A recent database published by Winetitles, Adelaide, lists 2320 Australian vignerons, mostly small and sprinkled across southern Australia. As a judge at the recent Winewise Small Vignerons Awards, I was struck by the diversity of styles and high quality now offered by these small makers. Indeed we judged at such a leisurely pace (for a … Continue reading Winewise awards — a view from the judge’s bench
On a recent blustery Friday afternoon, Canberra hosted an international chardonnay shoot-out. The bullets may ricochet around the world for some time. While the event may never take on the legendary status of Steven Spurrier’s 1976 judgement of Paris – where a handful of Californian wines out gunned some of France’s best – the Canberra … Continue reading Australasian bulls eye in Chardonnay shoot out
We may never hear an Australian prime minister saying ‘fair sniff of the truffle mate’. But in the Canberra region truffles are already a highly visible seasonal luxury, with more action to come when recent local plantings bear fruit. At a grower seminar during the recent truffle festival, local producer Wayne Haslam said that 30 … Continue reading Truffle ahead for Australia’s wine industry
There’s a saying going around the industry that you can always tell a Foster’s wine executive – but you can’t tell them much. It shows in every part of their faltering wine empire, and even in a recent press release announcing the launch in Australia of wine in polyethylene terephthalate (PET) plastic bottles. It’s an … Continue reading Will wine in plastic bottles succeed in Australia?
Tyrrell’s Rufus Stone Heathcote Shiraz 2007 $16–$24 Tyrrell’s Rufus Stone McLaren Vale Shiraz 2007 $16–$24 This excellent pair from Tyrrell’s invariably attracts trade attention, resulting in very low prices for wines of such quality and provenance. As I write they’re available for as little as $15.99 by the dozen – a real bargain as they … Continue reading Wine review — Tyrrell’s, Tulloch and Penfolds
Chateau Shanahan’s in the grip of a severe riesling addiction. Our pleasure comes reliably and economically. And it’s a direct result of Australia’s dramatic switch from cork to screwcap – precipitated in 1999 by a group of determined Clare Valley riesling makers. Thanks to winemaker Jeffrey Grosset and his Clare Valley mates we’re all enjoying … Continue reading A decade of screwcaps pays off for riesling drinkers
Stonier Reserve Mornington Peninsula Pinot Noir 2007 $50 Yering Station Yarra Valley Pinot Noir 2007 $26 For Christmas luxury few wines match a top-notch pinot noir. The heady perfume, supple texture and luxurious flavour suit the Aussie summer and our traditional food, such as roast turkey and ham. Pinot also suits more robust seafood such … Continue reading Wine review — Stonier, Yering Station, Vintage Cellars, Grant Burge and Coffman & Lawson
There’s something missing from Canberra’s National Wine Show of Australia. It’s touted as the grand final of Australia’s wine show season. But if you look to it as a guide to the best of the best, then you’ll be disappointed. There are gaping holes across most varieties, but particularly in the ranks of sauvignon blanc, … Continue reading National Wine Show of Australia must fill gaps
Peter Lehmann Barossa Riesling 2008 $11–14, Eden Valley Riesling $17–20 The cheaper Lehmann wines sometimes make the retail scrum, so watch for fighting prices on these, and the wines below, then leap in for terrific drinking. The Barossa riesling is beautifully floral with a zingy fresh, juicy, fruity, off-dry palate – the sort of fruitiness … Continue reading Wine review — Peter Lehmann
What do wine shows mean? What goes on behind all those white-coated judges we’ve seen recently on TV news – in September’s Canberra Regional Show, October’s International Riesling Challenge and this month’s National Wine Show of Australia? Who are the judges? What attracts them to serve without pay, not just in our three high-profile local … Continue reading Wine shows — what do they mean?