Out Of The Bottle

With David Ellis

Jim Barry “The Cover Drive” 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon & 2010 Logan Weemala Pinot Gris

When lack of funds forced the sale of Coonawarra’s historic old Penola Cricket Ground in 1996 just four years short of its 50th anniversary, Jim Barry Wines’ Peter Barry bought the 12ha property to plant to Cabernet Sauvignon grapes.

But he kept both the original pavilion and the pitch as important pieces of Coonawarra’s sporting history, and has just released a Jim Barry “The Cover Drive” 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon to honour his vineyard’s original owners.

Made from fruit from the Penola property and vineyards in the Clare Valley owned by the Barry family, this is a generously-flavoured wine with loads of blackberry and black cherry fruit to the fore, distinctive Coonawarra cassis characters, fine-grained tannin and oak.

It’s value-for-money at $19 and will make an ideal accompaniment to a hearty Osso Bucco.

One For Lunch

With Pinot Gris’ fast-growing popularity in Australia, Logan Wines’ Peter Logan believes the variety could soon be equalling – or even outselling – that other hugely-popular white, Sauvignon Blanc.

And his 2010 Logan Weemala Pinot Gris is good reason for his enthusiasm: a variety that responds well to nurturing in cold conditions such as those experienced by Logan at Orange in the NSW Central West, this one has lively fresh citrus flavours and nice white peach and honeysuckle aromas.

"Pinot Gris is often the 'plain Jane' sister", Peter says. "But this one shows how 'plain Jane' can have a hidden beauty shine through".

Pay $18 and enjoy with seafood dishes or curried sausages and mash.

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