Description

Dhiaga Gewurztraminer grabbed my attention and shook it for all it is worth. This is a Pet Nat style (under screwcap no less!), with no additions, fining or filtration. It is not your average Gewuz, in fact, it is well above average. Get some in the glass and bury your nose. There is the lychee and musk, maybe a hint of honey. They are muted, restrained, which is thankful given how over the top some Gewurz tends to be. The palate is lightly fizzy, savoury, with tropical overtones. Crunchy acidity keeps it all fresh. It is so good. Pair it with happy times, gouda, or canapes.

Joyce and Justin at Dhiaga make serious wines from Northern Italian grape varieties. They are low input, hands-off, but high-quality wines. Justin and Joyce don’t take themselves too seriously though and were good company on the radio.

Henty

A large appellation in South Western Victoria that has produced some of Australia’s greatest Rieslings. Mixed results with Pinot Noir, Shiraz, Cabernet, Chardonnay and more have meant that it does not really rate on a lot of people’s wine radar.

Gewurztraminer 

Is a highly aromatic and textural variety. One of those varieties that doesn’t play like the others. It has a very small picking window, going from perfect to overripe in a matter of days. It is naturally low in acid and if you try to adjust it up you get a wine that just feels and tastes wrong. But when it all goes well…. ahhhh perfection.