Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/504216
64 / the tasting panel / may 2015 AUSTRALIA I t's a tale of two ex-pats: Henry Hudson and Tom Donegan, two Australians living in the U.S. and discovering there was nary a drop of fine Australian wine to be found. Hudson, hailing from Melbourne, and Donegan, a sommelier from Sydney, joined forces to import the unique wines they knew and loved from home. Today, Hudson Wine Brokers are paving the way for fine Australian wine to hit the U.S. scene in a big way. Hudson and Donegan have amassed a portfolio of elegant wines from various regions of Australia that challenge anyone's idea of Australian wine. They are very select about sourcing and represent "only top-notch wines that can sit with the best in the world." All of Hudson Wine Brokers' wines hearken from family- or independently-owned wineries, from Margaret River in the west to Canberra in the east. They strive to maintain the sense of authentic- ity that comes from small production wineries. Hudson Wine Brokers' wines are featured in boutique wine shops from Los Angeles and San Francisco to Las Vegas, Chicago, New York, Florida and Texas. They are on the menus of Michelin- starred restaurants as well as local hotspots across the country. The price point of the wines is enticing to both restaurateurs and consumers. Without the hefty overhead of Napa or Bordeaux, Australian wines are sold at prices well below similar offerings from other parts of the world. Most of the wines in the Hudson portfolio are in the $20–$60 range, and for that price, they certainly over-deliver. According to Hudson and Donegan, it's an excit- ing time in Australia. Winemakers are bringing Old World traditions to new, up-and-coming regions. The attention is focused on highlighting the terroir and creating wines that express their origins. Hudson enthuses, "People are happy to have a choice of regions. The styles are surprising them. Tasting cool climate wines from Australia just blows them away!" Hudson Wine Brokers are effectively bridging the gap between Australia and the U.S., and Australian wine is again poised to take the U.S. by storm—only this time, we get to experience the singular quality and excellence that Australians have been enjoying all along. To New Heights HUDSON WINE BROKERS PROPELS "NEW" AUSTRALIAN WINE FORWARD by Elizabeth Kate / photo by Adam James TASTING NOTES Grosset Polish Hill 2014 Riesling, Clare Valley (SRP $52) A classic Clare Valley Riesling. Pale, straw yellow in color with beautiful citrus blossom florals and lemongrass on the nose. Absolutely dry on the palate, with lovely notes of fresh limes and green apples. With a taut, chalky minerality, a firm acid backbone and a crisp finish, this Riesling is a head-turner. Brash Higgins 2012 Shiraz, McLaren Vale (SRP $42) Boasting a gorgeous, deep ruby color, the nose of this Shiraz is redolent of blackberries, black licorice and violets, with earthy notes of tar. The palate is not immediately fruity, but full of spice, tobacco and darkest chocolate followed by ripe, juicy plums and forest berries. An elegant wine with firm tannins and a bit of grit, boasting a long, cool finish. Sublime. Henry Hudson and Tom Donegan started Hudson Wine Brokers to bring fine Aussie wine to the U.S.