By Fergal Gleeson
At last spring came along! Time to pack away the hot water bottles, the woollen coats and even the blockbuster red wines. Get out and smell the roses preferably with a lightly chilled Margaret River wine under your arm. Find below some beautiful wines to mark the changing of the seasons.
Sparkling
Cullen Rose Moon 2018 RRP $50
Convention has us drinking champagne at important shindigs but this petillant naturel from Cullen Wines would delight and intrigue your guests even more. The colour of strawberry daiquiri, this sparkler has the crispness of rosé and the black and red fruits of a premium red wine.
‘Pet nats’ are not just for bearded guys wearing ankle bracelets! It’s made with no additives by Vanya Cullen, 2019 Halliday Winemaker of the year. This is a surprise and a delight. Cullen Wines was one of the region’s first wineries, is certified biodynamic and carbon neutral. But as Vanya says making great wine is most important of all.
The Cellar Door is open daily. There are private winery tour options, accommodation and a ‘two chef hatted’ restaurant on site.
Still
Vasse Felix Classic Rosé 2019 RRP $19
Vasse Felix is Margaret River’s founding winery. When Tom Cullity started it all in 1967, he could hardly have dreamed that Vasse Felix would be the global estate it is today.
They’ve just released a new wine – the 2019 Classic Dry Rosé: A light, dry and refreshing Rosé, delivering an exciting addition to the popular Classic collection. Made from Shiraz fruit grown in the Margaret River Region, this is a provincial style of Rosé showcasing a textural savoury core with the succulence of its Shiraz base.
The winery has a Cellar door open daily, fine dining restaurant, Art Gallery, events throughout the year and a variety of tour experiences including a visit to the vault which houses Vasse Felix historical wines.
Streicker Bridgeland Block Rosé 2017 RRP $26
Rosé continues to be the fastest growing segment of any alcoholic beverage with global sales booming at 40% per year since 2014. Streicker make an excellent Rosé with Syrah from the cooler Bridgeland Block Vineyard.
Winemaker extraordinaire Bruce Dukes has crafted a superior, refreshing Rose with a crunchy texture and a savoury finish. Well above “quaffer” standard.
There are plenty of other gems in the Clairault Streicker range including their Syrah, Chardonnay and Blanc de Blancs.
Cellar door open daily, tours and café on site.
www.clairaultstreickerwines.com.au
Howard Park Miamup Rosé 2018 RRP $28
Howard Park have the rare advantage of premium vineyards in both the Margaret River and Great Southern regions.
And so their Cellar Door can offer you Cabernet, Chardonnay, Shiraz, Sauvignon Semillons but also critically acclaimed Rieslings and the internationally awarded Jeté sparkling wine range. There’s even a collaboration with a Burgundian winemaker producing exquisite Pinot Noir. Howard Park offers everything from the everyday to the super premium.
This Rosé is made up of 100% Shiraz which provides lovely fruit depth but is as dry as you could wish for. It’s easy to drink but the texture and nuance can be appreciated as well.
Their Winemaker Janice McDonald is the ‘2018 Gourmet Traveller Winemaker of the Year’.
From Your Margaret River Region Magazine
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