Mt Langi Ghiran Cliff Edge 2022 Auxerrois

From a long established winery in Victoria's west, this Auxerrois represents one of Australia's wine strengths: innovation.

Auxerrois doesn't exactly roll off a wine lover's tongue.

Outside its home base Alsace, it's little known even in France.

Primarily used as part of a blend, adding oomph and depth, alone it tends to overcropping and simplicity.

But this isn't the case with Mt Langi Ghiran's effort.

This wine zings and sings.

It's bone dry, lean and tight.

Don't drink it over chilled.

Let the bouquet arise. There's rose notes, green apple and a bit of spice.

Pair this winner with fatty food.

A farmhouse terrine/paté for example full of fatty pork, a bit of prune and wrapped in caul.

Same applies to rabbit rillettes with peppercorns and juniper berries.

Try it with pork and bean stew, sort of like black eyed peas and pot liquor from Kentucky.

Or have it with an oily fish like mackerel, grilled simply wuth a squeeze of lemon.

Go all trendy and drink it with crispy chicken skin spread with baba ghanoush.

On that note, this Auxerrois would suit juice dripping lamb kebab in pita.

All we can say is... Vive la différence!