The earliest evidence of wine culture dates back as far as 7000 BC in ancient China proving that winemaking is an age-old practice that has resulted in a wide mix of vintages enjoyed by wine lovers the world over.
Wine tasting is a sensory evaluation of wine quality, whether at a winery, cellar door or organised event. For immature wine lovers, tasting is about pouring the wine into a glass, swirling, sniffing and sipping; while for a real wine lover, it is a great technique to rank distinct blends of wine flavours.
Wherever you fall in the wine-tasting spectrum, there is a venue out there for you to indulge this weekend – here are five where delicious wine awaits:
Sustainably-focused Wines
Find a wine bar and bottle shop representing sustainable winemakers, wine drinkers and wine ethos at Glou on Smith Street in Collingwood. Tucked in between sustainability-focused Friends of the Earth and Beermash, this wine dispensary sells vino exclusively from kegs into reusable bottles from one of 16 on-tap varietals.
The kegs are topped up from producers’ barrels as a way to sidestep environmental pitfalls of traditional packaging, reducing the cost of bottles, labels, corks and distribution. While wine-to-go is the main focus, you can also stop awhile in clean and bright surrounds of high ceilings, white walls and potted plants to enjoy bar snacks and catch up with mates. Expect to sample the likes of Jamsheed Vermentino, Yering Farm Wines Pinot Noir and Pokolbin Blanc by Vinden.
Unique Cool Climate Wines
Nestled in the heart of King Valley in north-east Victoria, La Cantina on Honeys Lane is the home of the Corsini family vineyard and winery. Built from Glenrowan granite in traditional Tuscan style, the winery and cellar door offer a unique tasting experience of cool climate wines, made following family traditions of no added preservatives, retaining the full characteristics of each drop and vegan-friendly.
From Tempranillo to Sangiovese, Pinot Grigio, Merlot and Sparkling Chardonnay, there is a wine to tempt all palates; perhaps try a 2023 Riesling – dry, pale-yellow in colour, balanced by a crisp natural acidity – or Corsini’s Sparkling Chardonnay with aromas of toasty fresh blossom and notes of crisp green apple on the palate, ideally served with fresh oysters.
Bold Elegant Fruit Flavours
Named after the hometown where owners Wayne and Myriam Keoghan first met, Anvers Wines on Razorback Road in Kangarilla offers some of the finest wines in the McLaren Vale region. Established in 1998 and with an emphasis on low-yield production, the winery showcases a range of Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and Viognier varieties across 16 luscious hectares.
Aged in oak to allow the perfect balance between aroma and flavour, Anvers wines are famous for bold fruit flavours infused with elegance and softness. Perhaps try Anvers' gold medal award-winning ‘The Warrior' Shiraz or the 2018 Adelaide Hills Cabernet Sauvignon at the cellar door which was originally an old dairy, to go with plates such as soy-braised pork belly, cucumber, apple miso, nahm jim and cashew.
Lychee Wine, Liqueur and Cider
Lychee Hill Estate on Bruce Highway in Tinana South stands out as the sole winery on the Fraser Coast that produces award-winning lychee liqueurs, wines and ciders. With an increasing number of customers seeking exceptional customer service and quality products, it has become a must-visit Maryborough destination for domestic and international tourists alike.
This family-run business has been operating for more than 25 years and has now expanded to include three generations working together on the farm. The satellite cellar door serves as the engine room of the business where you can drop in to taste test Crisp White wine with a crisp palate entwined in a tropical twist to complement any dish; or lychee and ginger liqueur – a true Queensland produce made from homegrown estate lychees.
Signature Petillant Natural
Proud producer of Pet Nat and Sparkling Shiraz wines, Red Poppy Estate on Kerrie Road in Romsey is a small family winery adhering to principles of quality winemaking. Situated in the Macedon Ranges, the vineyard produces cool-climate sparkling wines using regenerative principles as well as organic and biodynamic practices.
Perhaps try a signature Petillant Natural which offers a unique taste of the place where the grapes were grown; this natural sparkling wine is made in the ancestral method with minimal intervention to produce a drop that is sure to tempt all palates. Pair a glass of Full Sparkling – pale in colour with gentle bubbles and notes of pear, pink guava and lime leaf – with a vegetarian pizza topped with tomato, roasted zucchini, grilled pumpkin, olives, roasted red peppers, mozzarella and bocconcini.
