Chalmer’s Visit by Josef Orbach
As one of a 120 invitees, I recently attended the most interesting field day at the Chalmer’s vineyards situated in Euston NSW. We were all bused from the Grand Hotel, Mildura to the property. Upon arrival at the front gate, the coaches made there way along the 8km dusty driveway to the homestead set in an oasis of lush green lawns and a orchard of various fruit trees. Here we were greeted by our hosts, founder Bruce Chamer’s and his daughter Kim. After an introductory welcome speech, a cleansing of our boots (phloxeria) a bottle of water each, our guided tour commenced. This sprawling vineyard is comprised of 1600 acres, planted to over 80 varieties and 150 clones of mainly Italian origin. On the day we strolled through many rows of vines and picked/tasted the many ripe grapes. Chalmers presented us with well documented tasting notes which detailed baume, pH and TA of each variety.
The grapes I tasted and noted were:
Petit Verdot ~ Traditionally grown in St Emillion, Bordeaux France
Pinot Bianco ~ Traditionally grown in Alsace, Germany and Northern Italy
Moscatto Giallo ~ Traditionally grown in Friuli,Trentino,Sicily
Refosco dal Peduncolo ~ Traditionally grown in Friuli, Venezia, Giulia and Veneto
Garganega ~ Traditionally grown in Nth Eastern Italy & Sicily
Malvasia istriana ~ Traditionally grown in Friuli
Fiano ~ Traditionally grown in Avelliano in Campania, Puglia southern Italy
Prosecco ~ Traditionally grown in Valdobiaddene, Venito, Friuli Venezia Giulia
Greco di Tufo ~ Traditionally grown in Southern Italy around Capania
Vermentino ~ Traditionally grown in Sardinia, Ligurean coast of Italy
Dolcetto ~ Traditionally grown Traditionally grown in Piedmont, Liguria and the Alps of Italy
Nebbiolo ~ Traditionally grown in Piedmont and areas around north western Italy
After four hours in searing heat of 47 degrees, my pallet was in overload and I was now ready for the real deal. A wine tasting and a lunch prepared by my old mate Stefano de Pieri.
“From a name long trusted in the field of new varietals come Chalmers wines, the result of years of experimentation and refinement from terroir to barrique. Australian wines which proudly display their continental heritage” (an extract from notes prepared by Kim Chalmers)
The wines we enjoyed with BBQ Italian sausages, crusty bread, olive oil, soft cheeses and fresh figs were:
Fiano is the primary white variety from the region of Avellino in Campania, East of Naples. Traditionally grown on volcanic hillsides, it is known to have been cultivated there since the times of the Romans. It takes it’s name form the Latin Vitis Apiana, so called because of the bees that were attracted to the Fiano grape’s sugary juice.
Aglianico is at home in the regions of Campania and Basilicata in south central Italy. Its two most famous production regions are Monte Vulture, an extinct volcano
in the north of Basilicata, and Taurasi in Avellino. Aglianico wine from Taurasi is considered to be the ‘Barolo of the South’.
Vermentino is traditionally grown in Sardinia and on the Ligurean coast in Italy as well as on the island of Corsica and in some parts of Provence where it is called Rolle. Vermentino wines are an important part of the Mediterranean coastal lifestyle in these areas. It makes crisp, fresh, minerally white table wines which tend to have a racy, lemony acidity and a lingering
stonefruit finish.
Lagrein originated from Alto-adige in the Sud Tirol region in Norh Eastern Ialy and Southern Austrian, the foothills of the Alps. It is made in both luscious red table wine style and as a rose, considered to be one of the best roses in Italy.
The wine from Lagrein is rich in dark berry and plum fruit aromas, it is savoury and meaty with lovely silky-smooth tannins.
Ripe plum fruit up front, followed by savoury flavours of leather and tobacco are characteristic of this well structured and elegant wine.
My special thanks and gratitude go to Bruce and Kim for a wonderful expierence. I encourage you all to try their wines and visit the Chalmer’s website.
Stefano Di Pieri & Josef Orbach
Ken Watkins taking wine tasting very seriously!