Matt Green & The Exuberant Escapades at Tarragindi Wine Fair

For self-confessed wine nerd Matt Green events like last weekend’s Tarragindi Wine Fair give him the most job satisfaction.

Matt manages the Tarragindi Sense of Taste store and says the second Tarragindi Wine Fair, held at Wellers Hill Bowls Club and featuring local and international wines, was a big success.

“These events are the fun part of the job. We had a good turnout and it’s great to get the support of the local community,’’ Matt says.

There was a big focus on sparklings and rosé – a variety that continues to go from strength to strength and shows no signs of slowing down.

There’s a couple of new French rosé varieties on the Tarragindi shelves Matt suggests trying – the classic pale Provence rosé Mirabeau and Gardian from the Languedoc-Roussillon region.

On the local front, Whistler Dry As A Bone Rosé from the Barossa is the perfect drink for a summer’s day with aromas of fresh raspberries, cherries and strawberry yoghurt.

Sense of Taste Tarragindi is coming up to its second birthday in April, and has carved a niche in the market with its ability to source obscure wines for customers.

This is a credit to Matt, who has an extensive wine knowledge. Before joining Sense of Taste, Matt was a sales rep for wine merchants Samuel Smith & Son, which represents leading brands including Yalumba, Vasse Felix, Jansz, Dalrymple, Bleasdale and Wirra Wirra.

Before that, Matt spent about 28 years in fine wine retail. He knows his stuff. And his tip for summer is a big surge in demand for alternate white varieties – Chenin Blanc, the old-school Verdelho, Soave, Albarino, Fiano and Roussanne.

One of his current favourites is the Marc Bredif Vouvray Chenin Blanc, from the Loire Valley. This Chenin Blanc is a real benchmark for the region, renowned for its longevity, ageing well for between five and 20 years.

He says Barringwood, from Tasmania, is doing some interesting German styles, with the delicate, aromatic style Schonburger his recommendation.

“It’s an awesome summer drink, quite fruit driven with apple and pear characteristics,’’ Matt says. “It has some residual sugar which is balanced by tight, fine acid.’’

 

The Hugel Pinot Gris from the home of pinot gris - Alsace, France - “went nuts’’ at the wine fair. Rich and full but still dry, it matches perfectly with terrines, white meats and fish in sauce. Readily available at Tarragindi Sense of Taste.

Matt recently conducted his own experiment in the Tarragindi store, sacrificing a shelf in the wine fridge to stock some of the Jambreen cheese range.

Sense of Taste stores have always had a good selection of charcuterie meats and cheeses, crackers and olives, but it appears it’s sometimes missed by customers.

“This worked like a charm, people suddenly realise we have cheese,’’ Matt says.