Houghton's White Classic & Boundary Row 2009 Shiraz
Houghton's White Classic
It's amazing enough that a white wine should continue to be made to basically
the same style as it was when launched 75 years ago, but more so that at around
just $11 it has the potential to also develop beautifully over 10 years in the
cellar.
Houghton's White Classic was conceived by the legendary Jack Mann at the
company's winery in Western Australia's Swan Valley in 1937, using basically
Chenin Blanc with a blend of several other white varieties. The same year it won
First Prize in the 'Dry White Table Wine' class at the Royal Melbourne Wine
Show, with the judges saying they were "taken-aback by its bold new style."
And when one described it "as like the great White Burgundies of France," the
company jumped on the quote and labelled it Houghton's White Burgundy. The name
stuck until the European Union banned the use of their regional names by other
countries in 2006, and it was re-named Houghton's White Classic.
Today it's making is in the hands of Senior Winemaker, Ross Pamment who
deviates little from Jack Mann's original criteria, still using Chenin Blanc
with a mix of several other varieties to result in lovely tropical fruit
flavours of grapefruit, passionfruit, lime and rockmelon, complemented by peach
and green apple.
Pay around $11 and enjoy with roast chicken and green olive and prune
stuffing.
One For Lunch:
Steven Kurtz has put to good use fruit off 10- to 45-year old vines he
deliberately pruned for low yields for his Kurtz Family Vineyards' Boundary Row
2009 Shiraz, a knock-out drop at $24 for those who like a beaut steak and a
beaut wine to go with it.
The Kurtz family are 4th generation Barossan growers and vignerons of German
descent, and winemaker Steve has coaxed wonderful black plum and cherry flavours
to the fore with this drop. Ready to enjoy now, it's also one to consider for
that special spot in the cellar over the next few years for future extra
pleasure.
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