Faithful to the ancient Roman tradition of the Vinalia Rustica, the sommeliers of ArsWine.it waited until April 23 to uncork the wines produced with the previous year's harvest, in a decidedly unusual way.
The choice fell on London, specifically the Restaurant Wine Bar The Humble Grape in Islington – absolutely recommended if you are in the City!
And on the wines from the other side of the world: Australia!
Jack, a very skilled sommelier provided by the venue, guided us through the tasting, starting with the younger wines, two Riesling from 2023, fresh and lively
- Rieslingfreak No 12 Flaxman Valley Riesling 2023: an explosion of freshness and liveliness, with aromas of white peach, lime, and jasmine flowers. On the palate it is dry and crisp, with a distinctive note of minerality that gives depth and complexity. A real bargain at just 37 Australian dollars.
- Jim Barry Lodge Hill Dry Riesling 2023: also from this Riesling come unique freshness and liveliness, with aromas of lemon, lime, and a subtle note of white flowers. A pleasant acidity that provides balance and harmony. Excellent value for money at just 28 Australian dollars.
For the Vintage 2022 we tasted two Chardonnay:
- Yarra Yering Chardonnay 2022: an experience of pure elegance, with an intense fruity note of white peach and lemon, accompanied by a subtle minerality and a light touch of vanilla on the palate. Its freshness and complexity make it a true gem to enjoy at 130 Australian dollars.
- Giaconda Nantua Les Deux Chardonnay 2022: this 2022 Chardonnay from Giaconda offers a unique depth of character, with notes of green apple, citrus, and a slight buttery nuance. On the palate it is enveloping and creamy, with a long and persistent finish. 80 Australian dollars.
Then continuing with the Vintage 2021 and earlier, also adding the reds:
- D’Arenberg The High Trellis Cabernet Sauvignon 2021: it opens with intense notes of blackcurrant and spices, followed by a subtle hint of vanilla on the palate. It features an elegant structure and well-integrated tannins, with a persistent and pleasantly balanced finish. Excellent value for money at just 22 Australian dollars.
- Wolf Blass Grey Label Cabernet Shiraz 2021: a bold blend, with notes of berries, spices, and tobacco. On the palate it is full and structured, with soft tannins and a long and persistent finish. 45 Australian dollars.
- Wynns Coonawarra Estate V&A Lane Cabernet Shiraz 2021: is an expression of elegance and complexity, with notes of black cherry, plum, and chocolate. On the palate it is full and enveloping, with silky tannins and a long and persistent finish. 60 Australian dollars.
- Henschke Keyneton Euphonium 2020: it is a blend enveloping of shiraz, cabernet sauvignon, and cabernet franc, with notes of ripe red fruits, spices, and vanilla. On the palate it is full and structured, with soft tannins and a long finish. 66 Australian dollars.
- Tyrrell’s Single Vineyard Belford Sémillon 2017: the Sémillon grape, which in the French version produces a sweet white Bordeaux and is also used for the production of the famous dessert wine Sauternes, of which it is the main grape, in Australia, where it has adapted very well, produces some very particular whites – including, indeed, the Tyrrell. An expression of purity and freshness, with a predominant note of lemon and lime followed by herbaceous and floral accents. On the palate it is lively and mineral, with a pleasant acidity that balances everything. Excellent value for money at 55 Australian dollars.
To conclude, Jack served us a wine aged for a full 15 years (at least):
- Seppeltsfield Para Rare Tawny: offers a complex bouquet of dried fruit, caramel, and a touch of honey. On the palate it is enveloping and soft, with a depth of flavors evoking sensations of toasted hazelnut and dark chocolate. A sensory pleasure worth every cent of its 80 Australian dollars.
The choice is yours! And if you want to try the Italian equivalents, ArsWine.it offers you:
is The Riesling from Trentino Alto Adige from the Moser winery
is A wide variety of Chardonnay, try Le Mure di Ricchi from the Lake Garda area and the surprising Chardonnay Linea Ars Magna IGP di Omina Romana from grapes grown in Lazio, near the sea
is A refined blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Sangiovese from Sardinia: the Tìros di Siddùra
Enjoy your tasting!
