Golden Grove Estate Barbera 2014

Review of Wine:

I have really enjoyed drinking a more unusual wine grape here in Australia. Barbera is a red Italian wine grape variety that is third most-planted red grape variety in Italy. It produces good yields and is known for deep color, low tannins and high levels of acid. This was my first experience with Barbera as can be hard to fine in bottle shops but look forward to enjoying many more bottles of Barbera in the future.

Wine Region: Granite Belt, Queensland Australia

Drink Until: Drink now or over the next 3 years

Varieties: Barbera

Food: Perfect for light fresh food. I enjoyed it with an Italian pizza.

Colour: deep red

Nose: This wine shows vibrant cherry and plum fruits with a hint of spice.

Palate:

Generous flavours of dark cherry, a little compote like. Raspberry is flicked out just at the death, something which just sticks with a length that is giving.

Background:

Golden Grove Estate Vineyard and Winery, is situated in the highlands of the Ballandean Valley, in the heart of Queenslands premier wine district, the Granite Belt. The high altitude of 820 metres and cool summer climate make the area ideal for the growing of classic wine grape varieties and production of fine wines. The first vines were planted in 1975 and were followed in recent years by other classic varieties. The vineyards are planted in a northerly aspect in a combination type soil of decomposed granite with trap rock loam and are drip irrigated from the Accommodation Creek. These attributes contribute to the slow ripening and full development of soft delicate flavors. Mario and Nita Costanzo, growing grapes for the fresh fruit market, first settled the property in 1946. As the wine industry emerged classic wine grape varieties were planted for the making of commercial wine. The property was then taken over by son Sam and along with his wife Grace became the sole owners and operators of Golden Grove, who continued planting and making wine. In 1991 cellar doors were opened for wine tourism, tasting and sales. Their eldest son Raymond graduated from Charles Sturt University Wagga Wagga, with a Bachelor of Applied Science (wine science) and after having worked in the industry for seven years returned home to take over the winemaking role.

Alcohol: N/A

Price: $24.00 AUD

Where to Purchase:

This was included as a wine from a Wine Club membership with the wine producer directly but is also available from selected independent wine shops. More details available directly from the Golden Grove website.