This is bright, refreshing stuff. This wine showcases simple fruitiness, crisp acidity, bubbles and vivacity. Drink it chilled, straight up, or better yet, splash Adelaide Hills Distillery The Bitter Orange in it to dial up the fun.
Mike Bennie makes the case for red wine in summer
‘Tis the season for fresh, zesty whites, says Mike Bennie, but don’t be deterred from robust reds in warmer weather. Just chill.
Adelaide Hills Distillery The Bitter Orange Australian Aperitif, $60
The Campari switch-out: an all-Australian distillate produced with natural flavours and no additives. It’s the perfect product to make Aussie Negronis or spritzes. It’s lightly tart, orange-y and delicious.
Ngeringa Uncultured Pet Nat 2017, $30
The fun fizz: pet nats are naturally sparkling wines, and this one is vibrant, fizzy and full of citrus and apple-y fruit characters. Biodynamic farmed fruit contributes to this. Try with grilled octopus or squid.
Blind Corner Rouge Cabernet Merlot 2017, $18
Crushable, chillable red. Drinking red wine cold was once a heresy, but it is becoming the norm. Chilling tightens up this wine’s dark fruits and spice characters, making it thirst-slaking and invigorating. Great for casual dining.
See No Evil Organic Rosé 2017, $17
The fun rosé: this can be found in just about every major bottle shop in the country, and is often at bargain basement prices. It’s all strawberry and cream scents and flavours, though it finishes with a tangy, tart, refreshing bite of red apple. Easy as.
Dormilona Blanco 2018, $23
A crunchy white from one of Margaret River’s younger generation of wine producers. A star of the avant-garde wine set, this is a bright, zesty white of freshness. It’s built for warmer weather and drinking outdoors. Watch out, barbecues.