Wine lovers musings, amusings and news

[qaz]

ADL: $234.99

2021 South Australian Heritage Collection Wine Dinner

Get tickets on Humanitix - 2021 South Australian Heritage Collection Wine Dinner hosted by The National Wine Centre of Australia. The National Wine Centre of Australia, Corner of Hackney Rd &, Botanic Rd, Adelaide SA 5000, Australia. Thursday 27th May 2021. Find event information.

events.humanitix.com

• 2010 Rockford Vine Vale Riesling
• 2010 Rockford Local Growers Semillon
• 2013 Tapanappa Tiers Chardonnay
• 2012 Shaw + Smith M3 Chardonnay
• 2013 Henschke Cyril Cabernet Sauvignon
• 2003 Wolf Blass Black Label Cabernet Blend
• 2008 Penfolds RWT Shiraz
• 2010 Charles Melton Nine Popes GSM

Mario Marson’s ‘little Italy’ in Heathcote

The Marson family, Mario and Helen and daughters Laura, Madeleine and Emily, moved to Heathcote and began planting their 7 hectares of vines in 2000. #CharlesSturtUniversity #DomainedelaPoussed’Or #DrJohnMiddleton

www.therealreview.com

New book celebrates wine writer Philip White’s ‘really big life’

After cheating cancer, the acclaimed wordsmith was on hand to celebrate the launch of a new biography.

www.afr.com

Tasting Some Of The Sensational Latest Releases Of Australian Superstar Winery Henschke - Quill & Pad

One of the problems with having an iconic wine among your offerings is that other, equally worthy wines are often overlooked or diminished in the eyes of wine lovers. But such is life. With its latest releases, Australian superstar winery Henschke has moved to align the vintages of several of...

quillandpad.com

Henschke Hill of Grace 2016 released

One of Australia’s most outstanding wines, Henschke Hill of Grace, has been released. #DrinksInternational #edenvalley #HenschkeWines

www.therealreview.com

• Henschke Hill of Grace Shiraz 2016 - JO92
• Henschke Mount Edelstone Shiraz 2016 - JO95

The making of Henschke wines - Cellardoor Challenge

Henschke is the foremost single-brand winery in Australia, built on 109ha of family-owned single vineyards (and a select band of loyal growers) in the Eden and Barossa valleys and the Adelaide Hills. The varietal cornerstones are shiraz, cabernet sauvignon and riesling, and the mortar comes with...

cellardoorchallenge.com

 

[billbro]

I enjoy Erin's reviews - Standish 19 is up: The Standish 2019 Release, ERIN LARKIN

 

[qaz]

New NWC at Home Masterclasses have been released
Our A-Z of Australian wine regions continues from November and on into 2021, beginning with McLaren Vale and finishing up with Yarra Valley. Wine maker co-hosts and details about the wine line up for each class will be released in the coming weeks.

Sommelier for a Day Winter Series 2021 @ National Wine Centre (previous sessions)
e.g. The Renaissance of the Australian Wine Industry l Sunday 4th July 1:30pm - 3pm l $95pp

• Crawford River Riesling
• Main Ridge Estate Chardonnay
• Tapanappa ‘Tiers 1.5m’ Chardonnay
• Jasper Hill ‘Georgia’s Paddock’ Nebbiolo
• Balgownie Estate Cabernet Sauvignon
• Woodlands ‘Margaret’ Cabernet Merlot
• Yarra Yering No.1 Cabernet Blend
• Craiglee Shiraz

Introduction to the Barossa Valley

The Barossa Valley is said to be the most recognised wine region name in Australia. #AppellationatTheLouise #ArtisansofBarossa #Atze’sCorner

www.therealreview.com

Barossa multicultural

Welcome to the Barossa Valley, Australia’s most famous wine region. It’s an area that’s still strongly influenced by the Lutheran settlers who arrived from Silesia in Germany around the middle of the 19th century. #BarossaValley #DutschkeWines #GlaetzerWines

www.therealreview.com

The rise of Langmeil

Langmeil is one of the most improved Barossa wineries, and also one of the most interesting, but arguably one of the least understood. #BarossaValley #CarlLindner #CharlesAngas

www.therealreview.com

Rolf Binder moves on to his next phase

Rolf Binder describes himself as a ‘paused’ winemaker. The Barossa Valley veteran has just sold his eponymous winery to Accolade, Australia’s biggest winemaking company. #AccoladeWines #Carignan #Grenache

www.therealreview.com

Chinese adventures in Australian wine

www.jancisrobinson.com

Australian winemakers are caught between nature and China

A US mystery: Australia

www.jancisrobinson.com

Tyrrell's Sacred Sites 2019 - A Legendary Vintage

Iconic wines from Australia’s first wine region, the Hunter Valley, and arguably one of its premier estates, Tyrrell’s. They are also crafted

winepilot.com

Brokenwood Graveyard And Tyrrell’s 4 Acres Shiraz: Irresistible Australian Hunter Valley Shiraz - Quill & Pad

The Hunter Valley, a couple of hours’ drive to the north-northwest of Sydney, would probably not be the first place that anyone would plant grapes if they were starting from scratch today. It can be intolerably hot and, while rain during vintage is not compulsory, it is a regular intrusion. As...

quillandpad.com

Chenin Blanc - Variety Spotlight

It’s not easy making new friends, but some local winemakers are extending the welcome mat to an oft-dismissed French variety.

app.gourmettravellerwine.com

Australia's Best Chenin Blanc - Young Gun of Wine

Three years after our inaugural Deep Dive into chenin blanc, it’s an apt time to again cast our eyes across the Australian chenin blanc landscape. With a new wave of Australian producers dedicated to elevating the grape, a Deep Dive was called for, so we gathered as many bottlings as we could...

younggunofwine.com

Chenin Blanc: the world’s most underrated grape

Chenin – a transhemispherical marvel

www.jancisrobinson.com

D’Anna’s way: Hoddles Creek Estate, Yarra Valley

Hoddles Creek Estate, Yarra Valley - Cellardoor Challenge

Hoddles Creek Estate debuted in my 2006 Wine Companion; the first tasting notes focused on elegance, finesse and length – qualities that remain the cornerstones of all its wines, which offer extraordinary value for money. Production has increased from 10,000 to 30,000 dozen and a three-tier...

cellardoorchallenge.com

 

[qaz]

67 Pall Mall are starting to put together quite a substantial database of past wine events for replay:

Virtual Events

www.67pallmall.com

Revolutionising wine tasting at home: behind the scenes with 67 Pall Mall

In the face of crisis, the worlds only members club for wine lovers has revolutionised virtual wine tasting. Ronan Sayburn of 67 Pall Mall tells me how.

wordonthegrapevine.co.uk

 

[misohoney]

Australia’s 52 top wineries: the 2021 list

Bushfires, drought, export problems, a pandemic … the past year has thrown many challenges at Australian winemakers. Remarkably, though, their output quality has remained high. Here, we team up with The Real Review to bring you the country’s top producers.

amp.smh.com.au

 

[billbro]

Australia’s 52 top wineries: the 2021 list

Bushfires, drought, export problems, a pandemic … the past year has thrown many challenges at Australian winemakers. Remarkably, though, their output quality has remained high. Here, we team up with The Real Review to bring you the country’s top producers.

amp.smh.com.au

Leaves a lot of wineries out - only those he has tasted?

 

[Rug]

Leaves a lot of wineries out - only those he has tasted?

Probably; If you are a member of Real Review you can soon see which wineries he covers by those wineries missing from his site and some of them are not small.

 

[qaz]

Unwinding temptation

When given the chance I still hand write tasting notes and though I've mostly eschewed publishing scores, I still add a numerical score at t...

wino-sapien.blogspot.com

The Two Dilemmas of the Australian Wine Industry

The first dilemma has to do with our professional wine writers and influencers. Many of them are Masters of Wine or Master Sommeliers. In o...

australianwinereviews.blogspot.com

Glossary of Wine Terms: wine words that help the conversation flow

This is the list of wine terms to know. This little glossary will help you decipher words used by winemakers and sommeliers.

younggunofwine.com

The evolving language of wine

www.jancisrobinson.com

Time to Kill Gender Stereotypes in Wine | Wine-Searcher News & Features

Do you get annoyed when wines are compared to women? Or to men? If so, you're not alone. Read the latest wine news & features on wine-searcher

www.wine-searcher.com

 

[qaz]

Why Etna wine is so hot right now

Discover the Wave of Etna Wines now. It is sourced from one of the most extraordinary terroirs in the world, so what makes this wine special?

cluboenologique.com

Wynns John Riddoch & The World of Cabernet Sauvignon
7-8pm AEST Thursday 10th September via Zoom - free

Please join our host Jane Anson (Bordeaux Correspondent of the UK’s influential Decanter Magazine) and a panel of distinguished experts who will discuss the character, potential, and history of Cabernet Sauvignon in Australia.

Jane Anson will explore these topics, the story of John Riddoch Cabernet Sauvignon and the fascinating business of "La Place” with Sue Hodder (Wynns Coonawarra Estate’s winemaker) Andrew Caillard MW (author of “Imagining Coonawarra”) and Tom Portet (Director “Courtier" of Australian First Growths).

This presentation promises to offer a unique insight into the development and ambitions of a prized Australian First Growth.

Imagining Coonawarra, the story of John Riddoch Cabernet Sauvignon, is available in hard copy or ebook format. The free ebook version is available for Apple users here and PC/Kindle users here.

Life Lessons with Sue Hodder of Wynns Coonawarra Estate

Australia’s veteran winemaker on romanticism for old vines, bird calls and Emmerdale, plus how 2021 is set to be a good vintage

cluboenologique.com

Life Lessons with Robert Hill-Smith of Yalumba

Robert Hill-Smith of Yalumba discusses his love of cricket, choc ices and fishing, but is convinced golf-course designers have it in for him…

cluboenologique.com

 

[Jczer000]

Yarra Chardonnay Spotlight (Video):

BigMarker - Modern, No-Download Webinar Software

BigMarker combines powerful webinar software with robust marketing features to create the world’s first end-to-end webinar solution.

www.bigmarker.com

 

[Steady]

Mmm.

Time to stop cellaring wine?

"After all, most of these wines we plebs don’t understand (of course). But, if we’re honest, they all taste the same anyway."

"After all, they grew up with all sorts of hippy nonsense about decanting – who in their right mind would be oxidizing wine? After all it's been through? They might as well put it in a blender. Aging wine? You might as well put it in a slow cooker overnight."

 

[tielec]

Mmm.

Time to stop cellaring wine?

"After all, most of these wines we plebs don’t understand (of course). But, if we’re honest, they all taste the same anyway."

"After all, they grew up with all sorts of hippy nonsense about decanting – who in their right mind would be oxidizing wine? After all it's been through? They might as well put it in a blender. Aging wine? You might as well put it in a slow cooker overnight."

That's a hot take but I think we can all agree that some/many wines are drunk too old. I tend to agree with the comment about mega old Burgundy (mushroom water), but if you like that taste profile, there's not many other ways to get it.

 

[Jczer000]

This seems like a decent initiative. Direct to market platform for wineries. Marc Malouf (Wine Worth Writing About) is involved.

IHEARTWINE - Apps on Google Play

Australia's first direct-to-consumer marketplace for wine

play.google.com

Pricing is nothing special at the moment but the events page seems quite handy.

 

[Buzzard]

Mmm.

Time to stop cellaring wine?

"After all, most of these wines we plebs don’t understand (of course). But, if we’re honest, they all taste the same anyway."

"After all, they grew up with all sorts of hippy nonsense about decanting – who in their right mind would be oxidizing wine? After all it's been through? They might as well put it in a blender. Aging wine? You might as well put it in a slow cooker overnight."

I have very few wines over 10 years old.
It's okay to say cellar it for x years but 2 things come to mind:
1. Will I still be around?
2. I know I don't have perfect storage facilities so will the wine last the distance?
Better to drink and enjoy than not to drink at all.

 

[Steady]

I have very few wines over 10 years old.
It's okay to say cellar it for x years but 2 things come to mind:
1. Will I still be around?
2. I know I don't have perfect storage facilities so will the wine last the distance?
Better to drink and enjoy than not to drink at all.

You cellar your wines up to 10 years, the article is questioning why and suggesting it is time for you and everyone else to stop.

 

[beefarmer]

You cellar your wines up to 10 years, the article is questioning why and suggesting it is time for you and everyone else to stop.

Storing well in a controlled lower Celsius setup is the key for longevity. Ten years for stelvin is just dandy. What I find is the actual glass makes one hell of a difference to enjoyment and the flavour differential between my preferred and another two I have is remarkable. However I have been lucky to have had plenty over the last few years that were in the 9 to 15 year group without a single dud. Had a 2014 margan semi last night and it was stunning in said preferred glass but I gave it a whack in another and not as great.

 

[rogerkambah]

I have very few wines over 10 years old.
It's okay to say cellar it for x years but 2 things come to mind:
1. Will I still be around?
2. I know I don't have perfect storage facilities so will the wine last the distance?
Better to drink and enjoy than not to drink at all.

Due to a recurring medical condition over the last five and a half years, the treatment of which has left me unable to drink for months at a time, my cellar has got older and I have quite a lot of wine over 10 years of age. The oldest is a 1998 Xanadu Lagan Estate Cabernet, grown, bottled and cellared by the original Xanadu owners, the Lagan Family. I had a dozen, acquired when the original owners sold . Ullage on the remaining bottle is about 12mm above the top of the shoulder, so I believe should still be good. It needs to be released from its captivity this year, but it may be too late already.
It is probably time for me to stop buying wine, as my wife drinks very little, and would probably give most of the collection away.
I should do a complete stocktake, so I know what is there. At one time I had just on 600 bottles, but after a quick count a few weeks ago this was down by about 20%. (Enough musing)

 

[Jczer000]

Another positive story in wine:

Taste of freedom: a Kurdish winemaker’s journey from Manus Island to the Yarra Valley

Farhad Bandesh made wine in Iran before he was forced to flee, now he is bringing that ancient tradition to the place he hopes to call home

www.theguardian.com

 

[qaz]

full video of Ep. 1

https://www.facebook.com/KarenMacNeilCo/posts/3463912050341811

Ep. 2: The Oldest Vines on the Planet

https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=785715552221841

• Cirillo "1850" Ancestor Vine Grenache 2012 - Marco Cirillo
• Hewitson "Old Garden Vineyard" Mourvèdre 2015 - Dean Hewitson
• Henschke "Mount Edelstone" Shiraz 2015 - Stephen Henschke

#TasteWithKaren LIVE: Australian Wine Discovered — A Taste Journey
3 wines and winemakers @ 10-11am AEST Friday 25th June, 16th July, 20th August, 3rd September

Welcome! You are invited to join a webinar: #TasteWithKaren LIVE: Australian Wine Discovered—A Taste Journey. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email about joining the webinar.

Australia makes some of the most delicious and exciting wines in the world. In the new 2021 #TasteWithKaren series Australian Wine Discovered—A Taste Journey, we’ll explore some of the greatest fine wine regions and taste some of the most interesting and expressive Margaret River, Yarra Valley...

us02web.zoom.us

Episode 1: Chardonnay from Margaret River — Like No Other

• Virginia Willcock - Vasse Felix Chardonnay 2017
• Bruce Dukes - Clairault Streicker "Clairault" Margaret River Chardonnay 2018
• Glen Goodall - Xanadu Black Label Chardonnay 2019

Future episodes: Yarra Valley, McLaren Vale, Margaret River Cabernet

Penfolds California Collection – a tale of two countries

The new Penfolds California Collection features two cross-country blends – is this the shape of things to come, wonders Adam Lechmere

cluboenologique.com

A Wine From Nowhere (Published 2021)

A new line from Penfolds features two cuvées that combine wines of two continents. Do they transcend a sense of place, or are they wines of no place?

www.nytimes.com

 

[boomy]

Following the successful USA series, the PRC edition