Western Australia Wine Day Tasting

Last night the Australian High Commision held a Western Australian wine tasting and we were very pleased to be representing Hay Shed Hill, Pitchfork and Kerrigan & Berry wines. We didn't really know what to expect but the tasting room was very chic and with 200 guests expected to arrive, we knew we were going to be busy.

The wines spoke for themselves for the most part, as we knew they would, but we were there to guide people through this fantastic few ranges of wine. Michael Kerrigan is very well known in Australia and so the crowds seemed to seemlessly flock our way. Luckily there were lots of delicious snacks to keep us going and of course I had Martin to entertain me, which if you know him you will understand why I say this!

The Pitchfork Chardonnay seemed to whet people's appetite - it really is a great wine, completely unoaked, fresh, elegant and simply easy to drink. The Hay Shed Hill Chardonnay was next and with 10 months in French oak was much rounder and richer than the Pitchfork. The Cabernet Sauvignon 2009 (just landed in the UK) was outstanding with an intense mint and chocolate nose that seemed to surprise most people with its stunning concentration.

The Kerrigan & Berry wines were the favourite wines of the evening. K&B is a joint venture between Michael Kerrigan and Gavin Berry in Mount Barker, one hour approximately south of Margaret River. The Riesling is limey, mineral and has great acidity and would give any German Riesling a run for its money. The K& B Cabernet 2008 was the wine of the night for most people with eucalyptus tones and dusty black fruits. This is a wine of pure class and elegance and one lady said it was her favourite wine in the room! So I for one will be raising a glass of the K&B Cabernet to Michael Kerrigan tonight. May he continue to make wine for a very long time!

For more information on the winery click here.

Written by Claire Scott-Gall