On 1 August 1860, Tabilk Vineyard Proprietary paid Hugh Glass £5/10/00 an acre for 640 acres (260 hectares) of land on the Goulburn River, central Victoria. Tabilk appointed Mr T Marie to establish a vineyard, and by year’s end he’d planted 26 hectares of vines. Shiraz vines Marie planted all those years ago survive and … Continue reading Wine review – Tahbilk 1860s vines shiraz
If Australia owns any one wine grape variety, it’s shiraz. We grow around 40,000 hectares of it. Our shiraz vineyards cluster either side of the 4,000 kilometres from east to west coast, through 16 degrees of latitude (from south-eastern Queensland (27 degrees) to southern Tasmania (43 degrees) and from near sea level to 700 or … Continue reading Savouring magnificence – three beautiful Aussie shirazes: John Duval, Tyrrell’s, Clonakilla
Moppity Vineyards Estate Chardonnay 2015 – Wine of the week Moppity vineyards, Tumbarumba, NSW $29–$32 Where chardonnay makes decent but not exciting wines at Moppity’s Hilltops vineyard, in higher, cooler Tumbarumba it’s a happier story. Up here, the grapes ripen fully with intense flavours and high natural acidity. Varietal flavours of grapefruit and nectarine reflect … Continue reading Wine review – Moppity Vineyards, Coldstream Hills, Tellurian, Chapel Hill, Tyrrell’s
Andrew Thomas Synergy Shiraz 2014 Lower Hunter Valley, NSW $25 Hunter winemaker Andrew Thomas writes, “There’s talk of 2014 being the best vintage since 1965. Well I was only a twinkle in my old man’s eye back then, but it’s safe to say that 2014 is certainly a once or twice in a generation kind … Continue reading Wine review – Andrew Thomas, De Bortoli, Chalk Hill, Larry Cherubino, Soumah, Pike and Joyce
Australia’s more than 2,400 vignerons make a greater diversity and higher quality wine than ever before in a wine history dating from the first fleet. My top-15 therefore represents a wide range of Australian styles from seven distinct regions in four states, plus five multi-region blends, including one bubbly. Completing the lineup are two imports … Continue reading Top 15 wines under $15
De Bortoli Windy Peak Chardonnay 2013 $11.40–$14 De Bortoli’s top-end Yarra Valley chardonnays rate among the best in Australia. And there’s a remarkable quality trickle-down to their lower priced Windy Peak. Winemaker Steve Webber, husband of Leanne De Bortoli, sources fruit from a number of Yarra vineyards controlled by the family. He ferments the wines … Continue reading Wine review – De Bortoli, Moppity Vineyards Lock and Key, Dominique Portet
Joseph Chromy Tasmanian Cuvee NV $25.50–$30 Czech-born Josef Chromy built a fortune in meat before investing in (and disposing of) various sizeable Tasmanian wineries. The latest venture, at Relbia, a short drive southeast of Launceston, includes 60-hectares of vines, a winery, restaurant and functions centre. Chromy’s non-vintage blend demonstrates, deliciously, why Tassie became the centre … Continue reading Wine reviews – Joseph Chromy, Lustau and Stella Bella
Canberra’s Wig and Pen brewpub re-opened on 12 January, even as workers finished off the brewing area. For the re-opening, owner Lachie McOmish served beers brewed before the original outlet closed on 30 October 2014 and held in cold storage. Shortly after opening, brewing commenced at the new Llewellyn Hall site. At the same time, … Continue reading Canberra’s Wig and Pen settles in at Llewelyn Hall
Swinging Bridge Mrs Payten Chardonnay 2013 Balmoral vineyard, Orange, NSW $32 With an altitude range of something like 500 metres, the Orange region, not surprisingly produces a spectrum of wine styles. Chardonnay performs well in the cooler sites, in this instance the Balmoral vineyard at 870 metres. The wine topped its class at the 2014 … Continue reading Wine review – Swinging Bridge, Angullong, Redman, Hahndorf Hill, Seppelt and Santa Margherita
Asahi Super Dry 330ml 6-pack $20 In 1987 Asahi paved the way for what became known as “dry” beers. Thankfully, they’re wet, of course, as “dry” simply means beer with all the sugar converted to alcohol. Now brewed in China, Asahi offers the full, malty body of mainstream lager, with a dry, smooth palate and … Continue reading Beer review – Asahi and Red Duck