Fine wine … on the palate

By Dion Teasdale
THIRTEEN Yarra Valley wineries have banded together under the one roof to showcase the region’s finest wines as part of the 2006 On The Palate series.
On The Palate began last year as a celebration of smaller and medium local wineries throughout the cooler months and has evolved this year into a monthly wine industry event held on Saturday evenings.
Regional winemakers, avid wine buffs, local residents and visitors gathered at Yering Farm Winery in Yering on Saturday, July 29 for this year’s first tasting exhibition.
The evening involved award-winning wineries such as Sticks, Boat O’Craigo, St Huberts, Seville Hill and Warramate offering tastings of some of the regions new wine styles and varietals.
One of the organisers of the On The Palate events, Vicki Teklenburg from Yering Farm, said the first event for the year allowed wine enthusiasts to take advantage of the diverse range of wines being produced in the area.
“The wine styles were impressive with select varietals such as Sauvignon Blancs, Pinot Gris, Arneis and Tempranillo on show,” she said.
“Some people couldn’t go past the good old favourite varietals and bubbles, though the Rousanne and Shiraz Viogner blends were very popular.”
This month, On The Palate, which was held on Saturday, 26 August, focused on the influence the Yarra Valley’s terroir (the relationship between location, climate, and soil type) has on wines produced in the region.
Next month, on Saturday, 23 September, the final On The Palate for the year will carry the theme, The Winemakers Choice.
“Winemakers from each winery have been asked to select their favourite four wines and they will be there on the night to talk about their choices,” Ms Teklenburg said.
She said the On The Palate series had proved popular for a simple reason.
“It is a great opportunity for people to come into the Yarra Valley and taste up to 50 wines at one venue, and then follow that up with a visit to individual cellar doors,” she said.
The final On The Palate for 2006 will be held at Yering Farm Winery, St Huberts Road, Yering on Saturday, 23 September from 5.30pm to 7.30pm. For more information phone 9739 0461.