Description

Mallaluka Hilltops Pinot Gris is not your average Gris. Extended skins contact means it has gone in colour beyond rose to light red. It smells great, especially if you love Pinot Noir. Because that is what it smells like. And the palate is plush and chalky. The savoury, earthy notes hit you on the finish. It is not usual but it is delicious. I would serve this at cellar temperature. But you could chill it down to get some more refreshment from each sip. Serve a glass of the Mallaluka Hilltops Pinot Gris with a savoury washed rind cheese.

The motto at Mallaluka seems to be “we drink what we make, the rest is for you.” This family-run winery started in 2014. Low-intervention/experimental batches are the go here. They might learn the hard way one vintage. But next vintage, you bet they will have nailed it.

Hilltops

A GI near Canberra. Officially established in 1998, vines were around in the 1860s. It includes the main towns of Boorowa, Harden and Young. The region has about 600 hectares of vineyards. Red wine grapes are the most popular. However, being 450 metres asl means some elegant, aromatic whites can be produced too.

Pinot Gris/Grigio

Gris and Grigio are in fact the same variety and both names mean grey in French and Italian respectively. Which is somewhat deceptive because the grapes can be almost blue when ripe. The great wines of Alsace and North-Eastern Italy are often made from this variety. It is being widely adopted around the world too. AKA Grauburgunder.