Hunter Valley NEW SOUTH WALES
Gourmet Traveller|May 2022
This established wine region offers a few surprises with its new spirit of innovation
SAMANTHA PAYNE
Hunter Valley NEW SOUTH WALES

Samantha is a sommelier, writer and wine consultant. @sl_payne

So, you think you know the Hunter? You've S been there, done that, bought the semillon and you're done. With 180 years of wine history, the New South Wales region is one of the oldest in Australia. But if you think there's nothing new to see here, the Hunter Valley might surprise you yet.

A sense of tradition permeates these gently sloping hills. And yet, the last decade has been characterized by a spirit of innovation, which takes many guises. This spirit of revival is thanks to the actions of forward-thinking winemakers such as Mike De Iuliis, who in 2010 planted the native Portuguese grape touriga nacional, a first for the region. "Semillon and shiraz will always be the thing the Hunter hangs its hat on but climate change means we've got to look to other regions to supplement what we grow in tougher years or other varietals," says De Iuliis.

This experimentation lends itself to a strong cellar door culture. "For us, being a younger brand in the region, it's easier for us to do weird, quirky things, 68 per cent of our sales are direct to the consumer- the wines go straight from our cellar door and into people's homes so we can show people new things."

Esta historia es de la edición May 2022 de Gourmet Traveller.

Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.

Esta historia es de la edición May 2022 de Gourmet Traveller.

Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.

MÁS HISTORIAS DE GOURMET TRAVELLERVer todo
A taste of refuge
Gourmet Traveller

A taste of refuge

Fleeing war and persecution, Australia's new arrivals push our food culture forward. DANI VALENT explores the contributions of the country's refugee communities.

time-read
4 minutos  |
September 2024
BE OUR GUEST
Gourmet Traveller

BE OUR GUEST

Inspired by the sense of place conjured by Europe's Michelin-star restaurants, local restaurateurs are expanding their hospitality remit to include accommodation

time-read
6 minutos  |
September 2024
HEATHCOTE BOUND
Gourmet Traveller

HEATHCOTE BOUND

MICHAEL HARDEN hits the road to explore regional Victoria's Heathcote, home to this year's Best Destination Dining and a host of other delights.

time-read
4 minutos  |
September 2024
The art of...relishing restaurants
Gourmet Traveller

The art of...relishing restaurants

Does working in hospitality make someone a better or worse diner

time-read
3 minutos  |
September 2024
HEART AND SOUL
Gourmet Traveller

HEART AND SOUL

Not a vegetable but rather a flower bud that rises on a thistle, the artichoke is a complex delight. Its rewards are hard won; first you must get past the armour of petals and remove the hairy choke. Those who step up are rewarded with sweet and savoury creaminess and the elusive flavour of spring. Many of the recipes here begin with the same Provençal braise. Others call on the nuttiness of artichokes in their raw form. The results make pasta lighter and chicken brighter or can be fried to become a vessel for bold flavours all of which capture the levity of the season.

time-read
7 minutos  |
September 2024
48 HOURS IN LUCCA
Gourmet Traveller

48 HOURS IN LUCCA

By the Serchio river within Renaissance-era walls, Lucca's gastronomic treasures are set to delight, as ANASTASIA MIARI discovers.

time-read
2 minutos  |
July 2024
POSTCARDS FROM UDINE
Gourmet Traveller

POSTCARDS FROM UDINE

Off the radar in northeastern Italy, the provincial city is rich with la dolce vita.

time-read
3 minutos  |
July 2024
BERGAMO OR BUST
Gourmet Traveller

BERGAMO OR BUST

Concealed between sophisticated Milan and glamorous Lake Como, beautiful Bergamo is Lombardy's hidden gem, discovers ANNA HART.

time-read
5 minutos  |
July 2024
Coast with the most
Gourmet Traveller

Coast with the most

Food writer AMBER GUINNESS transports us to the shores of Italy's Tyrrhenian Sea by way of delicious helpings of pasta, fish and limoncello.

time-read
7 minutos  |
July 2024
SALUTE
Gourmet Traveller

SALUTE

Explore the warm Mediterranean waters and fresh flavours of Sardinia with these recipes from Brisbane's Pilloni by chef PIETRO SEGALINI.

time-read
7 minutos  |
July 2024