Editor's Picks

Explore’s Six Pack

Sink into the Hunter Valley this winter and enjoy deep reds and crisp whites, perfect at any time of year. Managing Editor Ashley Pini takes us through six of his favourite Hunter wines and wineries, just in time for the Hunter Valley Wine Festival this June 24.

1SCARBOROUGH YELLOW LABEL CHARDONNAY 2014 $23.00* Scarborough’s most popular wine and it’s easy to see why. A classic buttery chardonnay and the price is an absolute steal! Put a glass with your Sunday roast chicken.

Scarborough on Gillard Road 179 Gillard Road, Pokolbin 02 4998 7563 Open daily: 9am – 5pm

Scarborough on Hermitage 972 Hermitage Road, Pokolbin (02) 4998 6538 Opening hours: Thur – Mon: 10am – 5pm

2MOUNT PLEASANT PHILIP SHIRAZ 2014 $27.00* You might not instinctively pick out a Hunter Valley shiraz, but let yourself be surprised with this plush and savoury drop from one of Australia’s best wineries.

Mount Pleasant Wines 401 Marrowbone Road, Pokolbin (02) 4998 7505 Opening hours: Mon - Sun: 10am – 4pm

3AUDREY WILKINSON WINEMAKERS SELECTION SHIRAZ 2015 $40.00* The 2015 vintage was one of the greatest in the Canberra District. This wine is abundant with ripe cherry and blackberry aromas and spice, the perfect match for a hearty lamb stew.

Audrey Wilkinson 750 De Beyers Road, Pokolbin (02) 4998 1866 Opening hours: Mon - Sun: 10am – 5pm

5TYRRELL’S SINGLE VINEYARD BELFORD CHARDONNAY 2014 $40.00* If the last time you tried chardonnay was a few years ago, pick up a bottle of this. It’s rich in flavour, but not overpowered by oak, a testament to the family’s long winemaking history.

Tyrrell’s 1838 Broke Road, Pokolbin 02 4993 7028 Opening hours: Sun: 10am – 4pm Mon – Sat: 9am – 5pm 4TWO RIVERS RESERVE CHARDONNAY 2015 $23.00* The 2015 Reserve Chardonnay is currently available at the cellar door and if you’re heading out Denman way we suggest you try this beautifully balanced, golden hue wine. You’ll be rewarded with plenty of orange blossom, peaches and nectarines on the nose. Overall an elegant and wellstructured wine - you won’t be disappointed.

Two Rivers 2 Yarrawa Road Denman (02) 6547 2556 Opening hours: Mon - Sun: 11am – 4pm

62009 BROKENWOOD ILR RESERVE SEMILLON $70.00* Semillon and the Hunter go hand in hand, with good reason, so our suggestion is to try some aged semillon? The ILR Reserve Semillon from Brokenwood is a great example of what aged semillon can be, albeit at the top end. It displays beautiful colour and a lively palate with wonderful citrus and florals. Semillon is a wine that drinks well young, but this expression is one to toast for the ages.

Brokenwood 401-427 McDonalds Rd, Pokolbin (02) 4998 7559 Opening hours: Mon – Sat: 9.30am – 5pm Sun: 10am – 5pm