Lesser Known Grapes You’d Love To Taste
Widen your spread of wine choices with ferments produced from grapes you may never have heard of but might be glad you do, now!
The firmament of wine never ends much like the supply of sumptuous wine will never run out and all of that is good news for all lovers of ferment. Now while there are literally hundreds of grapes that qualify for winemaking, very few make the actual cut and even fewer have the haloed ‘noble’ status such as Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Merlot and Pinot Noir. But why should only this privileged bunch get its time in the sun, Wine Park has mined some of the less glamourous regions to emerge with wines rarely given the due and tasting these bottles deserve and now is as good a time as any to dazzle your palate with some little known gems from the likes of Italy, Portugal, Austria and Argentina that could well be the hero grapes of tomorrow. Cheers!
Carricante — Tornatore, Etna Bianco 2021
Sicily’s vines nestle and flourish under the Mediterranean sun off the mainland in Italy’s deep south. And while the island grows its fair share of marquee grapes, the edgy Mount Etna DOC contains a scarcely mentioned white wine by the name of Carricante which is perhaps amongst Italy’s bravest. One of Sicily modern and bold wineries Tornatore headed up by Francesco Tornatore, has nurtured a vibrant Carricante style that drinks of copious melon, apple and citrus zest balanced by pure elegance and minerality.
Loureiro — Ameal Loureiro 2023
Portugal is synonymous with the gold standard of fortified wines but there are so many underrated vinous pearls that await discovery and we’ve recently shipped in a bright white from the country’s sunny northern reaches of Vinho Verde. This refreshing modern style white is produced from the little known Loureiro grape which the family estate of Quinta do Ameal specialises in growing and vinifying. Granite soils and oceanic winds coax brilliant expression out of the Loureiro grape as does winemaker Pedro Araújo. The wine allures with aromatic floral notes and refreshing citrus and lime flavours laced with minerality.
Torrontes — Susana Balbo, Crios Torrontes 2022
Torrontés is an indigenous Argentine grape that stands out as a triumphant story of the new world. While most new world countries built their wine industry on the back of French grapes, Argentina’s modern wine success has been driven not just by Malbec but also the vibrant local white grape Torrontes. And Susana Balbo’s expression of Torrontes is truly special because she primarily championed the homegrown grape, lifting it from merely blending status to universal success and adoration. Argentina’s first woman winemaker crafted a cool climate white with a delectably perfumed nose and lively palate, crackling with tones of lychee, citrus and rush of acidity, finishing clean.
Gruner Vetliner — Loimer, Gruner Veltliner Kamptal 2022
Austria holds the distinction for turning out innumerable light and fresh styles from its shining local star white grape Gruner Vetliner. The Austrian grape takes its time to ripen and thrives in a cool climate. The classic style beams with a perfumed, floral nose and coats the palate with bright tones of citrus, green apple and lime buoyed by generous acidity. This description is high praise for owner winemaker Fred Loimer whose organic approach to viticulture and diligent winemaking brings it altogether in cool Kamptal, Austria’s go to region for high quality Gruner Vetliner.
