Tag: Australia Wine Country

This is just SBS! The beauty of the Sauvignon Blanc Semillon blend

This is just SBS! The beauty of the Sauvignon Blanc Semillon blend

by Wander For Wine ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

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It really is just complete BS that I have never heard or tried a Sauvignon Blanc Semillon blend before I moved to Perth. The wine world NEEDS more of this balanced and bright wine with a touch of oak (no not you Chardonnay). These varietals seem to compliment each other so well, I can’t drink them by themselves anymore!

So where do they come from? What’s the SECRET?

Sauvignon Blanc Semillon: Old World

Do you ever go to research something and find exactly what you were looking for? For example a timeline covering the complete history of the SBS blend from Wine Australia? Never usually happens to me, either. But here we are.

To go back further, Sauvignon Blanc Semillon blends originate from France (of course). According to Wine Searcher, both white varietals are predominant in the Graves district within the Bordeaux region of France. Both Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon can also be used in dry and sweet wines. Usually involving botrytis, these varietals can be used to make Sauternes – also from Bordeaux. Sauternes are sweet dessert wines usually with strong honey notes and a gold colour.

The Bordeaux Region

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Source: Wikipedia

The Graves AOC is notable for red varietals and the blend of Sauvignon Blanc Semillon. The Bordeaux region has a temperate and Mediterranean climate, with maritime influence from it’s close proximity to the ocean. Sunlight during the day on the growing vines and cool nights to break up temperatures throughout the canopy make this region something very special.

The SBS blend is the modern twist on what used to be a classic white varietal blend from the region. Adapted to changes in the consumer palate and demand. White wine blends that are crisp, dry and fresh have become predominantly more popular among wine drinkers around the world.

Sauvignon Blanc Semillon: New World

DO YOU KNOW WHO ELSE HAS THIS CLIMATE? The temperate and Mediterranean climate with ocean influence and ample sunshine? Margaret River, Western Australia. Sauvignon Blanc Semillon blends have erupted throughout the New World, gaining traction with unparalleled quality and popularity in Wine Paradise. The Australian sunshine ripens the grapes, yet ocean breezes in the afternoon cool the canopies down throughout the evening leaving natural acidity and powerful flavour accumulation.

Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon, separately, have been predominant white varietals in Australia throughout it’s winemaking history. According to Wine Australia, it was around 1831 that Semillon was introduced in the Hunter Valley and the early 1800s for Sauvignon Blanc. They also do not put the accent on Sémillon, which takes some getting used to. The Margaret River region was pioneered by Dr. Tom Cullity in 1967, after he studied the reports written from Harold Olmo, from the University of California Davis (!!!), describing the wine grape potential of the south-west region of Australia. Tom Cullity founded Vasse Felix (!!) and kickstarted the discovery of a region that has maintained a consistent climate year after year and is producing world renowned wines.

Described as “inherently complimentary” these two varieties can produce a blend of wine that takes the desirables from each varietal and creates the seamless fusion now nicknamed SBS (Wine Australia).

Sauvignon Blanc Semillon: The Blend

Sauvignon Blanc is a white varietal with bright flavours, green grass and subtle tropical fruit notes. Semillon is also a white varietal with typically light/medium body, delicate honey notes and citrus. Together? Usually involves oak maturation, producing a medium bodied wine with the perfect array of tropical fruit, citrus and good acidity. The SBS blend is predominately Sauvignon Blanc whereas another popular interpretation is the SSB, predominantly Semillon.

It really is one of my favourite blends. As I have only ever had it from Margaret River, I would highly suggest any SBS from this Wine Paradise. All dynamically different but involve innovative and unique winemaking processes.

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What to try!

But I also have not had an SBS that I don’t like. Explore this incredible blend and support this special region, happy sipping!

 

 

 

Welcome to Wine Paradise: Cellar Door Guide to Margaret River

Welcome to Wine Paradise: Cellar Door Guide to Margaret River

by Wander For Wine ♥ 3 Comments

My love letter to Margaret River. Not to be dramatic but I did move across the entire world because I fell in love with this region. Sometimes you see photos, read interviews and taste wines and you firmly believe that you belong in that place. That a region is so special that as a traveller and wine lover, if you don’t go, you’ll never reach your full potential. This was my obsession with Margs and can I just say, it was everything I wanted it to be. From the Boranup forest, with thousands of karri trees towering over you with elegance and poise or the most beautiful coastline in the world with pantone swatch blues that clash with the pure white sand beaches. The wine, the people and the best farm to table food (& SEAFOOD) I have ever had! The perfect destination to add to your bucket list. 

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This region is the Southwestern most point of the Australian continent. It’s a cape that on the Northern end meets the Indian Ocean and the Southern Ocean at the other end, providing drastically different climates and coastlines from North to South. Formed millions of years ago when India and Australia collided, the cape has ancient soils that provide a region with so much biodiversity and potential. Known as a biodiversity “hotspot,” aka a wonder of the world for people like me. If I were a grape, I’d grow here too!

Why ‘Wine Paradise’?

With some of the most pristine grape growing conditions, maritime climate and warm Australia sunshine, this region provides grapes with idyllic conditions to grow. The isolation of the region provides unique terroir that is only found in Margaret River. The wines are cool climate but ripen to perfection. The best grape varietals from the region are Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay. Shiraz and Sauvignon Blanc/Semillon blends.

Fun fact: This region has never had an outbreak of phylloxera

Here are my favorite cellar doors on the cape! Wake up in the morning, walk on the beach and be drinking a wild ferment Chardonnay by noon. Is this heaven?

 

Vasse Felix

Cowaramup, Margaret River

#1 in my heart and #1 on this list too, of course. The founding wine estate of Margaret River provides the ultimate wine experience in Cowaramup. The most beautiful cellar door that I’ve ever tasted in, with wines that keep up the elegance & style. A feast for any interior designer, this modern log cabin-esque cellar door feels like it belongs seamlessly among the grape vines and marri trees surrounding it. It quietly sits within landscape without interrupting the natural motion of the region. They are in the process of becoming Certified Organic, already implementing organic processes in the vineyard and winery. The wines are magnificent and give you a taste of the history of the region. It also just so happens that the best restaurant in the region is also here. The food is created and developed to complement the wines and not vice versa. The wines are what lead Head Chef Brendan Pratt to discover new locally sourced dishes. The best of the best and worth the entire 22 hour flight from the States.

Open daily, 10-5pm.

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Vasse Felix
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Vasse Felix Restaurant

If you want to know more about my journey moving to Western Australia to work for Vasse Felix, find out more here!

 

Stormflower

Wilyabrup, Margaret River

From the wines to the cellar door, Stormflower executes minimalist and sustainable practices flawlessly. The woodwork in the cellar door is from a marri tree that fell down years ago. It’s homey and absolutely lovely. The Stormflower labels also happen to be my favorite in the region. They remind me of a fairytale. It’s a welcoming environment and the perfect place for a picnic. Right off Caves Road is this gorgeous oasis with easy drinking and Certified Organic wines. A must see!

Open daily, 11-5pm.

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Source: Stormflower

Marq Wines

Yallingup, Western Australia

A 10 minute drive from my favorite beaches in the world. Located under the trees and among the vines, the Marq Wines cellar door is inviting and one of the best in the region to grab a book, order a cheese platter and enjoy the serenity. I first had the ‘Wild Ferment’ (a wine that is not inoculated with yeast and is instead allowed to ferment using the wild yeast found on the grapes/in the winery) Chardonnay in Perth. Loved it so much I needed to meet it’s maker. With the most creative and eclectic wine list I have ever seen, Mark was there himself to talk me through the gorgeous wines on the list. I tried every single one of the varietals that I had never heard of before.

Vermentino (Sparkling and Still) – Native of Sardinia White Varietal

Fiano – Native to Southern Italy

Petit Manseng – Native to the Juracon in France

Yes, I bought a bottle of the Fiano and I am drinking it as I write this. It’s beautiful. It takes to the cool climate with such poise. It’s delicately floral with savory notes and balanced acidity.

Open Friday-Sunday, 10-5pm.

A website content shoot for Marq Wines new cellar door.
Source: Your Margaret River Region

Domaine Naturaliste

Wilyabrup, Margaret River

Nestled among the gorgeous vines of Wilyabrup, Domaine Naturaliste carries the name of one of the ships used by the French when mapping out the cape, called the Naturaliste. With a beautiful philosophy to winemaking and a gorgeous cellar door, this is one of the greats of the region. Winemaker, Bruce Dukes, aims to “leave the land in better health for the next generation.” Also – again with the labels! Get charcuterie and explore the history and future of winemaking in Margaret River.

Open daily, 10-5pm.

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Source: Domaine Naturaliste

Blind Corner

Quindalup, Western Australia

Drive through the vines to find the most iconic sign in the Margaret River region, a skate ramp and the most lovely spot for a picnic in all of Western Oz! I first tasted the Blind Corner Sauvignon Blanc from Wise Child wine shop in Perth. Love the label and love the wine more! With a gorgeous array of wines that give you a sense of immense creativity and personality behind the wines. AND HELLO PET NAT!! I’ve missed you! This cellar door feels like Margaret River wrapped up like a present with a bow on top. It’s cozy. bright and the wines are worth staying awhile. I left with a bottle of the Orange *as in the colour* wine that is a white blend, fermented wild on the skins to get the color and tannins. Find yourself a skater boy and enjoy a chilled Beaujolais Nouveau, LOVE.

Open daily, 10-4pm.

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& many many many more! Happy sipping and enjoy Paradise!