WORDS ON WINE by Robert Black

“If that’s not a cause for alcohol, I don’t know what is” – Moira Rose (Schitt’s Creek).

Comedian, the late Catherine O’Hara, who played the iconic character in the sitcom Schitt’s Creek usually declared a cause for celebration with her catchcry.

It was a show where her character beautifully took the seriousness out of wine by combining her flamboyant character and her biting sarcasm with some hilarious one-liners. Wine to Moira was a necessary luxury, not in a dark or tragic way, but as a comedic “secret sauce” for handling the family’s loss of fortune.

In “The Herb Ertlinger” episode, Moira and Dave get heavily intoxicated while sampling wine for the “Moira Rose” brand, leading to a few priceless slurred interactions and a need for a lift home. So, I though what better way to pay tribute than to delve into Rose and uncover what has made Moira love a glass of “fruit wine” as much as I do.

The Rose class in the Mudgee Wine Show has often been a sizable and highly competitive class with above average quality especially in the last 10 years. And given the excessively hot summer that we have all endured it is the perfect wine to enjoy well chilled on its own.

And as I have said before there is nothing wrong with adding a couple of ice cubes. You can’t keep wine cold enough in times of extreme heat, but also the water will take the edge off the alcohol whilst keeping the fruit on the palate.

Mudgee wine producers have an enviable selection of suitable varieties to draw upon. The best quality Rose’s are those with complexity, texture and fruit elegance. Complexity will often come from a blend of varieties ie. Grenache, Sangiovese, Zinfandel, Shiraz, Merlot. Texture may come from barrel fermentation, time on skins, lees contact etc.

Fruit elegance will be determined by quality of fruit, yeast selection, and acid balance to name a few. Drier styles are generally better received than sweeter styles but of course, there are palates for both. After all, that’s the beauty of wine.

So, unsurprisingly this edition’s reviews are both Rose’s. Two different styles – one is a White Merlot. What is the difference between a White Merlot and a Rose you ask?? Well, the best way I can put it is all White Merlot’s are Rose’s, but not all Rose’s are White Merlot.

After delivering some brutal sarcasm, I’m sure Moira would be happy with another glass of either.. Enjoy!

BLACK’S AUTUMN PICKS:

LAZY OAK
2024 White Merlot
Paula Hanson and David Riley purchased the Miramar vineyard from local pioneer vigneron Ian MacRae. Their White Merlot has become their signature wine and it’s obvious why. Eyecatching pale pink/gold with a vibrant floral and pink grapefruit aroma; the palate opens with refined classic strawberry/cranberry juiciness and flecks of pomegranate. White Merlot is associated with a lick of excess sugar but this is modern and perfectly balanced.
12.5% | RRP $30
lazyoak.com.au

ROBERT BLACK
2025 Rose
Yours truly with a new Mudgee Rose made from Shiraz under a refreshed label. Salmon pink in colour it shows typical attractive strawberry and raspberry aromas with a subtle lime zest lift for freshness. The palate is a rounder, softer acid style, dry but with mid palate fruit sweetness that carries and builds in flavour. Finishes with an ultra fine tannin for completeness. Has weight for diverse cuisine.
12.0% | RRP $27
robertblackwines.com