DAN'S WINE BLOG- THIS WEEK'S WINE REVIEW

2023-12-08

Hands up those of you have heard about an Italian native red grape variety called Marzemino? Not many I’ll bet. Well it is not surprising given that there are only five producers so far in Australia.

Marzemino hails from the cooler northern climes of Italy, specifically from around Trentino. The cool climates of Northern Italy have received dramatically less attention for intrepid Aussie winemakers than have the hot southern regions of Italy, which are significantly closer climatically to most growing areas in Australia. So we see/hear lots about Barbera, Lambrusco, Nebbiolo, Sangiovese and Montepulciano, and much less about Lagrein and other “cooler” varieties.

So Marzemino thrives in the cooler areas, ripens late, is quite susceptible to diseases, especially powdery mildew and is prone to high yields if not managed properly. It characteristically produces medium bodied wines that are deeply coloured with a lively plummy taste. In cooler climates like it’s home, it produces slightly acidic wines, where as in warmer climates it tends to become rather broad and slightly insipid.

To this week’s wine, the SOUMAH 2022 Yarra Valley Hexham Vineyard MARZEMINO- Seriously deep in colour, soft gentle bouquet of dusty oak, black fruit and dark plums. It has a lovely rich, well rounded palate with lashings of tight flavours with great counterbalancing acidity making it different, unique and truly OUTSTANDING.

Whilst Marzemino is extremely rare it is well worth hunting for, especially this prime example from the gang at Soumah Wines.

This beauty and all the other excellent wines- some of the Yarra’s best can be found at www.soumah.com.au

P.S. I hear that their restaurant is pretty bloody good as well!!

Have a great week, always #chooseaustralianwine and when possible enjoy #emergingvarieties.

Cheers

Dan T