Wine columnist and connoisseur DENNIS KNILL gives his views on two of Orlando’s new wine portfolios.
It all began when Johann Gramps migrated from Eichig, a small village in Bavaria, to South Australia in 1837. After planting grapes along the banks of Jacob’s Creek in 1847, the first vintage produced 12 dozen bottles of hock, fermented in small oak barrels.
The vintage was so successful the winery grew rapidly and in 1877 Gustav Gramp, Johann’s son, built a new winery in Rowland Flat, naming it Orlando after an Italian version of the settlement’s name. For the next century, Orlando progressed from a family business to a multi-national and in 1971 was acquired by Reckitt and Coleman only to be brought back by the family before being on sold to Pernod Ricard, a global producer of some of the world’s finest wines.
Today, Orlando is a household name with award-winning wines that capture all that is great about Australian classic wines, at an affordable price point. For sheer depth and intensity, these two take some beating.
’18 Orlando Printz Shed shiraz
RRP $30
Finding a good shiraz at this price is rare.
A full-bodied, textured wine from Northern Barossa propelled with waves of ripeness and aromatics, and balanced with great structure and an abundance of concentrated fruit that makes for an easy drinking wine. Works well with BBQs, roasts, lamb, and casseroles.
’15 Orlando Centenary Hill shiraz,
RRP $65
This excellent example from Southern Barossa sets the benchmark for Orlando’s new wine portfolio. Picked from old vines and fermented in French and American oak barrels, this flavour-bursting wine is packed with richness and framed with soft, silky tannins. Will cellar well and long. Pair with beef, venison, lamb and game.
