Search Results for: winemakers

Philip Laffer — wine industry builder and expander

People, Vineyard, Wine

In December 2010 Philip Laffer handed the winemaking reins of Jacob’s Creek to Bernard Hickin. But Laffer, now 70, retains a globe-travelling role with Jacob’s Creek’s French owner, Pernod-Ricard, giving valuable advice to the company’s winemaking enterprises in Australia, New Zealand, Argentina, Spain and France. Laffer’s career spans, on a large scale, every imaginable aspect … Continue reading Philip Laffer — wine industry builder and expander →

Canberra wines fare well at National Wine Show of Australia

Wine

Canberra and surrounding districts fared sensationally well in this year’s National Wine Show of Australia, judged between 15 and 18 November. By my count, local wines won 31 awards – one trophy, 13 gold medals, four silver medals and 13 bronze medals. The tally includes wines from most of the regions covered by the Canberra … Continue reading Canberra wines fare well at National Wine Show of Australia →

Canberra international riesling challenge 2010

Wine

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 →

Wine review — Brown Brothers, Vionta, Formby & Adams, Solar Vieja, Symphonia Vineyards and McIvor Estate

Wine review

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 →

Wine review — Symphonia, McIvor and Brand’s

Wine review

Symphonia King Valley Petit Manseng 2008 $24 Saperavi $24 These eye openers come from the Symphonia Vineyard, owned by Peter and Suzanne Evans, parents in law of well-known winemaker Sam Miranda junior. Petit manseng, a southern French variety, impresses for its scrumptious fruit flavour and racy, pleasantly tart dry finish. Everyone loved it at a … Continue reading Wine review — Symphonia, McIvor and Brand’s →

Wine review — Angullong, Peter Lehmann, Four Winds, Cape Mentelle, Chapel Hill and Tim Adams

Wine review

Angullong Fossil Hill Pinot Gris 2010 $22 Orange, New South Wales Because the Orange region is defined partly by altitude, the 220-hectare Angullung vineyard wanders in and out of the regional boundary – walk up a row of vines until you’re 600 metres or more above sea level and you’re in Orange; stand below 600 … Continue reading Wine review — Angullong, Peter Lehmann, Four Winds, Cape Mentelle, Chapel Hill and Tim Adams →

Wine review — Freeman, Henschke and Morambro Creek

Wine review

Freeman Hilltops Fortuna 2009 $22–$25 Fortuna is a very smart, unusual and lovely blend sourced from five varieties grown on Dr Brian Freeman’s old vines in the Hilltops region. Freeman writes, “It is inspired by the aromatic white wines of two regions of northern Italy – Friuli and Alto Adige, a textural wine crafted from … Continue reading Wine review — Freeman, Henschke and Morambro Creek →

Wynns Coonawarra — snapshots of the great terra rossa

Wine

To the outsider motoring along the Riddoch Highway, Coonawarra looks flat and homogenous – twenty or so kilometres of vines stretching away east and west of the highway. The highway, bisecting the vines north-south, sits almost imperceptibly above the ground level of the vineyards. But the slight elevation means good drainage, probably explaining why nineteenth … Continue reading Wynns Coonawarra — snapshots of the great terra rossa →

Wynns unleashes Coonawarra’s diversity

People, Vineyard, Wine

A few weeks back this column looked at the massive decline in value of Foster’s wine assets over the past decade. Despite the carnage, however, the business maintains a pulse. And within the newly named Treasury Wine Estates some of the key Australian brands remain intact from a grape-growing and winemaking perspective – albeit savaged … Continue reading Wynns unleashes Coonawarra’s diversity →