There’s a vast landscape of tipples out there and choosing a bottle you’re confident will satisfy your tastebuds, match your dinner menu or deliver you maximum bang for your buck can be a complicated undertaking.
At Baedeker, we’re all about making wine appreciation easy, which is why we’ve compiled our current absolute favourite modern Australian wines to wow your guests (or just yourself!). As we’ve proclaimed many times, Australian wine producers are doing some really exciting things, with many accolades being given to us Aussies over the classic wine producers like France.
We could talk all day about wine, and will do so gladly if you pop in to Baedeker, but for now, let us leave you with our current top six. See anything missing? Let us know your thoughts!
2018 Puncheon Darts Prosecco King Valley, Victoria
Starting things off with a sparkle, this beauty from Victoria is an all frills and no fuss prosecco with lemon-lime sherbet notes and a burst of acidity. With a slight sweetness, it’s great in a spritz, but stands up on it’s own too as a lovely summery drop. Fabulous paired with rich fish such as tuna or mature cheeses.
2018 Koerner Rolle Vermentino Clare Valley, South Australia
We’re huge fans of Koerner, who hail from Clare Valley and employ minimal intervention techniques to produce a range of wines that are light, fresh and very drinkable. This Vermentino is no different, using a combination of skin contact, ageing in a ceramic vessel and old oak to bring extra layers of complexity. Full-flavoured, rich and creamy – a must try!
2018 Polperro Chardonnay Mornington Peninsula, Victoria
For Chardonnay fans, the 2018 Polperro is a must. One of the pathfinders in the Chardonnay resurgence, Polperro grow their grapes in the Mornington Peninsula region, using biodynamic, organic and good cultural practices to maximise quality. The fruit is handpicked and carefully pressed, creating a wine that is vibrant, fresh and smooth. Perfectly paired with fresh fish, pork or poultry.
2017 Payten and Jones VV Pinot Noir Yarra Valley, Victoria
Payten and Jones are Yarra Valley winemakers who set about making wine a little differently to the big guys. Minimal intervention, ‘raw’ processes, nothing too filtered, leaving an end result that is edgy, interesting and full of soul.
Their Pinot Noir is no exception – an extremely easy to drink Pinot – you’ve been warned! Light in colour with delicate fruit, earthy and gamey flavours, this is a wine that suits red meat perfectly. Serve with beef, veal or game.
2017 Coulter C2 Sangiovese Adelaide Hills, South Australia
We’re huge fans of the magic Chris Coulter is producing (watch out for our upcoming interview with the man himself!). Coulter Wines are minimal intervention, small batch wines that focus on cleanliness and purity, using fruit sourced from premium growers in Adelaide HIlls. Whilst we love them all, our pick of the moment has to be the C2 Sangiovese. Light and easy to drink, this drop has a delicate balance whilst packing a fruity punch. Serve with beef, game, pork or mature cheeses.
2017 Torbreck ‘Kyloe’ Mataro Barossa Valley, South Australia
Our friends at Torbreck have excelled once again, producing one of Australia’s leading examples of Mataro. If you’re not familiar with the variety, significant patience is required to let the fruit mature, ensuring a dense, well rounded and seriously drinkable wine. The climate in the Barossa Valley is perfectly suited to achieving this level of ripeness and is a place where some of the best Mataro wines in the world can be made, including this one! Discover notes of black cherries, dried meats, dried spices and fresh earth with a spicy finish.
This selection of six modern Australian top wines only skims the surface of the amazing things that are happening wineries across Australia. Once you have crossed these off your list, we’ve got plenty more to suggest. We’re open Wednesday – Saturday, 4pm til late serving this selection and many, more more. Takeaway also available!
