Let's start with Chardonnay
Tin Soldier 2007 Hunter Valley Chardonnay
The Hunter Valley surprises me occasionally - an it's usually with Chardonnay. This part of the world produces a Chardonnay that has unapologetically powerful. T%his wine, even though it's only 15 bucks, explodes with nectarine, orange and peach. It's got a great citrussy zest to it and is well worth the price.
Quality 4 stars / Value 4 stars / $15
Debortoli Sacred Hill Unwooded Colombard Chardonnay
here's a wine that is so cheap and tastes so fruity that you want to invite to our next party just 'cause you'll know it'll be the centre of attention! It's not serious, but is bursting with character - think floral jasmine notes tacked on to lemon and peach flavours. BARGAIN!!
Quality 3.75 stars / Value 4.5 stars / $7.50
Scarborough 2008 Blue Label Hunter Valley Chardonnay
WOW - this wine grows on me with every sip i take - orange and lemongrass combine with rock melon and peach for a fabulous wine of great elegance.
Quality 4.25 stars / Value 4.5 stars / $19
Domaine Chandon 2008 Yarra Valley Chardonnay
One of Australia's premiere Chardonnay growing districts and a wine made by one of Australia' premiere sparkling wine producers. Showing great restraint and finesse, this wine is fresh as a daisy with a tight backbone of acidity and fruit flavours of honey dew melon, white nectarine and lemon.
Quality 4.25 stars / Value 3.5 stars / $28
Sunday, November 15, 2009
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Silver lining for cask wine drinkers
Gang, it's time to feel sorry for the poor wine companies of Australia. Why - because the quality of cask wine is currently at an all time high . You're probably thinking why is this a bad thing - well it means the trickle down effect is happening. When there's a glut of wine (which there is at the moment) it means the winemakers and producers are selling at bargain prices. When cask wine is crap - it's because all the good wine is being sold higher up in the 'food chain'. Get it!
You can also blame the Aussie dollar - apparently the value of the dollar has gone up by 50% in the past 12 months - making our wines extremely unaffordable, especially to teh Yanks. Hence a lot less quality wine is being sold overseas - and hence needing to be sold at home. Once again - the quality wine is being forced down the food chain and finding its way into the humble goon bag.
I always say the best bargains are to be found in the premium 2 litre bags - Yalumba has always been a favourite. And now even New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc producers are finding a market for their wines in the ol' cardboard handbag. These wines would usually be found in wine bottles if times were different
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Reidel schmeedle - drink Aussie during a recession
OK - if you're gonna drop a bomb on wine glasses you may as well get all warm and fuzzy knowing you're supporting Aussie jobs. NOw you have the opportunity to do both.
I've written before about why drinking beer out of the correct glass will improve the experience and the same is true for wine.
You see - the right glassware shape introduces the wine to the right spot on the palate - thereby heightening the whole experience. If you taste the same wine out of a thick rimmed average wine glass and compare it to one of the 'Rolls Royce' wine glasses the experience is out of this world. It's the difference between listening to your favourite song on AM and FM radio. The flavours are amplified - it can make a $12 wine taste like $20.
Plumm is a new Australian company that uses quality European crystal to make its wine glasses locally. Wine glass maker Dana Morris, formerly of Reidel (yes - that gives her the essential cred needed), has done oodles of research at the world's best regions to determine you don't need a wine glass for each grape variety - that's over kill. You only need two shapes for white (light - Sav Blancs/Rieslings and heavier - Chardonnays etc). And in the red there's a similar story (light - Pinot Noir and heavy - Shiraz and Cabernet).
Saturday, October 10, 2009
October's tastiest
Kingston Estate 2009 Adelaide Hills/Mt Benson Sauvignon Blanc
Sauvignon Blanc is one of those varieties that can taste like sweaty armpits if it's too cheap - best to pay an extra 5 bucks usually! But this is an exception. Classy melon, gooseberry and ripped passionfruits skins. Moorish!
Quality 3.75 stars / Value 4 stars / $13
Amberley Secret Lane Margaret River Sauvignon Blanc.
A very 'pretty' tasting wine -lots of bright vibrant tropical fruit flavours come bounding out of the glass with snap fresh citrus overtones and whiff of native flora. Very western Australia. Remind me to book a holiday there soon!
Quality 3.75 stars / Value 3.75 stars / $20
Stockman's Ridge 2009 Pinot Gris
While this a pretty good PG from NSW's Orange region - it is by far the ugliest label I have ever reviewed in the past 12 months! Thank god I throw a tea towel over the wine bottles when tasting so the pretty labels don't influence my judgement! I love the slippery mouth feel and the nashi pear and soft lemon flavours that build to a crescendo! Close your eyes while drinking!
Quality 4 stars / Value 3.75 stars / $24
Lerida Estate Lake George 2009 Pinot Gris
Here's a sprightly PG from the Canberra district - sprightly because it's got a real juice sweet lime zing to it and an aromas of sweet honey suckle that slaps you in the face. Try this with a spicy Asian dish
Quality 4.25 stars / Value 3.75 stars / $28
Windowrie Family Reserve 2007 Shiraz
A wine of great complexity - ripe plum with vanilla spice. Heralding from NSW's COwra region and made with rich American oak which imparts a delicious cocnut flavour.
Quality 4 stars / Value 3.75 stars / $25http://www.windowrie.com.au/
Tyrrell's WInes Rufus STone Heathcote 2007 Shiraz
Yet another great wine from the Rufus Stone range - and this is always my fave - rich and ripe plum, oodles of cherry/licorice spicey notes and white pepper thrown in for good measure. Truly fabulous and availableverywhere!
Quality 4.25 stars / Value 4 stars / $24
Thursday, September 17, 2009
What wine goes with THAT region?
If the chance of you choosing the perfect wine at a bottle shop is on par with correctly choosing all seven Power Ball numbers, spare a thought for our pioneering viticulturists (grape growers). They had no idea what grape variety would work best and not make wine only a homeless person could enjoy! Well maybe I’m being a tad dramatic – but you catch my drift.
Wine is magic – the right variety needs to be planted in the right soil at the correct altitude and with the most desirable vineyard aspect for Houdini to correctly pull a perfect wine out of his hat. Unfortunately magic doesn’t happen overnight; it may take some viticulturist and winemaker 30 years of expensive trial and error to come across the perfect combo.
Recently there has been an influx of fashionable grape varieties being planted in every single wine region in Australia – for many wineries, appearing fashionably ‘cool’ for marketing’s sake has derailed the focus away from what the district does best. Pinot Gris/Grigio, Barbera, Viognier, Sangiovese, Nebbiolo, Tempranillo, Graciano; all are all relatively new to Australia and are still finding their feet.
Sure – these wine varieties come backed with a history of where they have worked in their native European homeland and we can learn from these experiences – but in reality, nowhere is ever exactly the same.
I recently had lunch with Rob Mann, winemaker at Cape Mentelle. After experimenting with Viognier, Marsanne, Rousanne, Zinfandel, Sangiovese, Pinot Gris, Riesling and Pinot Noir in Margaret River, Mann has made the wise decision to remove the varieties that aren’t working and concentrate on those that are.
“Marsanne and Roussanne. have performed well but will not become a core wine in our portfolio. We are removing much of our Viognier, we will not be sourcing any more Sangiovese beyond our own plantings and we're also removing the Pinot Gris. Cape Mentelle has made a conscious decision to focus our attentions on those varieties that have a proven track record in our vineyards and the region over the last 20 to 40 years - Cabernet, Merlot, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon, Shiraz and of course Zin.
“Overall it comes down to one thing - producing the best possible wines from our vineyards and region and ensuring that every wine under a Cape Mentelle label is world class.”
WHAT REGION GOES WITH THAT?
NSW
Orange: Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay
Mudgee: Cabernet Sauvignon
Hunter Valley: Semillon, Shiraz
Tumbarumba: Chardonnay
Canberra: Shiraz, Viognier, Riesling
VICTORIA
Mornington Peninsula: Pinot Gris/Grigio, Chardonnay Pinot Noir
Yarra Valley: Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon
Bendigo: Shiraz
Goulburn Valley: Marsanne
TASMANIA
Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Sparkling Wine
SOUTH AUSTRALIA
Adelaide Hills: Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir
Coonawarra: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot,
Clare Valley: Riesling, Shiraz
Eden Valley: Riesling, Shiraz
McLaren Vale: Shiraz, Grenache
Barossa Valley: Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, Grenache
WEST AUSTRALIA
Margaret River: Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon
Great Southern Region: Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz
SOUTH AUSTRALIA
Adelaide Hills: Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir
Coonawarra: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot,
Clare Valley: Riesling, Shiraz
Eden Valley: Riesling, Shiraz
McLaren Vale: Shiraz, Grenache
Barossa Valley: Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, Grenache
WEST AUSTRALIA
Margaret River: Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon
Great Southern Region: Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz
Thursday, August 27, 2009
God bless America
Americans are obese, loud, beer swilling, McDonalds eating embarrassments to the world who churn out pop culture obscenities the rest of world either devour or vomit. Who would have thunk American wine on the other hand is the polar opposite - they are soft, elegant and full of finesse. Well, that’s what I discovered from the red wines of the Napa Valley when I toured through the region in August 2009.
I recently wrote about the wines or America and how they were first put on the map thanks to the very famous Judgment of Paris Tasting during the 1970s. Have another read and you’ll see why this place was my very own Mecca.
The reason Napa Valley wines display such round and opulent flavours can be found in its growing conditions. I draw your attention to the state of California where 7 out of 10 wines produced in America come from.
The daily hot temperatures may be similar to Australia’s, but the Napa Valley has a unique cooling system that has the greatest influence over the wine’s style. At night the temperatures drop dramatically. It’s this temperature variance which makes Australian wines so big and the American wines so elegant.
Variances of temperatures in summertime can be as great as 32c in the day and 5c at night.
Night-time temperatures in Australia are quite hot and this results in our wines being a lot richer in flavour.
If you have been to San Francisco no doubt you would have seen the magnificent fogs the city is prone to - 364 days per year! The fog is a result of the freezing cold waters flowing down the coast of the USA colliding with the warmer waters travelling north. The fog meanders through the night and gets sucked up into the valleys that contain the vineyards. This fog is best likened to a giant air conditioning unit. This cooling effect preserves the grape’s natural acidity which can certainly be tasted in the glass. The valley is divided into 14 sub regions – each with its own individual flavour and suitability to certain grape varieties.
At the start of the valley is where it is the coldest – and it is where Pinot Noir and Chardonnay is grown. Further up the Napa Valley is where Cabernet is king – and trust me – prices reflect this. Sauvignon Blanc is also a staple of the valley – but don’t get to excited – it’s a lot different from what we’re used to in Australia. It’s more overblown and less elegant.
When you do venture to California for a wine tasting adventure – be mindful; cellar doors are different; you book appointments, you get served by a waiter, you rarely get served more than three wines and you have to pay approx 20 bucks for the privilege. Oh, and dress up for your tasting – T-shirts and thongs are frowned upon!
For all tourist information - http://www.napavintners.com/
Napa Valley Wineries to book an appointment with
Honig Vineyard and Winery or Rutherford http://www.honigwine.com/home
Fabulous cabernets – dark and inky, supremely opulent
Robert Mondavi http://www.robertmondaviwinery.com/flash/index.html
The god father of the Napa. Go there to soak up the history and the beautiful cellar door. Ask for a tasting at the ‘excusive’ cellar door to try the top shelf wines
Cakebread wines http://www.cakebread.com/
Great wines that are proven to last the distance and a delicious restaurant to stop off at for lunch
Cade Winery http://www.cadewinery.com/cade/
Scintillating wines from this relatively newcomer – organic wines have never tasted so good. And because they have completely eliminated the carbon footprint with absolutely everything in this property being made from recycled materials – you’ll be drinking guilt free as well! Being further up the valley – their Cabernets are to die for.
I recently wrote about the wines or America and how they were first put on the map thanks to the very famous Judgment of Paris Tasting during the 1970s. Have another read and you’ll see why this place was my very own Mecca.
The reason Napa Valley wines display such round and opulent flavours can be found in its growing conditions. I draw your attention to the state of California where 7 out of 10 wines produced in America come from.
The daily hot temperatures may be similar to Australia’s, but the Napa Valley has a unique cooling system that has the greatest influence over the wine’s style. At night the temperatures drop dramatically. It’s this temperature variance which makes Australian wines so big and the American wines so elegant.
Variances of temperatures in summertime can be as great as 32c in the day and 5c at night.
Night-time temperatures in Australia are quite hot and this results in our wines being a lot richer in flavour.
If you have been to San Francisco no doubt you would have seen the magnificent fogs the city is prone to - 364 days per year! The fog is a result of the freezing cold waters flowing down the coast of the USA colliding with the warmer waters travelling north. The fog meanders through the night and gets sucked up into the valleys that contain the vineyards. This fog is best likened to a giant air conditioning unit. This cooling effect preserves the grape’s natural acidity which can certainly be tasted in the glass. The valley is divided into 14 sub regions – each with its own individual flavour and suitability to certain grape varieties.
At the start of the valley is where it is the coldest – and it is where Pinot Noir and Chardonnay is grown. Further up the Napa Valley is where Cabernet is king – and trust me – prices reflect this. Sauvignon Blanc is also a staple of the valley – but don’t get to excited – it’s a lot different from what we’re used to in Australia. It’s more overblown and less elegant.
When you do venture to California for a wine tasting adventure – be mindful; cellar doors are different; you book appointments, you get served by a waiter, you rarely get served more than three wines and you have to pay approx 20 bucks for the privilege. Oh, and dress up for your tasting – T-shirts and thongs are frowned upon!
For all tourist information - http://www.napavintners.com/
Napa Valley Wineries to book an appointment with
Honig Vineyard and Winery or Rutherford http://www.honigwine.com/home
Fabulous cabernets – dark and inky, supremely opulent
Robert Mondavi http://www.robertmondaviwinery.com/flash/index.html
The god father of the Napa. Go there to soak up the history and the beautiful cellar door. Ask for a tasting at the ‘excusive’ cellar door to try the top shelf wines
Cakebread wines http://www.cakebread.com/
Great wines that are proven to last the distance and a delicious restaurant to stop off at for lunch
Cade Winery http://www.cadewinery.com/cade/
Scintillating wines from this relatively newcomer – organic wines have never tasted so good. And because they have completely eliminated the carbon footprint with absolutely everything in this property being made from recycled materials – you’ll be drinking guilt free as well! Being further up the valley – their Cabernets are to die for.
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Tasmania is coming to your state
[Wineglass Bay, Freycinet Peninsula]Tasmania would have to be my favourite wine region to visit. The food, wine and people all make for three very good reasons to escape the mainland for a long weekend.
If you can't escape your neck of the woods - but Sydney, Melbourne or Brisbane is slightly more manageable - you're in luck.
Tasmania Unbottled 2009 will showcase over 130 cool climate wines - and many of these gems never see the light on the mainland. Yes - they're almost as rare as the Tasmanian Tiger. You see, some Tasmanian wines are made in such small production, there's no need to export to the mainland. And that's why YOU need to visit one of these tour dates. You will unearth a wine so unique you'll become a fan and demand to be put on maioling lists so you can buy forever more.
Tasmania specialises in fabulous sparkling wines, fresh Cabernets, sensational Alsatian style wines such as Riesling, Pinot Gris and Gewurztraminer and some of Australia's most scintillating Chardonnay. But for me - what Tassie does better than any other region in Australia is Pinot Noir. Such wonderful fruit and sexy, silk like tannins.
It compares only to New Zealand's famed Otago region.
MELBOURNE Tuesday 4 August
SYDNEY Tuesday 11 August
BRISBANE Thursday 13 August
For exhibition details visit [here]
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Mudgee Madness
View Larger Map
With an altitude that ranges from 400 meters to 1900 meters, Mudgee really can produce the full gamut of wines well. Right up on Nullo mountain is where you'll find pristine Riesling and Sauvignon Blanc. And down on the lower levels Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon are king.
What the region is doing particularly well with are the Mediterranean varieties. These guys aren't bound by tradition and as such they're into experimentation. They'll try everything and anything! And it's more than just the Italian varieties, but Spanish and Portuguese as well. Barabera, Nebbiolo, Sangoivese, Graciano, Lagrein, Touriga Nacionale and Aleatico
The reds are typically big, warm, soft and supple.
My favourite wineries to visit include
1. Lowe - the wines are renowned for being both organic and bio dynamic. Usually a reason for me to run for the hills - but David Lowe is churning out some exceptional wines, especially his Tinja range.
2. di Lusso - I love the Italian wines these guys produce - the 2005 Mudgee Rosso was the wine of the weekend. Superb, by a case!
3. Huntington - has been a round for a long time and the reds are to die for.
And if you do make it to Mudgee - check out Roth's Wine Bar - it's been there since 1923 and they have some sensational wines on offer. But make sure you try their specialty - 10/20 (white) or Diesel (red). These lethal concoctions of rough wine spirit and fortified wines and god knows what will knock you for six - and when you finished, it will also polish your silverwear!!
Logan Weemala 2008 Pinot Noir
This wine heralds from NSW's Central Ranges - a mix or Orange and Mudgee. While it lacks slightly in flavour at the back of the mouth, it has ample fruit in the guise of cherry and spice. Some lovely wood shaved characters.
Quality 3.5 stars / Value 4 stars / $15
http://www.loganwines.com.au/
Logan Weemala 2006 Merlot
Also heralding from NSW's Central Ranges, this is a bargain wine with its plummy/blackberry characters and a fragrant aniseed backbone of WOW.
Quality 3.75 stars / Value 4.25 stars / $15
http://www.loganwines.com.au/
Logan 2006 Cabernet Merlot
A warm and cuddly Cabernet Merlot that sports oodles of soft blackberry fruit with cedar wood flavours. A very easy drinking style.
Quality 4.25 stars / Value 3.75 stars / $25
http://www.loganwines.com.au/
Burnbrae 2009 Riesling (to be released Sept 2009)
Sourced from Mudgees highest point on Nullo Mountain, this wine sports pretty orange blossom and lime candy palate with a refreshing zippity lemon backbone.
Quality 4 stars / Value 3.5 stars / $22
http://www.burnbraewines.com.au/
Burnbrae Botrytis 2007 Semillon
Exceptionally concentrated aromas jump from the glass and slap you in the face - I'm thinking dried apricot and orange peel. Apparently the fruit was so affected by the botrytis mould when being pressed it clogged up all the equipment. Fortunately it tastes like gold. This even beat the Debortoli Noble One recently at the Cairns Show to take out top honours.
Quality 4.25 stars / Value 4 stars / $25
http://www.burnbraewines.com.au/
Lowe Tinja 2008 Mudgee Riesling
A talc and lime blossom wonder mixed with green apple candy nuances - refreshing and moorish. Make sure you look out for the 2009 Riesling - it's equally delish.
Quality 4 stars / Value 4 stars / $20
http://www.lowewine.com.au/
Lowe Tinja Central Ranges 2007 Pinot Noir
Half from Orange and half from Mudgee's highest point Nullo Mountain, this wine mixes some lovely weighty cherry and plum fruit flavours with elements of forest floor. A strange description i know - but you'll get what I mean the next time you're travelling through The Black Forrest! (PS - it's a good thing!).
Quality 4 stars / Value 4 stars / $25
http://www.lowewine.com.au/
Lowe Reserve 2006 Mudgee Zinfandel
Woohoo - an organic amazing wine utilising dryland bush vines. Soft, inviting, envelloping, not too much of a ball breaker like some Zins can be - you could even say it's slightly elegant. The heavenly aromas are of brandy laced plums, fruitcake and cassis. The tannins are a mouthful without being too assertive - just fab.
Quality 4.5 stars / Value 3.75 stars / $20
http://www.lowewine.com.au/
Vinifera 2007 Mudgee Graciano
IN its native Spain, this variety is often blended with Tempranillo to make a delicious food wine perfect for Mediterranean dishes. In Australia it’s rare, so I’m happy to report this single blend stands out from the crowd. Tasty earthy/leathery flavours abound with succulent plum fruit and a floral aroma.
Quality 4.25 stars / Value 3.75 stars / $28
http://www.viniferawines.com.au/
Robert Stein 2009 Mudgee Riesling
It’s early days yet, but already in its first show outing, it has picked up both a gold and trophy (Cairns). Fabulous lime sherbet and talc like flavours with a real green grape like essence. Delightful.
Quality 4 stars / Value 4 stars / $25
http://www.robertstein.com.au/
Robert Stein 2003 and 2005 Reserve Shiraz Mudgee Riesling
Here’s a couple of huge wines that sport the typical softness and supple tannins so common in the reds of Mudgee. Intense flavours of stewed prune and plum with traces of dark chocolate and star anise. The 2005 is a bit brighter and shows some lovely cooked rhubarb flavours as well.
Quality 4.5 stars / Value 4 stars / $30
http://www.robertstein.com.au/
Lowe 2005 Block 8 Organic Conversion Mudgee Shiraz
A full figured chewy tannin-ed soft and supple gem of a wine. Dark chocolate, ripe plum mixed with liquorice allsorts and an earthy palate.
Quality 4.25 stars / Value 4.25 stars / $28
http://www.lowewine.com/
Huntington Estate 2007 Barrel Fermented Chardonnay
A full flavoured assault on the senses with marvellous mandarin, rockmelon and peach fruit flavours alongside creamy caramel and cashew. Quite a well structured wine.
Quality 4.25 stars / Value 4.25 stars / $21
http://www.huntingtonestate.com.au/
Huntington Estate 2004 Cabernet Sauvignon
Huntington has a history of producing some of the best reds in all of Mudgee and this wine is no exception – it’s five years old and hits all the right spots. 2004 was a muscley year for Cabernet, arguably the region’s best variety. Fabulous ripe cassis and black olive aromas are mixed with green leaf and tobacco.
Quality 4.5 stars / Value 4.5 stars / $23
http://www.huntingtonestate.com.au/
di Lusso Mudgee 2005 Rosso
Such an amazing wine for the price – interesting and very moorish. It was my wine of the weekend when i visited Mudgee. This wine is based on the ‘veranda’ wines of Italy – uncomplicated and easy drinking. The ultimate Italian quaffer is a blend of Barbera, Nebbiolo, Sangiovese and Aleatico grapes. Smooth, soft, sour cherry laden, earthiness to boot – I JUST LOVE IT. Perfect for tomato based pasta and authentic Italian pizza. Buy a case and have the cellar door ship it to you!
Quality 4.25 stars / Value 4.75 stars / $15
http://www.dilusso.com.au/
di Lusso 2006 Barbera
Barbera is the second most widely planted variety in Italy, just after Sangiovese, and the variety has been grown in Mudgee for 30 years. A good generous dollop of ripe plum, raspberry, sour cherry flavour and spicy liquorice.
Quality 4.25 stars / Value 4 stars / $23
http://www.dilusso.com.au/
di Lusso 2008 Vino Rosato
made using the Lagrein variety, here’s a rose that is quite meaty in flavour with generous berry fruits to boot! Perfect with antipasto containing stacks of cured meats.
Quality 4 stars / Value 4 stars / $18
http://www.dilusso.com.au/
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
When in Mudgee...
A big thank you to Mudgee Tourism for helping me out with my recent visit. For all information on what's happening...
And when in Mudgee, I choose to stay at the Cobb and Co Court Boutique Hotel. Amazing accommodation with an amazing restaurant!
Saturday, July 04, 2009
Thoughts of July - the wines to drink
Big Shiraz tasting just finished - here are my faves
Brookland Valley Margaret River Verse 1 2007 Shiraz
There's something special about Shiraz from MR - it has a smile on its face! Great fruit driven style with lots of plumminess and blackberry spiced notes. An effortless wine to drink.
Quality 3.75 stars / Value 3.75 stars / $21
Bulloak 2007 Carbon Neutral Shiraz
A cheap wine that packs a punch. Oodles of plum and raspberry flavour is busting forward with a taste of orange and cognac! Don't ask me - i just write what I taste! And a bonus with this wine is that you're saving the environment. I'll drink to that!
Quality 3.75 stars / Value 4.5 stars / $10-11
http://www.zilziewines.com/
Sandalford Margaret River 2005 Shiraz
Deep concentrated plum and prune juice with star anise, nutmeg and dark chocolate and espresso. F*ck - this is excellent!
Quality 4.5 stars / Value 4 stars / $35
http://www.sandalford.com.au/
Pipers Brook Vineyard 2008 Pinot Gris
Honeyed overtones join zippity pineapple flavours with elements of musk and mineral make this slippery wine a joy to drink.
Quality 4 stars / Value 3.5 stars / $27.50
http://www.pipersbrook.com/
Lowe 2008 Orange Sauvignon Blanc
Woh - NSW's Orange region sure is giving the rest of Australia a wake up call for Sauvignon Blanc. This tidy number's aroma is so heady with ripped open capsicum, gooseberry and rosemary herbs. There's even a slight wiff of pea. Either way - I love it!
Quality 4.25 stars / Value 4 stars / $20
http://www.lowewine.com.au/
Brookland Valley Margaret River Verse 1 2007 Shiraz
There's something special about Shiraz from MR - it has a smile on its face! Great fruit driven style with lots of plumminess and blackberry spiced notes. An effortless wine to drink.
Quality 3.75 stars / Value 3.75 stars / $21
Bulloak 2007 Carbon Neutral Shiraz
A cheap wine that packs a punch. Oodles of plum and raspberry flavour is busting forward with a taste of orange and cognac! Don't ask me - i just write what I taste! And a bonus with this wine is that you're saving the environment. I'll drink to that!
Quality 3.75 stars / Value 4.5 stars / $10-11
http://www.zilziewines.com/
Sandalford Margaret River 2005 Shiraz
Deep concentrated plum and prune juice with star anise, nutmeg and dark chocolate and espresso. F*ck - this is excellent!
Quality 4.5 stars / Value 4 stars / $35
http://www.sandalford.com.au/
Pipers Brook Vineyard 2008 Pinot Gris
Honeyed overtones join zippity pineapple flavours with elements of musk and mineral make this slippery wine a joy to drink.
Quality 4 stars / Value 3.5 stars / $27.50
http://www.pipersbrook.com/
Lowe 2008 Orange Sauvignon Blanc
Woh - NSW's Orange region sure is giving the rest of Australia a wake up call for Sauvignon Blanc. This tidy number's aroma is so heady with ripped open capsicum, gooseberry and rosemary herbs. There's even a slight wiff of pea. Either way - I love it!
Quality 4.25 stars / Value 4 stars / $20
http://www.lowewine.com.au/
Wednesday, July 01, 2009
Victorian Wine - the bushfire aftermath
[The following article was taken from my new posting - as the resident wine writer for OUT There magazine - the inflight publication for REX (Regional Express), Airlink, Airnorth and Skywest airlines. Out today, July 1]
Much has been written about the bushfires that swept through Victoria on February 7. The biggest toll will always be the loss of human life and the lives of defenceless koalas, kangaroos and countless other native animals, but as a wine writer, I sat back in horror as our nation’s most prized viticultural regions were surrounded by a menacing enemy. Historical vineyards would surely be lost and, with an impending recession, how would Victoria’s wine industry cope? Now the smoke has cleared, it’s finally time to take stock and ponder the real toll to Victoria’s wine industry; will the wines taste different, will they taste of smoke?
Before we answer this, let’s look at the facts. According to the chief executive of the Victorian Wine Industry Association, Joanne Butterworth-Gray, only 5 per cent of Victoria’s vineyards and crops were destroyed as a result of this year’s fires. “The cumulative effect of both the heatwave conditions and the bushfires, however, will see a 30 per cent reduction in Victoria’s grape harvest.”
Before we answer this, let’s look at the facts. According to the chief executive of the Victorian Wine Industry Association, Joanne Butterworth-Gray, only 5 per cent of Victoria’s vineyards and crops were destroyed as a result of this year’s fires. “The cumulative effect of both the heatwave conditions and the bushfires, however, will see a 30 per cent reduction in Victoria’s grape harvest.”
There we have it – the biggest killer of this year’s haul was the catastrophic heatwave that suffocated southern Australia. This wasn’t restricted to Victoria – some South Australian vineyard yields are expected to be down by a staggering 50 per cent.
After frosts earlier in the season, along came the killer drought. Canopies lost their leaves, fruit bunches were exposed to the sun and the week-long drought cooked the grapes on the vines. “While tonnage may be down, careful crop monitoring has ensured we will be maximising quality as much as possible,” continued Butterworth-Gray. “Cool weather and rain after the bushfires thankfully slowed the ripening down.”
Smoke taint could still be the silent killer. If the grapes are surrounded by a shroud of smoke for too long, they can absorb the flavour and develop unpleasant tastes of smoke, ashtray, smoked meat and burnt wood. Let’s face it; does anyone really enjoy kissing a smoker, let alone drinking these characteristics?
Fortunately, Victoria has dodged this bullet in 2009. According to Butterworth-Gray, the structure of the smoke was different to the 2007 bushfires that ravaged north-eastern Victoria and caused smoke taint in many vineyards across the state. “The fuel content was different, the smoke wasn’t as thick, wind patterns played in our favour and the topography of the terrain meant the smoke was never trapped in pockets as it was in 2007.”
If there was to be a saving grace; this year’s major shortfall has brought about a much needed supply and demand balance from the recent glut of Australian wine. Regardless, the 2009 devastating bushfires have been a very high price to pay.
Friday, June 19, 2009
June's tasty treats
Lerida Estate 2006 Lake George Shiraz Viognier (Canberra district)
OK - don't get too excite because this wine is bloody expensive. I included this wine in a blind tasting with 5 other Shiraz Viogniers and this stood out so much everything else should be ashamed to call itself wine.
It's so warm, cuddly, voluptuous and inviting. Chocolate, raisin, super ripe plum, spicy anise and touches of orange spiced clove mixed with creamy vanilla.
Quality 4.5 stars / Value 3.5 stars / $59.50
http://www.leridaestate.com/
OK - don't get too excite because this wine is bloody expensive. I included this wine in a blind tasting with 5 other Shiraz Viogniers and this stood out so much everything else should be ashamed to call itself wine.
It's so warm, cuddly, voluptuous and inviting. Chocolate, raisin, super ripe plum, spicy anise and touches of orange spiced clove mixed with creamy vanilla.
Quality 4.5 stars / Value 3.5 stars / $59.50
http://www.leridaestate.com/
Moondah Brook 2008 Cabernet Rose
Sublime juicy strawberry and cherries abounds with fresh gooseberry and lime juice. This is always a consistently delicious rose from Western Australia.
Quality 4.25 stars / Value 4.25 stars / $18
Rolling 2009 Pink
This rose heralds from NSW's Central Ranges - better known as the wines from Orange. High altitudes mean cool wine and very good acid structures. It's candied cherry and green apple aroma gives way to some luscious berry fruits on the palate. Grape varieties aren't listed.
Quality 3.75 stars / Value 3.5 stars / $18
Watershed Margaret River Shades 2008 Rose
If ever a wine was to taste like it had been steeped in the most succulent strawberries - this would be it. Throw a dollop of spiced clotted cream and here you have a gorgeous wine. Made from predominantly Shiraz and a whisker of Merlot.
Quality 4 stars / Value 4 stars / $17
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Sherry hits the fan in Australia
It's Sayonara Sherry from the Australian vernacular; the Spanish want their name back.
We gave back Champagne and we gave back Burgundy - but in what some feel is the unkindest cut of all, we'll now have to give back the names to some of Australia's greatest wines to the world - Sherry and Tokay. Our Aussie versions are indeed world class. Of course there are the really, really cheap versions which end up pickling people like the photo above - but let's ignore that elephant in the room for the moment!
I recently came across an article by The Age's Jeni Port.
"An agreement between the European Union and Australia, signed in Brussels last month, gives the phase-out dates for the final removal of all those borrowed wine names Australian winemakers have been using for more than a century, names like Champagne, Chablis, Hermitage, port, Tokay and Sherry.
Some, like champagne and port, will be relatively easy to replace in drinkers' hearts and minds. Most of us will feel no different asking for a sparkling wine or a tawny. Other names, such as Sherry and Tokay, provoke far more angst, hence the search for strong replacement names."
"So, out goes sherry and in comes "Apera". And Australian-made Tokay — never again to be confused with Tokaji, the real thing from Hungary — also gets a new moniker, "Topaque".
The new names took 10 months of work and almost $1 million in research funding ($500,000 of it from the Federal Government) to deliver."
We gave back Champagne and we gave back Burgundy - but in what some feel is the unkindest cut of all, we'll now have to give back the names to some of Australia's greatest wines to the world - Sherry and Tokay. Our Aussie versions are indeed world class. Of course there are the really, really cheap versions which end up pickling people like the photo above - but let's ignore that elephant in the room for the moment!
I recently came across an article by The Age's Jeni Port.
"An agreement between the European Union and Australia, signed in Brussels last month, gives the phase-out dates for the final removal of all those borrowed wine names Australian winemakers have been using for more than a century, names like Champagne, Chablis, Hermitage, port, Tokay and Sherry.
Some, like champagne and port, will be relatively easy to replace in drinkers' hearts and minds. Most of us will feel no different asking for a sparkling wine or a tawny. Other names, such as Sherry and Tokay, provoke far more angst, hence the search for strong replacement names."
"So, out goes sherry and in comes "Apera". And Australian-made Tokay — never again to be confused with Tokaji, the real thing from Hungary — also gets a new moniker, "Topaque".
The new names took 10 months of work and almost $1 million in research funding ($500,000 of it from the Federal Government) to deliver."
Wednesday, June 03, 2009
Orange - the next BIG THING in wine
The city; my work; my friends; they were all getting me wayyyy down. I either had to stare blankly at the ocean for 48 hours to re-energise my batteries or get in my car and drive for 3.5 hours inland to escape the storm clouds that were engulfing Sydney and my life (geez - this sounds depressing - but bare with me, it gets better!).
I chose the later - at least that way I could drown my sorrows while discovering the wines of Orange. If I'm gonna have a breakdown, I may as well do so with a glass of something decent in my hand!
Have you ever found yourself in exactly the right place at exactly the right time. That's how I felt when I crossed the Blue Mountains and descended upon Orange. This weekend - wines from the cool climes of NSW's Central Ranges were reaching their zenith. ON the Saturday that I arrived, esteemed writer James Halliday devoted an entire page about the brilliance of the region. This praise followed not long after the unbelievable success the region had at the Royal Sydney Wine Show; the region's top Sauvignon Blancs trampled the new Zealand competition. And that NEVER happens!
Sure I've tasted wines from Orange MANY times before. It was way back in the mid 90's that I first became hooked on wines from the region, thanks to Rosemount Estate's Rose Label Orange Vineyard. Now however, the horse has definitely bolted from the gate and people are paying very close attention. I for one believe Orange is NSW's most exciting region.
Fact one - The region is bloody cold - and even during the height of the summer temperatures rarely rise above 30. That's because Orange region's boundary follow a 600m contour line with its epicentre being Mount Canobolas, at a height of 1395m. This cool weather ensures the grapes grow slowly giving the wines a pristine, refined nature.
The cool climate means the grapes sometimes don't come off the vine until May, and that's bloody late. Star varieties to look out for in the shops include Sauvignon Blanc, Gewurztraminer, Riesling, Pinot Gris, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and to a lesser extent Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon.
As you would expect, where there is great wine, there is brilliant food. If you come to the area I can definitely recommend the fantastic Union Bank Hotel for its brilliant bistro and local wine selection - so, so cheap. I wish I had this place next me instead of Bondi's Beach Road Hotel!
http://www.unionbank.com.au/
For upscale eateries check out the one hat restaurant Tonic in Millthorpe . www.tonicmillthorpe.com.au/
Sisters Rock Restaurant which is part of the Borrodell Vineyard - has the best view of the district. It's a must visit for lunch. Make sure you help yourself to some apples from the orchard next to the restaurant. They are super delicious (or were the Fuji, or maybe granny smith!). www.borodell.com.au/
I chose the later - at least that way I could drown my sorrows while discovering the wines of Orange. If I'm gonna have a breakdown, I may as well do so with a glass of something decent in my hand!
Have you ever found yourself in exactly the right place at exactly the right time. That's how I felt when I crossed the Blue Mountains and descended upon Orange. This weekend - wines from the cool climes of NSW's Central Ranges were reaching their zenith. ON the Saturday that I arrived, esteemed writer James Halliday devoted an entire page about the brilliance of the region. This praise followed not long after the unbelievable success the region had at the Royal Sydney Wine Show; the region's top Sauvignon Blancs trampled the new Zealand competition. And that NEVER happens!
Sure I've tasted wines from Orange MANY times before. It was way back in the mid 90's that I first became hooked on wines from the region, thanks to Rosemount Estate's Rose Label Orange Vineyard. Now however, the horse has definitely bolted from the gate and people are paying very close attention. I for one believe Orange is NSW's most exciting region.
Fact one - The region is bloody cold - and even during the height of the summer temperatures rarely rise above 30. That's because Orange region's boundary follow a 600m contour line with its epicentre being Mount Canobolas, at a height of 1395m. This cool weather ensures the grapes grow slowly giving the wines a pristine, refined nature.
The cool climate means the grapes sometimes don't come off the vine until May, and that's bloody late. Star varieties to look out for in the shops include Sauvignon Blanc, Gewurztraminer, Riesling, Pinot Gris, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and to a lesser extent Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon.
As you would expect, where there is great wine, there is brilliant food. If you come to the area I can definitely recommend the fantastic Union Bank Hotel for its brilliant bistro and local wine selection - so, so cheap. I wish I had this place next me instead of Bondi's Beach Road Hotel!
http://www.unionbank.com.au/
For upscale eateries check out the one hat restaurant Tonic in Millthorpe . www.tonicmillthorpe.com.au/
Sisters Rock Restaurant which is part of the Borrodell Vineyard - has the best view of the district. It's a must visit for lunch. Make sure you help yourself to some apples from the orchard next to the restaurant. They are super delicious (or were the Fuji, or maybe granny smith!). www.borodell.com.au/
ORANGE'S BEST WINES
(and trust me - I missed a lot out. You can only see so many wines while driving aroud and trying to stay under the limit).
Angallong 2008 Sauvignon Blanc
An extraordinary wine that was the winner of the highly coveted best young white wine trophy at the Royal Sydney Wine Show - the first time a Sauvignon Blanc has ever won the award. And the thing only costs 15 bucks. But don't get too excited - it's now out of stock. :(
Fabulous dried grass, guava and pineapple aromas. An inviting palate with the flavour enveloping every single taste bud.
Quality 4.5 stars / Value 4.75 stars / $15
http://www.angullong.com.au/
Angallong 2008 Pinot Grigio
Angullong wines are overseen by highly regarded winemaker, John Reynolds. This wine is deliciously tight with with pleasant tropical pineapple fruit flavours
Quality 4 stars / Value 4 stars / $15
http://www.angullong.com.au/
Angallong 2008 Sauvignon Blanc
An extraordinary wine that was the winner of the highly coveted best young white wine trophy at the Royal Sydney Wine Show - the first time a Sauvignon Blanc has ever won the award. And the thing only costs 15 bucks. But don't get too excited - it's now out of stock. :(
Fabulous dried grass, guava and pineapple aromas. An inviting palate with the flavour enveloping every single taste bud.
Quality 4.5 stars / Value 4.75 stars / $15
http://www.angullong.com.au/
Angallong 2008 Pinot Grigio
Angullong wines are overseen by highly regarded winemaker, John Reynolds. This wine is deliciously tight with with pleasant tropical pineapple fruit flavours
Quality 4 stars / Value 4 stars / $15
http://www.angullong.com.au/
Angallong 2008 Verdelho
When i drink Verdelho - it needs to taste like there's a fruit explosion party happening in my mouth and EVERYONE is invited. And this is that wine. Quaff it all day long and you don't need to complicated it with food. Tropical fruits and candy sweetness..
Quality 3.75 stars / Value 4 stars / $15
http://www.angullong.com.au/
When i drink Verdelho - it needs to taste like there's a fruit explosion party happening in my mouth and EVERYONE is invited. And this is that wine. Quaff it all day long and you don't need to complicated it with food. Tropical fruits and candy sweetness..
Quality 3.75 stars / Value 4 stars / $15
http://www.angullong.com.au/
Angullong 2006 Shiraz
This wine gobsmacked me with its lovely cool spice/sweet anise flavours that dovetailed seamlessly into its rich plum facade. A steal at 15 bucks
Quality 4.25 stars / Value 4.5 stars / $15
http://www.angullong.com.au/
Patina 2005 Chardonnay
Orange Chardonnay is so delicious and this wine does not disappoint - fig and mascarpone sit alongside white nectarine and hints of walnut. This wine creeps up to you with amazing subtlety and a scintillating fresh acid backbone.
Quality 4.25 stars / Value 4.25 stars / $19
www.patinawines.com.au/
Patina 2006 Cabernet Franc
An unsuspecting wine that blew me away with its deliciously pungent aromas of sour cherry and sweet prune. A backbone of tobacco flavoured oak and a fabulous palate weight to match.
Quality 4.25 stars / Value 3.75 stars / $25
www.patinawines.com.au/
Bloodwood 2005 Schubert
This is the premium Chardonnay for Bloodwood and boy is it delicious. White nectarine and sweet cashew nut are backed by a fierce and sexy acid backbone. Delicious with duck or pork.
Quality 4 stars / Value 3.75 stars / $28
http://www.bloodwood.com.au/
Bloodwood Silk Purse 2008 Riesling
This was definitely the wine of the weekend while visiting Orange - rarely do I give a wine this high a rating. Yes, it is THAT good! The grapes are picked exceptionally late in the season and most times the grapes are unusable. In fact - this wine has only been made five times in the past 20 years. The most wondrous squeaky clean lime palate - it literally hummed on my gums! Flavours of honey and jasmine, elements of apricot. Sweet and tart just like key lime pie - just divine.
Quality 5 stars / Value 4.75 stars / $25
http://www.bloodwood.com.au/
Philip Shaw Pink Billy 2008 Saignee
From one of Orange's greatest winemakers, Philip Shaw (formerly head wine squisher at Rosemount). If you long for a Rose that isn’t as fruity as most - here's the wine that is for you. Less fun and more serious, this Saignee would be bliss with antipasto. Hints of subtle strawberry and cherry with a very fine acid backbone.
Quality 4.25 stars / Value 4 stars / $23
An unsuspecting wine that blew me away with its deliciously pungent aromas of sour cherry and sweet prune. A backbone of tobacco flavoured oak and a fabulous palate weight to match.
Quality 4.25 stars / Value 3.75 stars / $25
www.patinawines.com.au/
Bloodwood 2005 Schubert
This is the premium Chardonnay for Bloodwood and boy is it delicious. White nectarine and sweet cashew nut are backed by a fierce and sexy acid backbone. Delicious with duck or pork.
Quality 4 stars / Value 3.75 stars / $28
http://www.bloodwood.com.au/
Bloodwood Silk Purse 2008 Riesling
This was definitely the wine of the weekend while visiting Orange - rarely do I give a wine this high a rating. Yes, it is THAT good! The grapes are picked exceptionally late in the season and most times the grapes are unusable. In fact - this wine has only been made five times in the past 20 years. The most wondrous squeaky clean lime palate - it literally hummed on my gums! Flavours of honey and jasmine, elements of apricot. Sweet and tart just like key lime pie - just divine.
Quality 5 stars / Value 4.75 stars / $25
http://www.bloodwood.com.au/
Philip Shaw Pink Billy 2008 Saignee
From one of Orange's greatest winemakers, Philip Shaw (formerly head wine squisher at Rosemount). If you long for a Rose that isn’t as fruity as most - here's the wine that is for you. Less fun and more serious, this Saignee would be bliss with antipasto. Hints of subtle strawberry and cherry with a very fine acid backbone.
Quality 4.25 stars / Value 4 stars / $23
http://www.philipshaw.com.au/
Philip Shaw No. 17 Merlot Cabernet Franc Cabernet
A very sexy and restrained wine with oodles of subtle red berry and blackberry fruits playing against a whiff of cigar box aromas. A fine but sturdy tannin structure makes this wine a keeper.
Quality 4.25 stars / Value 4.25 stars / $25
http://www.philipshaw.com.au/
Orange Mountain 2008 Viognier
Fabulous orange, apricot marmalade flavours abound with a real lemon tang keeping everything in check.
Quality 4 stars / Value 4 stars / $22
http://www.orangemountain.com.au/
Orange Mountain Manildra 2006 Merlot
What a great fruit depth this wine has. It's a bargain price, especially with the amount of age it carries with it. Fabulous ripe plummy red berry fruit.
Quality 4.25 stars / Value 4.5 stars / $18
http://www.orangemountain.com.au/
Philip Shaw No. 17 Merlot Cabernet Franc Cabernet
A very sexy and restrained wine with oodles of subtle red berry and blackberry fruits playing against a whiff of cigar box aromas. A fine but sturdy tannin structure makes this wine a keeper.
Quality 4.25 stars / Value 4.25 stars / $25
http://www.philipshaw.com.au/
Orange Mountain 2008 Viognier
Fabulous orange, apricot marmalade flavours abound with a real lemon tang keeping everything in check.
Quality 4 stars / Value 4 stars / $22
http://www.orangemountain.com.au/
Orange Mountain Manildra 2006 Merlot
What a great fruit depth this wine has. It's a bargain price, especially with the amount of age it carries with it. Fabulous ripe plummy red berry fruit.
Quality 4.25 stars / Value 4.5 stars / $18
http://www.orangemountain.com.au/
Borrodell Winemaker's Daughter 2007 Gewurztraminer
The best way to taste this wine is during lunch at the cellar door's magnificent restaurant overlooking rolling hills of the Orange district. Smart as button acidity makes this a wine of distinction with some absolutely beautiful lanolin, musk and strawberry flavours.
Quality 4.25 stars / Value 4.25 stars / $20
http://www.borrodell.com.au/
Borrodell 2007 Chardonnay
Orange Chardonnay is divine and this is a brilliant and affordable example. Custard apple mixed with creamy custard and baked nectarine with tight lemony acidity. The elegance of the french oak maturation makes this a pristine food wine.
Quality 4.25 stars / Value 4.5 stars / $20
http://www.borrodell.com.au/
Borrodell Cabernet Sauvignon 'Ruby'
This is an odd blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, the rarely used Ruby Cabernet and Merlot. What is not odd however is the flavour - it's rich, spicy and delicious. Dark blackberry fruit oozes forward with hints of spearmint, olive and tobacco.
Quality 4.25 stars / Value 4.5 stars / $20
http://www.borrodell.com.au/
Word of Mouth 2008 Sauvignon Blanc
At 1000m above sea level, WOM is one of Orange's highest vineyard sites and its wines have scintillating acid structures as a result. This SB is damn sexy with juicy pineapple and nectarine flavours sitting alongside fresh herbs and freshly ripped open red capsicum.
Quality 4.25 stars / Value 4 stars / $25
http://www.wordofmouthwines.com.au/
Word of Mouth 2008 Riesling
I love it when an Australian winemaker is not afraid to leave a teensy bit of fruit sweetness in a Riesling - it often lends itself to our Asian inspired cuisine so much better. This wine sports lime candy, powdered sugar and delicious apple flavours with a refreshing tangy bite.
Quality 4.25 stars / Value 4 stars / $23
http://www.wordofmouthwines.com.au/
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
May's wines of note
Starvedog Lane 2008 Adelaide Hills Chardonnay Summer sliced nectarines dolloped with a healthy dose of brandy infused cream from this wonderful Adelaide Hills producer. Scrumptious with seafood risotto.
Quality 4 stars / Value 3.75 stars / $29
Pipers Brook Vineyard 2007 Chardonnay
Element of tiny white flowers and white nectarine on the nose. Creamy malolactic fermentation flavours of nutty nougat found on the palate, matched with deft oak handling make this wine a resounding success.
Quality 4.25 stars / Value 3.75 stars / $34
Nepenthe Limited Release 2005 Tempranillo
Most famous in its home land of Spain where it makes lauded wines of the Rioja region, Tempranillo was virtually unheard of in the Adelaide Hills until Nepenthe planted the vines in 1998. Matured in older oak barrels to ensure the fruit flavours shine through, this wine sports some pretty sexy sour cherry and strawberry fruit flavours with a tight steely backbone making this an ideal wine to be paired with flavourful Mediterranean dishes.
Quality 4 stars / Value 3.5 stars / $29
Brookland Valley Verse 1 Chardonnay 2007
This may be the second tier label for Margaret River based Brookland Valley, but the flavour has not been short changed. Peachy sweet cashew with hints of lemon honeysuckle. Divine!
Quality 4 stars
Value 3.75 stars
$21
www.brooklandvalley.com.au
Patina Orange 2007 Chardonnay
Having recently returned fro this magnificent part of the world, I can tell you there is a reason why Chardonnay does so well - and that's because of the cooler climate which produces a more sophisticated drop Australia is just now starting to appreciate. Lovely creamy soft malo characters play against steely fresh lemon hints and fresh cut nectarine
Quality 4 stars
Value 4 stars
$19
http://www.patinawines.com.au/
Tomich Hill Adelaide Hills Riesling 2008
A dreamy, heaven scented wine with white flowers playing against sweet lime flavours and river stone/mineral like nuances.
Quality 4 stars
Value 4 stars
$16
Leasingham Medium Sweet Bin 8 2008 KS Riesling
A fabulous Riesling made in the Germanic style with a taste of residual sweetness perfect for spicy Asian dishes. Lime candy dances with lemongrass.
Quality 4.25 stars
Value 3.75 stars
$23
http://www.leasingham-wines.com.au/
Joseph La Magia 2008 Botrytis Riesling Traminer
La Magia stands for the 'the magic' and this wine's botrytis certainly gives it that! A clean as a whistle wine with delicious yellow box homey flavours playing alongside candied apricot, rosewater, raisin and a healthy dose of lime. Intense and long lasting.
Quality 4.25 stars
Value 3.75 stars
$25
http://www.primoestate.com.au/
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Beer glasses smash bottles for six
I'll admit - I don't love beer anywhere near as much as a I love my wine. But when I want a beer, I will murder the first person who stands in my way of getting one! Imagine if you went through life and only got half the enjoyment out of your favourite drink. Well - if you're currently drinking beer from a bottle - that's exactly the position you'll currently find yourself in.
I've done the math and my own private experiment proves this point. After receiving a set of the new 'beer classics' collection from Spiegelau Beer Glasses, I'm hooked.
You see - to get the most out of beer, the beer needs to hir your palate in exactly the right spot. If you're sucking from a bottle, the beer hits will hit you straight in the middle of the palate like a bullet before making a beeline straight to the back of your throat. Do you realise how many taste buds miss out and are left crying for refreshment?
Too many - that's the answer.
The secret to drinking good beer is drinking it out of a glass - and preferably a glass that is thin. Why - because it introduces the flavour of the beer to all your thirsty taste buds! That's why.
The shape of the glass is also important. Which is why afficianados are now ensuring the type of beer they are drinking is matched to the right glass. Here's how, using these new fancy expensive glasses (2 glasses/$40) from Spiegelau.
The Pilsner Glass (tasted with Bluetongue Pilsner)
A modified tulip-shaped glass, designed so the open mouth at the top allows for an intense release of flavours and the lip deposits the liquid neatly to the tip of your tongue. Here's a beer that has some lovely sweet malty flavours and a fruity hop taste. This needs to hit the tip of your tongue (which is where sweetness is detected). This does the trick nicely.
The Lager Glass (tasted with Bluetongue Premium Lager)
A tall glass slightly tapered at the bottom. Thanks to its mouth being slightly wider than its foot, it is good for getting the most from the typical flavours and aromas of pale lagers, ales. When I drink a lager - i want it to be bloody refreshing. It needs to coat the entire palate, make it sing and do it quickly. I want a beer that will lift me high. What can be more rewarding a bloody hot day in January. A bottle does not do this but a glass will. The shape of this glass coasts the palate super fast!
The Wheat Beer Glass (tasted with James Squire limited release Hop Thief Ale)
A traditional elongated thin vessel, bulbous at the top to accommodate the thicker head produced by the extra protein in wheat as opposed to barley. This glass is perfect for the fuller flavoured beer. If this was in a bottle, the beer would taste course and out of kilter - in the glass, the beer comes alive and the floral/malty flavour is more pronounced and rounded in style.
I've done the math and my own private experiment proves this point. After receiving a set of the new 'beer classics' collection from Spiegelau Beer Glasses, I'm hooked.
You see - to get the most out of beer, the beer needs to hir your palate in exactly the right spot. If you're sucking from a bottle, the beer hits will hit you straight in the middle of the palate like a bullet before making a beeline straight to the back of your throat. Do you realise how many taste buds miss out and are left crying for refreshment?
Too many - that's the answer.
The secret to drinking good beer is drinking it out of a glass - and preferably a glass that is thin. Why - because it introduces the flavour of the beer to all your thirsty taste buds! That's why.
The shape of the glass is also important. Which is why afficianados are now ensuring the type of beer they are drinking is matched to the right glass. Here's how, using these new fancy expensive glasses (2 glasses/$40) from Spiegelau.
The Pilsner Glass (tasted with Bluetongue Pilsner)
A modified tulip-shaped glass, designed so the open mouth at the top allows for an intense release of flavours and the lip deposits the liquid neatly to the tip of your tongue. Here's a beer that has some lovely sweet malty flavours and a fruity hop taste. This needs to hit the tip of your tongue (which is where sweetness is detected). This does the trick nicely.
The Lager Glass (tasted with Bluetongue Premium Lager)
A tall glass slightly tapered at the bottom. Thanks to its mouth being slightly wider than its foot, it is good for getting the most from the typical flavours and aromas of pale lagers, ales. When I drink a lager - i want it to be bloody refreshing. It needs to coat the entire palate, make it sing and do it quickly. I want a beer that will lift me high. What can be more rewarding a bloody hot day in January. A bottle does not do this but a glass will. The shape of this glass coasts the palate super fast!
The Wheat Beer Glass (tasted with James Squire limited release Hop Thief Ale)
A traditional elongated thin vessel, bulbous at the top to accommodate the thicker head produced by the extra protein in wheat as opposed to barley. This glass is perfect for the fuller flavoured beer. If this was in a bottle, the beer would taste course and out of kilter - in the glass, the beer comes alive and the floral/malty flavour is more pronounced and rounded in style.
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Organic wines - they won't kill you!
There comes a time when i subject my self to so much processed foods and chemicals I feel downright toxic. I flee to my local organic supplier, buy a heap of weird looking deformed vegetables and become vegan while detoxing! The part I hate though is the no alcohol rule for two weeks - now that really is torture.
Well there is a solution - and that is organic wine. Two of Mudgee’s longest running boutique grape growers recently merged to form a giant in the organic wine biz. Pioneering organic vineyard and winery Thistle Hill merged with neighbouring vineyard Erudgere.
So what's all the fuss about organic wines - and what's the difference between organic and preservative free wine?
The aim of organic growing is to look after the environment by not screwing it up with the use of synthetic chemicals. We do this by controlling weeds, mildew and insects organically. As an example, lets look at a common grape disease, mildew. Rather than attempting to treat the problem as it occurs with synthetic sprays, growers are kinder to the environment.
They use a preventative spray made from Canola oil (not only good for deep frying!). This actually works out cheaper than the harmful synthetic sprays, and it also doesn't harm the environment.
And when we're talking fertiliser, we let the poo fly - animal poo that is, so much more sensible than chemical fertilisers.
Preservative free wines are a different kettle of fish. Preservatives such as sulphur dioxide (which stop spoilage) are not used. The grapes are still grown to conventional methods. Its once the grapes start to be processed that sulphur dioxide usually starts to play an important role.
Sulphur dioxide is best described as an air scavenger. It goes around gobbling up any stray air particles before the air has a chance to spoil the wine. Without sulphur dioxide the wine colour could turn brown and the flavour could turn to vinegar (and trust me these are not happy characteristics you want in your wine!).
So there you have it.
Well there is a solution - and that is organic wine. Two of Mudgee’s longest running boutique grape growers recently merged to form a giant in the organic wine biz. Pioneering organic vineyard and winery Thistle Hill merged with neighbouring vineyard Erudgere.
So what's all the fuss about organic wines - and what's the difference between organic and preservative free wine?
The aim of organic growing is to look after the environment by not screwing it up with the use of synthetic chemicals. We do this by controlling weeds, mildew and insects organically. As an example, lets look at a common grape disease, mildew. Rather than attempting to treat the problem as it occurs with synthetic sprays, growers are kinder to the environment.
They use a preventative spray made from Canola oil (not only good for deep frying!). This actually works out cheaper than the harmful synthetic sprays, and it also doesn't harm the environment.
And when we're talking fertiliser, we let the poo fly - animal poo that is, so much more sensible than chemical fertilisers.
Preservative free wines are a different kettle of fish. Preservatives such as sulphur dioxide (which stop spoilage) are not used. The grapes are still grown to conventional methods. Its once the grapes start to be processed that sulphur dioxide usually starts to play an important role.
Sulphur dioxide is best described as an air scavenger. It goes around gobbling up any stray air particles before the air has a chance to spoil the wine. Without sulphur dioxide the wine colour could turn brown and the flavour could turn to vinegar (and trust me these are not happy characteristics you want in your wine!).
So there you have it.
try it
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Bottle Shock - the story behind the movie
A long time ago the French thought they were the only people in the world who knew how to make wine. Well - it wasn't that long ago, and unfortunately many still seem to think this. We'll consider the French - Old World wine producers (the same can be said for Italy and Spain for example)
This superior attitude remained until the mid 1970's; that was when a little wine tasting competition came about in France that debunked the myth that countries other than France could make world class (or should that be French Class) wines of note.
And here we have the movie Bottle Shock. A film centred around the 'Judgement of Paris' where the best French Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnays were pitted against the best from California's Napa Valley (which was considered to have no chance at all). A down on his luck British wine merchant (Steven Spurrier) in Paris decided to hold the competition to insight interest in his wine shop. He was an absolute French wine convert and thought the USA wines had no chance. He gathered the said 20 wines, 11 judges (nine were French) and tasted the wines blind. Only one journalist turned up (from Time magazine) - and what a scoop he had!
California wines rated best in each category, which caused surprise as France was generally regarded as being the foremost producer of the world's best wines.
Not surprisingly - the story was all but ignored in France (damaged egos) but was widely covered everywhere else the world. It started the New World Wine revolution and paved the way for countries such as Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Chile and Argentina to have their wines taken seriously.
Naturally the French claimed fowl play and also said the US wines would never age as well as the French. Wrong again - subsequent tastings of the wines at 10 and 30 years later showed the might and power of the US wines, trouncing the competition yet again. And there have also been arguments that the French wines were chosen from less than perfect years. Wrong again - 3 of the 4 Bordeaux Cabernets came from the 1970 vintage - considered one of the top 4 vintages in the past 45 years.
Game, set and match!! Touche!
Sunday, April 12, 2009
April's lovely libations
Mud House South Island Pinot Gris Jesus - this is good! The moment you taste this wine it oozes of spiced custard, apricot, lemon myrtle and pear. The texture of the wine is quite oily and viscous - just like a good Alsatian Pinot Gris should be - except this wine is from teh south island of New Zealand.
Quality: 4.25 stars
Value: 3.75 stars
Price: $22
Oakvale Block 37 2008 Verdelho
There's not much that I want from my Verdelho other than some honest tropical fruit salad flavours and maybe a bit of earthiness just to make it interesting. This Hunter Valley wine has it all and leaves the other lolly water examples for dead. Tast pineapple, guava, paw paw a drop of strawberry juice and a hint of lemongrass freshness.
Quality: 4 stars
Value: 3.75 stars
Price: $22.50
http://www.oakvalewines.com.au/
Delatite Upper Goulburn 2008 Pinot Gris
From one of Australia's great aromatic wine producers is a truly brilliant Pinot Gris. I can't begin to tell you how happy this wine made me! Delatite comes from cold country - at the base of Mt Buller in Victoria's high country. This Pinot Gris is subtle and slippery with nashi pear and custard apple flavours playing alongside fairy floss and aromatic spices. ONe to hunt down and buy.
Quality: 4.5 stars
Value: 4.25 stars
Price: $22.90
http://www.delatitewinery.com.au/
Zilzie 2007 Viognier
Here's a wine that will stand up and sing for you - a fabulous concoction of custard apple, candied ginger and fresh lime flavours. And it comes at an honest price.
Quality: 3.5 stars
Value: 3.5 stars
Price: $14-16
http://www.zilziewines.com/
Houghton The Bandit 2008 Chardonnay Viognier
An unexpected treat - this blend is surprisingly delicious with oodles of apricot, peach and mandarin fruit flavours that sit nicely alongside cashew nut. There's a real fresh lemony zip to this racy wine that finshes clean and has a wonderful length of flavour. Buy this in bulk when it's drastically reduced - it can be found for $10/bottle when bought in case lots.
Quality: 3.5 stars
Value: 3.5 stars
Price: $10-16
http://www.houghton-wines.com.au/
Lenton Brae Margaret River 2008 Semillon Sauvignon Blanc
A wonderful classic dry white from Margaret River - it sports herbal flavours of grass and rosemary which sit nicely alongside tropical flavours of pineapple and red papaya. Tghrow in some freshly ripped open red capsicum and you have a winner!
Quality: 4 stars
Value: 4 stars
Price: $22
http://www.lentonbrae.com/
Blue Pyrenees 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon
Heralding from Victoria's cool Pyrenees region, this wine sports mulberry jam flavours with hints of vanilla bean, aniseed and mint lollies. The tannins are assertive without being out of whack. All in all, a great value cooler climate red that shows real class.
Quality: 4.25 stars
Value: 4.5 stars
Price: $18
http://www.bluepyrenees.com.au/
There's not much that I want from my Verdelho other than some honest tropical fruit salad flavours and maybe a bit of earthiness just to make it interesting. This Hunter Valley wine has it all and leaves the other lolly water examples for dead. Tast pineapple, guava, paw paw a drop of strawberry juice and a hint of lemongrass freshness.
Quality: 4 stars
Value: 3.75 stars
Price: $22.50
http://www.oakvalewines.com.au/
Delatite Upper Goulburn 2008 Pinot Gris
From one of Australia's great aromatic wine producers is a truly brilliant Pinot Gris. I can't begin to tell you how happy this wine made me! Delatite comes from cold country - at the base of Mt Buller in Victoria's high country. This Pinot Gris is subtle and slippery with nashi pear and custard apple flavours playing alongside fairy floss and aromatic spices. ONe to hunt down and buy.
Quality: 4.5 stars
Value: 4.25 stars
Price: $22.90
http://www.delatitewinery.com.au/
Zilzie 2007 Viognier
Here's a wine that will stand up and sing for you - a fabulous concoction of custard apple, candied ginger and fresh lime flavours. And it comes at an honest price.
Quality: 3.5 stars
Value: 3.5 stars
Price: $14-16
http://www.zilziewines.com/
Houghton The Bandit 2008 Chardonnay Viognier
An unexpected treat - this blend is surprisingly delicious with oodles of apricot, peach and mandarin fruit flavours that sit nicely alongside cashew nut. There's a real fresh lemony zip to this racy wine that finshes clean and has a wonderful length of flavour. Buy this in bulk when it's drastically reduced - it can be found for $10/bottle when bought in case lots.
Quality: 3.5 stars
Value: 3.5 stars
Price: $10-16
http://www.houghton-wines.com.au/
Lenton Brae Margaret River 2008 Semillon Sauvignon Blanc
A wonderful classic dry white from Margaret River - it sports herbal flavours of grass and rosemary which sit nicely alongside tropical flavours of pineapple and red papaya. Tghrow in some freshly ripped open red capsicum and you have a winner!
Quality: 4 stars
Value: 4 stars
Price: $22
http://www.lentonbrae.com/
Blue Pyrenees 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon
Heralding from Victoria's cool Pyrenees region, this wine sports mulberry jam flavours with hints of vanilla bean, aniseed and mint lollies. The tannins are assertive without being out of whack. All in all, a great value cooler climate red that shows real class.
Quality: 4.25 stars
Value: 4.5 stars
Price: $18
http://www.bluepyrenees.com.au/
Mud House 2007 Central Otago, New Zealand Pinot Noir
Oven though this is close to 30 bucks, this is still great value for a pinot from this stellar region. It has strength of character and a solid backbone or ripe cherry and molasses. Sexy tannins and a great palate length make this wine a delicious partner for Peking duck. Yum.
Thursday, April 09, 2009
Easter eggs and beer - YES WE CAN!
Who said you cant have your cake and eat it too. This weekend - steal the Easter Eggs from your children and sit down to a beer fest while watching the weekend's best sport.
I wouldn't normally allow beer and chocolate to be matched - but this time it's allowed.
Take a James Squire Porter beer, which is similar to a dark, rich stout but creamier, and match it with a dark chocolate Easter egg. One with a high cocoa content.
The roasted coffee/dark chocolate flavours of the Porter is a perfect foil to the high cocoa content of the egg.
Price: $19/6pack $58/carton
Thursday, April 02, 2009
Let's get naked - cheap and stylish!
As always - I'm on the conquest or really good booze at rock bottom prices. As many of my friends will vouch, I'm not afraid to admit to drinking cask wine in public - so long as my teeth remain intact afterwards!A new innovation in wine packaging has been released. Bud Naked by Hardy's takes 2 bottles worth of wine and throws them into a nifty silver 'sunny boy' styled soft wine pack.
It lasts for a month once opened
contains regional from noted Australian and New Zealand wine regions
And costs under 20 bucks
Hoorah! I prefer the McLaren Vale Shiraz Tempranillo over the Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc - but that's not to say the SB doesn't off great value - because it does!
I went bush walking and camping last week with some mates. We carted 6 bottles of wine with us. I wish this delivery came a week earlier - it would have made the trip a lot more enjoyable on my back!
Monday, March 16, 2009
Top picks
Brookland Valley Verse 1 Chardonnay 2007
Peachy sweet cashew with hints of lemon honeysuckle, A delicious good value chardy from the West.
Quality 4 stars
$21
Value 3.75 stars
Patina Orange Chardonnay 2007
Lovely creamy soft malo characters play against steely fresh lemon hints and sliced white nectarine. A delightful cool climate Chardonnay.
Quality 4 stars
Value 4 stars
$19
Tomich Hill Adelaide Hills Riesling 2008
Heaven scented white flowers play against sweet lime and mineral in this Adelaide Hills Riesling.
Quality 4 stars
Value 4 stars
$16
Leasingham medium sweet Bin 8 2008 KS Riesling
A fabulous Riesling made in the Germanic style with a taste of residual sweetness perfect for spicy Asian dishes. Lime candy dances with lemongrass.
Quality 4.25 stars
Value 3.75 stars
$23
Tomich Hill Adelaide Hills 2008 Sauvignon Blanc
Aromatic passionfruit skin and fresh green herbs play against tropical fruit and zesty lemon. A decent Aussie sav blanc that will please the masses.
Quality 3.75 stars
Value 3.75 stars
$19
Hungerford Hill Hunter Valley 2008 Semillion
A scintillating Semillon of lemon and flint mineral that is great to drink right now with simple seafood dishes
Quality 4.25 stars
Value 3.75 stars
$25
www.hungerfodhill.com.au
Nepenthe South Australian 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon/Tempranillo/Zinfandel
A deep, rich unique blend with sweet blackberry, olive and leather nuances. Great structure (thanks to the Cabernet) and fragrant aromas from the Tempranillo.
Quality 4 stars
Value 4 stars
$17
www.nepenthe.com.au
Hungerford Hill 'Fishcage' 2006 Cabernet Merlot
An early drinking style of red wine with soft juicy blackberry and sweet vanilla nuances.
Quality 4 stars
Value 4 stars
www.hungerfodhill.com.au
Peachy sweet cashew with hints of lemon honeysuckle, A delicious good value chardy from the West.
Quality 4 stars
$21
Value 3.75 stars
Patina Orange Chardonnay 2007
Lovely creamy soft malo characters play against steely fresh lemon hints and sliced white nectarine. A delightful cool climate Chardonnay.
Quality 4 stars
Value 4 stars
$19
Tomich Hill Adelaide Hills Riesling 2008
Heaven scented white flowers play against sweet lime and mineral in this Adelaide Hills Riesling.
Quality 4 stars
Value 4 stars
$16
Leasingham medium sweet Bin 8 2008 KS Riesling
A fabulous Riesling made in the Germanic style with a taste of residual sweetness perfect for spicy Asian dishes. Lime candy dances with lemongrass.
Quality 4.25 stars
Value 3.75 stars
$23
Tomich Hill Adelaide Hills 2008 Sauvignon Blanc
Aromatic passionfruit skin and fresh green herbs play against tropical fruit and zesty lemon. A decent Aussie sav blanc that will please the masses.
Quality 3.75 stars
Value 3.75 stars
$19
Hungerford Hill Hunter Valley 2008 Semillion
A scintillating Semillon of lemon and flint mineral that is great to drink right now with simple seafood dishes
Quality 4.25 stars
Value 3.75 stars
$25
www.hungerfodhill.com.au
Nepenthe South Australian 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon/Tempranillo/Zinfandel
A deep, rich unique blend with sweet blackberry, olive and leather nuances. Great structure (thanks to the Cabernet) and fragrant aromas from the Tempranillo.
Quality 4 stars
Value 4 stars
$17
www.nepenthe.com.au
Hungerford Hill 'Fishcage' 2006 Cabernet Merlot
An early drinking style of red wine with soft juicy blackberry and sweet vanilla nuances.
Quality 4 stars
Value 4 stars
www.hungerfodhill.com.au
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Bush fires and Heatwaves - the wine effect
Australia has taken a real battering over the past two weeks. I thought it was important to post a few links that explain the devastation our great land's wine regions have endured.
Some regions have lost up to 50% of their expected harvest reports the Wine Grape Growers of Australia. This will bring about a balance from the previous year's wine glut. [read more]
Wineries and vineyard managers are still assessing damage from the bush fires that pillaged Victoria over the weekend and continue to burn across parts of the State. Roundstone Winery in Yarra Glen was completely desolated by the fire, but fortunately, owners John and Lynne Derwin managed to narrowly escape with their lives. [read more]
The extent of smoke taint to surviving vines is yet to unfold.
Chris Messerle, vineyard manager at Yarra Glen Vineyards and head of the Technical Sub-committee of the Yarra Valley Wine Growers Association, said the five days of over 42 degree temperatures had hit at a critical time in the development of the fruit.
Another source said the exceptional heat had left the vines, already stressed from lack of water, even more vulnerable. “They are starting to lose leaves and the more leaves you lose the more fruit is exposed,” he said. [read more]
North, North East and South East Victorian wine grape growers could lose much of their harvest due to smoke from the bushfire. The smoke can taint the grapes leaving them with a bad taste and useless for wine making. [read more]
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Red spot specials!
don't blame me for reviewing three Jacobs Creek wines in a row - they are all brilliant and better than 20 other wines I tasted on the day...Jacobs Creek Reserve 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon
God - it's heaven. Oodles of ripe berry flavour and smatterings of resinous vanilla. Throw into the mix some heady mint like aromas and this is ethereal. A great wine for $17.
Quality:4.25
Value 4.5
$17
http://www.jacobscreek.com/
Jacobs Creek 2005 Cabernet Merlot
A justifiable bronze medal winner at the Riverina Wine Show, this wine is smart and great value for only 11 buck (usually on special). Great mouthfeel, a full palate of berry flavour and smooth tannins to boot.
Quality: 3.5
Value 4
$11
http://www.jacobscreek.com/
Jacobs Creek Three Vines 2007 Shiraz Cabernet Tempranillo
Shiraz and Cabernet are the great Aussie blending partners and JC have thrown in an unusual bed buddy 0 the Italian variety Tempranillo. This is a sexy complete wine of juicy plum an blackberry flavours with hints of cherry ripe. Very tasty!
Quality:4
Value 4
$15
http://www.jacobscreek.com/
Wyndham Estate Bin 555 2005 Shiraz
Drinking this wine is like lingering on a bar of dark chocolate laced with rum soaked plums. Get the picture - buy the wine!
Quality:4.25
Value 4.5
$15
http://www.wyndhamestate.com/
Stefano Lubiana 2006 Tasmanian Merlot
Tasmania has produced a fabulous red that isn't Pinot Noir! There you go. And this is the wine I'm loving right now. It's ripe and carries an 14% a/v rating so this is an unexpected juicy treat. Spicy notes of star anise and mint play with blackberry fruit. Delicious!
Quality 4.25 stars
Value 4 stars
$35
http://www.slw.com.au/
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Kia Ora - it's Hawke's Bay, New Zealand bro
[pictured: Drew in front of Te Mata Peak, Hawke's Bay, NZ]Let's start by getting one thing straight - New Zealand is more than Marlborough and definitely more than Sauvignon Blanc! In fact red wine is produced quite successfully here. Although when it come to blockbuster reds - most will probably lean towards Australia still, but when done well, New Zealand can definitely hold there own.
And an unsung hero of the New Zealand wine industry (well, in Australia at least) is Hawke's Bay - it's kinda located down the bottom right of the North Island.
This was my holiday location for the start of the New Year. After a treacherous drive from the Bay of Plenty that took three times as long as I expected (a nine hour trip) i arrived - just. Driving by yourself with no radio reception and not much sleep from the night before is a dangerous combination. Micro sleeps at 100km/h while navigating winding roads; do not try this at home.
Alas the risks were worth it - driving into Hawke's Bay i couldn't help but get a feeling this place resembled a lot like South Australia's McLaren Vale. A beautiful Mediterranean climate and smack on the coastline. Being 32 degrees on the day secured this 'club med' image. Fortunately the breezes from the ocean even out the hot temperates of the day and ensure the nights aren't too cold - hey presto it's a perfect even growing environment. Hawke's Bay is said to be the food and wine capital of New Zealand and sports one of the country's first and best farmer's markets.
Aside from Pinot Noir which is the domain of Martinborough and Central Otago and to a lesser extent Marlborough; Hawke's Bay is the red wine capital of New Zealand. Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Malbec are delish - Shiraz is good too, however they call it Syrah so not to be confused with Australia's infintely riper and more boisterous Shiraz.
Chardonnay is brilliant but Sauvignon Blanc doesn't have the same kapow as Marlborough. That said, when Hawke's Bay SB is slightly wood matured it becomes an excellent food accompaniment.
The wineries you should definitely look out for on your bottle shop shelves are Clearview Estate Winery (which proudly boast NZ's most expensive Chardonnay and Bordeaux Blend wines at $250 and $150 respectively), Te Mata Estate Winery (highly regarded as one of NZ's top wineries - and I'm a convert!) and Craggy Range Winery (one of the most amazing cellar doors I have ever encountered - EVER).
Wines I fell in love with...
Te Mata Elston 2007 Chardonnay
Considered one of New Zealand's best wineries, this is indeed one of the country's best chardonnays. Both barrel ferments and malo induced, this is a complex beast that is absolutely delicious. Think peachy flavoured almond caramel squares with a side of light marshmallow and a smattering of playful citrus.
Quality 4.75
NZ$39
http://www.temata.co.nz/
Te Mata 2006 Coleraine
This is the flagship wine for Te Mata - a Cab Sav, Merlot predominant blend with a touch of Cab Franc that really shows Hawke's Bay at its pinnacle. Scintillating delicious with dark cherry, mulberry, dark chocolate and oak influences reminiscent of cigar box. A powerful flavour length and complex palate with oodles of layers makes this a very classy wine.
Quality 4.5
NZ$75
http://www.temata.co.nz/
Te Mata Woodthorpe Gamay Noir
Here's an unexpected wonder - very much in the Beaujolais style and can handle a chill on a hot day - it sports cheery cherry/berry fruits that are both delicate and fresh.
Quality 4
NZ$19
http://www.temata.co.nz/
Clearview Estate 2007 Reserve Sauvignon Blanc
100% barrel fermented, this beautifully complexed wine exhibits mineral like apply aromas with tropical melon, lemon and peach flavours.
Quality 4.5 stars
NZ$22
http://www.clearviewestate.co.nz/
Clearview Estate 2007 Reserve Chardonnay
This is the wine that has made this winery legendary in Hawke's Bay. With great palate length, this exciting wine exhibits mineral like flavours alongside subtle pear, juicy white nectarine and cashew flavours.
Quality 4 stars
NZ$35
http://www.clearviewestate.co.nz/
Craggy Range 7 Poplars Vineyard 2007 Chardonnay
A sensational wine that hums with excitement - delicate citrus, luscious tropical fruits of pineapple and nectarine play against buttery malo hints.
Quality 4
NZ$30
http://www.craggyrange.com/
Craggy Range Block 14 Hawke's Bay 2006 Syrah
An elegant wine with soft fruit flavours of cherry plum fruit backed up with white pepper, dusty sweet violet petals and fabulous deft handling of oak.
Quality 4.25
NZ$37.95
http://www.craggyrange.com/
And an unsung hero of the New Zealand wine industry (well, in Australia at least) is Hawke's Bay - it's kinda located down the bottom right of the North Island.
This was my holiday location for the start of the New Year. After a treacherous drive from the Bay of Plenty that took three times as long as I expected (a nine hour trip) i arrived - just. Driving by yourself with no radio reception and not much sleep from the night before is a dangerous combination. Micro sleeps at 100km/h while navigating winding roads; do not try this at home.
Alas the risks were worth it - driving into Hawke's Bay i couldn't help but get a feeling this place resembled a lot like South Australia's McLaren Vale. A beautiful Mediterranean climate and smack on the coastline. Being 32 degrees on the day secured this 'club med' image. Fortunately the breezes from the ocean even out the hot temperates of the day and ensure the nights aren't too cold - hey presto it's a perfect even growing environment. Hawke's Bay is said to be the food and wine capital of New Zealand and sports one of the country's first and best farmer's markets.
Aside from Pinot Noir which is the domain of Martinborough and Central Otago and to a lesser extent Marlborough; Hawke's Bay is the red wine capital of New Zealand. Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Malbec are delish - Shiraz is good too, however they call it Syrah so not to be confused with Australia's infintely riper and more boisterous Shiraz.
Chardonnay is brilliant but Sauvignon Blanc doesn't have the same kapow as Marlborough. That said, when Hawke's Bay SB is slightly wood matured it becomes an excellent food accompaniment.
The wineries you should definitely look out for on your bottle shop shelves are Clearview Estate Winery (which proudly boast NZ's most expensive Chardonnay and Bordeaux Blend wines at $250 and $150 respectively), Te Mata Estate Winery (highly regarded as one of NZ's top wineries - and I'm a convert!) and Craggy Range Winery (one of the most amazing cellar doors I have ever encountered - EVER).
Wines I fell in love with...
Te Mata Elston 2007 Chardonnay
Considered one of New Zealand's best wineries, this is indeed one of the country's best chardonnays. Both barrel ferments and malo induced, this is a complex beast that is absolutely delicious. Think peachy flavoured almond caramel squares with a side of light marshmallow and a smattering of playful citrus.
Quality 4.75
NZ$39
http://www.temata.co.nz/
Te Mata 2006 Coleraine
This is the flagship wine for Te Mata - a Cab Sav, Merlot predominant blend with a touch of Cab Franc that really shows Hawke's Bay at its pinnacle. Scintillating delicious with dark cherry, mulberry, dark chocolate and oak influences reminiscent of cigar box. A powerful flavour length and complex palate with oodles of layers makes this a very classy wine.
Quality 4.5
NZ$75
http://www.temata.co.nz/
Te Mata Woodthorpe Gamay Noir
Here's an unexpected wonder - very much in the Beaujolais style and can handle a chill on a hot day - it sports cheery cherry/berry fruits that are both delicate and fresh.
Quality 4
NZ$19
http://www.temata.co.nz/
Clearview Estate 2007 Reserve Sauvignon Blanc
100% barrel fermented, this beautifully complexed wine exhibits mineral like apply aromas with tropical melon, lemon and peach flavours.
Quality 4.5 stars
NZ$22
http://www.clearviewestate.co.nz/
Clearview Estate 2007 Reserve Chardonnay
This is the wine that has made this winery legendary in Hawke's Bay. With great palate length, this exciting wine exhibits mineral like flavours alongside subtle pear, juicy white nectarine and cashew flavours.
Quality 4 stars
NZ$35
http://www.clearviewestate.co.nz/
Craggy Range 7 Poplars Vineyard 2007 Chardonnay
A sensational wine that hums with excitement - delicate citrus, luscious tropical fruits of pineapple and nectarine play against buttery malo hints.
Quality 4
NZ$30
http://www.craggyrange.com/
Craggy Range Block 14 Hawke's Bay 2006 Syrah
An elegant wine with soft fruit flavours of cherry plum fruit backed up with white pepper, dusty sweet violet petals and fabulous deft handling of oak.
Quality 4.25
NZ$37.95
http://www.craggyrange.com/
[Drew gives you an impressive look at Te Mata Peak]
Saturday, December 13, 2008
Whites in the summer heat
Voyager Estate Margaret River 2008 Chenin Blanc
Fabulous with spicy asian fare - great tropical fruit salad flavours burst fromthe glass. SO pleasing!
Quality 4
starsValue 4
stars$20
Mistletoe 2008 hunter Valley Verdelho
Just damn sexy with all the fruit and a perfect foil with summer's best BBQ foods.
Quality 3.75 stars
Value 3.75 stars
$18
http://www.mistletoewines.com/
Windowrie the Mill 2008 Verdelho
zippity acid that brings the propicaql fruit alive
Quality 4 stars
Value 4 stars
$15
http://www.windowrie.com/
Mulyan Cowra 2007 Viognier
perfect arpicot and custard apple
Quality 4.25 stars
Value 3.75 stars
$20
Fabulous with spicy asian fare - great tropical fruit salad flavours burst fromthe glass. SO pleasing!
Quality 4
starsValue 4
stars$20
Mistletoe 2008 hunter Valley Verdelho
Just damn sexy with all the fruit and a perfect foil with summer's best BBQ foods.
Quality 3.75 stars
Value 3.75 stars
$18
http://www.mistletoewines.com/
Windowrie the Mill 2008 Verdelho
zippity acid that brings the propicaql fruit alive
Quality 4 stars
Value 4 stars
$15
http://www.windowrie.com/
Mulyan Cowra 2007 Viognier
perfect arpicot and custard apple
Quality 4.25 stars
Value 3.75 stars
$20
Pinot Noir - you soooo want these
Koonara Bay of Apostles 2006 Pinot Noir
with fruit from the Bellarine Peninsula and Mt Gambier, this wine has been named after one of Australia's most beautiful landmarks - the 12 Apostles. For 20 bucks you're getting a juicy flavoursome wine bursting with vanilla and cherry fruit with layers of sexy velvet tannins to carry this nicely. Just scrumptious!
Quality 4 stars
Value 4.5 stars
$20
www.bayofapostles.com
Moorooduc Estate Devil Bend Creek 2007 Pinot Noir
A scintillating Pinot Noir from Victoria's Mornington Peninsula. Cheery dark cherry flavours abound with sap like influences and velvety tannins.
Quality 4.25 stars
Value 4.5
stars $25
http://www.moorooducestate.com.au/
Mosswood Margaret River Mosswood Vineyard 2006 Pinot Noir
It doesn't get much lovelier than this. Spectacular aromas leap from the glass - sweet cherry, licorice, cardamon and lavender. The palate is silky smooth with a flavour that just keeps pumping.
Quality 4.75 stars
Value 3.75 stars
$60
http://www.mosswood.com.au/
with fruit from the Bellarine Peninsula and Mt Gambier, this wine has been named after one of Australia's most beautiful landmarks - the 12 Apostles. For 20 bucks you're getting a juicy flavoursome wine bursting with vanilla and cherry fruit with layers of sexy velvet tannins to carry this nicely. Just scrumptious!
Quality 4 stars
Value 4.5 stars
$20
www.bayofapostles.com
Moorooduc Estate Devil Bend Creek 2007 Pinot Noir
A scintillating Pinot Noir from Victoria's Mornington Peninsula. Cheery dark cherry flavours abound with sap like influences and velvety tannins.
Quality 4.25 stars
Value 4.5
stars $25
http://www.moorooducestate.com.au/
Mosswood Margaret River Mosswood Vineyard 2006 Pinot Noir
It doesn't get much lovelier than this. Spectacular aromas leap from the glass - sweet cherry, licorice, cardamon and lavender. The palate is silky smooth with a flavour that just keeps pumping.
Quality 4.75 stars
Value 3.75 stars
$60
http://www.mosswood.com.au/
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Clean Skin Wines
If you want to save a fortune with wine - go to your local retailer and ask if they stock Clean Skin wines. These wines have all the usual 'hype' taken away from them. They simply state the wine variety, region and vintage. Occasionally they'll tell you a little more like how the wine is made as well. But the best part about these wines is the price. You'll save 50% usually and the wines bring a sense of adventure back to tasting wine. You can really unearth some bargains. And it's easy to take risks - because you won't lose big because the wines are so cheap to start off with!
I recently stumbled across http://www.backvintage.com.au/
Although not strictly a clean skin wine supplier - they come close and the current release Shiraz and Sauvignon Blanc offer great value.
Here's some background info taken from the company's site...
The BackVintage® range of wines are independently selected and endorsed by the highly acclaimed International & Australian Wine Judge, Nick Bulleid MW. Nick is also one of only 15 Masters of Wine in Australia and a highly respected Australian and International Wine Judge.
Nick's brief is demanding. All our wines must be archetypal wines from each region and expressing the individuality of each vintage. They are fruit forward and approachable with good structure, balance and length.
The BackVintage® range of wines are not cleanskins. We exclusively source, blend and bottle premium varietal wines from well known premium regions throughout Australia & New Zealand for sale to corporate and retail customers under the BackVintage® label.
Every wine must meet Nick Bulleid's personal taste and quality criteria as well as represent exceptional value. His signature and endorsement appears on every bottle.
By buying direct, consumers are able to share in the pricing benefits available as a result of the current abundance of premium wine. Wines that would normally retail for $25.00 or more are made available directly to consumers at wholesale prices.
BackVintage Wines Australia is not a wine club - there are no joining or membership fees. As our business grows, we will source wine on your behalf - tell us what you like and we'll try to find it! And at the right price!
Nick's brief is demanding. All our wines must be archetypal wines from each region and expressing the individuality of each vintage. They are fruit forward and approachable with good structure, balance and length.
The BackVintage® range of wines are not cleanskins. We exclusively source, blend and bottle premium varietal wines from well known premium regions throughout Australia & New Zealand for sale to corporate and retail customers under the BackVintage® label.
Every wine must meet Nick Bulleid's personal taste and quality criteria as well as represent exceptional value. His signature and endorsement appears on every bottle.
By buying direct, consumers are able to share in the pricing benefits available as a result of the current abundance of premium wine. Wines that would normally retail for $25.00 or more are made available directly to consumers at wholesale prices.
BackVintage Wines Australia is not a wine club - there are no joining or membership fees. As our business grows, we will source wine on your behalf - tell us what you like and we'll try to find it! And at the right price!
Also worth checking out is http://www.cleanskins.com.au/
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
Cask Wine - the reason Australia became sophisticated
Just how did Australia fall in love with the cardboard handbag?
It was 1965 and Angoves Wines were faced with a dilemma (this is straight from a press release of the day). They wanted the most economical way to sell a gallon of wine to the market place. The cask was the answer. A revolutionary plastic membrane that was filled with the wine of the day and placed into a cardboard box (Chateau de Cardboard).
Some of us may scoff at the significance of the wine cask. Without it, many of us, including myself, would not be lovers of Australia's finest wines today, it was a stepping stone. Although I do remember it almost poisoning me before a school disco once (mental note : never attempt to drink three litres of Coolabah's finest ever again).
In 1973, before wine casks really took off, each Australian was only drinking 9.8 litres of wine per year. Wine had a "special occasion only" image. After ten years of cask presence, per capita consumption rose to 19.3 litres. Wine developed an every day, anytime, whenever-you-like-a-glass attitude. It introduced many new drinkers to wine. They could keep a cask permanently in the fridge. They would have a single glass of wine with dinner and not worry about having to finish off a whole bottle so the contents wouldn't go off.
Cask wine educated the nation. It was like training wheels for a country coming to grips with a new social sophistication. During the Menzies era we were all colonists answerable to the Queen. But along came the Whitlam era and a wine marketing campaign that has never been equalled. Wine went hand in hand with the new feeling of optimism that was spreading the nation. I still wonder how much of an impressionable six-year-old I was, I mean...those catchy jingles that were played during The Brady Bunch - "Smile, Dr Lindemans makes us smile...."
Today, statistics show that many cask wine drinkers have moved on to better quality wines. In order to keep their slice of the market, cask wine manufacturers have repositioned the humble cask. Better quality grapes, single varietal-premium grapes nonetheless, were being pumped into plastic! And vintages are being placed on labels.
The wine is even given wood-aged flavours. This, however, was achieved in an economical way, by literally throwing tonnes of oak chips into the finished wine, and then straining it.
Cask Wine reviews - what's worth drinking
Yalumba Premium Selection 2007 Riesling
This actually smells pleasant with real Riesling like lime/floral aromas. On the palate its a bit short, but pleasant none the less. I recommend serving this with a good chill to retain a refreshing edge.
Q 3
Yalumba Premium Selection 2006 Chenin Blanc
The aroma is fairly non descript but honey dew melon like could be detected. Reasonable refreshing - i was expecting this to be cloying and overly sweet - not so! Good palate weight with lemony/melon flavours.
Q 2.75
Yalumba Premium Selection 2007 Sauvignon Blanc
A bit of a disappointment which proves you need cooler climates to grow this wine in order for it to retain varietal character. Aromas of tinned pineapple prevail here with flavours of lemony pineapple on the palate. Not recommended.
Q 2
Yalumba Premium Selection 2007 Semillon Sauvignon Blanc
The inclusion of the semillon has saved this wine and is quite an enjoyable drop as a result. This is much fresher with more positive aromatic fruit characters jumping out of the glass. Fruit salad aromas and flavour predominate. A good budget quaffer for all occasions.
Q 3.25
sq3 Semillion Sauvignon Blanc (by Beelgara wines)
A fuller wine in the mouth than the Yalumba equivalent and is equally enjoyable. This would be more your BBQ white with food option rather than hanging round the pool and getting sauced with your friends kinda wine -if you catch my drift! There's probably more Semillion in this blend than the previous example. Flavours of citrus, melon and passionfruit. This wine also wins the award for best looking cask - it's a little cube that will definitely make cask wine detractors sit up and rethink.
Q 3.25
Yalumba Premium Selection 2007 Unwooded Chardonnay
A fresh pineapple and white nectarine aroma gives way to lemony/white peach like flavours. Good palate length here, just a bit of a boring wine if you ask me!
Q 3
Half Mile Creek Semillon Chardonnay
An absolute cracker of a cask wine - cook fruit weight i the mouth with interesting characters. Peachie/melon fruity characters with ample fruit salads flavours backing it up. A real joy to drink that has a good length.
Q 3.5
Banrock Station Semillon Chardonnay
Equally as enjoyable as the half mile creek, except the flavour is less fruit driven, more refreshing, if that makes sense. I would guess this wine has a higher percentage of Semillon involved. Good nonetheless.
Q 3.5
Renmano Colombard Chardonnay Semillon
Slightly disappointing - a bit sweet dough like in aroma with yeasty/peach and lemon flavours on the palate. Not recommended.
Q 2
Hardys Chardonnay (3 litre)
A fairly non descript peachy melon job. Not terribly exciting but does the job whilst having a good palate weight.
Q2.75
sq3 Chardonnay (by Beelgara wines) 3 litres
A refreshing Chardonnay with many layers that give this wine a bit more oompth and excitement that sits on top of the usual peach melon flavours. Good length of flavour
Q3.25
Lindemans Cawarra Chardonnay
This wine's aroma is dominated by the off putting sweet dough like characters, which are overpowering the sweet peach/orange/rock melon flavours. If it wasn't for the dough character - this would have scored highly.
Q 3
Yalumba Premium Selection 2007 Chardonnay
A standout Chardonnay - not only does this wine have a lovely fragrance the wine carries through on the palate and is definitely exciting. The peachie/cashew nut flavours combine with lemony fresh/peach like fruit fruit characters. An absolutely delicious wine. Bottle this!!
Q 3.75
Queen Adelaide Chardonnay
A good quaffer -no faults to be sen here. Pleasant peach melon flavours, touch of melon and vanilla add to the mix.
Q 3
Yalumba Premium Selection 2007 Merlot
A fairly sweet berry fruited innocuous red wine. Not being a fan of Merlot I was not terribly let down! Lacks a bit of flavour on the back of your tongue.
Q 2.75
Hardy's Reserve Merlot (3 litres)
While this Merlot is lacking in the fruit sweetness of the wine above, it does have a more complete flavour running the mouth. I'd void this nonetheless. I truly believe people who drink Merlot only buy it for the name because if they drank a decent cask Cabernet or Shiraz blend they would never buy Merlot again!
Q 2.75
Queen Adelaide Regency Red
A good quaffing red - good berry fruitiness balanced with a flavour that is well rounded.
Q 3
Half Mile Creek Shiraz Cabernet
This wine is disappointing - flavours are stewed fruit and jammy. An unpleasant experience.
Q 2
Banrock Station Shiraz Cabernet
Now here is a stunning cask wine. Great depth of concentrated flavour. You can tell the plummy Shiraz fruit is shining through with lovely vanillins from the oak treatment.
Q3.5
Yalumba Premium Selection 2007 Cabernet Merlot
While this does have all the hall marks of cassis/berry cabernet flavours, this lacks intensity. Still not too bad.
3.25
Renmano Premium Cabernet Merlot
Another wine with slight cooked jammy fruit flavours, which is a bit of shame because the wine has good fruit weight in the mouth. Fortunately the off putting flavours subside after a while and this wine becomes more pleasant with plummy/blackberry flavours shining through.
Q 3.25
Lindemans Cawarra Cabernet Merlot
Wow - love this. Very decent Cabernet fruit flavours of blackberry, a good all rounder.
Q 3.5
sq3 Cabernet Merlot (by Beelgara - 3 litres)
This wine is noticeably fruitier than other cask reds, but it does have good structure and distinctive cassis fruit flavours giving it credibility. This is a good BBQ wine, able to handle meatier dishes and richer tomato and BBQ sauce.
Q 3.5
Yalumba Premium Selection 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon
This wine tastes a bit thin in the flavour stakes for my liking. It does have the necessary cassis flavour, but it's a bit green an insipid.
Q 2.75
Hardy's Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon (3 litres)
Now here's a wine of distinction. Great fruit that has excellent depth considering this is cask wine. Red berry fruits, traces of oak treatment and great length of flavour.
Q 3.5
This actually smells pleasant with real Riesling like lime/floral aromas. On the palate its a bit short, but pleasant none the less. I recommend serving this with a good chill to retain a refreshing edge.
Q 3
Yalumba Premium Selection 2006 Chenin Blanc
The aroma is fairly non descript but honey dew melon like could be detected. Reasonable refreshing - i was expecting this to be cloying and overly sweet - not so! Good palate weight with lemony/melon flavours.
Q 2.75
Yalumba Premium Selection 2007 Sauvignon Blanc
A bit of a disappointment which proves you need cooler climates to grow this wine in order for it to retain varietal character. Aromas of tinned pineapple prevail here with flavours of lemony pineapple on the palate. Not recommended.
Q 2
Yalumba Premium Selection 2007 Semillon Sauvignon Blanc
The inclusion of the semillon has saved this wine and is quite an enjoyable drop as a result. This is much fresher with more positive aromatic fruit characters jumping out of the glass. Fruit salad aromas and flavour predominate. A good budget quaffer for all occasions.
Q 3.25
sq3 Semillion Sauvignon Blanc (by Beelgara wines)
A fuller wine in the mouth than the Yalumba equivalent and is equally enjoyable. This would be more your BBQ white with food option rather than hanging round the pool and getting sauced with your friends kinda wine -if you catch my drift! There's probably more Semillion in this blend than the previous example. Flavours of citrus, melon and passionfruit. This wine also wins the award for best looking cask - it's a little cube that will definitely make cask wine detractors sit up and rethink.
Q 3.25
Yalumba Premium Selection 2007 Unwooded Chardonnay
A fresh pineapple and white nectarine aroma gives way to lemony/white peach like flavours. Good palate length here, just a bit of a boring wine if you ask me!
Q 3
Half Mile Creek Semillon Chardonnay
An absolute cracker of a cask wine - cook fruit weight i the mouth with interesting characters. Peachie/melon fruity characters with ample fruit salads flavours backing it up. A real joy to drink that has a good length.
Q 3.5
Banrock Station Semillon Chardonnay
Equally as enjoyable as the half mile creek, except the flavour is less fruit driven, more refreshing, if that makes sense. I would guess this wine has a higher percentage of Semillon involved. Good nonetheless.
Q 3.5
Renmano Colombard Chardonnay Semillon
Slightly disappointing - a bit sweet dough like in aroma with yeasty/peach and lemon flavours on the palate. Not recommended.
Q 2
Hardys Chardonnay (3 litre)
A fairly non descript peachy melon job. Not terribly exciting but does the job whilst having a good palate weight.
Q2.75
sq3 Chardonnay (by Beelgara wines) 3 litres
A refreshing Chardonnay with many layers that give this wine a bit more oompth and excitement that sits on top of the usual peach melon flavours. Good length of flavour
Q3.25
Lindemans Cawarra Chardonnay
This wine's aroma is dominated by the off putting sweet dough like characters, which are overpowering the sweet peach/orange/rock melon flavours. If it wasn't for the dough character - this would have scored highly.
Q 3
Yalumba Premium Selection 2007 Chardonnay
A standout Chardonnay - not only does this wine have a lovely fragrance the wine carries through on the palate and is definitely exciting. The peachie/cashew nut flavours combine with lemony fresh/peach like fruit fruit characters. An absolutely delicious wine. Bottle this!!
Q 3.75
Queen Adelaide Chardonnay
A good quaffer -no faults to be sen here. Pleasant peach melon flavours, touch of melon and vanilla add to the mix.
Q 3
Yalumba Premium Selection 2007 Merlot
A fairly sweet berry fruited innocuous red wine. Not being a fan of Merlot I was not terribly let down! Lacks a bit of flavour on the back of your tongue.
Q 2.75
Hardy's Reserve Merlot (3 litres)
While this Merlot is lacking in the fruit sweetness of the wine above, it does have a more complete flavour running the mouth. I'd void this nonetheless. I truly believe people who drink Merlot only buy it for the name because if they drank a decent cask Cabernet or Shiraz blend they would never buy Merlot again!
Q 2.75
Queen Adelaide Regency Red
A good quaffing red - good berry fruitiness balanced with a flavour that is well rounded.
Q 3
Half Mile Creek Shiraz Cabernet
This wine is disappointing - flavours are stewed fruit and jammy. An unpleasant experience.
Q 2
Banrock Station Shiraz Cabernet
Now here is a stunning cask wine. Great depth of concentrated flavour. You can tell the plummy Shiraz fruit is shining through with lovely vanillins from the oak treatment.
Q3.5
Yalumba Premium Selection 2007 Cabernet Merlot
While this does have all the hall marks of cassis/berry cabernet flavours, this lacks intensity. Still not too bad.
3.25
Renmano Premium Cabernet Merlot
Another wine with slight cooked jammy fruit flavours, which is a bit of shame because the wine has good fruit weight in the mouth. Fortunately the off putting flavours subside after a while and this wine becomes more pleasant with plummy/blackberry flavours shining through.
Q 3.25
Lindemans Cawarra Cabernet Merlot
Wow - love this. Very decent Cabernet fruit flavours of blackberry, a good all rounder.
Q 3.5
sq3 Cabernet Merlot (by Beelgara - 3 litres)
This wine is noticeably fruitier than other cask reds, but it does have good structure and distinctive cassis fruit flavours giving it credibility. This is a good BBQ wine, able to handle meatier dishes and richer tomato and BBQ sauce.
Q 3.5
Yalumba Premium Selection 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon
This wine tastes a bit thin in the flavour stakes for my liking. It does have the necessary cassis flavour, but it's a bit green an insipid.
Q 2.75
Hardy's Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon (3 litres)
Now here's a wine of distinction. Great fruit that has excellent depth considering this is cask wine. Red berry fruits, traces of oak treatment and great length of flavour.
Q 3.5
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Travel the world's greatest wine regions on the cheap
Travelling the wold's greatest wine regions doesn't have to cost you an arm or a leg. If you research wisely and book everything online - not only will you have a totally unique adventure, you will save almost 50 per cent off the bill.
My fave sight ww.tripadvisor.com has just announced the world's top 10 wine regions for popularity amongst visitors.
1. Bordeaux, France
2. Napa Valley, California
3. Tuscany, Italy
4. Champagne-Ardenne, France
5. Barossa Valley, Australia
6. La Rioja, Spain
7. Sonoma Valley, California
8. Valle Central, Chile
9. Stellenbosch, South Africa
10. Marlborough, New Zealand
http://www.tripadvisor.com/ said: 'We have noticed that many travellers frequently share reviews, opinions and photos of wine destinations and tours in our forums, and the number of people doing so is constantly increasing.'
Owned by Expedia, TripAdvisor says its branded sites comprise the largest travel community in the world, with over 6m registered members and 15m reviews and opinions.
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Crisp Whites are alright
Mistletoe Home Vineyard 2008 Semillon (Hunter Valley)
Young and fresh, just the way I love them! This is fairly low in alcohol at only 9.5% so it makes a great luncheon wine. It also has more generous sweet lemony fruit flavours than usual for a Hunter Semillon - which I personally love. Great acidity nonetheless makes this a summer time whiz of a wine.
Quality 3.75 stars
Value 3.75 stars
$18
www.mistletoewines.com
Hungerford Hill 2007 Hunter Valley Semillon
This wine has a very sexy backbone of scintillating acid which keeps the lemon, lime and lanolin flavours in check. A long lasting palate (flavour) ensures this wine will be a great match for simple seafood dishes.
Quality 4.25 stars
Value 3.75 stars
$22
Cargo Road Wines 2008 Sauvignon Blanc from Orange, NSW
Here's a great Sauvignon Blanc to rival many Adelaide Hills finer examples. Orange is chillingly cold at times and this is perfect weather for slow growing perfect Sauvignon Blanc. Freshly sliced granny smith apple plays alongside limey melon like characters and pandanas leaves.
Quality 4 stars
Value 3.75 stars
$22
http://www.cargoroadwines.com.au/
Houghton 2007 White Classic
Long gone is the White Burgundy moniker. At the same time the label has been cleaned up and is now delivering sound quality flavours of ripped passionfruit, ripe nectarine, white grapes, pineapple and apricot. This medium weighted wine is bursting with fruit flavour. Damn good value, a great budget quaffer for everyday chugging!.
Quality 3.75
Value 3.75
$14
Young and fresh, just the way I love them! This is fairly low in alcohol at only 9.5% so it makes a great luncheon wine. It also has more generous sweet lemony fruit flavours than usual for a Hunter Semillon - which I personally love. Great acidity nonetheless makes this a summer time whiz of a wine.
Quality 3.75 stars
Value 3.75 stars
$18
www.mistletoewines.com
Hungerford Hill 2007 Hunter Valley Semillon
This wine has a very sexy backbone of scintillating acid which keeps the lemon, lime and lanolin flavours in check. A long lasting palate (flavour) ensures this wine will be a great match for simple seafood dishes.
Quality 4.25 stars
Value 3.75 stars
$22
Cargo Road Wines 2008 Sauvignon Blanc from Orange, NSW
Here's a great Sauvignon Blanc to rival many Adelaide Hills finer examples. Orange is chillingly cold at times and this is perfect weather for slow growing perfect Sauvignon Blanc. Freshly sliced granny smith apple plays alongside limey melon like characters and pandanas leaves.
Quality 4 stars
Value 3.75 stars
$22
http://www.cargoroadwines.com.au/
Houghton 2007 White Classic
Long gone is the White Burgundy moniker. At the same time the label has been cleaned up and is now delivering sound quality flavours of ripped passionfruit, ripe nectarine, white grapes, pineapple and apricot. This medium weighted wine is bursting with fruit flavour. Damn good value, a great budget quaffer for everyday chugging!.
Quality 3.75
Value 3.75
$14
Sunday, October 12, 2008
What a sparkling idea!
Orlando Trilogy Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Pinot Meunier NV Rose
Essences of strawberry nougat and almond play with a fresh backbone of appley acidity. Delicious and creamy and worth every cent
Q 4 stars
Value 4 stars
$16.50
Jacobs Creek Sparkling Rose
Aromas of sweet cherry and strawberry back up this very easy to drink rose. A fresh citrus zest keeps this budget bubbler alive.
Quality 3.75
Value 3.75
$14
Lindauer Brut Cuvee
For sixteen bucks this is truly sensational - sweet brioche and creamy fabulousness! Yes, I'm a fan!! A very fine bead makes this stand out from the crowd.
Quality 4.25 stars
Value 4.5 stars
$16.50
Deutz Marlborough Cuvee Blanc de Blanc 2005
Such a fine drop, searing citrus acidity, a very fine bead, a creamy texture and oodles of personality!
Q4.5 stars
Value 3.75 stars
$32
Essences of strawberry nougat and almond play with a fresh backbone of appley acidity. Delicious and creamy and worth every cent
Q 4 stars
Value 4 stars
$16.50
Jacobs Creek Sparkling Rose
Aromas of sweet cherry and strawberry back up this very easy to drink rose. A fresh citrus zest keeps this budget bubbler alive.
Quality 3.75
Value 3.75
$14
Lindauer Brut Cuvee
For sixteen bucks this is truly sensational - sweet brioche and creamy fabulousness! Yes, I'm a fan!! A very fine bead makes this stand out from the crowd.
Quality 4.25 stars
Value 4.5 stars
$16.50
Deutz Marlborough Cuvee Blanc de Blanc 2005
Such a fine drop, searing citrus acidity, a very fine bead, a creamy texture and oodles of personality!
Q4.5 stars
Value 3.75 stars
$32
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