It's late, but we are finally finding some real 'summer' days here in Sydney. For summer sipping, if you are looking for something delicious and refreshing you can't go past a lovely chilled white wine. Gone are the days when the whites in your local bottlo championed only two varietals: chardonnay and sauvignon blanc. Thankfully Australian wine diversity is at an all-time high as local winemakers consider the full spectrum of grape varieties to create unique expressions that are perfect for summer, as well as year round.
White wines best suited to handle your summer thirst are those that are bright-fruited or citrusy, mineral-laden, and loaded with verve. Where do you find such a perfect bottle? The Eden Valley, which forms part of the Barossa Valley region of South Australia, provides the at home entertaining answer with its acclaimed cool climate wines. From that region, we recommend these three delicious, vegan-friendly new whites by Millon Wines to drink right now.
Estate Riesling - $27.00
This single vineyard Riesling by Millon Wines comes from their Eden Valley estate in the rolling hills of Pewsey Vale with an elevation of 550 metres. Picked in the cool of night, the fruit was pressed directly off skins using only the best free-run juice. Fermenting at cool temperatures allowed us to create a perfumed and delicate wine. This wine was only slightly finned, filtered and bottled to perfection. A classic Eden Valley style Riesling: it's dry, with beautiful acidity and a fresh and crisp mouthfeel. An elegant wine that is ready to drink now but will also age well over time.
2022 Estate Pinot Gris - $27.00
Fruit Driven and packed with zesty lime, ginger, and floral white blossom, this wine was fermented with a high number of grape solids to create a textural, creamy mid-palate balanced by mouth-watering acidity delivering a crisp finish. Sourced from the Millon Wines Eden Valley estate in the rolling hills of Pewsey Vale. Picked in the cool of night and then delivered to the winery, where it was gently pressed and then cold settled for 48 hours. Fermenting at cool temperatures with a small number of solids allowed Millon to create this textural perfumed wine. It's an easy-drinking and acid-driven in style, dryer and linear on the palate to provide a highly refreshing taste. Finished off with good texture, which adds to the complexity and finesse.
Estate Chardonnay - $27.00
This Eden Valley Chardonnay is pale gold with slight green hues. Lifted notes of white peach, rock melon, citrus fruits and ginger are present. The palate displays creamy lychee and pear notes which are complemented by toasty undertones and lingering acidity. Embracing the unique qualities of the vineyard, the cooler climate and high slopes allow the grapes to slowly ripen, developing intense flavours that retain natural acidity. The climatic conditions combined with ancient and naturally acidic soils, consistently grow grapes of tremendous quality and regional distinction. While chardonnay tends to be an underdog in Eden Valley, often overshadowed by the region’s reputation for Rieslings. The 2021 Estate Chard is a great example of what Eden has to offer, a balanced wine that is elegant in style, acid-driven, and finished with a good hit of oak to bring new depths to the wine.
According to Angus Wardlaw, Head Winemaker for Millon Wines, to do your white wine justice, it’s crucial to invest in quality glassware. Avoid narrow wine glasses where possible; a generous, rounded bowl with slight tapering towards the rim will allow all those complex aromatics to hit you on first sip. As a rule of thumb, it’s best not to serve straight from the ice bucket, as doing so risks muting the flavours; essentially, you’re masking the complex layers of fruits, floral and spice.
When it comes to food pairing your white wine there are two ways to go about it. The first method is to match the intensity or texture of the wine with that of your dish. For instance, a rich and buttery meal like lobster often goes well with a full-bodied white wine. Your other option is to contrast the flavors or textures. For example, an acidic white such as a Riesling can help to cut through the richness of a creamy sauce, bringing balance to the meal.
Million Wines are the award-winning, family-owned wine producers located in the renowned wine regions of Barossa Valley, Eden Valley and Clare Valley; a trifecta of vineyards that infuse new technologies with old-world traditions. A purposeful story that goes far beyond exceptional wine - but supports the greater good - each Millon Wines vineyard captures the essence of its region, delivering distinctive wines with complex flavour profiles in small batches, a minimalistic approach that allows the fruit to speak for itself.
