foodwineclick

World Wine Travel Writers in Search of Victoria Whites
This month our World Wine Travel writers are in search of white wines from Victoria. Our smaller numbers this month may be due to the fact that they seem to be hard to find here in the US. Most wine shops stock well known Australian brands from South Australia, especially Barossa Valley. Wineries in Victoria are usually smaller operations focused more on quality than growth, perhaps explaining their lower presence in the US. Scroll down further in this post for links to our writers’ posts with the Victoria wines they unearthed!

Frisk Winery
Frisk Wines is located in the Alpine Valleys Zone in Victoria. As the name suggests, the zone is located in the foothills of the Victorian Alps with grapes planted up to 2000 ft. elevation, potentially good conditions for Riesling. The Frisk Wines website has a contemporary feel, focused more on marketing than detailed information on vineyards etc… As such, it’s difficult to know whether they purchase grapes or grow them. Still, the website is entertaining.

Frisk “Prickly” Riesling Victoria 2021 ($15 locally at Thomas Liquors) 10% abv
Helpful “sweet meter” on the back label showing this wine as off-dry, 10% abv was also a strong clue
Eye: Pale lemon tending to lemon-green clearly showing a bit of fizz
Nose: Medium plus aromas of fresh, just ripe lime and lime rind, tart lemon, freshly opened can of tennis balls (aka petrol), some slate.
Mouth: Medium-dry, refreshing high acidity, medium plus body, low alcohol, medium plus flavors, medium plus finish. Flavors of bright fresh citrus especially lime, the sweetness reminded me of key-lime pie filling. Wine has a bit of carbonation.
Observations: This wine was a bit sweeter than off-dry, though the sweetness was welcome with the mouthwatering acidity, making for a perfectly balanced, super refreshing drink.

Riesling and Hoisin Pork!
Riesling is a great wine pairing for virtually any pork recipe. This NY Times recipe for Hoisin Glazed Pork Bowl with Vegetables capitalizes on every aspect. The wines’ sweetness matches the sweetness in the hoisin glaze while the mouthwatering acidity cleanses and refreshes the palate between bites. The bright fruit flavor and again the acidity are like a squeeze of fresh lemon juice over the crunchy raw veggies. Definitely a match to enjoy again in the future!

(click on any of the photos below to view them full size in a slide show)

Our Plating Challenge
While prepping dinner, Julie and I decided on a friendly plating competition. Which one is your favorite, and which is Julie’s and which is mine? Let us know in the comments!

Join the World Wine Travel Fun
Take a look below at our Victoria white wine finds, you’re sure to find a wine and a food pairing you’d like to try. We usually organize a chat on Twitter, but this month, we’re going to give a Zoom meeting a try. Care to join us? Here’s the link, we’ll be live Saturday May 28 from 10-11am CDT. We hope to see you there!

• Wendy of A Day in the Life on the Farm paired Peach Chicken and a Chardonnay from Fowles Farm 
• Cam of Culinary Adventures with Camilla shares Steamed Mussels with a Citrus Drizzle + Punt Road Pinot Gris 2019 
• Terri of Our Good Life is enjoying Summertime Charcuterie with Whipped Feta + Butterfly Effect Rose Grenach
• Jeff of Food Wine Click! serves up Frisk Prickly Riesling with Hoisin Pork
• Deanna of Wineivore is talking about Mango + Tahblik Old Vine Marsanne
• Gwendolyn of Wine Predator says “Say Hey to Summer with Victoria’s Fowles Wines “Ginger Prince” Sparkling Rosé Paired with Smoked Egg Salad ”   
• Nicole of Somm’s Table shares “Oakridge Chardonnay from Yarra Valley and an Orzo Salad Transformation”