COONAWARRA hosted an array of international sommeliers last week who immersed themselves in the region’s local produce and rich history.
Nine New Zealand sommeliers and one from the US took part in the wine tour titled NZ Sip Trip, run by Wine Australia.
During their two day whirlwind visit, the sommeliers attended a casual local produce lunch at Fodder, a geological exploration of the terroir and a viticulture update at Katnook Estate, a “make your own blend” workshop at Wynns Coonawarra Estate and tasted museum release wines at Pipers of Penola.
Other activities included a sparkling shiraz tasting at Majella Wines, a Langtons Coonawarra tasting at Balnaves Tally Room, a lunch at Zema Estat and a visit to Whistle Post Wines finished with a dinner at Coonawarra Hall.
Full Circle Wine Solutions master sommelier from California, Evan Goldstein educates and markets wine regions across the world to help others better understand wine regions and grapes.
“Having never been to Coonawarra before, I am trying to put a bit of texture and colour to an area I only know from simply trying a number of wines from over the years,” Mr Goldstein said.
“Sitting at a table and tasting wines is one thing, but touching, feeling and contextualising a place is another.
“It is great to connect the dots in your brain and your mouth.”
Clooney Restaurant head sommelier and beverage manager Benjamin Astaire from New Zealand said he jumped at the opportunity to join the wine tour in Coonawarra.
“I arrived in New Zealand two years ago from France, as wine is the greatest alibi to travel and New Zealand was another country on the map with incredible vineyards and wines,” Mr Astaire said.
He said the tour had been an incredible opportunity to discover Australian wines.
“As for many around the world, my vision of Australian wine could be restricted to cabernet and shiraz – so it has been beneficial to see the diversity in the climate and soils and the real guts of Australian winemakers who enjoy experimenting and trying out of the box ideas,” Mr Astaire said.
It was the sommelier’s first time in Australia and he said he had experienced a profile of great wines in Coonawarra which oozed elegance.
“One of the first and only wines I tried before coming here was 2000 Riddoch wine, which I had in my very first wine list when I arrived in NZ – so it has taken me back to its history,” he said.
