WINE

THIS week I have a couple of wines from one of Australia’s most fashionable and talked about winemaking regions as well as a cracker from one of the world’s most established, Bordeaux.

Adelaide Hills is a region which sits between the famous Barossa Valley to the north and McLaren Vale to the west.

It’s located in the Mounty Lofty Ranges at a minimum elevation of 400 metres.

Add that height to a climate that is wetter than most in Australia and you have the perfect conditions for elegant, crisp whites.

Adelaide Hills has become increasingly well-known for its Chardonnay, in particular, which bears the stamp of its ‘cool climate’.

Wineries are also growing Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling and Semillon as demand for the whites increases.

McGuigan The Shortlist Chardonnay Adelaide Hills 2016 (£14 Sainsbury’s)

Although based in the Hunter Valley, almost 1,500 kms to the west of Adelaide Hills, McGuigan has gained a considerable reputation for making great examples of wines from Australia’s iconic wine-growing regions. This is a particularly good representation of their ability to do so. The nose comes across in classic Aussie style but with crystalline candied lemon aromas and a hint of vanilla from contact with French oak. The palate, although rounded, is tempered by crisp acidity and shows great balance. The relatively restrained character of the wine makes it a great match for seafood; mussels in a creamy sauce is a wonderful match.

Bleasdale Adelaide Hills Chardonnay 2016 (£10.95 Wine Society)

Again this wine shows a great balance between richer Australian fruit, showing hints of toffee and tropical fruit, with an overall leaner style of Chardonnay than might be expected.

The nose also shows some flinty, mineral notes that cooler climate Chardonnay (Chablis) tends towards.

Château du Seuil, Graves 2015 (£14.99 Virgin Wines) With Easter on the way you could do a lot worse than look in the direction of the classic Bordeaux style red for your Sunday Easter roast. It’s made by Welsh husband and wife duo Sean and Nicola Allison from organically grown grapes on the banks of the River Garonne.

The blend is classic Bordeaux: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc. It think it represents brilliant value with lifted aromas of fragrant cassis and blackberries. There’s a savoury note from the oak while the tannins are sturdy enough for that beef or lamb roast.

The attention to detail here and the passion for winemaking is evident in every drop.