MEDIA RELEASE
3rd December 2015
MEDIA RELEASE: Summer’s ‘Hot 62’ wines uncorked!
The Limestone Coast Grape and Wine Council (LCGWC) is embracing the arrival of summer by releasing a comprehensive list of ‘Hot 62’ wines to try this festive season. The Limestone Coast Hot 62 is a toast to one of the region’s most successful years on record, saluting gold medal-winning wines from the history-making Limestone Coast Wine Show held in late October.
A record medal haul was achieved during the 2015 event, with a total of 62 gold medals well and truly eclipsing the previous record of 43 set in 2014. “Sixty-five per cent of wines entered won a medal, with a further 72 silver and 147 bronze medals also awarded,” explains the wine show committee’s Sarah Pidgeon. “These are the wines that our judges loved, and many of them are also achieving great results on a national scale, so whether you’re familiar with the regions or looking to sample some proven performers, this list offers a learned introduction to some exceptional local wines and growers.”
The Hot 62 are ‘the best of the best’ from the 439 entries and represent all six regions within the Limestone Coast Zone including Coonawarra, Padthaway, Wrattonbully, Robe, Mount Benson and Mount Gambier. Prices range from $12-$188 a bottle, with a majority of wines selling for under $30.
“The variety of entries from across the Limestone Coast sub-regions is a really important indicator of the quality of wines from here, so whether you’re planning your Christmas menu, purchasing gifts or stocking up the cellar for your own festivities, this list will serve as the ultimate guide,” Sarah says.
The ‘Fresh Whites’ section features trophy debutante Raidis Estate, whose 2015 ‘The Kid’ Riesling wowed judge Stuart Watson courtesy of its “clean and crisp” aromatics. Balnaves of Coonawarra also comfortably made the grade after the 2013 Balnaves Coonawarra Chardonnay claimed two trophies, while the 2014 Digiorgio Family Wines Kongorong Riesling which trumped the 2014 show has remained a strong gold medal performer in 2015. For ‘Something Different’, the 2013 Wangolina Tempranillo is well worth a try. The Spanish-style wine was made in Mount Benson from grapes grown in Bordertown, and offers beautiful savoury characters with succulence and vibrancy. Wine show judge and sommelier Patrick White is among its many fans:
“It’s a variety which is only just starting to get some traction in the Australian market and when you have well made, balanced and delicious examples it makes your job as a sommelier a lot easier in terms of recommending to the customers,” he said.
The Padthaway region gets regular mentions in the ‘Aromatic Shiraz’ category, with Henry’s Drive and Orlando Lawsons worth looking out for, while 2015 wine show darling Wrattonbully shares the spotlight with Coonawarra when it comes to ‘Landmark Cabernets’, with Peppertree and Stonefields making their presence felt among Coonawarra stalwarts like Brands Laira, Bowen Estate, Majella and Wynns Coonawarra Estate.
Festive hosts looking for something special to team with their Christmas roasts will get plenty of inspiration from the list’s ‘Aged to Perfection’ category – for as little as $28, you can enjoy a gold medal-winning 2008 Brands Laira Coonawarra Blockers Cabernet Sauvignon, or for $36, a 2010 Redman Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot. The trophy-winning 2006 Casella 1919 Cabernet Sauvignon will set you back a mere $50, proven performer 2000 Zema Estate Family Selection Cabernet Sauvignon remains a steal at $70, while you also can’t go wrong with Bellwether Coonawarra cabernet, with the 2006, 2009 and 2010 vintages all winning gold at this year’s wine show.
Full list here. For further information, contact Sarah Pidgeon on 0412 825 149 or visit www.limestonecoastwine.com.au