After a comparative Australian Chardonnay tasting (stay tuned ) I shoveled in as many little sandwiches as I could and contemplated a walk-around tasting put on by Wine Australia. I was hovering near the Wine Dogs Imports table and, since they are a friendly lot, decided to check on a familiar label. I’ve had the rosé from Delinquente Wine Co. at Somm Time, a Midtown East (wine) oasis. I love a good pun but for this place I vacillate between groaning/embracing. (“We should go there…wait for it…Somm Time.” Ok, ok, I’m kinda into it.)
Anyway, Delinquente’s rosé is made with Nero d’Avola…from South Australia. You see, this winery has a thing for Southern Italian wine grapes. It’s kind of mad, but that’s how I like my winemakers. I tried the Montepulciano and Vermentino, but the Pet Nat that was my true love. It’s a wine that gets its sparkle by being bottled while fermentation is still happening. Pretty risky and crazy. But, again, that’s how I like my winemakers.
What’s the tip of the nutty iceberg is that the Pet Nat is made from a grape I’ve never heard of, and I’m guessing you are in the same boat. (Iceberg? Boat? Well I did go to TITANIC BELFAST recently, which was actually quite fascinating.)
2017 Delinquente Wine Co. “Tuff Nutt” Bianco d’Alessano (Riverland)
Ok, hands up for Bianco d’Alessano? Anybody? Didn’t think so. It’s a grape from Puglia, the heel of Italy’s boot. Delinquente sources fruit for this fizz from the Riverland wine region in South Australia. The winery web site instructs you to “pop the top and embrace the weirdness” and I couldn’t have said it better myself. Fruity, yet dry, and fizzy. At 10% alcohol, you can enjoy a lot of it. This is just a flat-out fun wine. Yours for $22.
Not my hand, but co-sign the thumbs-up. / Facebook/Delinquente Wine Co.
Maybe you’d like to read about some Aussie white wines made from a more familiar grape? Check out a couple Australian Chardonnays.
