On trend wines have modern art design labels

Consumer awareness of Australian regionality to be pushed through two new ranges from De Bortoli, created by winemaker Steve Webber.

De Bortoli will be launching the Palette Series and the Regional Reserve Series to the UK market in January 2016, to respond to the growing consumer demand for terroir-driven wines.

Steve Webber says of the launch: “Like food, consumers are increasingly inquisitive about where their wine comes from. Australia's climates are so diverse that it is important that people link variety and wine style with a region or place. This is what we are trying to do with both of these ranges. Pure and detailed expressions of Chardonnay and Pinot from the Yarra Valley, plump and richly textured Shiraz from Heathcote, gently aromatic Pinot Grigio from the King Valley".

The Palette Series is targeted at impulse, multiple grocers and specialists, whereas the Regional Reserve series is aimed at independent and regional wholesalers.

Both series are composed of single varietal wines from cool climate vineyards (the Regional Reserve series also with one Sauvignon/Semillon blend), reflecting the growing consumer demand for provenance that is now appearing in the wine industry.

Both series are competitively priced at £9.99.

The Palette Series

These are the Fresh Reign Pinot Grigio 2014 from the King Valley, Topsy-Turvy Chardonnay 2013 from the Yarra Valley, the Gumboot Fruit Shiraz 2014 from the Heathcote and the Over Yonder Pinot Noir 2015 from the Yarra Valley. 

The wines come from a unique terroir; for example, the Shiraz vines are planted on some of the oldest soils on the planet composed of deep red Cambrian volcanic soil mottled with limestone.

Targeted at impulse, multiple grocers and specialists, the range is on trend with the modern art design packaging created to depict the region from which the wine is from, making it consumer-friendly and eye-catching. 

The label designs innovatively incorporate regional significance to the bottle. For example, the Chardonnay is named Topsy Turvy because the Yarra River is dubbed the river that flows upside down because of its muddy colour. Fish make an appearance on the label as they are plentiful in the Yarra River, as well as them providing an ideal match for the Chardonnay. Rowers are often seen on the river and hence they also make an appearance; upside down again for another play on Topsy Turvy.

The Regional Reserve Series

The series is composed of regional wines from premium vineyards across Victoria, Australia. These are the Regional Reserve Chardonnay 2014 from the Yarra Valley, the Regional Reserve Sauvignon Blanc Semillon 2015 from the Yarra Valley, the Regional Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2012 from the Yarra Valley, the Regional Reserve Pinot Noir 2015 from the Yarra Valley and the Regional Reserve Shiraz 2014 from Heathcote.

Fruit is harvested from specific vineyard plots and vinified and matured separately. For example, the Chardonnay comes from sites located at Dixons Creek, Yarra Glen, Tarrawarra, and Woori Yallock. The juice is racked to older French oak casks (225L, 500L and 5700L).

Packed in stylish, classic packaging, this series is aimed at independent and regional wholesalers.

21 December 2015 - Felicity Murray The Drinks Report, editor