Granite Belt’s Specialty: ‘Strange Bird’ Emerging Variety Wines
Around Stanthorpe and Ballandean we love producing rare variety wines, known for generations across the world, but lesser known in Australia.
Beyond chardonnay. Beyond shiraz. (Although both do brilliantly here), there are the Granite Belts magnificent alternative varietal wines. Our ‘Strange Birds’.
Discover wines you’ve never tasted. Wines that quench your desire for something new and exciting.
To be called an alternative a variety must represent not more than 1% of the total bearing vines in Australia (as defined by the Australian Wine and Brandy Corporation).
Enjoyed in Europe for generations these alternative varieties are now emerging as Australian favourites due to their ability to match perfectly with food.
WHITE WINES
Alvarinho (aka Albarino)
Serve with: Seafood, poultry
Origin: Portugal (known as Albarino in Spain)
Character: Aromatic, peaches and apricots, usually light
Chenin Blanc
Serve with: Light creamy chicken and fish
Origin: Central Loire Valley, France
Character: Steely green apple flavours, light, fresh, crisp styles or sweeter peach & pineapple
Fiano
Serve with: Seafood, poultry, park or veal
Origin: Campania, south of Rome, around Naples
Character: Fresh and lively with hints of spice
Gewurtztraminer
Serve with: Indian and Thai
Origin: Alto Adige, northern Italy, but widely known from Alsace, France
Character: Highly aromatic rose petal, musk & lychee, spicy & fruity rather than complex
Marsanne
Serve with: Pork & veal, lobster in cream sauce
Origin: Northern Rhone Valley of France
Character: Mineral edge, citrus & peach when young, rich honeysuckle & jasmine when aged
Petit Manseng
Serve with: Asian dishes, seafood
Origin: SW France, Jurancon & the Pacherenc du Vic-Bilh
Character: Aromatic, can be produced as a crisp fruity dry wine or late harvest dossed wine
Roussane
Serve with: Chicken, pork, veal, pate
Origin: France, Northern Rhone Valley.
Character: Pear, floral, herbal tea with age
Sylvaner
Serve with: (sweeter styles): Blue cheese, crème brulee
Origin: Germany, also Alsace France, Switzerland & Italy
Character: Light dry neutral white wine. Late harvest styles rich & luscious
Vermentino
Serve with: Strongly flavoured seafood dishes
Origin: Mediterranean islands of Sardinia and Corsica
Character: Fresh floral nose with citrus and pear juice. Dry, rich and robust.
Verdelho
Serve with: Seafood and light meals
Origin: Portugal
Character: Intense flavours with hints of lime and honeysuckle
Where to Buy these Wines on the Granite Belt
The Strange Bird Map is your complete guide to where to find alternative variety Granite Belt wines. Click the map below to view/download.
RED WINES
Barbera
Serve with: Pizza and Antipasto
Origin: Piedmont region of Italy
Character: Fruity, light cherry to weighty sour-cherry, rounded, plummy, low acid & tannins
Durif
Serve with: Game & red meat dishes
Origin: South-eastern France (little remains)
Character: Rich filet & liquorice flavours, robust & concentrated, high tannins & alcohol
Graciano
Serve with: All red meat dishes especially Spanish and Italian, grilled venison and lamb tajines
Origin: Spain, Rioja and Navarra regions
Character: Intense aromatic properties and good acidity, powerful finish of blackberry and vanilla
Malbec
Serve with: Grilled game, red meats & pasta
Origin: South-west of France, but widely grown in Argentina
Character: Dark purple colour, perfumed damson & violet aromas, blackberry flavours
Nebbiolo
Serve with: Hearty meat dishes, spiced beef casserole & salami
Origin: Piedmont region of Italy
Character: Aromas of roses & tar, violets, leather & dried fruits, complex with high tannins & acidity
Nero d’Avola
Serve with: Hearty meat dishes, spiced beef casserole & salami
Origin: Avola region of Sicily
Character: Spicy savoury aromas with dark berries. Rich, full palate, firm tannins
Mourvedre
Serve with: Game meat and duck dishes
Origin: Spain mound Cataluna & Valencia, widely planted in south-east France
Character: Also known as Mater. When young hints of herbs & blackberries, ages to leather & game
Montepulciano
Serve with: Grilled meat, lamb, Bolognese sauce and pasta
Origin: Central Italy
Character: Pepper 8, spice, soft tannins, often enjoyed young, but ages well
Petit Verdot
Serve with: Lamb shanks & beef casseroles
Origin: Bordeaux, France
Character: Intense colour, fragrant aroma of violets, black fruit & firm tannic structure
Pinotage
Serve with: Red meats, duck & venison
Origin: South Africa
Character: Rich with red berry bramble & savoury flavours
Sagrantino
Serve with: Pizza, pasta, truffles
Origin: Central Italy
Character: Full bodied, fruity, spicy flavours
Sangiovese
Serve with: Pizza Margarita, Italian-style pork, veal or chicken
Origin: Italy, the Latin blood of jove
Character: Fresh, fruity flavours of strawberry with a little spice
Saperavi
Serve with: Rich meat dishes
Origin: Georgia, former Soviet Union
Character: Richly coloured, high acid wine suitable for extended ageing
Tannat
Serve with: Red meats, game, cassoulet
Origin: South-west France Madiran
Character. Intensely coloured and strongly tannic, capable of very long life
Tempranillo
Serve with: Tapas, cured ham, herbed meat & smoked sausages
Origin: Spain, regions of Rioja & Ribera del Duero
Character. Medium bodied, lush texture. Black cherry fruits with savoury characters
Follow the Strange Bird Wine Trail
The Strange Bird Map is your complete guide to which alternative variety wines are available on the Granite Belt and where to find them. Click the map below to view/download.
