Adelaide Hills) and incorporates the wine into the lifestyles of the local people. Personally, other than the fact that their wines are very good, I love the labeling on their wines such as the Devil’s Elbow Cabernet and their Blue Cow Chardonnay. Their stand out wines however for me are the Reserva Nebbiolo; something you don’t often see from Australia and The Piece Shiraz which is a wonderful wine filled with cherry and blueberry flavours. Longview wines are available in Hong Kong from Amorosso Fine Wines and can be contacted on (+852) 3590 5348

Farmer’s Leap (Australia):

Farmer’s Leap wines come from the Limestone Coast region of Australia in an area called Padthaway, not a particularly famous or well known region, but if there are more wineries like Farmer’s Leap making wine there then I am sure it will not be before long that there are more great wines from here available in Hong Kong.  The chaps at Farmer’s Leap used to grow grapes to sell until they realised that they had great grapes and decided to make the wines for themselves. Their stand out wines are too, Shiraz, and they are big and bold Shiraz but with great roundness and smoothness on the palate and in the finish. There are plenty of chocolate and Black Forest gateaux flavours in each bottle and this is most certainly one of my favourites to go with a nice leg of lamb! Farmer’s Leap wines are available in Hong Kong from Vinspiration (Hong Kong) and you can contact them on paul@vinspirationhk.com