This weekend just gone (11th & 12th August 2012)  has been one in which I could say; “When too much wine was barely enough!” My wine group (the Connoisseurs) had a theme night on Saturday entitled Minor Varieties, and Sunday was the Tasmanian Wine Fair. This page is about the wine group night. I ask your forgiveness with some of the photos. I have since changed cameras!!

Moscato

We started with a Sparkling Moscato, which was made by that special vineyard in McLaren Vale called Scarpantoni. It had a picture of a woman on the front and was called La Civetta, which in Italian means “The Flirt”. It was a nice refreshing bubbles with a little residual sweetness, but finished clean and crisp. A good start to the evening.

Scarpantoni Sparkling Moscato (La Civetta)

Pinot Gris

Next came a Pinot Gris from Marlborough, New Zealand. This wine did not have a lot going for it and was the least appreciated by the group. One could imagine though on a hot day with a bowl of prawns to polish off, this wine could wash the remnants from the mouth quite effectively. (Terrible photo)

Black Birch Pinot Gris

Chenin Blanc

Next came a Chenin Blanc from Peter Lehmann in the Barossa Valley. This wine did have some flavour and finish. In fact it is pretty good value for money. It is a 2007 wine and was on special at the Eaglehawk (that fabulous bottleshop in North Hobart) for $13. I could imagine drinking a fair bit of this wine during the long hot summer (if Tasmania can have a long hot summer)!

2007 Peter Lehmann Chenin Blanc

Gamay

The last of the “chilled” wines on the night was a Gamay from that fabulous winery in Rutherglen called Pfeiffers. Their motto based on the spelling of the surname is “Pfeiffers Pfine Wine Pfor Pfine Pfood and Pfabulous Pfolk”. Gamay is the main grape in Beaujolais wines from France, but here in Australia is like a rose; however it has flavour and finish. This is a very good example of the style and needs to be explored a bit more.

Pfeiffer Gamay