Corrina Wright, winemaker and director of Oliver’s Taranga is at the forefront of the Australian wine scene. With excellent taste and experience to boot, she’s a go-to girl when it comes to all things wine.
Corrina will be participating in Women, Wine & Shoes! an exciting event presented by The Fabulous Ladies’ Wine Society. Held at The Prince Deck in Melbourne on Thursday April 18th and Rydges South Bank in Brisbane on April 23rd (as part of Aussie Wine Month), the event will be an extravagant combination of Australia’s top female wine industry talent and the latest fashion and footwear trends.
We spoke to Corrina about life as one of Australia’s leading female wine makers and asked for her top tips on choosing an Aussie wine.
RESCU: You have a very long history in winemaking! Can you tell us a little about growing up in a vineyard and your history with wine?
Corrina Wright: Grew up in McLaren Vale on our family vineyard means that I was used as slave child labour ever since I can remember!! All good though, nothing like being instilled with a strong work ethic from a young age. I am one of the 6th generation of Olivers on this same property (settled in 1841), so we have been growing grapes for a long time. I have been lucky enough to have the support of my family to move into winemaking from our 300 acre estate in 1994, and we haven’t looked back.
RESCU: Can you give us some never-fail tips that novices can use when buying wine?
Corrina Wright: Clare Valley Riesling, Hunter Valley Semillon, Tassie Fizz and Chardonnay, McLaren Vale Grenache, McLaren Vale & Barossa Shiraz, Adelaide Hills Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay, Coonawarra Cabernet always tend to be the strengths of the regions. But, I always encourage experimentation- don’t just go for the same wine or brand all the time, try some different varieties and styles. Get down to the cellar doors when you get a chance and have a taste, chat to the winemakers and cellar door staff and expand your knowledge- never know what you may find!
RESCU: What’s your go-to wine for when you want to seriously impress someone?
Corrina Wright: Champagne- bit of a cliché, but it always works and means celebration. If I am thinking closer to home, pulling an Oliver’s Taranga 02 HJ Reserve Shiraz out of the cellar means that someone special is in for a treat! 02 was a stunning vintage in McLaren Vale and is aging superbly, and the HJ is our icon wine named after my grandfather Herbert John Oliver.
RESCU: What are some of the it-grapes and wine trends for 2013?
Corrina Wright: Fiano & Vermentino- Southern Italian white varieties finding a new home in Australia Rose – dryer styles, refreshing and great with food Anything from Tassie- the apple isle is going off at the moment Grenache- old vines from McLaren Vale or Barossa, alone or blended. Perfect luncheon wines- seek them out
RESCU: Our Melbourne and Brisbane readers have a very special event coming their way – the Fabulous Ladies’ Wine Society Women, Wine, Shoes event. Can you tell us a bit about that and your participation?
Corrina Wright: Super excited that someone has finally put wine and fashion together in such a cool way. I am over the moon to be meeting all the ladies at the events and showing them some of our fabulous wines, while we bond over shoes! Our team at Olivers Taranga is very much female driven, so we are always happy to be a part of events that showcase our wines in new and exciting ways to wine-loving women (and men!). Both Brioni Oliver and myself will be attending the events and we look forward to meeting loads of new people.
For more information visit:
Web: www.fabulousladieswinesociety.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/TheFabulousLadiesWineSociety
Twitter: @FabLadiesWine
Pinterest: www.pinterest.com/FabLadiesWine
