The Canberra International Riesling Challenge, held in October, fielded a record 364 Australian entries, up from 352 in 2009. But the solid support from local makers wasn’t matched by international vignerons. Organiser Ken Helm says the number of overseas entries declined slightly. France (Alsace), the Czech Republic, South Africa, Argentina and Chile each submitted a … Continue reading Canberra international riesling challenge 2010
Formby and Adams Leading Horse Langhorne Creek Cabernet Sauvignon 2007 $17–$19 Langhorne Creek, near Lake Alexandrina, boasts two enduring wine dynasties – the Potts family at Bleasdale, founded 1850, and the Adams family at the Metala Vineyard, established 1891 by William Formby. Guy Adams, Formby’s great-great-grandson, is the fifth generation on the property. Guy’s 2007 … Continue reading Wine review — Formby and Adams, Peter Lehmann, Angullong and Cumulus Wines
Brown Brothers Prosecco NV $18 King Valley, Victoria Italy’s prosecco sparkling wines offer a pleasing light, savoury tartness. They’re usually low in alcohol with a simple, freshness and purity. Like a number of Australian winemakers Brown Brothers embraced the style, planting prosecco vines on its elevated, cool Banksdale Vineyard in Victoria’s King Valley. Their tank-fermented … Continue reading Wine review — Brown Brothers, Vionta, Formby & Adams, Solar Vieja, Symphonia Vineyards and McIvor Estate
In 1987 Peter Lehmann, with winemaker Andrew Wigan, produced the first Peter Lehmann Stonewell Shiraz (current release 2005 vintage about $90), a magnificent but comparative newcomer to the blue-chip wine ranks. Behind it lies an extraordinary winemaking and viticultural heritage, reaching across generations. Fortunately the heritage survived traumatic changes of company ownership over the years, … Continue reading Long history behind Lehmann’s brilliant Barossa wines
Holm Oak Riesling 2009 $25 Rowella, Tasmania Before unscrewing the cap, prepare for a giant step away from our traditional Clare Valley, Eden Valley or even Canberra riesling styles. Rowella’s very cool climate means more acidic grapes. The resulting wines tend therefore to be lean and minerally with high natural acidity. We see this in … Continue reading Wine review — Holm Oak, Seppelt Drumborg, Stefano Lubiana, Heartland, Coriole and Penfolds
Every five years, Langton’s, a wine auction specialist belonging to Woolworths, updates its classification of Australian wines. Unlike all the other wine-rating systems, based on the judgement of individual palates, Langton’s derives its classification from the volume and value of wine it sells at auction. The rankings are therefore based on perceptions of value and … Continue reading Langton’s classification of Australian wine — the market’s scorecard
Mt Langhi Shiraz 2007 $85 Grampians, Victoria This extraordinary wine, now part of the Rathbone Wine Group (Yering Station Yarra Valley, Mount Langhi Ghiran Grampians, Parker Coonawarra and Xanadu Margaret River) comes from shiraz vines planted in 1963 at about 350 metres above seal level, in the shadow of Mount Langhi Ghiran. The particularly cool … Continue reading Wine review — Mt Langhi, Bowen Estate, Lock and Key, Philip Shaw, Black Chook and Draytons
Propagandists in the French wine industry portray Australia as one big, hot, homogenous country pumping out vast quantities of “industrial” wine. While our export success with bright, fresh, affordable varietals – largely at the expense of French producers – might be partly to blame for this perception, it’s as far from the truth as a … Continue reading Extraordinary diversity in Oz wines
As the National and Melbourne wine shows bend over backwards to attract small makers to their competitions, Canberra based Winewise herds them in by the flock. This year’s Winewise Small Vignerons awards, judged at the racecourse in early July, attracted over 1,500 entries from 394 wineries. To qualify for the event wineries must crush, for … Continue reading Small makers flock to Winewise awards
Nick O’Leary Shiraz 2009 $28 Murrumbateman, New South Wales Vintage 2009 looks to be a great year for Canberra shiraz. This graceful red won the trophy for best shiraz at the recent Winewise Small Vignerons Awards, with Ravensworth 2009, another gold medallist, not far behind. Nick O’Leary sources about 80 per cent of the grapes … Continue reading Wine review — Nick O’Leary, Bleasdale, Dandelion, Chalkers Crossing, Peter Lehmann and Sam Miranda