All too often it is easier to keep buying what we know...it's safe. But are you truly living?Join the many wine lovers who have ventured off the well-worn path of classic grape varieties and try a Strange Bird. This weekend the latest edition of our famous Strange Bird Alternative Wine Trail guide map will be released at Brisbane's South Bank Regional Flavours.
If you are new to our blog - Strange Bird is the quirky name given to our self-drive alternative wine trail offering 18 alternative wine varieties for those looking for something beyond Chardonnay and Shiraz.
What are alternative varieties you ask? To be considered alternative a variety must represent not more than 1 per cent of the total bearing vines in Australia. Tagged the 'next generation of wine', alternative varieties have been popular in leading European wine regions (think Piedmont, Bordeaux, Rioja and more) for generations, and are rapidly emerging in popularity in Australia because of their innate ability to match perfectly with food.
This year, two Italian varieties have been awarded the 'Strange Bird' status; Vermentino, a white wine with a floral nose and citrus overtones originating from Sardinia and Corsica; and Nero D'Avola which is a rich and earthy red wine popular in Sicily.
Producer of the new varieties, Sam Costanzo of Golden Grove Estate has told us that Vermentino pairs sensationally with seafood and those that enjoy hearty meat dishes or an antipasto of salami should get their hands on a bottle of Golden Grove Nero D'Avola (94 points James Halliday).
If you are in Brisbane join us at Regional Flavours and expand your palate with a Strange Bird. Or visit us in the Granite Belt and check out our innovative trail for 21 Granite Belt wineries. Download at www.granitebeltwinecountry.com.au
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