Riesling rising.
2017 Howard Park Mount Barker Riesling
Winemaker: Janice McDonald Notes of lime skin and star anise with lively citrus and green pear are enriched with lemon curd, baked apple and quince. The wet-stone feel adds texture and there is fine acidity, line and length.
What do you look for in your riesling? Purity and high definition of riesling fruit notes that typify the site. We see citrus or pome fruits, deftly seasoned with aromatic spice as characterful of this wine. In addition, a fine line of balanced acidity guides, outlines and shapes the palate. How should we enjoy this wine over the coming months? Enjoy Howard Park Mount Barker Riesling just chilled as you sizzle the seafood on the grill. If the nights turn cool, try it with citrus-cured trout, tuna poke or fish tacos; the freshness of the fruit and fine acidity will match perfectly. $34, howardparkwines.com.au @howardparkwines
2018 Dot Clare Valley Riesling
Winemaker: Marnie Roberts From a variety that is so expressive of terroir, the fruit for Dot is sourced from the heart of Watervale and exhibits floral highlights with intense aromas of red apple, crisp pear and lemongrass. Seamless natural acid with a hint of minerality complete the story.
What do you look for in your riesling? Balance is the aim in all my wines, but in particular with riesling, there is nowhere to hide, so the balance between acid, flavour, weight and length has to be clean and precise. That’s the beauty of this variety. How should we enjoy this wine over the coming months? For me, summer means more white wines. I’m a massive fan of cooking and eating outside, and the
2018 Dot Riesling is fantastic chilled with an antipasto platter or a simple seafood barbecue. $25, matriarchandrogue.com.au @matriarchandrogue
2018 Richard Hamilton Watervale Riesling
Winemaker: Paul Gordon This has a floral, rose petal nose with hints of zesty lime and lemon. Essentially a dry style, this elegant and flavoursome riesling leaves the palate tingling in anticipation of another sip.
What do you look for in your riesling? Watervale is prized for producing aromatic and fine styles of riesling. Cold-pressed, freerun juice has retained its natural, balanced acidity and is fermented to produce the crisp, elegant style with a burst of flavour for which Richard Hamilton is renowned. How should we enjoy this wine over the coming months? Beautiful while fresh, this wine will also reward cellaring for eight years or so with toasty nuances. Enjoy it as an aperitif served at around 12 degrees, or it will also complement delicately flavoured dishes.Sushi and sashimi would be perfect. $20, leconfieldwines.com @leconfieldrichardhamilton
2016 Em’s Table Organic Clare Valley Riesling
Winemaker: Rod Hooper Straw colour, orange blossom and lime peel notes with hints of buttered toast, a soft-textured palate with lemon and lime flavours and good length, with clean lemony acidity on the finish.
What do you look for in your riesling? Classic aromas and flavours of lemon and lime typify the riesling from this organic Clare Valley vineyard, often showing hints of citrus blossom and a lovely soft-textured palate with good acidity and length. How should we enjoy this wine over the
coming months? It’s an ideal wine to enjoy chilled on warm summer days with fresh seafood platters, including oysters, king prawns, calamari and octopus. It’s also excellent with fresh, grilled King George whiting or garfish and salad. $19.99, macawcreekwines.com.au @macawcreekwines
2017 Pewsey Vale Vineyard 1961 Block Riesling
Winemaker: Louisa Rose This wine is pristine with aromas and flavours of lemon myrtle and tea tree blossom. With crushed quartz minerality, it is evocative, seamless and ageless.
What do you look for in your riesling? Eden Valley wines are distinctive in their character, displaying wonderful aromatics, elegance, complexity and minerality. Delicacy, finesse and intense lemon and lime characters are the hallmarks of Pewsey Vale rieslings, with great length and depth on the palate. How should we enjoy this wine over the coming months? The 1961 Block Riesling is the perfect accompaniment to seafood, Asian-inspired cuisine or a simple cheese platter. Try it with fresh Coffin Bay oysters and finger lime dressing. $32, pewseyvale.com @pewseyvalevineyard
2016 Artis Clare Valley Single Vineyard Riesling
Winemaker: Andrew Miller Fermentation in old French oak barriques using indigenous yeasts provides layers of texture. This left the lime-accented varietal expression untouched; the wine bursting with flavour and its savoury, briny nuances adding complexity.
What do you look for in your riesling? I love spicy Thai food and Indian curries, and wanted to make a riesling that could complement these cuisines. The zesty, limey flavours of Clare Valley riesling moderate the spice, while the texture and weight of this wine provide a long, refreshing finish. How should we enjoy this wine over the coming months? Serve it chilled, but not too cold – around 8-120C is ideal. It can be enjoyed with or without food, but is perfect with spicy Thai dishes or mild Indian curries. $36.99, artiswines.com.au @artiswines
Riesling is one of the summer greats. These six styles not only make brilliant aperitifs, but they are also excellent partners for summer’s best seafood and barbecue dishes.