Spitbucket: The Best of 2010, some of Jo Taylor’s favourites

2010 was a momentous year for The Spitbucket Sessions. After travelling from Adelaide to London, then back to Sydney over the course of seven years, they found the perfect, permanent home at Coast’s Roof Top Bar. Through Twitter, Spitbucket also found a seemingly endless supply of people passionate about tasting and enjoying wine, and wineries generous enough to support the events. Along the way we all needed a bit of sustenance too and we thank Coast’s top-notch chef, Adam, and our resident meat man, Tim, for their tasty contributions too. 

We all made new friends through Spitbucket and so it is with great sadness that we said goodbye to Jo Taylor, one of the most passionate wine lovers you’re ever likely to find. Jo, there will always be a seat at the Roof Top Bar and at Spitbucket for you.

In our first session of 2011 we take a look back at some of the wines that made our 2010 sessions special.

To Start: Stonier Sparkling Pinot Noir Chardonnay 2006

Pair 1:
Vinteloper Watervale Riesling 2010 (@Vinteloper)
Lark Hill Gruner Veltliner 2009 (@LarkHillWine)

Pair 2:
Golding La Francesa Savagnin 2010 (@GoldingWines)
Philip Shaw The Dreamer Viognier 2009 (@philipshawwines)

Pair 3:
Saint Clair Block 14 Doctor’s Creek Pinot Noir 2008 (@saintclairwine)
Craggy Range Te Muna Road Vineyard Pinot Noir 2008

Pair 4:
Teusner Albert Shiraz 2008 (@Teusnerwine)
Petaluma Shiraz 2007 (@Petalumawine)

To Finish: #Giantbeers aka. Mac’s Hop Rocker

Spitbucket Sessions Vol. 4: Aromatic Whites

(Aromatic whites: wines to wave your proboscis at…)

Continuing on the educational tip, the 4th Volume of the Spitbucket Sessions will cover a lot of ground in order to get an up front, quick smart, lowdown on aromatic white wines. An aromatic white doesn’t mean much on its own…it’s a white wine with aroma. Big deal. But the phrase has come to be associated with certain varieties that fire spicy, floral, exotic, downright sexy smells right up your proboscis.

We had to excuse a few and send them on their way…Albarino. Aromatic…yes, but recently it’s been proven that many Australian vines planted from CSIRO propagated material are actually Savagnin, a variety that originates in the Jura region in Eastern France. Oops! Vermentino…a bit tricky to get hold of. Sauvignon Blanc…I’ll get my coat. Torrontes…tastes like soap. And on and on…

In truth there are many ‘aromatic’ white varieties, which really reflects the tastes of today. No oak, less malo-lactic fermentation and more acidity (in many cases) all add up to vibrant, food-friendly wines. Acidity is an interesting one as Viognier and Gewurztraminer don’t have naturally high acid…but are chock-full of exotic flavour compounds. Beware the flab though…

In our tasting line-up I’ve plumped for some classic varieties which should show off the spectrum of aromas and flavours these wines are famous for. What do they taste like…you’ll have to come along and check it out…

Riesling
Vinteloper Watervale Riesling 2010
Knappstein Handpicked Riesling 2010 (both from the Clare Valley, SA)

Gruner Veltliner
Nigl Kremser Freiheit Gruner Veltliner 2009 (Kremstal, Austria)
Lark Hill Gruner Veltliner 2009 (Canberra District)

Pinot Gris
Johanneshof Pinot Gris Trocken 2007 (Marlborough, NZ)
Henschke Littlehampton Innes Pinot Gris 2009 (Adelaide Hills, SA)

Gewurztraminer
Louis Sipp Gewurztraminer 2008 (Alsace, France)
Borrodell on the Mount Wine Maker’s Daughter Gewürztraminer 2009 (Orange, NSW)

Viognier
Madeleines Viognier 2009 (McLaren Vale, SA)
Philip Shaw The Dreamer Viognier 2009, (Orange, NSW)

The tasting is at 6.30pm sharp on Wednesday 3rd November on the Coast Roof Top Bar. Tweet @coastrestaurant in the usual way to book your spot. All details here…