Wine review — Tapanappa, Shaw Vineyard Estate, Seppelt, Zema Estate & Carlei

26 November 2006Wine reviewChris Shanahan

Tapanappa Whalebone Vineyard Wrattonbully Cabernet Shiraz 2004 and Tiers Vineyard Piccadilly Chardonnay 2005 about $75 Brian Croser’s new Tapanappa releases come from single vineyards in Wrattonbully and the Piccadilly Valley, South Australia. The red, a blend of seventy per cent cabernet sauvignon, twenty per cent shiraz and ten per cent cabernet franc, is highly perfumed, … Continue reading Wine review — Tapanappa, Shaw Vineyard Estate, Seppelt, Zema Estate & Carlei →

Wine review — McWilliams Hanwood, Di Georgio & Pizzini

23 July 2006Wine reviewChris Shanahan

McWilliams Hanwood Shiraz 2005 $7.99 to $11 This, to me, personifies, the general superiority of brands over cleanskins. While the latter come and go and vary in quality from batch to batch, brands like Hanwood evolve steadily for the better over time. What began as a predominantly Riverina product is now a blend from higher-quality … Continue reading Wine review — McWilliams Hanwood, Di Georgio & Pizzini →

2005 review and a look ahead

1 January 2006WineChris Shanahan

2005 may be seen as a turning point for the Australian wine industry – the year when surplus production, created by an export induced vine planting spree a decade earlier, finally began to take its toll on winemakers and grape growers while providing drinkers with a cornucopia of low priced wine. The squeeze on margins, … Continue reading 2005 review and a look ahead →

There’s gold in them thar liquor stores

11 December 2005Wine, Wine reviewChris Shanahan

There’s never been a better time to buy wine. Equally, there’s never been a more confusing time for wine drinkers. For the very glut of producers and labels currently forcing prices down forms an intimidating wall of brands that confounds even professional wine judges. The diversity of choice and competition-driven low pricing is good, of … Continue reading There’s gold in them thar liquor stores →

Wine review — Ladbroke Grove, d’Arenberg & Pizzini

13 November 2005Wine reviewChris Shanahan

Ladbroke Grove Coonawarra Riesling 2005 $17.99 This is a little producer to watch. Ladbroke’s Killian Cabernet 2001 won three trophies in the 2003 Limestone Coast Show. This year it was the riesling’s turn. After topping a strong 2005 vintage riesling class it went on to win the Karl Seppelt Trophy. Fruit comes from a northern … Continue reading Wine review — Ladbroke Grove, d’Arenberg & Pizzini →

Winners from the Limestone Coast show

6 November 2005Wine, Wine reviewChris Shanahan

The Limestone Coast wine zone takes in all of South Australia south of Lake Alexandrina, bounded to the east by the Victorian border and to the west and south by the sea. This unique limestone plain is home to The Coorong, Naracoorte World Heritage caves, the extinct volcano, Mount Gambier, the Robe crayfish industry, vast … Continue reading Winners from the Limestone Coast show →

1997 — a year in retrospect

4 January 1998WineChris Shanahan

It’s been a big year for the Australian wine industry. The second biggest vintage ever fell short of demand, especially in premium red wine. Exports reached an all time high. Domestic consumption, especially of bottled red and white grew strongly. And, in face, of shortage, prices continued to climb. Premium riesling, so long the bargain … Continue reading 1997 — a year in retrospect →