Italian varieties shine in Mudgee half a century on

Carlo Corino was a winemaker ahead of his time.

Five decades ago Corino identified then relatively obscure Mudgee as an ideal region for growing Italian grape varieties in Australia.

Corino produced several outstanding wines under the Montrose label made from then unknown Italian grape varieties - but his work went largely unrecognised.

Corino, who died in 2007, left Australia and returned home to Italy, where he helped create some of the first attention-grabbing wines from Sicily.

Today, Italian varieties are shining in Mudgee, as shown by two new releases from First Ridge.

The duo is made from barbera, a native of northern Italy, and montepulciano, which thrives in central and southern Italy.

Both are from the standout 2023 vintage, an First Ridge vigneron John Nicholas says they showcase the depth and elegance of Italian varieties grown in Mudgee’s elevated vineyards. First Ridge is at 520 metres.

“The 2023 harvest period saw ideal conditions, with little to no rain, mild weather and slow ripening, producing grapes with perfect colour, concentration and tannin profiles, albeit later than normal,” says Nicholas.

“We are very proud of these new wines. Our winemaker, James Manners, knows the vineyard well and continues to highlight the power and finesse of these Italian varieties and their suitability to our site.”

The First Ridge vineyard is home to a range of premium Italian varieties, including montepulciano and barbera, along with pinot grigio, sangiovese, vermentino, prosecco [glera] and fiano.

“We are extremely grateful to the work that the late Dr Richard Smart did for us in the early days when we established the vineyard,” explains Nicholas. “He had the experience, foresight and fortitude to build on the work of Mudgee vinicultural pioneer Carlo Corino, who established these varieties in Australia in the 1970s.

“We continue to be optimistic about these varieties. Our customers at the cellar door and in the trade are curious about the wines, and keen to taste them."

The montepulciano was my favourite of the pair, matched with a mushroom pizza, but both wines offer interesting savoury drinking for $45. Both would be great with a pasta and a ragu sauce. 

See www.firstridge.com.au