Chrismont La Zona Sangiovese 2010 + Slow cooked Lamb Shanks

The history of Sangiovese is Australia doesn't take long to read as the variety has only been in the country for  approx 30 years. Currently there is 14 different varieties of Sangiovese with the Brunello clone being the best regarded. If left alone Sangiovese is a weed so selecting the right soil type and the right viticultural practices is paramount when producing quality wines. The King Valley seems to be producing the best value and highest quality across the board. Only time will tell if there are any other spots that can rival its dominance.

I decided to pair this wine with slow cooked lamb shanks as I could throw it on in the morning before I headed off to work. You will need a slow cooker machine but they are easy to find.

 Slow Cooked Lamb Shanks

4 large lamb shanks

2 tins of diced tomatoes (2 x 400 g)

2 cloves garlic, crushed

2 carrots, sliced

1 zucchini, sliced

1 handful of button mushroom

half a glass of wine

a handful of fresh herbs, chopped

Throw all ingredients in slow cooker and turn on to high. It will be ready when you get home.

Chrismont La Zona Sangiovese 2010 

The La Zona label is the Italian arm of the Chrismont winery, well actually it is the Mediterranean arm with a focus on all things Italian. This wine does taste like an Aussie wine but there are nice whiffs of earth and tartness that remind me of the varieties roots. The flavours of sour cranberries and Christmas cherries are medium bodied, while the light tannins kick in and march hand in hand with the flavours. The length of the wine is very good and it seems so easy to drink at this stage of its development. Could I drink this for lunch on a warm summers day? Hell yes and a little more.

Alcohol: 13%

Price: $24

Rated: 87

Drink: Now or over the next 5 years