ON THE GRAPEVINE

SAM WYLIE-HARRIS ON... THE NEW WORLD WINE SCENE

FROM the freshest fizz to the brightest whites – when it comes to a New World wine experience, you can bank on an array of grape varieties and exciting styles to set a good-time tone.

1

JANSZ PREMIUM CUVEE NV, TASMANIA, AUSTRALIA, £13.49 until June 9 (was £17.99), Waitrose

AN A-list Aussie fizz in a rich, hedonistic style – hands down this is the closest bubbly to a glass of champagne. Made in the traditional champagne method (even though they’ve coined it Methode Tasmanoise), there’s the perfect balance of freshness and opulence with a blast of the baker’s shop. Rich, creamy and toasty with notes of nougat, honey, peaches, apricots and roasted nuts.

2

EXQUISITE PADTHAWAY CHARDONNAY 2018, AUSTRALIA, £5.99, Aldi stores

THANKS to the trend toward more elegant, less oaky and buttery chardonnay, the era of ABC (anything but chardonnay) is over – and Aldi’s wine expert, Sam Caporn, MW suggests it’s time to “stop saying chardonNAY and start saying chardonYAY!” This unoaked style has completely renewed our interest. With the fresh aromas and flavours of ripe honeysuckle, orchard fruits, bitter almonds and tiers of tropical fruits, there’s a vibrancy and freshness that’s irresistible.

3

ARA SINGLE VINEYARD SAUVIGNON 2019, MARLBOROUGH, NEW ZEALAND, £10.99, Waitrose

A BEAUTIFUL expression of

Kiwi sauvignon, this is a well-flavoured wine, fragrant and giving with gentle grassy aromatics, ripe passion-fruit and grapefruit leading to a succulent palate that’s herbaceous but subtle, with lime-edged stone fruit flavours and invigorating finish. A first-rate savvy blanc for summery goat’s cheese salads and Thai stir-fries.

4

YALUMBA Y SERIES VIOGNIER 2019, SOUTH AUSTRALIA, £8.50, Sainsbury’s

A GRAPE that’s becoming increasingly popular – viognier is prized for its heady, richly scented, fruity floral aromas – Yalumba have refined the style to produce some of the most superb viognier outside of the

Rhone Valley. If you love the idea of a full-bodied white with swirling aromas of orange blossom and honeysuckle, that’s graceful with a creamy mix of apricots and fresh pineapple, balanced by nice acidity, this entry level drop is a delightful introduction.