King Valley Wine Heroes
Prosecco
Originating in the cool alpine climate of Veneto in north-east Italy, Prosecco is a light and lively sparkling wine with a dry finish and a fresh fruit flavour through the mid palate. King Valley is the first region to produce an Australian-made premium prosecco. Its refreshing flavour makes Prosecco an uplifting aperitivo with olives or cured meats or perfect partner to Asian dishes or seafood starters.
Sangiovese
Sangiovese is the main grape of the great Chianti Classicos of Tuscany, one of the Italian varieties which King Valley grape growers have planted with relish.The King Valley now leads the way as Australia’s premier region for this red wine, a reputation that grows with every vintage, reflecting the great passion for creating wines to enjoy with good friends and food. The wine shows savoury, dark cherry flavours and earthy characters with fine tannins and cleansing acidity.
Wine Styles
Arneis
Relatively new to the valley, producing an un-oaked wine with a profusion of flavour possibilities including citrus, ripe pears, apple and lime.
Barbera
Distinctly Italian, of savoury blackberry and herb flavours with natural acidity.
Cabernet Sauvignon
There are more plantings in the valley of this variety than any other, and for good reason. The wines display classic mint and blackcurrant flavours and blossom beautifully with ageing.
Chardonnay
The valley’s most widely planted and popular white grape variety, used for sparkling wines and wood aged dry whites, varying from rich and opulent through to the more restrained styles.
Marzemino
A spicy Italian with a hint of violets behind the summer berries.
Nebbiolo
A wine with generous tannins and acid underlying the cherry, rose, and strawberry tart flavours. A reputation for being a long-lived wine.
Pinot Grigio / Gris
One of the newer varieties in the valley, producing a delightfully spicy wine with flavour nuances varying from pear to spiced apple custard to toasted almonds.
Pinot Noir
The upper reaches of the valley in particular provide fruit that is steeped in flavour to provide the basis for the valley’s remarkable sparkling wines.
Prosecco
An Italian variety from northern Italy used for producing a much loved aromatic sparkling wine.
Saperavi
A Georgian variety of deep red colour, with blackberry, mulberry, and ripe cherry flavours. Plush tannins and good grip are indicators of ageing potential.
Savagnin
Once called Albarino, but a little DNA testing showed this is a French rather than Spanish varietal. Still tastes just the same – fresh and zippy with a citrus expression…
Shiraz
The French variety that Australia has made its own. King Valley styles display white pepper and spice with lifted berry and ripe plum flavours.