Two entirely distinct areas of the wine world and the quality they can bring in the spotlight this week, with Piedmont on Friday, and Tasmania on Saturday!
Come tomorrow (Friday 27th), we're thrilled to have winemaker Riccardo from the Bera family join us between 4:30 and 7pm for an evening store tasting, pouring five of his creations! With their house located between Piedmont's beloved Alba and Asti areas, Riccardo's family have had their hands in winemaking stretching back several centuries, and we look forward to hearing of his passion for this long term tradition from him as he pours his aromatic style of Langhe Arneis, juicy Barbera d'Alba, an approachable and plush Nebbiolo known as the 'Mio Vino', a Barbarescothat displays droves of full-bodied spice and fine minerality, and finishes off with a delicious little Moscato d'Asti. We hope you can come grab a glass, and meet Riccardo!
Saturday (28th) sweeps in the cool-climate elegance and precise detail behind OSSA, down on Tasmania's east-coast! Founded by Aussie-Swiss couple Rod and Cecile Roberts in 2017, upon the purchase of their 100-hectare farm near the coastal town of Swansea, these two have brought to life a selective catalogue of whites and reds that speak amply of this wild ancient landscape and its soils. Head winemaker Liam McElhinney (also behind Lowestoft and Strelley Farm) joined in 2019, and has put his talents that have been honed in New Zealand, France and the USA to great use, with Chardonnay that sits in the realm of moreish sea spray and racy citric energy, sublime takes of Pinot Noir that sing with brambly earth and deep dark fruits, and a stylish Syrah that stacks up comfortably against any great Rhône option we've come across in recent months. To balance out the lineup with another white option on what will suitably be the final day of summer, we have Liam's Lowestoft Estate Chardonnay, crafted from fruit further south in the Derwent Valley, hitting a beautiful forward style with fleshy oak, struck-match and concentrated stone fruit. This tasting will run from 12 to 2pm; we can't wait to show them off!
The Lineup -
Langhe Arneis 2024 -
$45 on special this week ($52 RRP)
"One of the few white wines among a land where red wines dominate, this wine is born from the indigenous, wellknown grape of Arneis. It has a fine yellow-straw color and floral fragrances that recalls scents of acacia, wild flowers and honey. It is a fresh, flavourful, pleasantly tart and inviting wine. Pairs well with hors-d’oeuvre or fish pasta dishes." - Winemaker Notes
Barbera d'Alba 2023-
$30 on special this week ($35 RRP)
"The Bera Barbera d’Alba is a mid‑weight red with a deep ruby hue and garnet reflections. Aromas of blackberry, blackcurrant, and subtle herb notes like rosemary and wet gravel lead seamlessly into the palate, where juicy dark berries, black olive tapenade, and a touch of licorice mingle with fine, juicy tannins. Bright acidity keeps it fresh and food-friendly, while a long, moreish finish highlights its harmony and structure." - Importer's Notes
'Mio Vino' Nebbiolo 2023-
$52 on special this week ($60 RRP)
"The 2022 Bera Langhe Nebbiolo 'Mio Vino' displays a bright garnet hue, signaling its youthful vibrancy. The nose offers enticing aromas of fresh raspberries, cherries, and rose petals, complemented by subtle notes of leather and herbal spice. On the palate, it reveals juicy red berry flavors with hints of licorice and earthy undertones, supported by polished tannins and bright acidity. The finish is smooth, balanced, and savory, making it an approachable and elegant expression of Nebbiolo, perfect for enjoying now." - Importer Notes
Barbaresco 2021 -
$90 on special this week ($105 RRP)
"Cherry, liquorice root, sage and mint, orange peel, cinnamon spice and vanilla, some hazelnut. Medium to full-bodied, crushed rocks and a ‘mineral’ feel, balanced acidity, red fruits, a light orange blood orange tang closes out a finish of excellent length." - 93 Points, Gary Walsh, The Wine Front
Moscato d'Asti 375ml -
$30 on special this week ($35 RRP)
// Silver Award Winner - Decanter World Wine Awards 2025
"The 2023 Bera Moscato d’Asti is a light, sweet, and aromatic sparkling wine, pouring a delicate straw-yellow hue. The bouquet bursts with floral notes of wisteria and white flowers, alongside ripe peach, apricot, lemon, mint, and sage—all supported by fine, persistent bubbles. On the palate, it is sweet yet crisp, balanced by lively acidity and a refreshing mineral quality. The fruity sweetness is framed by subtle sparkle, lending freshness and drinkability. With just ~5% alcohol, it’s perfect chilled as an aperitif, dessert companion, or celebratory sipper—ideal with fruit tarts, creamy desserts, or enjoyed on its own." - Importer Notes
OSSA White Label Pinot Noir 2024 -
$55 on special this week ($62 RRP)
"Each parcel of Pinot Noir was fermented separately with small inclusions of whole berry and whole cluster. Matured for 11 months in 500L French oak puncheons with minimal intervention prior to bottling. Deep ruby with a magenta edge. The nose delivers layered notes of red and black cherries, supported by subtle earth and alpine herbs. The palate is structured and focused - ripe red fruit meets savory spice and a touch of game, framed by firm, chalky tannins and a mineral backbone." - Winemaker Notes
"Bright cherry red and lively in appearance. Exotic aromas of wild strawberry, cherry, Asian spice, clove, briar and a touch of bunchy funkiness. Textured, mouth-filling and with lovely drive and purity of red and blue fruits, spice and a brambly earthiness. The tannins are shapely, and the length is impressive." - 93 Points, Aaron Brasher, The Real Review
OSSA Chardonnay 2022 -
$75 on special this week ($85 RRP)
"This is superb. Drenched in flavour, long and complex, compelling at every turn. Flint, green pineapple, ripe stonefruit and lemon curd characters team with woodsmoke, cedar and steel. It sings all the way through to a very long finish. It’s great drinking now, there’s no need to wait, but it yet has a lot of time up its sleeve." - 95 Points, Campbell Mattinson, The Wine Front
"Light-mid yellow colour; very powerful and complex on the nose, passionfruit, grapefruit, lemon essence and tangy, the passionfruit the only left-field component—almost a whiff of sauvignon blanc! The wine sings on the palate, with tangy citrusy acidity and juicy, with bucket-loads of fruit flavour all energised by bright, refreshing acidity and a long and electric follow-through." - 95 Points, Huon Hooke, The Real Review
OSSA Pinot Noir 2022 -
$99 on special this week ($115 RRP)
"Deep, bright red-purple colour, and a similarly bright, fresh and youthful aroma of dark cherry laced with spices and a fresh-herb note that could be from grape stems. The wine is brilliantly fresh and vital in the mouth, with intense black-cherry pinot fruit and a lacework of fine but persuasive tannins, then a long and harmonious carry. A smashing young pinot that drinks superbly now and should age extremely well too." - 96 Points, Huon Hooke, The Real Review
"Bright ruby with a magenta edge. Notes of red and dark cherries, wild strawberries and raspberry coulis cut with hints of undergrowth, fine spice, mountain herbs and wildflowers. A pure flow of plush fruit in the palate entry, plentiful in spice and light gamey notes with a tight, chalky tannin framework and pulsing mineral line. Finishes long, elegant and quite sweetly fruited." - 95 Points, Dave Brookes, Halliday Wine Companion
OSSA Syrah 2023 -
$99 on special this week ($115 RRP)
"A vibrant purple red in the glass. Lifted and heady aromas of blueberry, sarsaparilla, clove, dried herbs, Asian spice and an enticing bunchy funk. Fresh, crunchy, bright and punchy in flavour. Full of blue fruits, sweet spice, nutty oak and a wild, brambly exotic-ness. The tannins are shapely, firm and savoury and the acidity brings plenty of snap and crackle to the finish. A lovely example of a cooler climate, mid-weighted shiraz" - 96 Points, Aaron Brasher, The Real Review
"A really impressive East Coast syrah that shows bright plum and forest fruits, daubed with fine spice, white and black pepper, pan juices, violets, gingerbread, olive tapenade, roasting meats, licorice and earth. Harmonious and elegant with a lithe, finely-honed palate, powdered, granitic tannins, bright acidity and a pitch perfect composition and travel. Finishes long and bright." - 96 Points, Dave Brookes, Halliday Wine Companion
Lowestoft Estate Chardonnay 2023 -
$60 on special this week ($68 RRP)
"Coal River Valley chardonnay, whole-bunch pressed into seasoned French oak (300L) for wild ferment before maturing for nine months in oak prior to blending and bottling. Pale straw, with vibrant aromas of grapefruit, white peach and nectarine cut with hints of struck-match complexity, spiced oatmeal, almond paste and riverstone. There's a lot going on here. It's like an orchestra; you can hear it as a whole but are able to delineate and pick out individual instruments, politely golf (orchestra?) clapping as you go, marvelling at the tautly stretched fruit canvas, umami-rich acid line and overall composition and drive. A cracker." - 96 Points, Dave Brookes, Halliday Wine Companion
"Clearly made with ambition and a view to ageing in bottle. The oak circumnavigates the fruit with bold, unassailable confidence but it doesn't in any way quash it. The fruit (nectarine, vineyard peach, sour cherry, clementine) has purity and elegance and persistent presence from start to finish. It has a stony, river-pebble heart, wild-thyme fragrance, and grace notes that taste a little of lemongrass and lavender. Intense spices deeply folded into concentrated sweetness that reminds me of Alphonso mango. It's complex, beautifully structured; rich yet arced; and very long." - 17.5/20, Tamlyn Currin, JancisRobinson.com
If you wish to purchase any of these wines, please use the links above
Otherwise, if you have any questions, please contact us on (07)32521117 or email sales@thewineemporium.com.au
// Special prices valid until Thursday the 5th of March