Three Blind Wines

It wasn't a blind tasting last Wednesday, but it was a tasting which had the potential to get you blind. While the three wines we tried were high in alcohol, they each held it well, testament to top quality drops. Perhaps it was because they were organic and biodynamic. Emma, the young, knowledgeable, good value, Mondo Sommelier ran us through them...

1. 2010 Calei Green Vineyards Pinot Gris
Cardinia Ranges, Port Phillip, Victoria
2. 2009 Lethbridge "Menage a Noir" Pinot Noir
Lethbridge, Geelong, Victoria
3. 2007 Kelleske Greenock Shiraz
Barossa Valley, South Australia

Emma had us identifying citrus fruits, red fruits, floral and earthy notes, spices, chocolate, chemicals. All the wines were distinct, and the great thing, I thought, was that everyone seemed to have a different favourite out of the three. Again, you would surely say - testament to good quality wines. Is it a coincidence then that they're organic and biodynamic? What does that mean? One thing is for sure that biodynamic is more obsessive than organic, but both signal stringent and meticulous winemaking techniques, with a lean towards natural, traditional, and ecological farming which tend to accentuate the vineyard's charateristics.

A few takeaways perhaps... (i) check out Nectar, wine and beer shop at West End for a selection of organic wines (and antique beers); (ii) Austrian Dr Rudolph Steiner is credited with biodymanic farming; and (iii) keep an eye on Mondo's Wine Snobs Wine Appreciation Classes.

Now, we're not going to do WoW during the silly season. There's enough on. Instead, I will be in touch before the end of the year to suggest a few wines for the Christmas and New Year period.

'til then, cheers.