TONGUE TWISTERS

Learn the language of wine and discover a whole new world, writes Jo Cribb.

Some Friday nights, especially after a tough week, all I want is a glass of a tried-and-trusted wine. There is something comforting knowing exactly what you are going to get when you open a bottle. Like putting on old fluffy slippers. Like certainty in a disrupted world. But if we stay only in our wine comfort zone, we are missing out of a whole world of wine. Though some of that world of wine is made with grapes that are very hard to pronounce.

Even after years of wine study, some varieties still tangle my tongue and if pushed I’ll revert to ordering a safe chardonnay or sav to avoid embarrassing myself.

But together we can overcome this barrier. Next time you are out in your glad rags, instead of ordering a glass of your usual, why not try a new variety? We can point at the wine list and not even have to attempt to say it. You might even be one glass anyway from discovering your next favourite tipple.

Like grüner veltliner. It’s a white grape variety most associated with Austria, usually made in a fruity style, with a touch of white pepper, orchard fruits, and citrus. Think of it as sauvignon blanc without the green peppers or a light chardonnay without the butter or oak.

Or albariño from Portugal and Northwest Spain. It’s usually summer in a glass: crisp white wine packed full of apricots and peaches, sprinkled with citrus juice.

Try viognier. It’s famous in France but not so much here. It’s a white grape made in a range of aromatic styles with peach, apricot, citrus, herbs, minerality and a touch of honey.

Cheers to new adventures!

Siegfried, Nelson Grüner Veltliner 2021, $20

A grand example of this variety: Peachy, floral, slightly spicy and at a price that is worth the risk of trying something new.

Nautilus, Marlborough Albariño, $28

A delicious example of this Portuguese and Spanish grape – fragrant, with juicy ripe apricots, honeysuckle perfume and mandarin peel. Fresh, zesty and meant for summer sipping on the deck, preferably with a loaded cheese board.

YALUMBA, ORGANIC VIOGNIER 2022 SOUTH AUSTRALIA, $20

Made in a vineyard free from pesticides, fermented from the wild yeast naturally occurring on the grapes, this is an intriguing wine with hints of lemon, apricots, nectarines, jasmine and ginger.

// Jo Cribb owns a small vineyard in Martinborough and is a keen student of wine (yes, that does involve sitting exams and writing essays). She is on a mission to hunt out the best wines at the best prices and has no time for wine snobbery. Follow her adventures in wine @winesauvy