On The Grapevine

with David Ellis

Little penguin causes a flap

Little Penguin - one of our most successful wine launches in the USA, and now on shelves here.

A wine created for those who simply enjoy a glass of red or white and are not into terroir, botrytis, phenolics and other serious wine-speak, has become the 6th largest-selling Australian wine brand in the USA in less than a year.

The Little Penguin is made by Southcorp and following its success in America has now gone on our shelves here, again with the intention that at $10.99 a bottle its made for buying, opening (with an easy screw cap) and drinking.

The 2004 Chardonnay and 2004 Shiraz are both fresh, fruit-forward wines made from fruit sourced from South Australia and Victoria and exposed to a little oak.

The Chardonnay is quite lush with hints of spice, and is one of those quaffing-styles to enjoy while barbecuing a chicken or seafoods; the Shiraz at the price is a rewarding surprise with delightful fruit, spice and cocoa... consider this one with roast beef, lamb or veal.

The Little Penguin label went on the market in the USA in mid-2004, and has been hailed there as one of the most successful wine launches in recent history; industry magazine Impact gave it Hot Brand listing, an award given only to brands that sell over 200,000 cases and experience double-digit USA growth in a year - something The Little Penguin achieved in half that time.

One for the cellar:Hardy's planted some of the first vines in Padthaway on South Australia's Limestone Coast in 1970, and those 30-odd year old vines are now rewarding the company with exceptional premium reds and whites. One to get while its just $18-$20 a bottle is their 2001 Hardys Padthaway Cabernet Sauvignon, a wine showing intense mulberry, red current and plum aromas, and loaded with fruit, fine tannin and subtle oak flavours. Make it a must for the cellar and it'll age gracefully for around 10 years.