Wizard White

Description

Fruit driven with apricot across the palate. Late harvest Verdelho grape with small amount of white muscatel grapes added. Excellent for cheeses or with hot spicy food 12.5%.

Q: What does Cedar Creek Estate Wizard White taste like?

A: Cedar Creek Estate Wizard White is a fruit-driven white wine made primarily from late harvest Verdelho grape with a small amount of white Muscatel grapes added. On the nose and palate it offers rich apricot and tropical fruit character, with a generous, full-fruited sweetness that is less intense than White Moscato but sweeter than the dry Verdelho. At 12.5% alcohol by volume, it is an excellent companion to cheeses and hot, spicy food, where its sweetness and fruit richness provide a delicious counterpoint.

Q: What is the difference between Wizard White and the standard Verdelho?

A: Both Wizard White and Cedar Creek Estate’s standard Verdelho are based on the Verdelho grape variety, but they are produced in quite different styles. The standard Verdelho is made as a dry wine from normally harvested grapes, producing a crisp, tropical-fruited wine with lively acidity and a dry finish. Wizard White, by contrast, uses late harvest Verdelho – grapes left on the vine longer to develop higher sugar levels – combined with a small amount of white Muscatel grapes for added sweetness and floral character. The result is a noticeably sweeter, fuller-flavoured wine with apricot-driven fruit and a sweeter finish.

Q: What is the Muscatel grape and why is it used in Wizard White?

A: Muscatel (or Muscat) is one of the oldest grape families in the world, thought to be among the first grape varieties cultivated by humans. The Muscat family encompasses hundreds of varieties, including Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains (used in Asti Spumante), Muscat of Alexandria, and the Brown Muscat used in Australian liqueur Muscats from Rutherglen. In Cedar Creek Estate’s Wizard White, a small percentage of white Muscatel grapes is added to the late harvest Verdelho to contribute additional floral aromatics, grapey sweetness, and complexity.

Q: What food does Wizard White pair well with?

A: Cedar Creek Estate recommends Wizard White with cheeses, hot and spicy food, and describes it as “delicious with Mexican food or a Thai dish.” The wine’s fruit-forward sweetness and generous body make it an excellent partner for spicy cuisines where the sweetness tempers the heat – think Thai green curry, Mexican enchiladas, Indian masala, and Sichuan-style stir-fries. It also works beautifully with a cheese platter featuring creamy soft cheeses, blue cheeses, and aged varieties. As a dessert pairing, try it with fruit tarts, crème brûlée, or light pastries.

Q: How does Wizard White differ from White Moscato?

A: Both Wizard White and White Moscato are sweet white wines from Cedar Creek Estate, but they differ in base variety, sweetness level, and overall style. White Moscato is made from late harvest Chardonnay at 9% ABV, with a very fruity, easy-drinking sweetness. Wizard White is made from late harvest Verdelho with added Muscatel, coming in at 12.5% ABV and described as “fruity but not as sweet as Moscato.” Wizard White has a richer, more complex apricot and tropical fruit character, while White Moscato is lighter, fresher, and more overtly sweet. The Sweet Pack wine bundle includes Wizard White alongside White Moscato to explore both styles.

Q: How much does Cedar Creek Estate Wizard White cost?

A: Cedar Creek Estate Wizard White is priced at $34 per bottle and is available online at cedarcreekestatewinery.com.au/product/wizard-white/. It also features in the Sweet Pack wine bundle ($147 for four bottles including Moscato, Wizard White, Revelation Red, and Chocolate Tawny). A super-value 12-bottle carton is also available for bulk purchasing.