An absolutely delicious, fresh Tahbilk Nagambie Marsanne 2006 and a more serious 2005 vintage oak-fermented version from local producer Ravensworth really hit the spot over the Christmas break – the first for its uncomplicated freshness, the second for the fragrant and forceful way it expressed the variety. Both provide an interesting variation on the usual … Continue reading Marsanne carves its niche in Australia
Petaluma Hanlin Hill Clare Valley Riesling 2006 $19-$23 Brian Croser fermented Petaluma’s first riesling – a 1976 from Mitchelton Vineyard, Nagambie – in a spent Maralinga rocket-fuel tank. From 1979, having acquired the Hanlin Hill vineyard, Clare Valley, he made the first of the single-vineyard Petaluma rieslings that’ve given the wine its well deserved blue-chip … Continue reading Wine review — Petaluma & Stefano Lubiano
Not the least of the pressures facing winemakers is the constant demand for capital. In an industry notorious for low or negative returns to investors — just ask any of the estimated forty per cent of Australia’s wineries currently losing money – this means a reliance on external funding. That funding might come from the … Continue reading Petaluma — a retrospective tasting
As a global red-wine shortage drives local prices up, rising quality of the local product compensates for the bigger price tag
Masked tastings reveals the real gems
A long piece arguing that Australia’s successful mass production of many wine varieties won’t be replicated with pinot noir. This variety presents far more challenges and its successes are likely to be limited to the cooler southern extremities of the mainland and Tasmania
A look at some interesting, aged Australian wine, including an apple wine from Peter Lehmann