2016 Campagnola Vigneti Monte Foscarino Le Bine Soave Classico

I've had a rare sighting of a Soave, this time in our local bottle shop: the 2016 Campagnola Vigneti Monte Foscarino Le Bine Soave Classico. Soave is a comune (equivalent to a township or municipality) of the Veneto region, Verona province, northern Italy. In Italy, permitted grape varieties in a particular place are specified under its Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita (DOCG: controlled designation of origin). So the name of the place stands in for the name of the grape grown, primarily Garganega. Though Soave itself is principally Garganega, it can also be combined with Trebbiano di Soave (Verdicchio), Chardonnay, Pinot Bianco (Chenin Blanc) and Trebbiano (Ungi Blanc) Toscano. So Soave, and not Garganega, will be prominently on the imported bottles' front label.

Australia's appellation system for wine-growing areas is its Geographical Indications(GIs), recognising super zones, zones, regions and subregions. The zones and regions are mapped geographical spaces where several varieties of grapes, both red and white, are grown, depending, of course, on geographical and climatic conditions. In Australia, we don't say 'McLaren Vale is a … wine', the way 'Soave' is said to be a dry, white wine in The Oxford companion to Wine. McLaren Vale is a wine region. While the place is most often named on an Australian wine bottle's label, that place doesn't necessarily stand for only a single grape variety. Nevertheless, there is a burgeoning sense of links between place and variety, such as Riesling in the Clare Valley.

The 2016 Campagnola Soave has custard and pear in its perfume, but with something a little awkward like over-ripe fruit. A beautiful, medium-to-deep gold in colour, on the palate there is lovely pine which right at the end has an unusual touch of sweetness. While not a sweet wine, the 2016 Campagnola would go well with dessert. Certainly not fish. I was having whiting on the night, and planning to drink the Soave, but desisted.

2016 Mas Des Bressades Costières de Nîmes Cuvée Tradition Vin Blanc

Grenache Blanc is still relatively rare to see it in an Australian bottle shop. But it is the most delicious of grapes. Usually, it will be a wine from the South of France, or from Spain. The 2016 Mas Des Bressades Costières de Nîmes Cuvée Tradition Vin Blanc is a combination of Grenache Blanc, Roussanne, Marsanne and Viognier. What a delicious combination! It has a musk and vanilla perfume and vanilla on the most untroublesome, drink-downable palate.

Andrew Peace Masterpeace Rosé wine

The Andrew Peace Masterpeace Rosé wine is a cheap goodie. Bronze/lucozade in colour, with an interesting, mixed perfume of mixed roses, vanilla and jam. I found from the internet that it was from Swan Hill, Victoria, and it appears to be made from Shiraz and Sangiovese.

2016 Miraval Côtes De Provence Rosé

The 2016 Miraval Côtes De Provence Rosé comes in a beautiful bottle, much like the bottom half of the Venus of Willendorf Prehistoric Mother Goddess Statue, and is a beautiful colour in bronze pink, and has liquorice or anise and honey in perfume and on the palate, but it is medicinal and non-luscious, and not cheap. Made from Cinsault, Grenache, Syrah, and Rolle.

2017 Yarra Valley GS Pinot Noir

The 2017 Yarra Valley GS Pinot Noir is a traditional semi-transparent ruby red, and has jam in its n perfume. The smooth palate has some length.

2017 Elephant in the Room Limestone Coast Merlot

The 2017 Elephant in the Room Limestone Coast Merlot would be likeable by Merlot drinkers. Elephant in the Room Pinot Noir is terrific too. You'll recognise Elephant in the Room wines by their elaborate labels of a Victorian (time not place) woman with household elephant, and bottle necks with elephants visible through elaborately framed windows, in different colours: blue for Pinot, green for Merlot, for example.

2015 Limestone Coast Owl & Pussycat Chardonnay

The 2015 Limestone Coast Owl & Pussycat is a traditional buttery but cheap and good Chardonnay.