What to drink ... in spring
Ring in the season of renewal with these light and vibrant drops.
UNDER $20
Frankland Estate Rocky Gully Riesling 2013 $18
Frankly, riesling is the white wine for all seasons. However, when it is super young - like this 2013 from Western Australia's Frankland Estate - it's best slightly chilled and enjoyed on a warm, spring afternoon. Rocky Gully is the first tier in this top producer's riesling range and what an outstanding drink - and a bargain to boot. It has a heady perfume of white florals, lemon peel with ginger spice that follow through on the palate. Slick and textural with fine chalky acidity, a minerally thread before a long finish. franklandestate.com.au
UNDER $25
De Bortoli La Boheme Act Three Pinot Gris & Friends 2012 $20
The wine folk at De Bortoli sure are clever, ensuring there's a lovely drink to suit all budgets, tastes and seasons. La Boheme Act Three Pinot Gris & Friends 2012 is pitch-perfect with its ripe, round and luscious texture, tell-tale pear fragrance, musk, spice with some phenolic grip on the finish. But there are also some zesty, citrus and zingy notes; by the way, the ''friends'' in this are riesling and the underrated gewurztraminer. It's a vibrant, delicious and uncomplicated wine - just right for this bout of warmer weather and a spread of antipasti. debortoli.com.au
UNDER $30
Cullen Sauvignon Blanc Semillon Mangan Vineyard 2012 $29
I prefer sauvignon blanc when it's blended with its best mate, semillon. Margaret River is the region that produces this country's most complete blends and Cullen makes a subtle wine from those two grape varieties. While there's an attractive aromatic lift to this - a mix of lime blossom, star fruit with warm, woodsy spice like cinnamon - it's the palate that's so lively and bright. Super-tight with crunchy acidity and a tangy lime juice sensation, try it now with some quick-fried scallops sprinkled with buttery, crisp breadcrumbs. cullenwines.com.au
SPLURGE
Brovia Barbera D'Alba Sori Del Drago 2009 $44
Reds that aren't heavy or too tannic are perfect for springtime, too: think dolcetto, gamay, cabernet franc and barbera, such as this from Italian producer Brovia. It's full of rich fruit - all plums and cherry with a heady fragrance of florals; and earthy, too, with a fantastic savoury boot-polish note. Medium-weighted with ripe, structured tannins, cleansing acidity and the palate is really lovely. This barbera is not at all heavy as it's made to be enjoyed as a young wine, although it will certainly age for another five years or so. Partners well with sumac-crusted lamb cutlets. Try randalls.net.au.