S2E9: Australia's Refreshing Whites, with Louisa Rose of Hill-Smith Family Vineyards and Con-Greg Grigoriou of Delinquente Wine Co.
The Wine Thieves are finally back with a new episode, perfect for the late summer, at least in the northern hemisphere, in which we share some cool news and information on the white wines of Australia. Many picture Australia as a warm country with beautiful beaches and great surfing, well suited to heat-loving red grapes like grenache, shiraz and mourvèdre (aka mataro) that make up the classic GSM blend, and rightfully so. But this episode looks at some lesser-know, future classic white wines. John and Sara steer clear of chardonnay, despite the many excellent examples, and concentrate instead on the new wave of eclectic and lively whites emerging across the country. Our special guests are Con-Greg Grigoriou, winemaker and partner at the Delinquente Wine Co. based in Riverland, and the legendary Louisa Rose, head winemaker for Hill-Smith Family Vineyards, which includes includes Pewsey Vale, and, most famously, Yalumba. Grigoriou has set Deliquente apart from much of the bulk production the Riverland region is better known for, by pushing boundaries and making non-conformist wines in every sense of the word from unconventional varieties like arinto, malvasia bianco, fiano, bianco d’alessano, and vermentino. Pewsey Vale, on the other hand, put Eden Valley on the world map for riesling. At the same time, Louisa has created an identity for viognier at Yalumba, the first southern hemisphere winery to produce wine from the variety in a style that Rose has been perfecting it for the last twenty years.Hot or not, wherever you may be listening in the world, this episode will leave you craving a glass of refreshing Australian white wine.