Bourgogne Pinot Noir (Maison Champy) 2005 $20-$25 This is good, affordable real Burgundy, imported by Coles for its Vintage Cellars and 1st Choice outlets. London-based Burgundy specialist, Anthony Hanson MW, introduced Coles to Maison Champy in 1999 – just as the old firm (founded 1720) found new life under Henri and Pierre Meurgey. The wines … Continue reading Wine review — Maison Champy, Osborne & Oxford Landing
The sheer quality, value and long cellaring ability of Australia’s 2007 rieslings presents a great buying opportunity for drinkers. But before presenting several gems from recent tastings, it’s interesting to reflect on this noble variety’s undeserved niche status. It’s a darling variety amongst winemakers and the converted. It attracts critical attention completely out of proportion … Continue reading Riesling misses the boom but won’t go away
One of Sydney’s enduring pub breweries – the Lord Nelson – now offers a couple of its brews online and in a limited number of bottle shops. The Lord Nelson – located in Kent Street, The Rocks, and built of convict-hewn sandstone – claims to be Australia’s oldest continuously licensed pub. But its modern fame … Continue reading Lord Nelson hits the bottle
We’ve all heard of Seppelt, Penfolds, Saltram, Yalumba and Orlando – great and enduring Barossa names. But what do we know of Tuesner, Tscharke, Lienert, Hentley Farm, Clos Otto, Gibson, Schild, Jenke, Haan, Kabinye, Langmeil, The Willows, Whistler, Kaesler, Kalleske, Torbreck, Three Rivers, Rockford, Veritas, Turkey Flat, Greenock Creek and Murray Street Vineyards? – to … Continue reading Micro makers focus on individual Barossa vineyards
Redbank The Long Paddock Shiraz 2005 & Chardonnay 2006 $12.95 The Redbank brand originated in Victoria’s Pyrenees region. However, ownership of its ‘Long Paddock’ budget range shifted to Robert Hill-Smith’s Yalumba some years back. Quality is exceptional for the price and fruit sourcing generally from the King Valley, although the current shiraz contains some Pyrenees … Continue reading Wine review — Redbank The Long Paddock, Mount Majura, Cloudy Bay & Giant Steps
Viognier’s a niche variety and likely to stay that way. Why? Well, for one it has too much flavour and individuality. How can a wine have too much flavour? Well, look, for example, at gewürztraminer. Its heady, lychee-like aroma and viscous texture might be unforgettable, and a joy to drink on occasion. But that’s the … Continue reading Niche white that viognier
Australian winemakers seem to be copping bit of stick from some quarters for making inky, oaky, alcoholic shiraz – ‘caricatures’ some say, of wines that taste awful young and grow worse with age. But let’s not confuse these over-ripe, over-oaked, sometimes artificially concentrated reds with our very powerful, balanced, warm-climate styles. Many of these are … Continue reading Big reds are OK, too
In the wine industry the lead-time from vision to realisation can be twenty years. It takes that long for vines and winemaking skills to mature. Indeed, in some cases, it may be even longer before consumers perceive the benefit of a visionary decision made decades earlier. For example, when Karl Seppelt established vineyards at Drumborg, … Continue reading Viogner — blended or straight
A long, thoughtful email from a reader, Maureen Hickman, raised many interesting wine points including the role of additives in wine. Maureen wrote of a much-enjoyed tipple, “… looking at the label recently I was shocked to see that it contains ‘egg, milk and fish products’ along with sulphites. I wonder, is it really wine … Continue reading Waiter, there’s a fish in my wine
There’s something about Hunter shiraz that reminds me of Chianti – the sangiovese based wines of Tuscany. No, it’s not the firm, drying, tart tannins of sangiovese – that’s a pure contrast to the soft, almost tender character of Hunter shiraz. It’s more the medium body and earthy, savoury flavour that both share in contrast … Continue reading Old boots, sweaty saddles and Hunter Shiraz