Award brings recognition

As the importer of many of the wines that Ms Gibb mentions in her award-winning article on the Mornington Peninsula, we have often felt that it has been a labour of love trying to sell cool-climate Australia in the UK. Their subtle charms can be easily overlooked in favour of the more obvious Aussie styles - a case of the shy wall flower left standing at the dance! Perhaps this is the reason why they have often enjoyed greater success in the restaurant rather than the retail sector.

Discerning on-trade buyers who have supported these wines over the years include Doug Wregg (Les Caves de Pyrene), Joelle Marti Baron (Great Eastern), Laurent Chaniac (ex-Cinnamon Club), Andrew Bassford (Fish) and Steve Edwards (Abode). All these good people know a thing or two about food and wine matching - and that's the beauty of these wines. They are that holy grail - to some an oxymoron - food-friendly Australian wines. Both the reds and the whites drink fresh and clean in youth and are marked out by their elegance and natural acid balance.

Ms Gibb concludes her article by saying that the Sangiovese and Arneis from Crittenden are now available in the UK, as well as the Dromana Pinot Noir from the excellent 2003 vintage'. Unfortunately, she does not say where from - so Harpers readers with an interest in cool-climate Australian wine may like to note my email address below.

I applaud Ms Gibb not only on her award but also on her excellent taste in recognising the subtle and oft-overlooked charms of the wines from the Mornington Peninsula.

Tim Wildman, Cachet Wine

tim.wildman@cachetwine.co.uk

• Harpers Says...