Kalleske Lorraine Semscato: Tasting Notes

WINE STYLE → Low-alc & breezy

A lightly spritzy, low-alcohol white with bright sweetness, lively fruit and a clean finish. Passionfruit, apricot, toffee apple, lemon sorbet and fresh flower perfume lead the aromatics. The palate is luminous and light-bodied, with natural residual grape sweetness balanced by fine citrus acidity, so it starts sweet and juicy before gliding into refreshing dryness. The gentle natural spritz adds extra lift and makes the wine especially easy to drink.

Highlights

• Certified organic, certified biodynamic and vegan suitable
• Crafted by Kalleske — a seventh-generation Barossa family estate at Greenock
• Passionfruit, apricot, toffee apple, lemon sorbet and fresh flower perfume
• Named after Lorraine Kalleske, Australia’s fastest hand grape-picker and a long-time hand-harvester on the family farm
• Previous vintages have earned strong review history, including 90 points from Mike Bennie and praise from Gourmet Traveller Wine
• 7.5% ABV

Tasting Notes

Lorraine Semscato is built around bright, sweet fruit and freshness rather than weight. Passionfruit, apricot, toffee apple and lemon sorbet are the main notes, with fresh flower perfume giving the nose an aromatic lift. The palate is light-bodied and lively, carrying medium-sweet fruit with enough citrus acidity to stop it becoming cloying. A natural spritz adds extra energy and the finish stays long, clean and refreshing.

Winemaking

This wine is made in a low-alcohol, lightly sparkling style by stopping fermentation early to retain natural grape sweetness and some dissolved CO2. That approach keeps the fruit profile vivid and preserves the slight fizz that gives the wine its lift. The result is a sweet style with freshness and brightness rather than heaviness.

Vineyard & Vintage

Lorraine Semscato is grown on the Kalleske family farm at Greenock in the north-western Barossa Valley, where the family has farmed since 1853. The 2023 season was the longest and latest on record, beginning with a cool, wet spring that built strong sub-soil moisture, followed by generally dry conditions and a slow, steady ripening period into autumn. Those mild days and cool nights helped preserve aromatics and acidity, which suit this lower-alcohol style particularly well.

Why We Love It

This is a sweet wine that stays bright and easy to drink. The low alcohol, natural spritz and citrus-acid line stop it from becoming heavy, while the family story behind Lorraine gives it a strong sense of identity. It is a good option for drinkers who like Moscato-style wines but want something with genuine vineyard character and cleaner balance.

Food Pairing

This style works well with fruit-driven desserts, soft cheeses and lightly spiced dishes where a touch of sweetness helps. It is also very useful as an aperitif or for daytime drinking when a full-strength wine would be too much. Try matching this wine with →

• Lemon tart — Find a Recipe
• Thai prawn salad — Find a Recipe
• Peach galette — Find a Recipe

Mood or occasion to match this wine…

A good fit for warm afternoons, lighter desserts and occasions where you want something sweet, fresh and lower in alcohol.

Cellaring

This is best enjoyed young while the fruit, spritz and brightness are at their most vivid. The winery recommends drinking it now or over the next few years.

Producer

Kalleske is a seventh-generation family estate based at Greenock in the Barossa Valley, with the family farming there since 1853. The vineyards are certified organic and biodynamic, and all fruit is estate grown. Lorraine Semscato carries a particularly personal family link, named after Lorraine Kalleske, who won four National Grape Picking Championships in the 1980s and has spent decades hand-harvesting on the family farm. That connection gives the wine more than just novelty value: it reflects Kalleske’s long-standing focus on family labour, site and continuity across generations.

Related Wines To Try →

If you enjoy this aromatic, lower-alcohol style, these are worth comparing:

• From the same producer, fresh Semillon with more dryness and structure — Kalleske Elenore Semillon
• Another aromatic Kalleske white with more texture — Kalleske Plenarius Viognier
• Textural Barossa white blend from the same estate — Kalleske Congruous Chenin Blanc Semillon

FAQ

What does Kalleske Lorraine Semscato taste like?

It is a lightly spritzy, medium-sweet white with passionfruit, apricot, toffee apple and lemon sorbet. The palate is light-bodied and fresh, with fine citrus acidity and a long, clean finish.

What is Semscato?

Semscato is Kalleske’s name for this Semillon and Viognier blend made in a Moscato-like style. It delivers sweetness, perfume and spritz, but from a different grape combination.

Is this wine sweet?

Yes, it is medium-sweet, with about 25 g/L of residual sugar. The sweetness is balanced by citrus acidity, so the finish stays fresh rather than heavy.

How much alcohol does it have?

This is a very low-alcohol wine at 7.5% ABV. That makes it lighter in style and well suited to daytime drinking or occasions where you want something sweet without full alcohol weight.

Does it need decanting?

No. This wine is intended to be served fresh from the bottle while its natural spritz and aromatics are lively.

What temperature and glassware work best?

Serve it cold, around 6–8°C, in a medium white wine glass or sparkling wine glass. Cooler service helps emphasise the freshness and the light fizz.

Can this wine be cellared?

It is best enjoyed young. The winery recommends drinking it now or over the next few years while the fruit and spritz remain bright.

Does this wine contain preservatives or sulphites?

It is not a No Added Preservative wine, so it does contain sulphites. Some occur naturally during fermentation, and certified organic and biodynamic wines are made under lower permitted sulphite levels than conventional wines.

Is this wine vegan friendly?

Yes, it is listed as vegan suitable. It is also certified organic and certified biodynamic.

What food works best with this wine?

It pairs well with fruit tarts, soft cheeses, light spicy dishes and simple summery desserts. The touch of sweetness and natural spritz also make it useful as an aperitif.

Who is this wine likely to suit?

It will suit drinkers who enjoy Moscato-style wines, low-alcohol whites and sweeter aromatic styles with freshness. If you want something sweet but not heavy, this fits that brief well.

(SKU: KA_LSe_CV)