Christie Kiley on October 5, 2015 0 Comments Perusing the aisles of a wine shop trying to find just the right wine you are craving is like standing in front of the candy shelves in a grocery store when you want something sweet. How do you possibly narrow it down? I can’t exactly help you with your sweet tooth, but I might be able to help you with the wine part. My advice: just go with a blend. This time of year is all about getting cozy, warming you body and soul and indulging in comfort–and I’ve got just the blend to satisfy you: The 2011 Langmeil Three Gardens GSM. Langmeil of Barossa Valley The Langmeil story begins in 1842, when Christian Auricht, a blacksmith from Germany, arrived in Australia to escape religious persecution. It had been the family’s fifth move in seven years, with all of their belongings having been transported from place to place in a large sled-type contraption. In the few years that followed, Christian became a real entrepreneur, setting out straight away and opening a smithy, cobbler’s shop, butchery and bakery. He even dug the village’s first well. This part of town really became the village center and a main area for trading. It wasn’t until around 1843 when he planted an acre of Shiraz vines on his estate. You can still visit the original vineyard today–a place believed to be the oldest surviving Shiraz vineyard in the world. It was almost a hundred years later when Theodore, Christian’s youngest son, started the first winery on the estate. The winery remained in the family for a couple more decades until it was purchased by three friends in 1996; Richard Linder, Carl Lindner and Chris Bitter. There was some work to be had, but eventually they were able to refurbish all of the older buildings, including the village’s well and gardens. To pay homage to the originating founders and pioneers, the new owners decided to name it Langmeil, the village’s original name. The Shiraz vines planted by Christian had gone unattended to for many years. However, the new Langmeil team was able to resurrect them after some months of careful attention. Their first vintage as Langmeil Winery was harvested in 1997. 2011 Langmeil Three Gardens Christian really did see his vineyards as a lush garden. A garden is all about variety, and tending to your garden takes a little more than a just green thumb. It takes patience and love to create a truly flourishing garden or vineyard. The three gardens of Langmeil–from Tanunda, Lyndoch and Vine Vale–are the gardens from which this lovely blend of Shiraz, Mataro and Grenache comes from. This trio has inspired many vineyards since the 1840s. The blend can now be found from wineries all over the world and it is a classic combination that has been around for some two-hundred years. The vines are between ten and ninety years old for this particular vintage. The 2011 Langmeil Three Gardens GSM is 52% Shiraz, 31% Mataro and 17% Grenache. Following its fermentation, this wine is aged for 12 months in oak. This wine has a vivid coloration of ruby and crimson. While you swirl your glass and appreciate the color, be sure to enjoy the late-springlike aromas, with notes of dark cherry, hazelnut, vanilla, powdered sugar and fresh ground pepper. The palate is just as inspiring, with notes of berry fruits carried away by Asian four-spice, espresso and peppercorn. Its balance is just right with soft, mature tannins and a lengthy, persistent finish. This is a great wine to wind-down your week with any of your favorite autumn dishes. Try pairing this wine with a slow roasted pork and maple-rosemary glaze, alongside a crispy potato hash and bacon. The weeks can be busy and sometimes it is easy just to toss a good meal into the slow-cooker too. This wine will pair well with any of your favorite slow-cooked beef and root vegetables, chili or a hearty minestrone.
