Tangs of the tropics

Thai wines aficionados can now enjoy a tipple of another great Australian wine with the arrival in Bangkok of Berri Estates.
Last month, Siam Winery announced its latest Australian import, Berri Estates wines, at an extravagant launch party held in the garden of Australian envoy James Wise on Sathorn Road. The al fresco party enticed celebrities, wine experts and the media, with all the guests enjoying live music, an array of Australian grilled meats and sweets and generous samples of the winery’s white and red offerings.
Lcated in the heart of South Australia’s Riverland between Berri and Glossop, Berri Estates wines are produced from premium grapes grown in soil that’s nourished by the majestic River Murray and a Mediterranean climate. Established in 1922, Berri Estates claims to be Australia’s largest single operating winery and distillery complex, equipped with state-of-the art drainage, pressing, clarifying and chilling facilities to guarantee the total quality of all its wines. The number one by volume consumption in Australia, the winery’s portfolio can be enjoyed on its own, or paired with food.
During the launch event, the guests got to enjoy Berri Estates’ three most delectable wines. The only white on the serving tray, Berri Estates Bin 222 Chardonnay, is a classic dry white with a refreshing aroma of white peach and tropical fruits and light oak influence. Served slightly chilled, it’s great with white meat like chicken and fish, as well as seafood. The peachy tang and tropical fruit notes also make it a decent companion to desserts, especially the fruity ones like khao niew ma muang (mango and sticky rice with coconut cream) which was also served that night.
Berri Estates Bin 777 Cabernet Sauvignon is smooth and dry with intense fruit aromas of red berries and cherries. The hints of cinnamon and spiced oak allow it to pair magnificently with strong-flavoured meat like beef and lamb, or even heavily spiced and seasoned dishes like cured brisket and rich stew.
The star of night and the crowd favourite was Berri Estates Bin 999 Shiraz, which was enjoyed extensively with the grilled beef, mini burgers and lamb. A full-bodied, dry red with a complex aroma of sweet plums and berries, it has a savoury, soft and mature texture with an oak influence,
Berri Estates wines are available at supermarkets nationwide starting at a very reasonable Bt299 per bottle. You can also enjoy Berry Estates with a large group of friends and family by buying Berri Estates 3-litre “Bag in Box” wines for Bt649. The Five Stars White is a refreshing light-bodied white with the aroma of tropical fruits while the Five Stars Red offers a lovely balance of rich berry fruity character, a lick of vanilla, oak and fine grain tannins.