Riverina Wines

If there is a better value sticky wine around town then I am yet to find it. This has all the good stuff you want in top sticky – complex fruit, a bit of oak and that gorgeous richness and sweetness that we all crave. Love it, love it, love it.

As well as owning vineyards in Griffith, McLaren vale and the King Valley, the Nugans still source the best fruit from other regions if they want to make a wine that’s of the standard expected. This Cabernet has been made with premium grapes from Coonawarra so it’s laden with the regional trademark of Cassis and eucalypt as well as earthy tones. The palate shows blackcurrant, cherry, mint and fennel seeds with immense concentration, tannin weight and integrated oak.

Impressive range of wines these Johnny Q’s, from winemaker John Quarisa who has taken everything he learnt while working over 20 years with some of the country’s biggest names like McWilliam’s and Casella and applied it to his small winery. This mix of Barossa Valley and McLaren Vale fruit is full of ripe berries on the nose with some integrated vanillin oak, it’s full and rich, long and firm with a smooth finish. Would enhance your next barbecue just as long as there is plenty of red meat.

Cookoothama maybe hard to pronounce but it’s actually an aboriginal word meaning ‘Fertile land’. Fertile is a good summation of Nugan Wines vineyards in Darlington Point as they produce wines from a vineyard that borders the Murrumbidgee River. This Chardonnay has lively aromas of peach and melon with slightly toasty oak making for a tantalising nose. The palate is all creamy with peach fruit, slightly biscuity with fresh acids and admirable length.

From a single vineyard in the King Valley, this premium Sangiovese shows that, when done correctly, Sangiovese can be rather tasty indeed. In this instance it's probably a softer sort of beast than many more savoury Italian styles but still packs plenty of enjoyment in.

There are few Durifs around so when we see a quality one we jump on it. The Nugan family has proved that it grows well in Griffith and responds well to the long sunshine hours. Sometimes known as Petit Syrah this dark, full-bodied wine shows vibrant notes of black fruits, cherry and spice. This has an immense palate weight with textured tannins with dark fruit concentration, chocolate and spice. A wine that needs to be aired before drinking and then served with robust meat dishes.

Not only is John Quarisa an established winemaker but he’s also a well-respected international wine judge. Here’s your chance to judge for yourself with a quintessential Cabernet from made with fruit sourced from Coonawarra. You’ll find vivid aromas of cassis and mint with complexing oak on the nose before a full-bodied palate that’s long and smooth. As the winemaker states enjoy it with good friends, family and plenty of laughter.

From fruit juice to wine it’s been a natural progression for Nugan wines, who saw the potential as fruit growers and gravitated to grape-growing. Besides, wine is a lot more fun than fruit. This Cabernet Merlot is full of ripe fruit all sourced from the sunny Riverina. This is just what your leg of lamb needs to take it to the next level. Enjoy aromas of plum and chocolate and lots of dark fruit before a structured palate that’s concentrated in blackcurrant with hints of mint and well-balanced tannins.

Shiraz is the ever-reliable red variety. The crowd-pleaser that will always satisfy even the fussiest of dinner guests. There will be no complaints when you present this juicy Shiraz from Nugan Estate who are based in the Riverina. This wine presents berries, spice and all things nice, delivering a layered palate of black fruit, subtle oak and elegantly weighted tannins.

The one thing you can say about the Nugans is that they know their fruit. For many years before wine they were celebrated fruit growers and exporters of fruit juice. The difference these days is that the fruit juice they export has alcohol in it, and in just a short space of time they have earnt themselves a formidable reputation. This is a beautifully poised Chardonnay showing aromas of peach, nectarine and touch of spicy oak. The palate is mouthfiling and long with stone fruit, and hints of biscuit before a crisp, acid finish.

There are not many wines that are weight watchers approved so if you are watching your waistline and still want to drink, the McWilliams Balance range of wines is the logical choice, Low in alcohol and low in calories, this Shiraz is full of ripe, spicy berries with some mocha oak. The palate is juicy with plum, subtle oak and fleshy-berried fruits. The finish is smooth and long and would pair well with a beef stir fry with bok choy and noodles.

In just a short space of time Nugan has established itself as a producer of premium, estate grown wine and in just under a decade has been awarded 28 trophies and over 1,000 wine show medals. This King Valley Sauvignon Blanc is indicative of what quality cool climate site selection can bring to the variety. It’s fresh with lime and gooseberry before a medium bodied palate of tropical fruit and fresh, citrussy acids. There’s texture and length on the finish as the result of a portion of the wine being barrel fermented.

We think Johnny Q has hit the nail square on the head with this release. This is winemaker John Quarisas’ tribute to the fun things in life, a label that reflects a personal philosophy and offers immense upfront enjoyment. A no-nonsense, everyday drinker that is perfect to have on hand. It’s fresh and intense with a lovely combination between melon and peach and a core of spicy oak. The palate is creamy, crisp and carefully oaked. A wine to be enjoyed on its own, or with a chicken salad.

Talinga Park has refined the art of making delicious, high quality wines at a price that anyone can afford. This popular blend of Cabernet and Merlot shows just why these two grape varieties are considered perfect partners. This wine has Cabernet’s rich blackcurrant flavours and Merlots juicy plummy flavours. It’s the perfect wine to serve with a lamb chop, or a carefully crafted rissole.

Drinking is all about balance and McWilliam’s have come up with a novel way to provide those who love wine but want to watch their calories. Not only is it low in calories but it’s low in alcohol, so even if you do want a drink you can splurge on a glass of this without ruining your diet. This Semillon Sauvignon blend shows passionfruit with herbaceous edges before a vibrant tropical and citrus palate with a good length of flavour.

The Nugans represent one of the success stories of Aussie wine, based in Griffith the family were in fruit growing and fruit juice export before the wine bug got to them. Today they are one of the biggest overseas distributors of wine. This wine is sourced from their King Valley vineyards where the cool climate ensures that white aromatic wine like this are fresh and full of flavour. It’s lifted with pear and apple aromas before delivering a punch of flavour that’s rich in pear, citrus and minerals. It’s nicely balanced with a clean, acid finish.

Go Johnny, go go go. You can almost feel that the song could be about John Quarisa and his ability to craft wines of taste and value thanks to two decades in the game. Here he turns his deft hand to everyone’s favourite white blend, Semillon Sauvignon Blanc with excellent results. Grassy with tropical aromas, this wine is just the ticket for your next Thai takeaway. You’ll be bowled away by a crisp fresh white with vibrant fruit flavours.

Balance is the key behind all good wine but the Balance here is all about balancing lifestyle. This low calorie range from McWilliam’s has been approved by weight watchers so it means you can have a glass of this sparkling even if you are battling an increasing waistline. So a diet where you can drink Sparkling? Sounds good to us, and this bubbly number shows stone fruits and citrus on the nose and palate before a creamy mouthfeel and soft, acid finish.

John Quarisa, aka Johnny Q, has had a distinguished career in the Australian wine industry creating many medal winning wines for some of the country’s biggest wineries. He now focuses on his own venture based in Griffith, NSW. The Johnny Q wines are accessible everyday drinkers that reflect the winemaker’s philosophy to ‘never take life too seriously.’ This is an all round crowd pleaser with citrus and yeast aromas on the palate. It’s crisp, refreshing and ends dry.

Delicate peach, lemony fruit – creamy yet fine. The kind of Chardonnay that makes you want to come back for more.