By Christine Salins.
South Australia’s Yalumba Family Winemakers has long been at the forefront of the move towards sustainable winemaking.
In the late 1990s, Australia’s oldest family-owned winery embarked on a comprehensive, company-wide environmental program, long before most were thinking green.
It has won a stack of environmental accolades over the years, including a Climate Protection Award from the US Environmental Protection Agency in 2007 (a first for the world wine industry) and an International Green Apple Award for Environmental Best Practice in 2007 and 2011.
It released its first collection of organic wines in 2005, working with like-minded grower families who were committed to the health and prosperity of their vineyards with a ‘less is more’ approach.
That ‘less is more’ approach is at the heart of a new collection of organic wines, Yalumba GEN, which consists of four whites and one red priced around the $22 mark.
All the fruit comes from 100% certified organic growers, and they, along with Yalumba, are also members of Sustainable Winegrowing Australia.
Jessica Hill-Smith, marketing manager and sixth-generation family member, says the new label is designed to convey Yalumba’s commitment to the next generation: “to a sustainable future, organic certification and minimal intervention winemaking approach.”
“In the vineyard, we look at improving native vegetation, soil health, water retention and reducing chemical use,” she said. “In the winery, we are very conscious of our waste, recycling and energy use, and are continually improving this as we go.
“This collection shines a light on our sustainable processes every step of the way, from vineyard to bottle.”
Yalumba GEN 2022 Organic Viognier, $22: If there’s any winery that can do a great entry-level Viognier it’s Yalumba, because as we noted in this column back in April, Yalumba has dedicated more than 40 years to perfecting this Rhône variety. Enticingly aromatic with lemon, apricot and pineapple notes, it is rich and luscious with layers of citrus, apricot, peach and cinnamon spice giving texture and complexity. Viognier is very food-friendly and the winemaker suggests you enjoy this one with red duck curry or Pad Thai.
Yalumba GEN 2022 Organic Sauvignon Blanc, $22: Fresh and zesty, a little funky, with tropical flavours of passionfruit, mango, honeydew melon and lemongrass. Would go nicely with salt and pepper squid or alternatively, pop it in the fridge for summer entertaining – it’s the ideal party drink.
Yalumba GEN 2022 Organic Pinot Grigio, $22: There’s a little bit of floral here, with aromas of lavender and rose, a pleasantly crisp acidity, and flavours of pear, green apple and cinnamon. The winemaker recommends you enjoy it with Thai fish cakes, lemon chicken or Asian-style coleslaw with marinated tofu.
Yalumba GEN 2022 Organic Chardonnay, $22: My pick of the crop even though I prefer Chardonnay with a little oak and this one doesn’t have any. What it does have is a little bit of funk from its wild yeast ferment, and rich stonefruit and melon flavours with hints of pineapple and lemon. There’s some nice creaminess too, with a citrus-like acidity on the finish.
Yalumba GEN 2020 Organic Shiraz, $22: This medium-bodied, easy-to-drink red would sit easily alongside a burger, lasagne or even a juicy steak. With aromas of blueberries, plums and fruit cake, it has soft silky tannins and flavours of plum, cherry, vanilla, and chocolate. Hints of pepper and allspice. Nice.
