Ballandean Estate’s 2019 Nebbiolo took home the Trophy for Best Italian Red Varietal at the Queensland International Emerging Wine Variety Challenge on Thursday 26 May.
The challenge is in its third year and Queensland-grown alternate varieties take on the best of Europe in this unique event hosted by Queensland Wine Industry Association.
The varietals are judged and bench-marked against wines from their place of origin.
Ballandean Estate founder Angelo Puglisi accepted the prize at the Brisbane awards dinner held at 66 on Ernest Restaurant, Southbank.
Angelo said that experimenting with varieties that fit the Granite Belt’s unique climate is what gets him excited.
“In 2001, I thought it was about time we had an Italian red under our belt,” he said.
Hailing from Northern Italy’s Piedmont region, this grape is known for producing bold red flavours, grippy tannins, and high natural acidity — all while looking as pale as Pinot Noir.
“Nebbiolo was our first Italian Strange Bird™ planting,” Angelo said.
“We call it the Italian version of Pinot Noir at the cellar door.
“Lighter in body, big tannins, cherry, tar and roses on the nose, ruby and orange hues synonymous with aged Nebbiolo—it’s a real food wine.”
However, he said that Nebbiolo is a finicky variety to grow in Ballandean.
“But when it’s right, it is so right – it needs great drainage and a long, bright growing season as its incredibly sensitive to terroir,” Angelo said.
Ballandean Estate’s high altitude, cool climate, and granite traprock soils on Bellevue’s slopes saw the vines mature a low yield initially.
Angelo overcame this by using a different pruning approach that produces more fruit bunches.
The fruit is the last to be harvested, as it matures slowly with the cool nights at the end of growing season.
