Australian Rieslings?

Nov 19, 2004 10 Replies

My tastes tend to run towards the drier Alsatian style of Riesling rather than the German, so I have also been experiminting with one or two aussies here and there as they lean this way. In general they have been somewhat disapointing, a little too much steel and not enough fruit--unbalanced I guess. (In my view)



...anyways, to night I tried a Mount Langhi Ghiran 2003 that I though that was really quite good. Not too much acidity...nice citrusy type flavours. Just wondering if there are any others in particular I should keep my eye open for.



Michael Leduc


The Clare and Eden Valleys are traditionally associated with good quality Australian riesling. Labels to watch for include Grosset, Annie's Lane, Pewsey Vale and Leo Buring. Coincidentally, was just flicking through an old copy of Australian Gourmet Traveller Wine (April/May 04) and it notes the Pipers Brook Estate Riesling (Tasmania) takes its cue from Alsace-style riesling. If Marty Field is about he could undoubtedly provide a more definitive list of suggestions.

Cheers

wn

I recently had Rosemount Estate Traminer/Riesling. I enjoyed it thoroughly, but I like whites on the acidic side, so this might not be for you.

Dan-O

Michael, I would also recommend that you try some Rieslings from New Zealand, which tend to be similar in style (and quite distinct from Alsace IMO): light, citrusy, crisp and dry. Look for Giesen, Wairau River, Palliser Estate, Hunter's or Martinborough Vineyards. Allan Scott also used to make a nice one, but the winery's changed hands, so I don't know if they still do.

Mark Lipton

Sure, but the problem for me with the Germans has been the general lack of body and the very high acidity. It's not that I don't enjoy these wines. I like them with Vietnamese food especially. In terms of the style for casual drinking without food I prefer the Alsatian style.

ML

G'day from Down Under Michael

Availability aside, if you see any of the following... give them a try. I support the other poster who spoke highly of Eden Valley and Clare Valley Rieslings... on the whole, the best Rieslings in Oz come from these regions. 02 was an exceptional Riesling vintage in these regions too.

O'leary Walker. The Polish Hill Riesling is one of 5 nominees for the A.L.I.A Best White Wine - Boutique. The fact that a Riesling is nominated says enough...:>)

Their Watervale Riesling is a lot less expensive than the Polish Hill, and VERY worth a taste.

Most of Jim Barry's range of Rieslings (Clare Valley) are excellent, even the entry level is a fantastic example of Clare juice.

Hamilton Ewell also have a Riesling, Stonegarden (?) IIRC, although a McLaren Vale drop, similar in style to what you are looking for.

Good Luck...and hooroo.... Swooper...

Thanks for all your posts gents I'll keep my eyes open for some of these treats...

Also my last post to Alt.Food.Wine so "over and out."

Hi Michael, Just in case you check for a response to your "last post". I guess I never became involved in any appropriate posts, but it is apparent that you like French wines, and that's OK. I always think of alt.food.wine as a friendly group without too many confrontations and no name calling.

Wherever you decide to go, good luck.

Dick R.

O'Leary Walker do make a Polish Hill riesling, but that's not what you're thinking of if you're thinking it's expensive. Grosset Polish Hill Riesling sells for about $A35-40 and is commonly regarded as the best of its type. Grosset Watervale sells for about $5 less and is also an excellent wine, and a little more approachable young. Grosset Polish Hill is generally regarded as a long term cellaring prospect, although RPJ hasn't figured this out yet.

Kieran

We tried the Kim Crawford Riesling last night. $14.99 at Whole Foods in California (we're trying to see what the under-$20-dry-Riesling landscape looks like) We found it had way too much acid. Almost no balance whatsoever.

I will of course say that the Austrian dry Rieslings are tops tops tops, but that's just me, and here are three: Hogl Loibner Vision 2003 Riesling Smaragd Donabaum Offenberg 2002 Riesling Smaragd Gritsch Mauritiushof 1000-Eimerberg 2003 Riesling Smaragd e.

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