2011 Tscharke Girl Talk Marananga, Barossa Valley, Savagnin

Savagnin, according to Janice Robinson's 2006 Oxford Wine Companion, is a 'curious' variety, but nevertheless 'fine'. Although a search on the web tells me a number of Oz wineries make or use this grape, it is rare to see it as a single variety on a label. It has gotten mixed up with Albarino in Australia. But here it is as a very drinkable, lightish, mildly tasty but elegant and understated wine that you could bring out for or recommend to friends and not be ashamed, particularly if it's a lovely warmish arvo, early autumn let's say, and then you'd savour it and admire yourself for your sophistication. The Tscharke is in a rounded, heavy, dark bottle with the label sitting in two parts at the bottom, so it's distinctive. The tree blown so sideways it looks like a long-fingered hand, though, kind of doesn't do it any favours. Not sure what 'girl talk' is about, although I wouldn't mind claiming it as a distinctive wine for discerning women. It's around the $20ish mark.