Wine to try
2009 Dominique Portet Sauvignon Blanc, Yarra Valley, A$28
Octopus is a sweet meat, its marinade adding some spicy elements. The accompanying green olives and parsley pick up nicely with the savoury flavours of sauvignon blanc – preferably a more complex style. Dominique Portet has been making sauvignon blanc for more than 30 years – pioneering the variety in his time at Taltarni, and now that he has settled into his Yarra Valley winery his sauvignons are better than ever. In fact, the current wave of sauvignons from the region are right on the money – be it from Oakridge, Shelmerdine, Phi, De Bortoli or Gembrook Hill. They’re all savoury, food-friendly styles and a valid alternative to the more up-front Marlborough style.