Advice from Anna von Bertele at Roberson Wine
I think one of the most attractive qualities in a person is self-assurance – someone who replies ‘Don’t mind’ to a question may be being helpful and not wanting to put anyone out of their way, however at times when decisions need to be made this can be an annoying response. Well to stop yourself being this frustrating person when asked what wine you would like, here are 5 wines from 5 different countries that I recommend trying. Next time you’re perusing a wine list, or asked which wine you would like, you can with self-assurance say ‘I would like the …’
1) France – The most famous wine producing country and one of the oldest. There are many different regions producing different styles of wine, for example Bordeaux, Burgundy and Rhone. To impress and show off your wine knowledge, choose a wine from a more unusual region, like the Languedoc. One of my favorite producers from this region is Mas Coutelou. Jeff Coutelou has become well known on the natural wine scene, using minimal intervention, organic grapes and biodynamic techniques, with his wines appearing on some of the finest wine lists. Try this ‘7 Rue de la Pompe’ 2012, made from Syrah – fresh, clean, with a palate of red berries, this a very satisfying drink.
2) Austria – People who are unfamiliar with German and Austrian wines tend to stay clear of them at the shops or on a wine list, with the long unfamiliar wine names looking confusing. However, for a starting white, a Gruner Weltliner is a great choice – a palate of summary orchard apples, this is a great lighter wine to start a meal. It’s a food friendly wine that goes with most things (but you can pretend to your fellow company that you know it’s the perfect match with scallops etc….) One of the most exciting ones at the moment is Ebner-Ebenauer’s. Made by man and wife who met at wine making college, this even has a romantic story to go with it.
3) USA – American wines are becoming more popular with many boutique wineries opening and exporting their wines, especially in California. However it’s an Oregon producer I’m having a slight (huge) obsession with at the moment. Last month I met the biodynamic producer, Josh Bergstrom, and ever since I can’t get enough of his wines. A great introduction to his wines is the Old Stones Chardonnay – tropical fruit flavours, with great acidity making the wine feel fresh, this is delicious.
4) Moving across the Pacific Ocean is a small country, which has become very big on the wine scene in the last 20 years – New Zealand. It may have been Sauvignon Blanc that got them noticed, but my favorite wines from here are their Pinot Noirs. A great producer is Felton Road which produces from single vineyard plots, like ‘Cornish Point,’ creating ripe, silky smooth wines, that you just don’t want to stop drinking!
5) The final country that I am finding exciting at the moment is South Africa, because of the great young producer Craig Hawkins from Testalonga. He is just so cool it’s impossible not to love him and his wacky wines. He’s very experimental and definitely bringing a new approach to South Africa – his wines are very natural using the common grape Chenin Blanc in a revolutionary way. “El Bandito ‘Cortez’” is one of my favourites – honeyed fruits with a great purity on the palate from the lack of sulfur being added to the wine. Once you’ve tasted Craig’s wines you won’t forget them!
Author: Anna von Bertele is a wine professional at Roberson Wine. She has worked in the wine industry for two years since being converted on a cycling holiday around the vineyards of Argentina. Anna has a particular interest in New World wines and loves to share wine trends blogging and at industry events.
