Three hours' drive west of Sydney is the wine region of Orange.
Orange is home to some of Australia's highest elevation vineyard sites – from 376 to 1390 metres above sea level – which impact the climate (warm days followed by cooler nights) and growing seasons.
As you can see from the six wines below, Orange shines when it comes to sparkling, sauvignon blanc, riesling, chardonnay, and cabernet sauvignon. Add these diverse wines to your list.
2021 Colmar Estate Block 5 Riesling
A pure, intensely flavoured expression of such filigreed structure...so fresh and juicy is the acidity, impeccably placated with a gentle sweet wash. A kernel of lime, jasmine and quince paste skitters across the energetic finish. Impressive length and driving persistence. Very fine. – Ned Goodwin, Halliday Wine CompanionOwner Bill Shrapnel says: Orange is on the move. It’s clear now that the region has the potential to make distinctive, high quality, cool climate wines and there is a sense of excitement among the local winemakers with the opportunity to make it happen. The future couldn’t be brighter – talk about being in the right place at the right time!
Best enjoyed: The 2017 is outstanding with Singaporean chilli crab.
RRP $40 | Drink to 2031 | colmarestate.com.au
NV Printhie Wines Swift Cuvée
Sparkling wine is what Printhie is known best for, and our awards and reviews are a testament to the skill of our winemaker. Made using the traditional method, our 11th disgorgement is 53 per cent chardonnay and 47 per cent pinot noir, and spends seven years in the bottle before release. The extra pinot noir gives a beautiful floral lift to the wine, while the familiar granny smith apple tartness remains present. A soft brioche finish means our Swift Cuvée is best served straight from the fridge.Winemaker Drew Tuckwell says: I love Orange for its cool climate, slow ripening, natural acidity, detailed fruit expression and transparency in the glass. With elegance and complexity, the regions wines work hand in hand with the wonderful food culture and agricultural produce that exists in the broader region.
Best enjoyed: The Swift Cuvée is perfect with oysters that are finished with Printhie Dining’s banksia and Geraldton Wax vinaigrette.
RRP $50 | Drink to 2027 | printhiewines.com.au
2018 HOOSEGG Double Happy Cabernet Sauvignon
The 2018 is a deep red, purple colour. The wine has bright intense varietal fruit character with added complex of very fine oak (100 per cent new French). Intense berry varietal fruit flavours are supported by a combination of fruit and oak tannins. A wine that will age for a substantial time, continuing to complex and integrate. A beautiful varietal expression.Winemaker Philip Shaw says: I spent many years looking for ideal sites in Australia and overseas. Our site in Orange was selected because the climate and soils represented the intense, elegant styles of wine that I was seeking.
Best enjoyed: The 2018 Double Happy is best enjoyed by itself.
RRP $140 | Drink to 2055 | hoosegg.com
2017 Highland Heritage Patrono Cuvée Brut Sparkling
The wine is produced by the methode traditionnelle. The colour has a tinge of pink imparted from the pinot noir portion of the blend. The palate is well structured and elegant, with crisp apple and citrus elements from the acidity of the grapes. The freshness is complexed with the yeasty nuttiness that is derived from 24 months of ageing on the yeast lees in the bottle. The dosage sweetness added on disgorging is minimal and perfectly balances the finish on the palate.Winemaker and family owner Rex D'Aquino says: Our wines are a great example of premium cool-climate wines, that show the best flavour attributes of the specific varieties grown on the site. We have had 31 years of experience on the site to extract some of the best examples of wines Orange can produce.
Best enjoyed: The 2017 is an excellent accompaniment to white meats and seafood (particularly shellfish), or enjoy the Patrono as an aperitif before dinner.
RRP $65 | Drink to 2035 | highlandheritage.com.au
2021 Ross Hill Pinnacle Sauvignon Blanc
Fruit for this benchmark sauvignon blanc is sourced from our Griffin Road and Wallace Lane Vineyards. One third is barrel-fermented in natural French oak, while the balance is fermented in stainless steel. Extended lees contact and stirring has yielded a wine that is both intense yet refined. Scents of fresh passionfruit, kiwifruit and stinging nettles are abundant and the palate has a well-balanced soft, pillowy texture.Winemaker Luke Steele says: Making wine in Orange is fascinating, as every vintage is truly different. Vintages can be cold and wet, or hot and dry or a mixture of the two. We have a range of volcanic soils that we are blessed to grow grapes in, that range massively in age from the past eruptions of Mount Canobolas. As a result of the large altitude difference throughout the region, we have the ability to grow a huge range of varieties very well.
Best enjoyed: Pair the 2021 Pinnacle with an asparagus tartlet and a béarnaise sauce.
RRP $35 | Drink to 2027 | rosshillwines.com.au
2021 Philip Shaw No11 Chardonnay
The No11 Chardonnay is pale straw in colour with a green hue. There are expressive white florals and stone fruits on the nose with bright citrus lift. The palate is powerful yet elegant with savoury layers of toasty oak and cashew nut that give the wine depth and complexity.Winemaker Daniel Shaw says: Philip Shaw wines have elegance and the purity of place. You look at the 20 vintages and there are unique differences, but you know exactly where the grapes have been grown and where the wine has been made.
Best enjoyed: Try the 2021 with coral trout or Red Emperor.
RRP $40 | Drink to 2050 | philipshaw.com.au
