Adam Wadewitz fromShaw and Smith and Tolpuddle Vineyard reveals his wine tips

Adam Wadewitz, who is winemaker for Shaw + Smith and Tolpuddle vineyards. Picture: Supplied Source: Supplied

Is there one wine rule that should be broken?

Lots of wine rules should be broken. There’s no place for snobbery — the important thing is to encourage people to enjoy wine and not make it intimidating by having lots of rules.

What are you selling a lot of?

Adelaide Hills Chardonnay — it continues to win more and more fans and is a great example of the right variety in the right place.

What’s the most overrated drink more people should know about?

I really like the diversity within the craft beer movement, but the over the top hoppy ones are not my thing.

And what’s the most underrated?

McLaren Vale Grenache — delicious medium bodied styles, great food friendly wines.

What’s the biggest challenge facing you as a winemaker at the moment?

Refining our understanding of the vineyards. The key thing for me is spending lots of time in the vineyards, putting in the detailed work, and trying to translate that into the bottle.

Name your special occasion bottle.

1996 Dom Perignon Champagne

Is there a varietal or drink you think will be the next big thing?

I’m not sure we’ve found it yet. Touriga Nacional is a good warm climate variety that has some potential in Australia.

What bottle under $20 would you recommend to novices?

I’d recommend they spend more than $20! But ... my go to under $20 bottles are the Yarra Valley Villages wines from Debortoli.

Adam Wadewitz is winemaker at Shaw and Smith in the Adelaide Hills and Tolpuddle Vineyard in Tasmania.

Originally published as No rules when it comes to wine

post from sitemap