Aussie gathering with Honest Grapes

We gathered for some Aussie Wine Therapy courtesy of Honest Grapes! An enjoyable session run by Tom Harrow @winechapuk which challenged any preconceptions we had about Australian wine - modern styles proved they’re not all overloaded with oak and just for ‘barbies’!

What we learnt

• Vines first came to Australia with the First Fleet in 1788

• Chardonnay is the most widely planted white grape in Australia and Shiraz the most widely planted red

• Apparently this is the year to start investing in Bordeaux - contact Honest Grapes for updates on the 2019 En Primeur campaign - the opportunity to buy wine whilst it's still in the barrel!

The wines

Ochota Barrels The Slint Chardonnay 2018
£33.00
Subtle oak, crisp with a gorgeous minerality. Ochota Barrels began on a surfing trip and resulted in Taras, a punk bassist and wife Amber making single vineyard blends from sites in different parts of South Australia. This Chardonnay is from the Adelaide Hills and is planted at 550m above sea level.
Apparently, Kristin Scott Thomas is a big fan of their Grenache - also available from Honest Grapes!
Gather with salt & pepper squid (as suggested by Tom) or just chips (suggested by a gatherer).

The Idiot Shiraz, 2017
£16.00
⭐️ Wine of the gathering - delicious and demonstrates excellent value!
Deliciously fruity but with a lovely savoury character. Philip Shaw is one of the most venerated and forward-thinking winemakers in Australia - "The Idiot does not follow the rules of convention; a fool to some, a genius to others”
Gather with a braised meat dish or "on a Chesterfield whilst wearing a smoking jacket” - as suggested by a gatherer!

Devil’s Corner Pinot Noir 2018
£18.00
Juicy and light with berry fruit and sour cherries
Devil’s Corner is at the mercy of the climatically challenging Australian island of Tasmania, couple that with the fact that Pinot Noir is one the most challenging grape varieties to master - this is a wine that didn’t come easy.
Gather with cold meats and cheeses, also light enough to enjoy with fish.