When people think of Australian wine, normally one would think of Barossa, Margaret River and maybe Mornington Peninsula or Hunter as stand out regions for premium wines. On reflection of my trip, I kept coming back to the wines of Orange as stand outs for me as some of  the most unique, interesting and consumer friendly wines I tasted on the tour.

Orange is one of Australia’s best kept secrets –  it is one of the highest wine regions in Australia with the Logan vineyards sitting at altitudes above 800 meters. Passing through the Blue Mountains, Orange is located North/West of Sydney and it is truly a region for cool climate winemaking. Not only is the climate perfect for grape growing, the fantastic volcanic soil types and high sunshine hours contribute to the grapes getting to the perfect ripeness with a lovely natural acidity that run through the wines. For me the wines are a bridge between fruit driven Aussie wines with the balance and structure of European wines – and this is exactly the philosophy Peter Logan represents in his winemaking, wines with fruit and finesse.

I was delighted that Peter Logan was able to visit the shop in October – to showcase his wines in front of a group of customers and explain about this philosophy and about the region. All of the wines went down really well, and have had people coming back for them time and time again.

Peter makes three levels of wines, the eponymous and premium Logan range consists of traditional varieties and blends while the Weemala are a selection of quirky and approachable wines with more unusual European varieties. The third label, Appla Tree Flat, consists of great quality wines at a more approachable price point.

Apple Tree Flat Shiraz

Apple Tree Flat Shiraz – Crimson red in colour, the wine has a lovely perfume with aromas of red berries, fresh earth and a slightly floral lift. It has a fleshy palate making it really approachable with bright flavours of mixed berries, plums and spice. £10.99 Special Offer £9.99

Weemala Pinot Gris

Weemala Pinot Gris – This has been one of Peter’s best selling wines in Lymington! It is a combination of grapes from cool climate Mudgee and Orange. The wine has aromas of pear, honeysuckle and nougat, with poached apple, white peach and some nutty flavours. It has a silkily textured palate before a long lemony finish. £13.99Special Offer £12.99

Logan Chardonnay

Logan Chardonnay – The coolness of this region lends really well to making elegant, restrained Chardonnay. Fruit on the vine is ripened slowly so it retains a delicate freshness whilst developing layers of flavour. Notes of pear, nectarine and hazelnuts with a long citrus, mineral finish. £17.99 Special offer £16.99

Weemala Pinot Noir

Weemala Pinot Noir – Weemala is both an aboriginal word for ‘good view’ and the name of Peter’s vineyards in the Central Ranges of NSW. This Pinot Noir is light cherry red, and has perfumed aromas of red cherry, fresh cut mushroom and spice, with flavours of strawberry, cherry and cinnamon on a bright long palate. £13.99 Special Offer £12.99

Logan Shiraz

Logan Shiraz – This was wine of the night at our tasting in the shop – Cool climate Shiraz is elegant, refined and restrained. Not what you would first assume from a bottle of Aussie red – especially as it is also only 13.5% alcohol! It has rich, soft berry, cherry and plum fruit – these flavours are balanced by a complex savoury character of white pepper, fennel and freshly turned earth. £18.99 Special Offer £17.99