Travel the Expressway for Top Autumn Drops

It’s that time of year again. Time for wrapping oneself up, getting cosy in front of the fire and, of course, enjoying a glass of something suitably fortifying as the last nuance of summer ebbs away.

Picking wine is as much about mood as it is about colour, taste, texture and weight and when the sun starts to go down at 7pm and the cooler temperatures close in, it’s impossible to continue pretending that autumn is not here.

Just as you choose lighter clothing in hot weather and heavier layers in the cold, so too, do we gravitate toward more delicate wines in summer and those sturdier drops in winter. And now, as the air begins to sharpen it’s time to think about wines with a little more heft and texture.

The below wines are a selection of excellent quality wines that are just perfect for drinking at this time of the year and chosen for their weight and texture – and perfect for getting cosy with that special someone in front of the fire.

Adina Vineyard 2015 Pinot Gris Adina’s award winning wines include Semillon, Chardonnay, Shiraz, Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc. Adina has also become very well known for their Pinot Grigio and Pinot Gris – produced from some of the oldest commercial Pinot Gris vines in Australia.

Tasting A clean, light strawberry coloured wine with apple and peach tones. Delicate, full fruit flavours throughout the palate with a clean, crisp finish.

Food Match An excellent aperitif that compliments antipasto foods, seafood dishes, Atlantic salmon, chicken dishes and all types of Thai stir-fry.

Gartelmann Wines 2014 Sarah Elizabeth Chardonnay Gartelmann Wines has a well-deserved reputation for producing premium Hunter Chardonnay and the 2014 Sarah Elizabeth Chardonnay is one of the best to date.

Tasting The wine shows layers of primary fruit characters and is highlighted by creamy notes from its time on lees. A zesty, elegant Chardonnay with a palate of peaches, melons and soft oak integration.

Food Match This wine is an ideal match with creamy dishes and grilled salmon.

Mistletoe Wines 2014 Grand Reserve Shiraz This is a big wine for the Hunter, a direct result of the dry and hot conditions experienced leading up to the exceptional 2014 vintage, showcasing how good Hunter Shiraz can be.

Tasting This elegant wine has amazing mid-palate fruit and great length of the palate that combine to give this wine near perfect balance with a generous tannin structure. Showcasing typical red plum fruit flavours that are well supported by the oak input, this is a wine to enjoy for many years to come.

Food Match A wonderful match with any red meat dish.

Pokolbin Estate 2013 Belebula Sangiovese With a freakish competition record, Pokolbin Estate has a reputation for producing outstanding wines and have had significant success with their Mediterranean-style red wines which include the Sangiovese grown on their Belebula Vineyard.

Tasting The popular Belebula Sangiovese does not disappoint. This is an elegant, fruit driven style of wine that has a plethora of berry fruit and a touch of pepper and spice.

Food Match Just superb with wood fire pizza, tomato-based pasta dishes, risotto or Mediterranean salads.

McLeish Estate 2015 Semillon

The 2015 McLeish Estate Semillon is of a winning pedigree, hand-harvested from the single estate vineyard that has achieved the title of the World’s Semillon at the London International Wine Challenge, also starred as the Best Small Wine Producer and Best NSW Wine at the Sydney Royal Wine Show.

Tasting Vibrant quartz colour as a delicate youthful wine, this wine has a lively harmonious lemon and lime zest aroma. The palate delivers a balance of lemon with delicate passion fruit and quince flavours that are supported by equally fresh acidity.

Food Match Perfectly paired with freshly shucked oysters and seafood.

Meerea Park 2014 ‘XYZ’ Shiraz From one of the one most acclaimed boutique wineries in the Country, the XYZ brand wines constitute modern styles of Hunter Valley Shiraz. The fruit for this wine is from the mature ‘Lochleven’ Shiraz vineyard located on the corner of McDonalds and Deasys roads in Pokolbin which was planted in 1973.

Tasting Deep crimson in colour with purple tinges belies intense aromas of blueberries and blackberries. The palate is medium-bodied but heading towards full, has ample flavour with plenty of varietal red and dark berries. Oak is present but because of the seamless balance, appears minimal.

Food Match Wonderful when paired with beef, lamb and cheese based cuisine.