While they're made from different varieties, each of these eight wines has been put forward by its maker as the ultimate spring drink. What do they have in common? They're best enjoyed with good food and great company, and they're under $50. Add them to your list.
2019 Corryton Burge Cornelian Bay Tasmanian Pinot Noir
Vibrant red and purple in colour, a signature of the outstanding 2019 vintage. Aromas of intense cherry and raspberry are tinged with a hint of rose petal. A well-concentrated and fruit dominant wine showcasing red cherry and strawberry fruit flavours, delicate tannins and a supple finish.Winemaker Matthew Pellew says: This wine was sourced from the Coal River Valley region where the cool climate terroir produces classic and prestigious pinot noir.
H. What is unique about this vintage?
MP. The 2019 vintage in Tasmania was a warm and dry growing season for the region. Coal River Valley experienced very little rain, which along with the warm days and cool nights, contributed to a higher-than-average yield and a great depth of colour and flavour.
Best enjoyed: Amelia and Trent Burge’s wines are best enjoyed with friends and family. The mantra of the brand is to ‘share the joy of wine’. Pair the 2019 with a wild mushroom risotto or peking duck salad served with fried wonton croutons.
RRP $45 | Drink to 2029 | corrytonburge.com.au
2022 Tahbilk Grenache Mourvèdre Rosé
A fusion of Estate grenache and mourvèdre has delivered a rosé that sings with notes of cherry, musk and raspberry fruits. The mourvèdre contributes a structural fleshiness and savoury nuances. Refreshing grape acidity finishes a dry and textural release. Best enjoyed young and fresh.Winemaker and general manager Joanne Nash says: The savoury nuances are undoubtedly from the terroir, along with the clean, fresh fruit characters that are accentuated by the positive environmental impacts across the Estate.
H. What is unique about this vintage?
JN. It's always the freshness, the fruitiness and yet the complexity that makes this wine interesting. This certainly isn’t a one-dimensional wine, it offers interest at every turn.
RRP $21.40 | Drink now | tahbilk.com.au
2022 Indigo Vineyard Pinot Grigio
Very pretty delicate spice and pear-fruit aromas. The uniqueness of this wine is the spicy fruit quality and its clean, clear mineral freshness – real elegance in a pinot grigio.Owner Rob Hawkings says: Beechworth’s granitic vineyard soils and our elevation always produce more aromatic and elegant white wines. This comes across in the pinot grigio with lovely spicy fruit and a mineral, crisp dry finish.
H. What is unique about this vintage?
RH. The cooler than average season has given us a wine with really bright freshness and crisp fruit characters.
Best enjoyed: The 2022 is fresh enough to drink pre-dinner, and a natural when paired with prosciutto or with whitebait. The texture and cut of pinot grigio works very well with lighter, flavourful food.
RRP $25 | Drink to 2025 | indigovineyard.com.au
2021 Monterra Blanc de Blancs
Alive in elegant and persistent bubbles, bursting with citrus and apple layered with subtle undertones of lemon curd and nougat.Winemaker Daniel Zuzolo says: Our cool-climate southern Fleurieu vineyard at Mt Jagged produces this appealing and delicate sparkling wine with freshness, elegance and a long finish.
H. What is unique about this vintage?
DZ. For us 2021 was the vintage of a lifetime. With mild winter rains and a warm, dry summer providing the perfect conditions for extended veraison – all signs of a healthy vintage. We think it's a ripper.
Best enjoyed: This beautiful chardonnay-based fizz is the palest lemon with green hues. Chill well and delight in the creamy, soft mouthfeel and fresh palate of this great value wine.
RRP $30 | Drink to 2025 | fielddaywineco.com
*Halliday readers can receive 20 per cent discount and free shipping on dozens when applying the code HALLIDAY at checkout.
2022 Mount Benson Estate Sauvignon Blanc
This wine was produced from lush, ripe sauvignon blanc grapes, picked late in the evening, then rested overnight in grape bins for extra skins contact before being gently pressed the following morning to extract the full flavours. The resultant juice decanted to tank, except a small portion placed in French oak, fermentation with specialist yeast followed, on completion allowed to rest on lees for over five weeks, before racking and stabilising. Flavours of tropical fruits, green gauge plum (heritage fruit), honey dew melon, lemon pith and lime. Good length with some flavour resting on the back palate.Winemaker Brian Nitschinsk says: Mount Benson is a cool-climate region. Our coastal location provides a strong maritime influence across the growing season, which helps produce wine grapes of great natural acidity that are filled with flavour.
H. What is unique about this vintage of your wine?
BN. Vintage 2022 was mild throughout, and our harvest two or three weeks late. With disease pressures low, flavours developed ahead of sugars, and grapes entered the winery in pristine condition. This wine was a dream to make.
Best enjoyed: Serve chilled (between 11–14 degrees), flavours have opened and will dance along the tongue. I love sauvignon blanc with seafood, and with Robe on our doorstep crayfish medallions or canapes are exceptional accompaniments.
RRP $25 | Drink to 2030 | mountbensonestate.com.au
2022 Colab and Bloom Rosé
This delightfully dry rosé offers flavours and aromas of red currants, strawberries, spices and Turkish Delight. The fruit-filled palate leads to a fresh, elegant finish.Winemaker Daniel Zuzolo says: 2022 proved to be an exceptional vintage. Our tempranillo fruit shows a lovely dry, savoury edge and our grenache brings a delicious strawberries and cream character to this wine.
H. What is unique about this vintage?
DZ. Warm days and cool nights allowed exceptional flavour development, pretty aromatics and crisp acidity compliment the natural fruit sweetness and minerality of this wine.
Best enjoyed: This tempranillo and grenache blend will drink beautifully when served chilled in a fine glass. Match the 2022 with cheese boards and charcuterie, along with spicy grilled meats and vegetables.
RRP $20 | Drink to 2024 | fielddaywineco.com
*Halliday readers can receive 20 per cent discount and free shipping on dozens when applying the code HALLIDAY at checkout.
2022 Tahbilk Marsanne
The low-yielding and challenging 2022 vintage has delivered a true to Estate varietal marsanne of lifted and intense lemon citrus, spice and pear fruits with a zesty minerality and cleansing acidity. Time in the cellar will undoubtedly bring on a toasty, honeysuckle and orange marmalade richness and complexity.Winemaker and general manager Joanne Nash says: Tahbilk is undoubtedly the home of marsanne, with the largest plantings in the world producing a wine that is second to none. The region is everything.
H. What is unique about this vintage?
JN. The 2022 Marsanne offers a natural acidity line that we only see in excellent years. The low yields meant exceptional fruit, resulting in a lovely style of wine.
Best enjoyed: This is a lovely spring wine, perfect in its youth but will reward to those who can offer it some time. Pairs well with seafood, a spring salad or a spice Thai curry.
RRP $21.40 | Drink to 2032 | tahbilk.com.au
2022 Corryton Burge Eden Valley Riesling
Translucent green to slight hints of straw in the glass. Notes of white blossom, bath salts, hints of mixed spice with green apple on the nose. Generous flavours of lemon and lime, the soft and subtle chalky texture provides balance. Moderate acidity carries fruit and provides length.Winemaker Andrew Cockram says: For the 2022, 80 per cent of the wine was sourced from our family vineyards – located at our homestead in Eden Valley. The remaining 20 per cent was sourced from the 100-year-old Nitschke vineyard.
H. What is unique about this vintage?
AC. Vintage 2022 saw a cooler than average growing season that led to extended ripening conditions and retention of natural acidity. Patience was required to wait for optimum harvest dates, ensuring full flavour development and acid balance was reached. That patience was then rewarded with outstanding flavours and varietal definition with exceptional quality across all white varietals.
Best enjoyed: Pair the 2022 with freshly shucked oysters with finger lime mignonette dressing.
RRP $28 | Drink to 2027 | corrytonburge.com.au
