Top 12 Indian summer wines
Hang on to that summer feeling...
Sara Schwarz
Balgownie Estate
and remember in every
drop of gold,
in every topaz glass,
in every purple ladle,
that autumn laboured
to fill the vessel with wine...'
Ode to Wine, Pablo Neruda
Autumn fast approaches and across the nation, the 2010 grape harvest is in full swing. So before we air our woolies and dig out our ugg (or bespoke) boots once again, we invite you to keep that summer feeling alive with a selection of our favourite Indian Summer wines from The Wine Society.
The Whites (and a pink)
- Orlando Trilogy Cuvee Brut NV $15.39 (VIP price for six or more $10.99)
Drink with friends, seafood and shellfish.
The nose shows good complexity with the bread and toast aromas evident from the time on lees. The palate has good fruit structure and weight with a rich creamy finish balanced by a fresh acidity. Read more and order here » - Cumulus Rolling Pink 2009 $14.29 (VIP $12.99)
A wine to see you through from entrée to dessert, the Rolling Pink has wonderful colour with ripe summer strawberry aromas. Serve chilled. Read more and order here » - Forester Estate Sauvignon Blanc Semillon 2008 $12.09 (VIP $11.99)
Enjoy with assorted sushi.
Margaret River wineries make great Sauvignon Blanc Semillons. The Forester Estate is a provocative mix of herbaceous, spicy fruit flavours with a lovely crisp, clean acidity. Read more and order here » - Kettle Lane Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2009 $16.99
Drink with seafood and shellfish.
Australians have taken to Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc like ducks to water and for good reason. Fresh tropical fruit and a hint of grass give a lift to the nose. A crisp acidity ensures a refreshing finish and allows the tropical flavours to linger. Read more and order here » - Yalumba Eden Valley Viognier 2008 $20.89 (VIP $18.99)
Try it with ginger chilli fish.
Viogner is a too-often overlooked variety, so is often excellently priced. The Yalumba has aromas of apricot nectar, lifted honeysuckle and orange oil perfume and a long, rich and luscious palate. Read more and order here »
- Society Gilbert Phil Reserve Hunter Semillon 2002 $17.59 (VIP $15.99)
Drink with freshly caught grilled barramundi.
This wine typifies what aged Hunter Valley Semillon should be. A lovely golden colour, still retaining its acidity. Perfectly aged for drinking now. Read more and order here » - Forest Hill Nobel Riesling 2008 $24.19 (VIP $21.99)
Chill and enjoy this elegantly rich dessert wine with a sticky date pudding on a cooler evening. Aromas of honey, orange marmalade and a hint of spice. Read more and order here »
The Reds (and an Ale)
- Wolf Blass Verae 2009 $16.49 (VIP $14.99 )
Enjoy with your favourite tapas.
Lightly spritzed, fresh, vibrant and fully of juicy rich red berry flavours, the Verae is a delicious turn of season drop. Read more and order here » - Society Tasmanian Pinot Noir 2008 VIP $24.19 ($21.99)
If you’ve the time and inclination a duck confit would be a perfect match.
Aromas of violets and cherries. Lovely ripe tannins allow the fruit flavours to linger on the palate. Read more and order here »
- The Pawn En Passant Tempranillo 2007 $24.99
Linger over a slow cooked Spanish lamb and tomato dish.
Mint and cigar box intermingles with aromas of strawberry and raspberry. Ripe and succulent cherry, currant and mulberry flavours with underlying olive and tar notes. Read more and order here »
NB For the curious, the Pawn en Passant is a little used chess move.
- Thorn Clarke Sandpiper Merlot 2007 $12.99
A homemade lasagne and salad would match well.
Attractive spice and mint on the nose. Sweet plum and cherry on the palate. Gorgeous length of fruit cake and dark chocolate. Read more and order here »
- Balgownie Black Label Sparkling Shiraz 2008 $26.39 (VIP $23.99)
Experiment with a range of foods from antipasto to chocolate puddings.
Dark fruit flavours bolstered by a lick of chocolatey, coffeed oak. It leaves a fresh tangy taste in your mouth on the finish. Read more and order here »
- Mountain Goat Steam Ale $69.99 a case (24x375ml)
Enjoy any time. After all that wine you’ll most likely enjoy a good ale. Read more and order here »
To browse the full range of The Wine Society wines now available to non-members also, please click here »
Our Recommendations
To see our recommendations, ratings and reviews you must be a logged-in subscriber.
To subscribe please enter your email address in the "Subscribe Now - it's Free" box on the right and click the "Join" button, or fill in this form >
MEMBER BENEFIT: Members, join Thorn Clarke's 'Shotfire Sessions' for free, for a unique insight into these award winning wines, and as an added bonus receive a 20% ... on case purchases »
Forester Estate is a family owned winery situated on Wildwood Road, Yallingup, in the northern Margaret River region of Western Australia. Built in 2002, Forester ... read more
Forest Hill VineyardThe Forest Hill Vineyard was established in 1965, and is the oldest cool-climate vineyard in Western Australia. It is located 10 minutes' drive west of Mt Barker ... read more
Cumulus Wines & Rolling and Climbing Wines
Cumulus Wines is a leading cool climate winemaker, sourcing fruit from its high altitude, single vineyard in Orange, 280 kilometres west of Sydney. read more
Balgownie Estate, near Bendigo, is one of Australia's great small vineyards famed for its long lived Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz. The Balgownie Estate Bendigo ... read more
The iconic Wolf Blass Winery is located at Nooriootpa, in the Barossa Valley wine region of South Australia. Along with Penfolds, it now belongs to the Foster's ... read more
Thorn-Clarke WinesThe Thorn Clarke tasting room and direct sales facility is located at their Milton Park Vineyard in the beautiful rolling hills of the Barossa ranges, three kilometres ... read more
Yalumba & Yalumba Wine RoomYalumba is located in Angaston in the heart of the Eden Valley wine region of the Barossa Valley, in South Australia. Yalumba was founded in 1849 by Samuel Smith, ... read more
Mountain Goat BeerMountain Goat has a cult following in and around Melbourne. Situated in Richmond, and open to the public (and the ever growing Goat Army) on Wednesday and Friday ... read more
Balgownie Estate Vineyard Resort & Spa (Yarra Valley)
Balgownie Estate's Yarra Valley vineyards were planted in 2003 to Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, the two varieties we believe are best suited to the region. read more
Tutor your nose to detect the subtle aromas in wine and learn to appreciate and enjoy its complexities. VisitVineyards.com subscribers purchasing Le Nez du Vin aroma sets can save up to $110 and get two Essential Wine Tasting Guides for the price of one. Read about the 
Thinking celebration? Then surely thinking Champagne, the wine that's always part of life's most important occasions. And sometimes just for the pure bubbly, enjoyment. Dine and sip with royalty, celebrity at history-making moments with your copy of Champagne and Chandeliers by Bernadette O'Shea. VisitVineyards.com subscribers, you receive a 15 per cent discount on purchase 
Le Figaro calls her "the undisputed mistress of the kingdom of wine". Receive an immediate introductory 
Like to discover more about this state's lifestyle, wine, food and more? Then ask us now for your free copy of Tasmania 40 Degrees South the magazine that showcases the best of Australia's island state. 
In our No 1 Wine Book of 2010, Master Sommelier Evan Goldstein matches distinctive wines with recipes from his favourite chefs in this book focussing on new and emerging grape varietals. VisitVineyards.com subscribers and Members buying this book will receive a 
Interested in new and different wines? Brash Higgins Wine Co has just released its esoteric Nero d'Avola, a Sicilian variety grown in McLaren Vale and fermented in clay amphora. A fascinating wine with an equally interesting background. It's also included in the two mixed half cases, valued at A$222 each, 