Why all the pink on Valentine’s Day – cards, ribbons, flowers, packaging, love hearts – even rose wine? Has it really to do with the psychology of the colour, as a UK wine retailer asserts? “In colour psychology pink provides feelings of caring, tenderness, self worth and acceptance. Pink makes us crave sugar. Out of … Continue reading A rosé for Valentine’s day
Cherubino Great Southern Riesling 2011 $35 Cherubino Pemberton Sauvignon Blanc 2011 $35 As a winemaker for BRL Hardy (at the time the biggest vineyard owner in Western Australia) Larry Cherubino developed an intimate knowledge of the state’s vineyards – a knowledge he now exploits with great aplomb in producing his own wines. His Great Southern … Continue reading Wine review — Cherubino, Eden Road and Zonte’s Footstep
Henschke Julius Eden Valley Riesling 2011 $26.90–$34.80 The technical specs read more like something from the cool slopes of Germany’s Mosel than from Australia’s Eden Valley – pH2.88 and acidity of 9.4 grams per litre. A result of the cool 2011 vintage, the unusually high acidity in Julius provides a lean, taut backbone that accentuates … Continue reading Wine review — Henschke, Gipsie Jack and Pio Cesare
Paxton Quandong Farm Shiraz 2010 $21–$30 Quandong Farm, McLaren Vale, South Australia David Paxton’s biodynamic management of Quandong Farm, located in McLaren Vale’s Seaview Road, focuses on “soil health, bio-diversity and non-chemical weed control”, he writes. All of which he directs at producing excellent grapes – with the flavours displayed in this beautiful shiraz. It … Continue reading Wine review — Paxton, Toolangi, Pikes, Yealands Way, Port Phillip Estate and Yalumba
What a hard job for judges at Canberra’s International Riesling Challenge – two days discerning the differences among 435-odd mainly young, acidic whites, often in classes more notable for similarities than differences. But the judges endured and, led by David O’Leary, handed out, by my count, 51 gold medals – a strike rate approaching one … Continue reading Lots to think about in riesling challenge results
Eldridge Estate Mornington Peninsula North Patch Chardonnay 2010 $30 Winemaker David Lloyd writes that he and wife Wendy produce just 800 cases of wine a year from their Mornington Peninsula estate – including this beguiling chardonnay. David supports the new ABC (always buy chardonnay) – a club bound to thrive were all chardonnays this good. … Continue reading Wine review — Eldridge Estate, Rosedale Wines and d’Arenberg
Beurrot by Kooyong Pinot Gris 2010 $27–$30 Meres Block and Beurrot vineyards, Mornington Peninsula, Victoria Today’s reviews include two really good, very different expressions of pinot gris, a variety that all too often produces non-descript wines. The first, made by Sandro Mosele, demonstrates the combined power of great fruit and assertive, but skilled, winemaking inputs. … Continue reading Wine review — Kooyong Estate, Toi Toi, Brothers in Arms and Eperosa
Alsace Riesling Grand Cru Schoenenburg 2008 (Dopff au Moulin) $24–$30 Schoenenbourg vineyard, Riquewihr, Alsace, France Approach this glorious Dopff wine with an open mind. Forget Australian riesling, or German. The floral, citrusy nose says riesling – but the accent’s unique, suggesting power and weight. The palate delivers this – intense flavour, subtly viscous texture and … Continue reading Wine review — Dopf au Moulin, Richard Meyman Wines, Villa Maria, Chapel Hill, Mount Avoca and De Bortoli Bella Riva
For a report card on small Australian winemakers, check out the Winewise website, www.winewise.net.au The competition, judged here in Canberra in July, opens its door to wineries crushing 250 tonnes or less for their own labels. The independent event began as an outlet for small makers off the radar of the big, prestigious capital wine … Continue reading Winewise Small Vignerons Awards 2011
Helm Classic Dry Riesling 2011 $30 – wine of the week Murrumbateman, Canberra District, New South Wales The two Canberra District 2011 rieslings reviewed here today probably share more similarities than differences – although there are distinctions. Both show the high acidity of the cool, wet growing season. But the high acidity seems to intensify … Continue reading Wine review — Helm, Clonakilla, De Bortoli and Brokenwood