Mothers Day is fast approaching, and what better way to let mum (or stepmum, or mother-in-law, or surrogate mum) know how special she is, than by treating her to some flowers and a special bottle of wine — or two.
The main difficulty of course, is that with so many stunningly beautiful wines produced right here in Australia, it’s often hard to know which bottle to go for.
So we thought we’d take the stress out of the decision for you, and showcase four fantastic drops, all completely different and each a perfect complement for almost any occasion.
We kicked off with Croser NV, a classic traditional method Aussie sparkling made from premium cool climate Pinot Noir and Chardonnay from the Adelaide Hills.
A beautiful golden caramel colour in the glass, this wines offered notes of honey, nectarine, lemon citrus and cashew on the nose, with butter and cream, and rich toasty characters of bread, biscuit and brioche, coming through confidently on the palate. A perfect aperitif to celebrate mum.
We moved on to the 2021 Piccadilly Valley Chardonnay from Petaluma, a producer regarded by many as a crusader of the modern Australian wine industry.
This exquisite Chardonnay was fermented in 30% new French oak and matured on its yeast lees for 8 months. The resulting wine is complex and nuanced, displaying aromas of apple and pear, grapefruit and lime citrus, nectarine and peach stone fruit, gunpowder flint and minerals, alongside subtle oak spice. With a lovely backbone of acidity, this delicious Aussie chardonnay really is amongst the very best the Adelaide Hills has to offer. Go on, spoil your mother!
Mum on a health kick? No worries, we’ve got you covered. Hardys Zero is a non-alcoholic, bright and vibrant Shiraz, crafted with care and passion, meaning mum can enjoy the gentle reward of a glass of wine, without the alcohol. Aromas of coffee, mocha, vanilla bean, dark chocolate, orange peel and licorice intermingle enticingly on the nose. And, having been de-alcoholised using innovative new techniques, this wine is not just 100% alcohol free, but also low sugar and low calorie.
Non-alc not appealing? Fancy something more, to accompany that autumnal ragu that you’re going to cook for mum? In that case, we’ve saved the most extraordinary wine for last.
A decadently opulent Cabernet Sauvignon from Coonawarra, the Katnook Estate Odyssey really is sensational. Inky dark and utterly opaque in the glass, its bouquet offers aromas of coconut, mocha, blueberries, vanilla, menthol, eucalyptus and luscious dark fruits. On the palate, abundant dark fruit flavours of blackcurrant, Cassis, blackberry, black plum, and mulberry are underpinned by woodland earthiness and rich oak spice. With well-integrated, ripe and juicy tannins giving beautiful balance and structure, this sumptuous wine is drinking exquisitely now, and will also happily cellar for many future Mothers Days to come.
– Jonathan
Jonathan Leeming is a wine industry professional who lives and breathes wine. He is currently undertaking a Diploma in Wines, works as a wine marketer by day, and writes about wine and hosts wine events in his free time. A member of Mensa and a hardcore dog lover, you can follow him at @jpleeming, LinkedIn, and Vivino.
Croser NV, Hardys Zero, Katnook Estate Odyssey, and Petaluma Piccadilly Valley Chardonnay are available at major and selected independent retailers nationwide.
Disclosure: The Plus Ones were invited guests of Dialogue PR.
Image credit: Jonathan Leeming.
