Here comes summer in the Hunter. What a time to be alive.
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Warm sun shining down through blue skies dappled with fluffy white clouds; some threatening to rain, as the humidity soars. Others, just passing by.
Days get longer, and hotter, but the warm nights are where it's at. At the beach, toes in the sand, or hanging out on the grass, picnic style. No matter, where ever. Just be sure you've got a panoramic view of the big sky as it shifts from blazing blue to orange, to pink, to purple, then, a slow fade to black.
An enormous backlit canopy with holes punched in it; stars shining, moon hiding, a universe beaming brightly over what we know as God's Country.
Now, what to drink on these hot afternoons and warm summer nights? Semillon, obviously. Everybody knows that. Australia's unique gift to the wine world grown right here in the Hunter Valley.
Margan Ceres Hill Semillon (2019, $35) is made off of 30-year-old vines, grown in old and ancient volcanic dirt. Enticing, highly aromatic ripe yellow citrus and white Springtime florals; some lemon curd in there, with a nice note of tropical fruit sweetness. Bright, limey acids slake to satisfy.
If you're a little over semillon, but still love a lighter style white wine for that ultra-refreshment factor over summer (put the sauv blanc down!), read on.
Two Italian stallions by the name of vermentino and fiano have been kicking up the white Wine Country dust of late . . .
Peter Drayton's Anomaly Vermentino (2018, $27) diverges from the expected with a fresh Hunter take on this classic vino bianco, which actually hails from the Mediterranean island of Sardinia. Similar to semillon, with its standout lemon citrus vibes, yet a little bit sweeter still; more Yuzu than Osbeck, with the subtle scent of callow peaches, green apple, and almond meal that feels kinda creamy, kinda crisp, all bracing and bright.
Meanwhile, fiano is the dark-horse future of the Hunter Valley; rich and waxy and full of flavour.
Hungerford Hill's Fiano (2019, $27) is a brilliant example of a white wine well suited to a charming summer evening of eating and drinking.
Intriguing finger lime and ginger aromatics, electric lemon acidity, fleshed out by fleshy pear-skin textures, chalky, moreish, and downright refreshing.
For an alternate take on the alternates above, something a little bit weirder and wilder, smash a bottle of The Vinden Headcase Gewurztraminer (2019, $30).
A total party wine, so luscious and flavoursome. Huge spiced pear, ginger and rose water; perfumes conveyed by a slippery, skinsy mouthfeel held in tight tension by a brilliant orange citrus acidity. Complexity, completely contrary to convention. Most excellent.
Mark my words, the impending summer will be made that much better with these four fantastic summertime smash hit wines.
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