2008 Alfresco Riesling

"In typical Lubiana fashion; is lemony, long and largely dry, residual sugar neutralised by high acidity.  Screwcap. 8.5% alc.  Rating 89.  To 2010. $29"

James Halliday

Australian Wine Companion 2010

"A bright new styled Riesling with a bit of fizz, somewhere between a dry table wine and a moscato.  A youthful extremely drinkable fresh and lively wine, brimming with lots of subtle aromatics.  This wine shows full flavour at a low alcohol level of 8.5 percent.  The makers have indeed pushed the boundaries of conventional Australian winemaking and reckon  "Alfresco's low alcohol, zippy freshness and effervescence make it a perfect pre-aperitive (if such a word exists).  It is best served icy cold in a shot glass about 70ml.  The wine should be drunk briskly to cleanse the palate before moving on to an aperitive.  It could also accompany dessert or gorgeous fresh fruits."

David Bray - Independent

7 January 2009

"A Riesling with a difference comes from Hobart based Stefano Lubiana Wines.  Their 2008 Alfresco Riesling displays a light green straw colour.  The fruit on the nose jumps out of the glass.  The palate is fresh and fruity with a slight "spritzig" bubbly fizz.  The taste is refreshing with overripe fruit flavours such as apricots, citrus and grapefruit.  The wine was "fermented cold at five degrees Celsius and then bottled cold in late May to retain as much carbon dioxide and fruitiness as possible.  The high acidity on the finish is dry and balanced by residual sugar.  It is recommended that it be served ice cold.  My neighbours and I had this wine at our Christmas street party and the women, in particular, loved it; so much that one of my neighbours, who doesn't generally drink, came over the following day to ask where she could buy it (rrp $28)."

Jim McMahon - Education

2 March 2009

"A clean, racy young Riesling whose zesty aromas of lime juice, white peach and pear reveal talcum powder-like undertones. Fresh and juicy, its vibrant, tangy palate overlies a fine, chalky minerality, while it finishes with perhaps a trace of sweetness.  Tight and focused."

Jeremy Oliver - The Australian Wine Annual 2009

Two Stars

"There's nothing like a glass of bubbles or two to make the day tick over nicely.  EVERYDAY "This wine is all about being in a comfy deck chair under a shady tree with not a care in the world except having the bottle within easy reach.  It's similar to moscato and the slight spritz keeps me happy."

Donna Hay - Donna Hay Magazine

April/May 2009

"With summer well and truly with us, this fruity little wine from Granton’s Steve and Monique Lubiana is just the thing to be enjoying out of doors now, or to drink alongside those yummy curried scallop pies that pop up at this time of the year at places like the Taste of Tasmania.  It’s a delicious drink, and with 3 or 4 months under its belt, it appears a tad drier and better balanced than it did on release.

The Examiner, 2nd January 2008.

Mark Smith

2008 Riesling

"Very ale with a nose of vitality, freshness and lime/tropical notes, the palate a little more subdued with delicate citrus and musk flavours backed by a beautiful line of seamless minerally acid running to a lingering, crisply dry finish.  One you could confidently cellar. 12.5 percent"

Graeme Phillips - Sunday Tasmanian

22 March 2009

2005 Riesling