34 min

Varietal focus: Riesling Halliday Wine Companion

    • Food

Halliday Wine Companion 'By the Glass' EP 6: Belinda Hughes, Rieslingfreak, South Australia.

Just like Sauvignon blanc from the Marlborough – Riesling has had its fair share of bad press, often associated with Germany’s mass exports of the 70s and 80s.

Now while its often thought of as a sweet wine, Riesling can vary from bone-dry through to wines that rich, textural and sticky. It truly is a variety for all wine drinkers.

Today we are joined by winemaker Belinda Hughes from Rieslingfreak in the Barossa.

Alongside her husband, John, Belinda specialise in all things Riesling. From dry, to sparkling, sweet and fortified. Their label Riesling freak celebrates a deep love for one of Australia’s most underrated grape varietals, through 11 expressions.

And as promised - all the details for our upcoming 2022 Halliday Wine Companion Awards:

This year we have two ways to celebrate – in person at our fine-dining degustation dinner or virtually with our online streaming event. Purchase your tickets and join us at Stokehouse St Kilda for an unforgettable evening, or subscribe to our online broadcast and start planning your own event at home! Don't forget to tag #Halliday2022 in all your celebrations.

Any thoughts or suggestions for upcoming episodes? Please email us at bytheglass@hardiegrant.com and don't forget to follow Halliday Wine Companion over on instagram here.

Want to know what wine we were drinking? 



2016 Rieslingfreak No.9 Clare Valley Sekt Riesling


2021 Rieslingfreak No.8 Polish Hill River 'Schatzkammer' Riesling
2021 Rieslingfreak No.3 Clare Valley Riesling "Dry"

Looking for a little more wine inspiration?

For more information on Australian wines and wineries, including tasting notes, head over to winecompanion.com.au.

Interested in becoming a Halliday Wine Companion member? Click here.

Hardie Grant acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the country on which we work, the Wurundjeri people of the Kulin nation and the Gadigal people of the Eora nation, and recognises their continuing connection to the land, waters and culture. We pay our respects to their Elders past, present and emerging.
Support the show: https://www.winecompanion.com.au/
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Halliday Wine Companion 'By the Glass' EP 6: Belinda Hughes, Rieslingfreak, South Australia.

Just like Sauvignon blanc from the Marlborough – Riesling has had its fair share of bad press, often associated with Germany’s mass exports of the 70s and 80s.

Now while its often thought of as a sweet wine, Riesling can vary from bone-dry through to wines that rich, textural and sticky. It truly is a variety for all wine drinkers.

Today we are joined by winemaker Belinda Hughes from Rieslingfreak in the Barossa.

Alongside her husband, John, Belinda specialise in all things Riesling. From dry, to sparkling, sweet and fortified. Their label Riesling freak celebrates a deep love for one of Australia’s most underrated grape varietals, through 11 expressions.

And as promised - all the details for our upcoming 2022 Halliday Wine Companion Awards:

This year we have two ways to celebrate – in person at our fine-dining degustation dinner or virtually with our online streaming event. Purchase your tickets and join us at Stokehouse St Kilda for an unforgettable evening, or subscribe to our online broadcast and start planning your own event at home! Don't forget to tag #Halliday2022 in all your celebrations.

Any thoughts or suggestions for upcoming episodes? Please email us at bytheglass@hardiegrant.com and don't forget to follow Halliday Wine Companion over on instagram here.

Want to know what wine we were drinking? 



2016 Rieslingfreak No.9 Clare Valley Sekt Riesling


2021 Rieslingfreak No.8 Polish Hill River 'Schatzkammer' Riesling
2021 Rieslingfreak No.3 Clare Valley Riesling "Dry"

Looking for a little more wine inspiration?

For more information on Australian wines and wineries, including tasting notes, head over to winecompanion.com.au.

Interested in becoming a Halliday Wine Companion member? Click here.

Hardie Grant acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the country on which we work, the Wurundjeri people of the Kulin nation and the Gadigal people of the Eora nation, and recognises their continuing connection to the land, waters and culture. We pay our respects to their Elders past, present and emerging.
Support the show: https://www.winecompanion.com.au/
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

34 min