Chalmers Inzolia Bush Vine 2022

Part of Chalmers ‘Bush Vine’ project, an innovative approach to climate change, Inzolia is a variety that originates in the warm climate of Sicily. The vineyard is unirrigated, organically managed, hand-harvested (and weeded) and the bush vines provide a natural sun protection for this drought-tolerant variety. The aromas remind me of walking in an orange grove – fragrant blossoms, waxy, ripe fruit and a lively verdancy. It’s also intensely chalky, like crushing limestone between your fingers. In the mouth it’s slippery and silky with the illusion of lemon meringue tart – there’s the silky, fluffy meringue and tart lemon custard- but it’s not at all sweet. There’s an umami-like sensation and it finishes long and mineral, with a hint of golden delicious apples, hay, and almond meal. A fascinating wine to ponder but also perfectly suited to a laid-back summer spread.

Nicole Bilson

Wine Critic at Winepilot

Nicole loves wine. So much so that she gave up a successful career in Pharmacy, perfected her spitting technique, and moved from sunny Queensland to the wine-drenched laneways of Melbourne. Stints in hospitality, wineries, retail, sales and marketing filled the next few years while Nicole built her knowledge and searched for the right path. She completed the Wine and Spirits Education Trust (WSET) Diploma in 2016 and became a certified WSET Educator the following year. She now juggles a number of roles including teaching people about wine, curating wines lists for restaurants and bars, judging in Australian wine shows and, of course, writing. In 2016 she won the Negociants Working With Wine writing award and has since contributed to Gourmet Traveller WINE, Halliday Wine Companion Magazine and Nourish Magazine.

Wine tasting