Greeted with a warm welcome and a refreshing glass of James Estate’s new 2016 Off-Dry White, this charming Hunter Valley winemaker presented an exciting new range of products.
Last Thursday, The Plus Ones were invited by James Estate to join them at a wine tasting event. Armed with my own plus one, we braved the Sydney cold to join the rest of those who wanted to learn more about James Estate’s new whites.
An intimate event with a perfect view over VIVID Sydney and triple cream cheese a plenty made for some very happy wine tasters and a great chance to talk to Alex Finnie, winemaker at James Estate.
Grown and produced in the Upper Hunter Valley – ‘from grape to glass’, Alex explained that every James Estate wine is a product of care, skill, experience and a strong sense of “place”.
For Alex, this has been his first vintage in the Hunter. “I am very happy with the wines we have produced this year and look forward to the first of the 2016 whites hitting the shelves in June”.
I am indeed a dedicated white wine drinker, and as much as I loved the 2016 Off-Dry White, it was the rose wine that turned out to be my personal favourite. Extremely light, elegant and not too sickly, the 2016 Rose is the perfect daytime wine (and makes me long for summer Sunday sessions).
For the red drinkers, Alex recommends their 2013 Reserve Shiraz, which he explains is ‘medium bodied’ with subtle oak and whilst it drinks beautifully right now, it will cellar well and develop for many years to come.
However white wine habits soon sunk back in once we hit the 8Bits+Bytes pop-up bar in Martin Place, which served up delicious glasses of James Estate’s 2015 Semillon Blanc.
The most exciting news of the night was hearing that James Estate will be releasing its Sparkling Blanc De Blanc later this July. I’m a sucker for sparkling (you can take the girl out of Essex…) and very excited to give it a try.
Find out more at www.jamesestatewines.com.au | @jamesestate
Hayley Adams
Hayley specialises in reviewing the best upcoming events in music, lifestyle and fashion across Sydney. Follow on Instagram @hayleyadams91
