Vintnews Wine News with David Ellis

Melbourne Food & Wine Festival turns 20

2012-01-27T15:05:00.000+11:00

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Celebrate all things culinary at the Melbourne Food & Wine Festival this year as it celebrates its 20th birthday with a host of gastronomic extravaganzas. Boasting more than 300 events across Melbourne and Victoria, there is something for every gourmand including 80 events under $50.

Visitors can share in Melbourne’s obsession with food and wine with over 20 days of eating and drinking, comprising gastronomic delights from one-off dinners, whirlwind tours and crawls to hands-on learning, regional adventures and riverside parties.

The Festival kicks off with the brand new Riverside Opening Weekend on 3-4 March when the Yarra River transforms into a food and wine lover’s paradise. There’ll be plenty of activity including the Cellar Door & Farmgate at South Wharf, which will bring together craft brewers, artisan products and boutique cellar doors complemented by restaurants and bars along the promenade once the sun goes down.

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A firm Festival favourite, the IGA World’s Longest Lunch will snake itself along the banks of the Yarra River on Friday 2 March inviting guests to enjoy a three course seasonal feast under the tree line of Alexandra Park. Designed by hatted regional star chefs Patrizia Simone (Simone’s of Bright), Annie Smithers (Annie Smithers Bistrot, Kyneton) and George Biron (Sunnybrae, Birregurra), each course will be matched by the finest drops from Yering Station. Complementing all this feasting will be 29 Regional World’s Longest Lunches taking place across Victoria.

The Langham Melbourne Masterclass stage will be a hive of activity with world-class culinary whizzes over the weekend of 10 and 11 March including world number one chef Rene Redzepi (Noma, Copenhagen), three star Michelin chef Massimo Bottura (Osteria Francescana, Italy) and Claus Henriksen (Dragsholm, Horve), who will each provide inspiration and insights into their clever creations.

And for those keen to get their hands dirty, there are plenty of hands-on cooking classes to get involved in from making macaroons and passata to learning the art of porchetta.

Further afield, North East Victoria plays host to the Tastes of Rutherglen festival, which begins with a regional showcase dinner on 10 March highlighting the best produce from across the region. Visitors to the region over the following two weekends can continue to enjoy perfectly matched food and wine combined with culinary experiences and activities at participating venues.

For more information: www.melbournefoodandwine.com.au

RIPPER BLEND THAT HARKS BACK TO THE ’70s

2012-01-23T09:53:00.001+11:00

Wc23Jan12

David Ellis

THE late Jim Barry often delighted in telling of his "scientific approach" to creating his first Shiraz Cabernet Sauvignon blends in the 1970s – he'd make up a few with varying proportions of each wine, leave them open on the kitchen sink, and then watch and taste their development over the coming few days.

He'd then declare which blend he considered the best, always adding: "First call, best call…" But initially popular as they were at the time, consumer interest faded away in the early '80s as buyers swung back to single varietal wines.

Ten year's ago Jim's son, Peter went somewhat back to the future, creating a Shiraz Cabernet Sauvignon from the great 2002 vintage in the Clare Valley, a drop he intended purely for personal enjoyment with family and friends. Their enthusiasm encouraged him to make another in 2005, a crackajack wine that's collected some prestigious medals and awards both here and internationally.

Peter's blend is 70% of his 2005 The McRae Wood Shiraz and 30% of the 2005 The Benbournie Cabernet Sauvignon, both very impressive wines in their own right. The blend's nose explodes with blackcurrant, blackberry, Satsuma plums and Morello cherries, with these following through on the concentrated palate.

The Jim Barry Pb (Personal Bottling) Shiraz Cabernet Sauvignon 2005 will be released in February at $49.99; you'll find it a great partner with a good rib-eye.

ONE FOR LUNCH: NEW ZEALAND's Lindauer has been making a quite stand-out sparkling for some 30 years now, using fruit from its cool maritime climate Gisborne vineyards that's ideal for making premium bubblies.

A 60% Chardonnay and 40% Pinot Noir blend, the Lindauer Brut Cuvée NV is just $14.95, a good price for this delightful drop next time there's a party on the horizon.

(NEED A FOOD/DRINK IDEA? Check out http://www.vintnews.com )

………………………….

PHOTO CAPTIONS:

[] LIKE father like son: a crackajack Jim Barry Pb Shiraz Cabernet Sauvignon made by son Peter.

[] NEW Zealand bubbly's a good price when there's a party on the horizon.

Rymill Coonawarra @ Tasting Australia 2012 Celebrity Chef Event

2012-01-18T18:14:00.001+11:00

MEDIA RELEASE:

THE TASTIEST CELEBRITY CHEF EVENT
RYMILL COONAWARRA @ TASTING AUSTRALIA 2012

As part of 2012 Tasting Australia (26 April to 3 May) Rymill Coonawarra will be teaming up with Stephanie Alexander to create The Rymill Coonawarra Harvest Lunch on Saturday 28 April.

This long lunch will be held on the winery's lawns and guests will enjoy a menu specially created by Stephanie to reflect her thoughts on the region's finest local fare. Rymill Coonawarra senior winemaker Sandrine Gimon will expertly match the menu with Rymill Coonawarra's fine wines, including the feature wine 2010 mc².

Rymill Coonawarra is thrilled to have the opportunity to work with Stephanie Alexander during the Tasting Australia festival. During the lunch Stephanie will speak about her Kitchen Garden Scheme and her passion for local produce and inspiring food.

A true food aficionado, Stephanie has been running successful restaurants and cooking programs since her first restaurant, Jamaican House, opened in 1964.

Her work includes the Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden Foundation, a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to providing food education and introducing kitchen gardens into primary schools.

Rymill Coonawarra and Stephanie will be partnering with Pipers of Penola, four time winner of Best Regional Restaurant in South Australia, whose talented chef Simon Bowen will work with Stephanie to create delicious dishes for the guests to enjoy.

Since its inception in 1997 Tasting Australia has become a huge international success, providing entertainment, information and education. The biennial festival is the perfect opportunity for the public – alongside leading food and drink professionals, and the world's food, drink and travel media – to enjoy the best that the nation and particularly South Australia have to offer in terms of produce, food products, wine, hospitality and tourism.

South Australia and Rymill Coonawarra hope you will join them in the celebrations … Bon Appétit!

The Rymill Coonawarra Harvest Lunch with Stephanie Alexander

Where:              Rymill Coonawarra Winery, Riddoch Highway, Coonawarra SA
When:               Saturday 28 April 2012
Time:                12pm-3pm
Cost:                $95 per person all inclusive
Bookings          Purchase online at www.rymill.com.au

New Generation Hunter Valley | On the Road Again

2012-01-17T18:17:00.001+11:00

Media release:

Lock up your daughters and open your wine vaults – the New Generation Hunter Valley boys are once again ready to hit to the road for the second rendition of their hugely successful epic east-coast Australian adventure dubbed the New Generation Hunter Valley Caravan of Courage 'On the Road Again'.

Kicking off in Melbourne on Friday April 20th with one of their infamous Pop Up Wine Bars, this one-month long travelling roadshow will be bigger and better than ever. As the saying goes, if it ain't broke, don't fix it – so the itinerary will be very much similar to last year's and will include 10 not-to-be-missed Pop Up Wine Bar and dinner events throughout 2000km of the spectacular east Australian coastline. From Melbourne the boys will head northbound and pop into Sydney (Friday May 11), Port Macquarie (Tuesday May 15), Byron Bay (Wednesday May 16), Brisbane (Thursday May 17) and finally Noosa for the Noosa International Food and Wine Festival where the group are heavily featured in the star-studded festival program (Friday May 18 – Sunday May 20).

Entry to all of the Pop Up Wine Bar events (Melbourne, Sydney & Brisbane) cost $30 and each will be held in a secret city location. Over 24 New Generation Hunter Valley wines will be on offer, plus a few extra specials if you know the secret New Gen handshake! To register for tickets, visit www.newgenerationhuntervalley.com.au and venue details will be released in the week prior to the boys popping up.

The New Generation Pop Up Wine Dinners will take place in Port Macquarie at the Stunned Mullet restaurant, and in Byron Bay at the glorious Byron Beach Cafe. Seats for these dinners will cost around $90 and will feature over 12 New Generation Hunter Valley wines expertly matched to the sumptuous seasonal menus these award-winning restaurants have on offer. More details on these dinners and how to book to come shortly…

And how, one might ask, are these six winemakers going to cover such a distance with all that is required to put on 10 unforgettable events? This year the boys will be travelling in serious comfort and style – and the sort of style that can only be summed up in a picture….

So all aboard for what will be one huge month of wine, wheels and whacky adventures. Make sure you're following @NewGenHV on Twitter and on facebook.com/newgenerationhuntervalley for all the latest and greatest. Trust us, this is one bus you really don't want to miss.

The New Generation Hunter Valley includes the winemaking talents of David Hook (David Hook Wines), Andrew Thomas (Thomas Wines), Rhys Eather (Meerea Park), Nick Paterson (Mistletoe Wines), Mike De Iuliis (De Iuliis Wines) and Andrew Margan (Margan Wines). What they have in common is the uncanny ability to make fantastic wine and have a fantastic time and a relentless ambition to put the Hunter Valley back on the map as a sublime and sexy destination.

www.newgenerationhuntervalley.com.au

A BLACK LABEL DROP THAT’S A STEAL AT $9.99

2012-01-16T10:09:00.002+11:00

WINEMAKER of the Year's $9.99 Cab Sauv
ideal with the Sunday roast.

Wc16Jan12

David Ellis

PUT the name Neil McGuigan together with "Black Label" that we normally associate with the best on the top-shelf, and you can expect that a McGuigan Wines' Black Label is going to be a pretty pricey drop – whereas in fact it's a steal for price, value and sheer enjoyment at just $9.99 a bottle.

There are some dozen varietals and styles catering to virtually all tastes in the McGuigan Black Label series, the newest addition being a Cabernet Sauvignon that Neil – International Winemaker of the Year in 2011 – crafted from 2010 vintage fruit from a diverse range of both dry and irrigated vineyards.

QUAFF this one with Thai soft
shell crab or a seafood platter.

And it's got plenty of nice varietal cherry and blackberry flavour highlights, coupled with influences of chocolate and vanilla. Not made with any intention of long-term cellaring, buy now and enjoy its full-on flavours with a Sunday roast.

(Interestingly red wine sales overall in Australia are growing at just 2.4% a year, whereas Cabernet Sauvignon sales are almost treble this at 6.7% a year. And as McGuigan Wines' Black Label Red is our #1 selling branded bottled red, it will be interesting to see if sales of their Cab Sauv overtake those of its "older brother.")

ONE FOR LUNCH: South Australia's Hesketh Wines are up there with the best when it comes to creating quirky labels to catch the eye of those browsing the shelves… although its not as if they really have to go to such extremes considering the excellent wines behind those labels.

The Protagonists, Thirsty Dog, Scissor Hands, Cruel Intentions and Rules of Engagement are just some of their creations, and a wine that impressed us recently was their Hesketh 2011 Adelaide Hills Sauvignon Blanc Bright Young Things: at $20 this is a classic Sauvignon Blanc with nice citrus and tropical fruit flavours and a racy finish; quaff it down chilled with Thai soft shell crab, or a summery seafood platter.

(NEED A FOOD/DRINK IDEA? Check out http://www.vintnews.com )

2012 Grampians Grape Escape

2012-01-11T13:11:00.001+11:00

21st annual Grampians Grape Escape

May 5-6, 2012

Halls Gap Village Oval

Celebrating 21 years, this major regional food and wine festival will showcase Western Victoria's best offerings of wine, beer, olive and lavender products, ice-cream, preserves, gourmet sausages and pies, cookies, cakes and gluten-free food; as well as lentils, fresh fruit and berries and organic produce, yabbies, duck, venison, turkey, beef, lamb, pork honey, teas and herbs. There'll be cooking demos by notable chefs, Grampians Winemakers Barrique Auction, Festival Dinner, Culinary Challenge and Junior Cupcake Competition. Guests will also be treated to live entertainment and fun for the kids. General Admission $20, Children $15, Family Ticket (online purchase only) $99. Opening times are 10am to 4.30pm Saturday and 10am to 3.30pm Sunday. For more information and ticket packages, go to www.grampiansgrapeescape.com.au.

Noosa International Food & Wine Festival Announces Full Program & Tickets Now On Sale

2012-01-09T10:11:00.000+11:00

The Noosa International Food and Wine Festival has raised the bar for 2012 with a food and wine program to delight amateur cooks, serious foodies, industry professionals and families alike. From May 17 to May 20 some of the world's best chefs, Australia's celebrity chefs, and Australia's best wine makers will descend upon Noosa bringing their star power from the S. Pellegrino World's Best Restaurant Awards and Good Food Guide Hats to South East Queensland.

The full program is available and tickets are now on sale via the website: www.noosafoodandwine.com.au.

Festival goers will have direct access to internationally renowned chefs Mark Best, Fergus Henderson, Alvin Leung, Davide Scabin, Ben Shewry, David Thompson and Seiji Yamamoto with live cooking demonstrations or, for a very special treat, join them for the Qantas Best Dinner In The World - a stellar, seven course degustation dinner with matching wines presented by Lisa Perotti-Brown, Master of Wine and hosted by Matt Preston.

New highlights for the 2012 Festival include:

Maggie Beer and Simon Bryant combining forces with the Queensland Arts Orchestra along with Jane Rutter and Guy Noble, in The Cook, The Chef and The Orchestra for the Gala Concert and Dinner.
Three inspirational women Stephanie Alexander, Nicki Reimer and winemaker Jane Ferrari discuss food wine and their colourful career paths at a special Westpac Ruby Luncheon.

An expanded program of Hinterland Food Trails this year adds a luscious lunch visit beside the orchard at Freestyle Escape accompanied by a string quartet and a mini farmers market.

The Village Wine Marquee featuring some of Australia's best wine maestros presenting tastings and sharing their extensive wine knowledge.

The International Riverside Marquee showcasing three picnic lunches over three days presented by Australia's foremost specialty chefs celebrating France, Italy and Asia.

Add a series of Lifestyle Lunches celebrating Queensland produce, MasterChefs and wine, a two day Culinary Exhibition and a series of restaurant Food Kiosks plus the Courier -Mail Life Annex for all things food and travel; with talks from top chefs, food maestros and award winning writers. A definite favourite is the Food Critics Cooking Competition where food critics from around the country will be put to the stove test and judged by you. And top it all off each evening with a special dinner at one of the Guest Chefs at Sunshine Coast Restaurants, or one of the acclaimed degustation dinners which includes the prestigious Qantas Best Dinner In The World.

All this, and much, much more; including live performances from Anthony Callea and Jessica Mauboy on Friday, the Martini Club and The Fabulous Singlettes on Saturday and Audio Vixen and the sensational Sneaky Sound System closing the show on the Sunday.

Tickets start from $65 (adult) or $20 (child under 13) per day including two tickets for food or wine, for General Admission on Saturday and Sunday to The Grand Marquee, Food Critics Competition, Celebrity Chef Cooking Demonstrations, The Courier Mail Life Annexe and live entertainment.

The best way to experience the Festival is with a Weekend Gold Pass which costs $315 and includes VIP Admission for Friday's Welcome Cocktail Party, Saturday and Sunday with entry to hospitality pavilions and preferential concert seating.

Purchase your tickets before April 1, 2012 and receive a 10% discount (offer excludes tickets for Guest Chefs at Sunshine Coast Restaurants and Qantas Best Dinner in the World).

Visit the website for the full program and online ticket bookings www.noosafoodandwine.com.au
or call (07) 5455 4455 for further information.

Proudly supported by: Audi, Qantas, Westpac, Ilve, Seppelt, Vittoria Coffee,
Events Queensland, Tourism Australia, Tourism Queensland, Tourism Sunshine Coast Tourism Noosa

New Rolling Chardonnay

2012-01-06T14:16:00.003+11:00

Media Release

Cumulus Estate Wines' New Year's resolution is to be even more committed to sustainable practices, implementing their ultimate 'Bud-to-Bottle' sustainability initiative; responsible drinking – for a healthy body and a health planet.

As one of the first NSW wine producers to achieve full membership of Entwine*, Cumulus Estate Wines has always been acutely aware of and undertaken activities to preserve natural resources and minimize environmental impact in their 508 hectare vineyard and 10,000 tonne capacity winery. Now they have taken the final step and extended their environmental practices to include their packaging.

In 2012, all of Cumulus Estate Wines' Rolling and Climbing wines will now come in an O-I Lean+Green® lightweight bottle, giving them the same premium look and feel but with the added advantage of:

·         20% less weight per bottle (410g vs 500g)
·         20% less energy in production cycle
·         12% less water in production cycle
·         12% less transport conversion emissions

The wines also have new lightweight flexographic print cartons. Made from recycled materials these use 20% less energy in production cycle and 8% less transport conversion emissions.

"The new generation 'Lean and Green' bottles enable us to extend our commitment to sustainable practises beyond the vineyard and winery to our packaging, without compromising the presentation of our wines," says senior winemaker Debbie Lauritz. "Through the Entwine program, we track our environmental awareness and carbon emissions and set targets to improve standards each year, always continuing our commitment to reaching higher elevations of quality and sustainability."

One of the first wines down the Cumulus bottling line is the new 2011 Rolling Chardonnay, Central Ranges NSW (RRP $17.95)

And the quality inside the bottle is as sharp as the new packaging. Debbie comments, "Due to the cooler 2011 growing season in the Central Ranges and Orange, we had slower ripening than normal so that when we harvested the fruit it contained lower levels of sugar. This has led to our finished wines having a lower alcohol level and more elegant, finer fruit flavours. The vines also benefited from larger, more balanced canopies and good fruit shading to limit bunch exposure.

These conditions were of particular advantage to Chardonnay this year, giving us possibly the best fruit we've ever produced. The flavours range from citrus and white stonefruits in earlier picked blocks, through to riper tropical fruit spectrum that we deliberately harvested a little riper in early March.

The result is a 2011 Rolling Chardonnay that shows greater finesse and an exciting blend of tropical fruit and citrus flavours, with a textured mouth feel and balanced acidity."

Another great wine championing the quality of modern Australian Chardonnay this summer.

Stockists: All Climbing and Rolling wines are distributed by Cumulus Estate Wines. Available nationally though independent liquor stores.

Existing Cumulus Sustainability Practices:

In the Vineyard:

·         The first Entwine* certified Vineyard in the Orange region
·         Winner 2010 Best Environmental Sustainability / Water Conservation Award at the CGU Orange Outstanding Business Awards, achieved through:
-- Solar powered automated sub-surface irrigation system that reduces evaporation & carbon emissions
-- Computer monitored multi-depth soil moisture probe technology that optimises water usage by individual grape variety and vineyard block
-- Inter-row organic matter composting, grass-cover and clover plantings that reduces insects, moisture loss, erosion and soil compaction
-- Multi-row multi-function farming equipment that covers 3 rows in a single tractor pass to reduce fossil fuel consumption
-- Usage monitoring of all vineyard inputs and recycling of key components such as water, power, fuel, vegetation matter, sprays and grape marc.

In the Winery:

·         The first Entwine* certified Winery in the Orange region
·         Winner 2010 Best Agribusiness Award at the CGU Orange Outstanding Business Awards, achieved through:

-- Energy conservation audits to measure and mitigate usage thereby reducing greenhouse gas emissions
-- Energy reduction initiatives including wine tank insulation, inverter technology for heating/cooling of offices and laboratory
-- Water conservation measures at all stages of production
-- Recovery of residual materials and recycling of glass, plastic and cardboard materials.

*Entwine is an initiative of the Winemakers Federation of Australia to foster environmental responsibility – for further details visit www.wfa.gov.au

The best of Geelong Food & Wine in one spot - with a few famous friends

2011-12-23T10:52:00.000+11:00

The vibrant food and wine culture of the Greater Geelong region will be front and centre over the weekend of March 10-11 2012 with the staging of the inaugural Geelong Food and Wine Show.

Shining the limelight onto the region will be celebrity chef ambassador Melbourne boy-done-good George Calombaris plus dessert king Adriano Zumbo and the surfing chef Ben O'Donoghue.

Over the two days, Deakin Waterfront Campus will be transformed into a marketplace of chefs, providors and winemakers. More than 80 exhibitors will be presenting their produce, with a series Masterclasses run by George, Adriano and Ben, as well as local chefs, cheese makers and winemakers.

The Geelong Food and Wine show is part of the Melbourne Food and Wine Festival, and acknowledges the importance of produce from the Geelong region to Melbourne's food and wine culture. The Geelong region, stretching across the Bellarine, Moorabool Valley, Surf Coast, Otways and Western Victoria regions, is home to some of Victoria's most revered wine and produce.

The show is also a great opportunity to sample the talent on flow with the booming local restaurant industry in one spot.

And no Geelong event would be complete without the city's favourite footy players, so expect to see some familiar faces cooking up a storm over the weekend.

Highlights of the program include:

•   Masterclasses with George Calombaris, Adriano Zumbo, and Ben O'Donoghue using local produce
•   Exclusive High Tea with Adriano Zumbo
•   Celebrity Cook-off with Ben O'Donoghue and Geelong Football Club players
•   The ultimate cheese experience showcasing the breadth of cheesemaking in the region
•   Wine appreciation classes hosted by local winemakers
•   Tasting from more than 80 regional producers, wineries and restaurateurs

The event is being supported by the City of Greater Geelong and Geelong Otway Tourism.

A website with full program details will be live in January 2012.

Exhibitor enquires
sales@geelongfws.com.au

UNUSUAL CHRISTMAS STORIES FROM THE HEART

2011-12-19T10:49:00.000+11:00

Wc19Dec11

FLASHING idea from NSW's Southern Highlands'
Diamond Creek Estate with Christmas seafood.

David Ellis

THIS is the story of how three colleagues will celebrate Christmas this year, and some quite different wines they'll be doing it with.

The first is a group of around a dozen couples who through Mother Nature's misfortune, have never experienced the joy of having children. They come together early each December, pull out their cheque books and go on a buying spree for kids' toys… which they give to agreed charities and childrens' hospitals.

On Christmas Day they come together again and share their love of Chardonnay, each contributing the least-known label they can find and sharing it over a Very Long Lunch, and interestingly this year two of them have chosen the same label. It's from Diamond Creek Estate in the small, cool-climate winemaking area of the NSW Southern Highlands, and the vintage chosen is the excellent 2008.

HAIL MARY – a Good Catholic Girl's idea if you've a mob
coming for Christmas Day and lamb's on the menu.

Our colleagues tell us that its beaut stone-fruit characters and tropical pineapple overtones will make it a great choice with their salmon mouse and lobster salad Christmas Day Long Lunch; it's not widely available so ring (02) 4872 3311or look at www.diamondcreekestate.com.au if you are interested in finding out where to buy it. It's certainly good value at $20 a bottle (by the case.)

The second of our unusual Christmas lunches is hosted by a mate who invites all his single employees – this year that'll be around forty of them – to another Very Long Lunch at which he, his wife and their adult 'kids' will cook ten legs of lamb in a battery of hooded barbecues, and roast vegies in as many electric frypans.

And as he says he's got to pray it won't rain, we've tipped him towards a Cabernet Sauvignon that'll be ideal with his roast lamb luncheon – and is appropriately-labelled Hail Mary Full of Grace. It's made by the irrepressible Julie Barry who owns the equally delightfully-titled Good Catholic Girl winery in the Clare Valley; with fresh and intense black fruit flavours and spicy tannins, it's got lamb and home-made mint sauce written all over it. Julie made just 133 cases; phone her on 0419 822 909 if you want to grab one or six at just $25 a bottle.

GRANDMUM's recipe apple pie and custard ideal
with West Aussie Voyager Estate Chenin Blanc.

And the final unusual one is a mate who traditionally finishes his family's Christmas lunch with a homemade apple pie and custard to a recipe handed down a half-century ago by his Grandmum who always said "on Christmas Day we don't have to eat stodgy English Christmas pudding." And the wine he'll have with it will be a Chenin Blanc, not one of our biggest sellers and mostly made in Western Australia, with his choice a 2011 from Voyager Estate; at $20 its great value to enjoy with his Grandmum's apple pie and custard.

And a Merry Christmas to you all…

10 wines, 10 vintages - Optimism got them here

2011-12-16T11:48:00.001+11:00

Media release:

For Steve and Sharlene Dadd their dream of planting a vineyard and producing their own wine seemed so far flung 14 years ago when they first bought the

picturesque 200 acre property at the gateway to Mudgee, now home to Optimiste Wines. But it seems that optimism has certainly paid off, and just as they release the wines from their celebrated 10th vintage they set to work on renovating the 100 year old, dilapidated Australian farmhouse on the property which this summer will become the Optimiste Tasting House.

A rustic setting with wide breezy verandahs and stylish and welcoming comforts, the Tasting House will become the long anticipated showcase for Optimiste wines. Overlooking the manicured vineyard across the rolling hills of Mudgee, visitors will be welcome to taste the 10 wines that form the Optimiste range, together with other daily 'tastes' on offer designed to match each wine; bringing a new cellar door experience to the Mudgee region.

The name was inspired by a concept which the Dadds openly admit to 'borrowing' from Helen Keller who was quoted as saying "Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement. Nothing can be done without hope and confidence", and duly inspired by the challenges of farming as well as their young sons challenges with disability. The unicorn which they have incorporated in their logo symbolizes this hope and passion.

This same spirit of optimism has inspired the Dadds to craft fine wine from their Mudgee vineyard, and to celebrate their 10th vintage they have just released three new tremendous wines in time for summertime feasts:-

Optimiste Pinot Gris 2011 (RRP $20)

Optimiste "Paris in Spring" Rose 2011 (RRP $20)

Optimiste Shiraz 2008 (RRP $20)

All three wines reflect the superb conditions from the last 4 spectacular vintages on their perfectly elevated, sloping vineyard about 10km to the east of Mudgee. Idyllic growing conditions, spring rain and dry breezy summers, then cool mornings during harvest have produced to fully ripe, finely structured, maximum flavoured wines.

The Pinot Gris has been made in the Alsacian style, with a small portion fermented in old French oak barrels to give a certain richness.

Like Paris in the spring, the Merlot based Rose is bright and full of life and has been intentionally made to highlight the rich, spicy red fruit flavour typical of Mudgee Merlot, with a balanced dry finish.

The 2008 Shiraz is a knockout with elements of the typical savoury Mudgee Shiraz but winemaker Michael Slater has added a touch of elegance inspired by the Rhone styles of Shiraz.

Optimiste Wines will soon release their first 100% Merlot from the exceptional 2010 growing season. Named 2010 Optimiste "Rooftops" Merlot (RRP $20) in honor of a close family member, a Merlot-loving old builder who is undergoing cancer treatment, all profits from this limited first release will go to the Prince of Wales Hospital Cancer Unit.

The Optimiste range of wines includes: Semillon, Pinot Gris, Rose, Tempranillo, Petit Verdot, Shiraz, Bordeaux Blend of Cabernet/Merlot/Petit Verdot, Botrytis Semillon and soon to come – Viognier & Merlot

Optimiste Wines sharlene@optimiste.com.au (0428) 640 800

www.optimiste.com.au Is your glass half full…?

Lindauer celebrates Pearl anniversary

2011-12-14T12:05:00.000+11:00

Media Release:

NEW ZEALAND'S TOP SPARKLING CELEBRATES 'PEARL' ANNIVERSARY

Lindauer's highly rated sparkling wines have delighted consumers for 3 decades now with their exceptional quality and value for money. Celebrating 30 years makes this a 'Pearl' anniversary for Lindauer; perfect for sparkling wines where it's all about the fine bubbles or 'bead'.

Founded in 1981, Lindauer was the first commercially available méthode traditionnelle from New Zealand and helped found the country's reputation as a producer of exciting Sparkling Wines. Whilst their wines started as a bold statement about the quality of bubbles that could be created in New Zealand's cool-climate, over the years they have constantly improved and refined, and are now regularly outperforming much more expensive wines from revered sources abroad.

At the 2011 International Sparkling Wine Symposium, held earlier this month in the UK, the range of wines submitted by Lindauer all achieved over 90 points, outscoring many sparklings from some well known Champagne Houses.

Showcasing Lindauer's quality-to-value position is the Lindauer Brut Cuvée NV at a RRP of just $14.95

This wine is made from Chardonnay (60%) and Pinot Noir (40%) from the mature Lindauer vineyards in Gisborne. The long, cool maritime influences here produce natural acidities in the grapes, ideal for the production of superior Sparkling Wine. The best fruit comes from the sites with strong silt and clay soils, as they provide the natural vigour and water holding capacity required to quickly ripen crops early in the season, before it loses this valuable acidity.

The cuvée stays on lees for 12 months, creating a wine with crisp fruit flavours and balance.

For something / someone special, try the Lindauer Special Reserve Brut Cuvée NV with a RRP of $19.95

Made from Lindauer's finest fruit and using a higher percentage of Pinot Noir (75%) to Chardonnay (25%), this wine has had an extra 18 months of love, spending 2 ½ years being nurtured in the bottle on lees before release. The predominance of Pinot Noir and time spent on lees leads to a complex full bodied wine which is often described as "unexpectedly Champagne-like".

So whether you are looking for a playful wine to delight at New Years or some more serious "pearls" to impress at Valentine's or Mother's Day, Lindauer has twice the appeal with both price and quality under one label.

AVAILABILITY:

Nationally, in all good independent and chain bottle shops.

Lindauer is distributed by Fine Wine Partners. Please call P: 1300 668 712 for local stockist details.

Burnbrae: One of Mudgee's Foundation Winegrowers

2011-12-13T12:33:00.005+11:00

Mudgee is one of Australia's oldest wine growing regions. Wines have been made in this NSW region continuously since 1858. It was however during the 1960s that a renaissance took place, with the establishment of a number of family owned brands that extended the plantings.

The Burnbrae site was identified in 1968 for its viticultural advantages. Translating as 'the sloping field down to a stream', Burnbrae sits at 600 metres elevation, with good seasonal rainfall and well-drained soils derived from the shale and slate.

The current Burnbrae winery sits beside the original site of the open-air winery, which was arranged beneath an established peppercorn tree. The peppercorn tree is still a key feature of the picturesque Burnbrae cellar door and cottages.

The Burnbrae vineyard was planted in 1968 and at the time, was one of only a handful of families making wine in Mudgee. 40 years later, the Australian wine industry has expanded ten fold, however it is these older plantings that can't be replicated.

The current custodians of Burnbrae are Tony and Jill Bryant, who sold their broad acre farm after identifying the vineyard as a special piece of Mudgee's winegrowing history.

Situated on the outskirts of the Mudgee township in the Erudgere Valley, the Burnbrae winery is overseen by one of Australia's most experienced winemakers, Frank Newman. After working for sixteen years with Penfolds and then twelve with Angove, Frank moved to the lesser-known Mudgee region, after seeing the quality of fruit being grown on these aged vines.

Two of the latest wines to be released from Burnbrae comprise the 2011 Burnbrae Pinot Gris and their signature wine, the 2008 Burnbrae Shiraz.

The 2008 Burnbrae Shiraz is made from grapes grown on the estate's 40-year-old vines. "2008 was one of the best vintages we have had in a decade," commented Burnbrae winemaker Frank Newman. "We had great soil moisture from the winter rains, and coupled with the long cool ripening, resulted in great depth of flavour in the fruit."

The Shiraz was handpicked and plunged for the first week after harvest in open fermenters and basket pressed. 90 per cent of the wine underwent secondary malolactic fermentation in barrel prior to the total blend undergoing a further two years maturation in a combination of a tightly grained American and French oak.

"2011 was a fascinating vintage in Mudgee. Many vignerons didn't harvest any grapes. Our Pinot Gris was sourced from a cooler sub region in the valley, with vintage somewhat earlier than usual. The Mudgee crop was well down from previous years, however the wines that were made are proving to be of a considerably high quality. The earlier harvest resulted in lower alcohols, great natural acidity, whilst maintaining plenty of flavour," concluded Frank.

Pricing and Distribution: The Burnbrae wines are distributed through select NSW outlets as well as from the Cellar Door and online at www.burnbraewines.com.au

2008 Burnbrae Mudgee Shiraz $28.00

2011 Burnbrae Mudgee Pinot Gris $18.00

2012 NSW Wine Festival - The Month to Wine & Dine!

2011-12-12T12:00:00.000+11:00

Media release:

NSW Wine Festival ~ Feb 25 – March 31, 2012

2012 sees the return of the NSW Wine Festival. Now in its fifth year, this is the State's premier celebration of New South Wales' award winning wines and beautiful wine regions. Each year has seen the festival grow both in crowd numbers and in the number of fantastic wine and food experiences, and 2012 will be no exception. An estimated 35,000 people are set to attend the opening event in Hyde Park South (at a newly expanded venue) and for the very first time, Sydney's wine bars and pubs will join the program.

All NSW Wine Festival details are available on line at www.nswwinefestival.com.au. The full program will be published on the website and in The Sydney Morning Herald on February 21, 2012.

·      The Sydney Morning Herald 'Sydney Cellar Door' - Sat 25 & Sun 26 February, 2012 (11am-6pm)

One of the country's largest wine and food tasting events is now bigger than ever with a new layout in Hyde Park running along the length of Park Street in the city centre. This bigger area in one of Sydney's most stunning alfresco (and convenient) settings will give visitors more room to meet around 100 talented winemakers who will be bringing their favourite drops to the city from NSW's 14 diverse wine regions.There will be even more shaded seating areas in which to enjoy a vast array of exciting new wine styles accompanied by all-day live music and cool entertainment, creating a world-class festival atmosphere.

The event is FREE to enter, with wine tasting packages starting at just $25. Tasting packages will be available for advance purchase via www.nswwinefestival.com.au

·      NEW TO 2012 … NSW Wine of the Month – February 27 to March 31, 2012

Sydney's wine bar scene has exploded in the last year – just look at the latest Sydney Morning Herald Good Food Guide with its extensive listing of interesting small bars. This year, they'll be sharing the festival spirit with 'NSW Wine of the Month': offering a glass of NSW wine and matching bar snack for just $15.

·      Dine with NSW Wine – February 27 to March 31, 2012

Each year during the NSW Wine Festival, leading Sydney Morning Herald Good Food Guide restaurants throughout NSW create exclusive wine-matched lunch and dinner menus from just $30-$50, including wine. Enjoy the best our state has to offer for a bargain price.

·      Tour NSW Wine Regions Dinners - selected dates throughout March, 2012

And don't miss the very special Tour NSW Wine Regions Dinners - a series of unique degustation dinners featuring fresh NSW produce and matched to the finest NSW wines, and hosted by leading food and wine personalities at four selected hatted restaurants.

·      NSW Wine at The Sydney Morning Herald Growers' Market ~ Sat 3 March, 2012

To celebrate the NSW Wine Festival, the ever popular Pyrmont Growers' Market will transform its regular Market Chef stage into the Market Wine stage. Leading wine experts will treat market-goers to guided tastings of premium NSW wines, along with advice on pairing wines with delicious tidbits from key food producers.

For full details and a list of participating bars and restaurants, see www.nswwinefestival.com.au, and look out for the special NSW Wine Festival program in The Sydney Morning Herald's Good Living section on Tuesday, February 21, 2012.

NSW's 14 diverse wine regions are: Canberra, Cowra, Gundagai, Hastings River, Hilltops, Hunter Valley, Mudgee, New England, Orange, Perricoota, Riverina, Shoalhaven, Southern Highlands and Tumbarumba.

WINE FOR CHRISTMAS SEAFOOD – SHE’LL BE APPLES

2011-12-12T11:14:00.000+11:00

Wc12Dec11

David Ellis

WE never cease to be amazed at the number of people who seem to find it twee or trendy to simply blurt "ABC" ("Anything But Chardonnay,") particularly when you can get your hands on such excellent examples as Peter Logan's Apple Tree Flat 2011 that's absolute bargain-buying at just $12 a bottle.

In fact we 'fess up that at the price and with a dozen or so family invading for a Christmas Eve seafood buffet this year, we've already put a case in the fridge to go with it – and if you are thinking chicken either hot with the baked vegies or cold with a salad on Christmas day, it'll go excellently with those too.

Peter Logan's Apple Tree Flat vineyard is at Mudgee in NSW that was one of the first regions in Australia to produce Chardonnay, and his cool-climate vineyards are amongst some of our highest at around 850m to 1000m above sea level, resulting in wines with delightful citrus (predominantly grapefruit) and cashew flavours – ideal with a buffet of shellfish and white fish cocktails.

CHRISTMAS DAY LUNCH: IF turkey's on the menu, many of us will opt for a good Cabernet Sauvignon to go with it – but with rels coming from the Shakey Isles, we've put aside several Pinot Noirs from New Zealand's YealandsWay.

Their 2010 has rich, ripe dark-cherry fruit flavours and a hint of savoury spiciness that makes it a beaut companion with that turkey and seasoned stuffing; made from Marlborough/Central Otago fruit, it's value at $21.99.

CHRISTMAS MUST: THERE'S still time to pick up Rob Geddes' excellent 29th edition of Australian Wine Vintages for yourself or as a gift for a wine buff: rather than list every wine made in Australia and New Zealand, Rob and his tasting team have reviewed 4000-something wines from consistently-good makers, or from those they consider offer excellent value for money.

There's also a review of 1000 interesting older vintages – and a useful travel section with advice about cellar doors and places to stay and sightsee in wine country. Dubbed "the little gold book" its great value at $34.95 in-store or online from www.thegoldbook.com.au

(NEED A FOOD/DRINK IDEA? Check out http://www.vintnews.com )

Tastes of Rutherglen Festival - March 2012

2011-12-10T08:02:00.001+11:00

TASTES OF RUTHERGLEN FESTIVAL

March 9-11 & March 17-18, 2012

Discover the passion of North East Victoria's local producers and meet the winemakers behind Rutherglen's world-class wines when the region hosts the ultimate party for gourmands  - Tastes of Rutherglen - March 9-11 & March 17-18, 2012.

21 wineries celebrate vintage under sunny autumn skies and guests can indulge in perfectly matched food and wine combinations. New this year alongside exciting "culinary experiences" are some interactive "culinary activities" at each cellar door.

Music, food, wine and authentic, rustic fun seamlessly blend at what has become one of regional Victoria's best Festivals spanning two weekends.

The Festival begins on Friday, March 9 with Tastes on Main - a regional showcase dinner at the Rutherglen Wine Experience on Main Street, hosted by The Winemakers of Rutherglen. Special guest at this year's dinner is Jared Ingersoll, chef of Sydney's Danks Street Depot, where he sources the best Australian produce and supports artisan producers.

Then the journey begins over the two weekends as each winery offers its own "culinary experience"! Some of North East Victoria's favourite chefs join with talented winemakers to present unique and fabulous "culinary experiences" at each winery.

Festival-goers can indulge in a fabulous dish matched to a sublime wine, or something more interactive such as a behind the scenes tour with a winemaker to see what really goes on during vintage!  The choices are endless at this action-packed food and wine festival.

Transport is easy over the two weekends thanks to the TAC Winery Shuttle Bus which circles between all 21 wineries, and festival-goers can hop on and off as they like in this safe and hassle-free way to tour the wineries.  Pick-up and drop-off also available in Rutherglen, Wagunyah & Corowa, Albury Wodonga, Howlong, Mulwala, Bundalong, Chiltern, Wangaratta and Yarrawonga.  A Designated Driver Reward Campaign, also sponsored by TAC operates all weekend with information available at participating wineries.

All-inclusive passes make it easy!

Great value "all inclusive" tickets are available for pre-purchase or on the weekends and are also designed to make festival navigating simple and easy. Guests simply purchase a ticket online or from participating wineries or tourist information centres and let the indulgence begin!

Ticket Packages start from just $50 and include an official Tastes of Rutherglen glass for tastings at all 21 wineries plus two tickets for a culinary "experience" or "activity" at the winery of choice, Additional culinary tickets are $20 each and individual glasses $12.

Over both weekends, a range of events will take place at wineries including themed wine dinners, produce markets, dinners under the stars, live bands and much more!  There is fun for the whole family, with plenty of wineries offering children's entertainment.

Here are just a few of the Tastes of Rutherglen highlights:

Some of the "culinary experiences" available at all wineries include:

Stanton & Killeen Wines & Green Shed, Beechworth – Lemon paprika Rivalea pork medallions on a cozido of white bean, roast tomatoes, pork sausage and garlic infused olive oil topped with crackling and a parsley and coriander salad, matched to the Stanton & Killeen 2009 Prince Reserva.

Campbell's Winery & King River Café, Milawa– Barbeque pork, prawn and coriander omelette roulade on a vibrant Vietnamese noodle slaw with a mint, lemongrass and ginger dressing - matched with Campbell's 2011 RieslingM

Scion Winery – After dark by After Noon – French chocolate hazelnut torte, hand-made leaf of nougatine dark chocolate, Gundowing hazelnut & frangelico ice cream with a touch of raspberry – matched with a chilled French-style Scion 2007 semi-sweet Durif.

Some of the "culinary activities" on offer include:

St Leonards Vineyard - Baile Salsa! : always wanted to travel to Spain and get some salsa dance lessons but no time to do so? Those visiting St Leonards during Tastes of Rutherglen can indulge in a salsa dance class they won't forget!

Chambers Rosewood – Learn to brew the perfect cup of coffee at home at an entertaining workshop at Chambers Rosewood cellar door!  Plenty of tips and a sample bag and mug to take home. ichael's ate$650 worth of wine to be won!

Cellar Door Entertainment includes:

Buller's Winery – Enjoy special performer Renee Geyer on Saturday 10 March! Australia's Queen of Soul in concert at Buller's with bar selling wine, champagne cocktails + strawberries & cream!

Cofield Wines – live music, regional produce stalls, and entertainment for children and great dishes from The Pickled Sisters Café!

All Saints Estate - A Day on the Green – Saturday March 17 – Noiseworks, Ian Moss, Ross Wilson, Daryl Braithwaite & more performing in a five hour music feast! A celebration of the Oz rock history they defined, enjoyed with All Saints Estate wines, or course!

Some Special Dinner Highlights:

Taste Rutherglen on the Main – A long table dinner on Friday, March 9 at 6:30pm along Rutherglen's Main Street will showcase Rutherglen's own unique hero dishes and wines. The dinner, hosted by chef, cookbook author and champion of regional produce Jared Ingersoll along with the Winemakers of Rutherglen, will feature local restaurants preparing hero dishes from local produce.  Tickets $120

All Saints Estate Twilights Dinner in the Vines – A popular event on Sunday, March 11 at 7pm to celebrate Rutherglen's food heroes in a regional with matched wines by All Saints Estate. Enjoy a night of dining under the stars.

Jones Winery & Vineyard Dinners – Celebrate harvest with Mandy Jones at her Vintage Banquet Gourmet three course dinners prepared by their chef Kate Akrap. Saturday 10 & Saturday 17 March – 7pm

For more information, a copy of the Tastes of Rutherglen program, or to purchase tickets call 1300 787 929 or visit www.winemakers.com.au. Tickets can be purchased online

COONAWARRA, FIREWORKS AND THE CHRISTMAS STOCKING…

2011-12-05T11:17:00.001+11:00

NOTHING better with rare rib-eye
fillet and field mushrooms.

Wc05Dec11

David Ellis

WAYNE Stehbens has built an enviable reputation as Senior Winemaker at Coonawarra's Katnook Estate for creating wonderfully fuller-bodied Merlots that always stand out from the crowd.

And his newly-released 2009 is no different: crafted from full-flavoured fruit from a low-yielding vintage, this wine's got beautifully up-front plum and red currant flavours, a nice sweetness to it – together with a touch of spice – and fine tannins.

"We had average winter rainfall that helped budburst in Spring," Wayne recalls of the 2009 vintage. "But January was a testing time with a mini-heatwave, slightly below average temperatures for the rest of the vintage – that was the latest since 2004 – and yet resultant fruit of outstanding flavour."

CELEBRATE New Year's Eve with this
– as Sydney's Lord Mayor will do.

At $40 enjoy this one with rare rib-eye fillet and field mushrooms.

SPECIAL OCCASION: WHAT better way to ring-in New Year than with the same wines that Sydney's Lord Mayor and her official guests will be enjoying at the Sydney Opera House on December 31 as they watch the annual fire-works that have made Sydney the New Year's Eve capital of the world.

The Hunter Valley's Scarborough Wine Co has been chosen to provide the wines for this year's official bash – and at the Dawes Point Viewing Area for a selection of the 1.5-million people who will line the harbour foreshores for this year's event – and one in particular to think about for your own celebrations is their 2009 Scarborough Yellow Label Chardonnay. At $28 it's honeyed lime, butterscotch and roasted cashew flavours match beautifully most party foods.

CHRISTMAS MUST: A GOTTA-have for yourself or a family or friend wine buff this Christmas is Jeremy Oliver's Australian Wine Annual 2012. Jeremy's used his 27 years industry experience to rate 14,000-plus current and back-vintages from more than 300 leading Australian producers… it's a must for those looking for the best from Under $20, to what Jeremy considers our Top 100 for that Very Special Occasion. Priced at $29.95 from most book shops.

MUST have for wine buffs' Christmas stockings.

(NEED A FOOD/DRINK IDEA? Check out http://www.vintnews.com )

Plunkett Fowles Launches its New 490 Metres Wine Range

2011-12-01T07:01:00.000+11:00

Seriously Approachable Wines with a Fresh Design

Plunkett Fowles 490 metres wine range are seriously approachable wines that have been launched with new labels and additional varieties including Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc*, Pinot Noir and Shiraz.

Matt Fowles, Chief Executive said: "We think the new label increases the visibility of 490 metres wines for existing customers and those wanting to explore the best of central Victoria's wine. The addition of new varieties to our 490 metres range also provides people with greater choice at this price point."

Design wise, a topographic map of the Strathbogie Ranges underpins the labels across all Plunkett Fowles core range of wine, including 490metres.

Matt Fowles said: "We think the contours of the map are a bit like the fingerprint of Mother Nature, visually displaying the landscape in which the vines grow and the wines are made - a vital piece of information that is inextricably linked to quality and elegance of our wine."

The name for the 490 metres range was inspired by the height at which Plunkett Fowles winery sits in the cool, elevated plains of the Strathbogie Ranges - 490 metres above sea level. On the label this is displayed visually by a line intersecting a slope at the precise height and location of the winery.

490metres RRP $14.95

www.plunkettfowles.com.au

ENJOY A FLING WITH THIS COOL HIGHLANDER

2011-11-28T11:31:00.000+11:00

Wc28Nov11

David Ellis

COOL idea with seafood, a herbed
pork casserole or Japanese dishes.

NSW's Southern Highland Wines has released a crackajack 2011 Oldbury Reserve Sauvignon Blanc that's very much in the style of its 2009 – the most-awarded wine in the company's young eight-year winemaking history.

Located in picturesque high-altitude and cool-climate country outside the little hamlet of Sutton Forest, Southern Highland Wines produces a credible eight white varietals and styles, and five reds, under their S H W and Oldbury labels, the latter crafted from the best fruit from their 40ha of vineyards.

Winemaker Dominic Bosch used skin contact, cold maceration and low temperature fermentation to create the 2011 Oldbury Sauvignon Blanc, that exudes a stylish personality with nice varietal lychee, kiwi fruit, thyme, lemongrass, lime and asparagus aromas that follow through with a smooth seamlessness on the palate.

If you're into seafood, match this one with banana prawns, oysters or pan-fried snapper, or try it with a herbed pork casserole, Japanese dishes or blue cheese; pay $28. If you have trouble finding it locally, it can be ordered online through www.shw.com.au, with freight costs additional.

CLASSIC Evans & Tate to enjoy
with barbecued beef ribs or grilled tuna.

Sutton Forest is 1.5hrs drive from Sydney or Canberra; SHW's Cellar Door is open daily 10am-5pm and their restaurant for lunch Thursday to Monday.

ONE FOR LUNCH: FANS of Evans & Tate will know how the company's WA Margaret River vineyards enjoyed ideal vintages from 2007 to 2009, and now the just-released 2010 Evans & Tate Classic Shiraz Cabernet reflects a fourth great vintage that year too, with warm weather and low rainfall meaning low fruit yields that offered-up outstanding flavour ripeness and tannins.

At $19.99 this is a wine with a beautiful palate of forward Shiraz black-fruit flavours, making for an ideal match with barbecued beef ribs or grilled tuna.

(NEED A FOOD/DRINK IDEA? Check out http://www.vintnews.com )

Windowrie's The Mill range, best of NSW

2011-11-28T06:54:00.004+11:00

Windowrie has continued its very successful 150th year celebrations with a tranche of awards from Australia’s most respected wine magazine, Winestate.

The winery has recently received the following awards, positioning it as one of NSW’s best winemakers. The awards comprise:

‘Best New Release’ 2011 Windowrie The Mill Cabernet Merlot

This ranking is given to the best ‘New Release’ wines from Australian and New Zealand that were tasted by a range of winemakers and wine judges as part of the monthly Winestate Magazine tastings during 2011. There were approximately 5,000 wines tasted.

‘Best of State (NSW) 2011 Windowrie The Mill Cabernet Merlot

2010 Pig in the House Shiraz (5 Stars)

The wines that are included in this band comprised only 5% of the total 10,000 wines tasted by Winestate during the year.

“This is capping off a fantastic year for Windowrie,” said family member and owner Jason O’Dea. “Since Anthony D’Onise came on board as our winemaker, and broadened our sourcing of grapes to include Orange and Hilltops, as well as our Cowra fruit, we have attracted some exciting awards and wine show results.”

“2011 is also the 150th anniversary of The Mill, where we have our cellar door tasting room, so it is giving the locals and visitors to the region an extra reason to drop in.”

“One of the most pleasing thing about these results is that they are across the whole range, not just for a single wine.”

These results include:

NSW Small Winemakers Wine Show 2011

· ‘Trophy for Best Bordeaux Blend’ – 2010 Windowrie The Mill Cabernet Merlot
· Gold Medal – 2010 Windowrie The Mill Cabernet Merlot
· Top Gold Medal – 2010 Windowrie The Mill Shiraz

Cowra Wine Show 2011

Trophy for the Best Local Red Wine – 2010 Windowrie The Mill Shiraz
Gold Medal – 2010 Windowrie The Mill Sauvignon Blanc Semillon

Cairns Wine Show 2011

Gold Medal – 2010 Windowrie The Mill Chardonnay

James Halliday’s 1001 Wines Under $20, 2012 Edition

90 Points – 2010 Windowrie The Mill Merlot
91 Points – 2010 Windowrie The Mill Cabernet Merlot

Royal Adelaide Wine Show 2011

Gold Medal – 2010 Windowrie The Mill Cabernet Merlot

Although the wine industry continues to experience an oversupply, NSW wines are growing in sales within NSW. “NSW wine drinkers are choosing to consuming more NSW wines which is driving this growth. This is particularly evident with the premium NSW wines, which are seeing good growth, reflecting that consumer are happy to pay for quality.”

All the Windowrie wines are available for tasting and sales at the Windowrie cellar door in Cowra, as well as online via www.windowrie.com.au. Summer opening hours are Thursday to Sunday, 10am to 4pm

Lerida Estate Pinot Noirs

2011-11-24T11:55:00.000+11:00

Media Release

Pinot Noir ~ No. 1 on this Year's Christmas List

"…Pinot Noir produces the most complex, hedonistic, and remarkably thrilling red wine in the world!" says Robert Parker, a statement that Jim Lumbers, owner of Lerida Estate, whole-heartedly agrees with - especially when matched with his Christmas turkey.

It was Jim's love of Pinot Noir that saw him spend many days in the vineyards of Burgundy while living in France in the late 80's, and prompted him to try the Pinot Noir wines of Dr Edgar Riek, one of the pioneers of the Canberra District wine region, on his return to Australia. This tasting bought him to the Lake George region of the Canberra District in 1997 to track down what he described as "some of the most outstanding Pinot Noirs I'd ever tried".

As a result, Jim and his wife Anne Caine purchased a 40 acre plot of land nestled at the bottom of the Cullerin Range, overlooking the beautiful and mysterious Lake George - perfect for planting Pinot Noir. According to Jim, "The terrior here is ideal; Pinot needs sunshine without excessive heat, dry air, deep soil and cool nights, and the gravelly, colluvial soil at the foot of the Range provides all of this. These conditions encourage deep-rooted, healthy vines with enough stress to favour the production of grapes with thick skins, excellent fruit flavours and high levels of anti-ageing polyphenols. The slopes face east, allowing the rising sun to dry out any dew, and so reduce the impact of moulds and mildews. The steepness of the slopes also contributes to vine health by promoting good air drainage and reducing the risk of frost damage during the growing season."

The newly released Lerida Estate 2009 'Cullerin' Pinot Noir, Canberra District (RRP $35) follows the highly successful 2008 'Cullerin' Pinot Noir which received excellent scores from both wine critics and wine shows alike. Jim says, "The 2009 vintage was crafted to achieve a balance between a fruit driven style, and more texture and weight. In particular the aroma of the new 2009 is very evocative with stewed plums, rhubarb and spice, mixed with gamey and savoury overtones, and a hint of vanilla from 20% new oak barrel."

"Our winemaker Malcolm Burdett and I work together and draw on Edgar's previous experiences in the region to craft elegant Pinot Noirs made from low-yielding vines, with a strong focus on naturally ripened bunch tannins, which releases the full spectrum of primary and secondary flavours thanks to the use of wild yeast and minimal intervention.

Whilst the 2009 is still young, if decanted before tasting you will discover that the wine already delivers the flavours to match its fine, silky tannins and body, and experience with previous vintages indicates that the wine will also improve over the next 8-10 years."

This wine is ideal for this festive season's dishes of game and roast turkey…and many more to come!

Another style of Pinot Noir which is impossible to ignore as summer rapidly approaches is Lerida Estate's 2011 Pinot Rosé (RRP $18). Again all the fruit for this wine is sourced from Lerida Estate's Lake George vineyard. Jim didn't need a rosé revolution to convince him that Pinot Noir can produce stunning, dry rosé wine with the colour of pale Argyle diamonds. "This wine is mostly made from juice runoff from our red ferments after 10-12 hours skin contact and holds both fruit and savoury characters wound up in a tight ball of natural fruit acids. If I was to classify it I'd call it a 'modern, high-end bistro wine'. It's quite French in style with a light touch and a style that goes fantastically with food – particularly with spicy dishes. I love it!"

Elegant wines from Lake George in the Canberra District which showcase Pinot Noir's potential & bright future on this unique site.

Lerida Estate 2009 'Cullerin' Pinot Noir, Canberra District (RRP $35)
Lerida Estate 2011 Pinot Rosé, Canberra District (RRP $18)

Availability: Nationally though Vintage Cellars and good liquor stores. Distributed by Vino Bambino (VIC), Vintner Partners (NSW and QLD) and Lerida Estate (ACT). These wines can also be purchased at the Lerida Estate Cellar Door or via their online store at www.leridaestate.com.au.

Jim Lumbers & Anne Caine, Lerida Estate    P: 02 6295 6640    E: wine@leridaestate.com W: www.leridaestate.com.au

Lerida Estate, Federal Highway, Lake George, NSW 2581 (turn off at the Gurney VC Rest Area)

Current Lerida Estate wines:

Cellar Door Range

Zenzi rosato frizzanti ($14.50)
2010 Unwooded Chardonnay ($16.50)
NV LGB ($19.50)

Super Premium Range

2008 Brut Rosé Methode Champenoise ($29.50)
2010 Viognier ($22)
2011 Pinot Grigio ($25)
2010 Chardonnay ($32)
2010 Botrytis Pinot Gris ($29.50)
2011 Pinot Rosé ($18)
2010 Pinot Rosé Sur Lie ($22)
2010 Canberra District Shiraz ($29.50)
2009 'Cullerin' Pinot Noir ($35)
2010 Merlot Cabernet Franc ($29.50)

Proprietor's Selection Range

2008 'Josephine' Pinot Noir [only made in exceptional vintages] ($78)
2008 Lake George Shiraz Viognier ($49.50)

The name 'Lerida' was chosen to reflect the history of the region. Back in 1827, NSW Surveyor-General Major Thomas Mitchell named a local creek 'Lerida' after his travels in the Spanish region of the same name.

Lerida Estate prides itself on excellence in design of both its wine and winery. The winery buildings were designed by distinguished Australian architect Glenn Murcutt and have featured in several international architecture publications.

The Estate includes a winery, cellar door and café facility, as well as Petanque/boules pistes for competition or social games.

THIS GOES WITH THAT AT THE FESTIVE TABLE

2011-11-23T04:33:00.002+11:00

Wc21Nov11

David Ellis

ITS that time of year when we decide what will be the feature of this year's Christmas table, and to help with your decision-making about the wines to go with your choices, we asked our wine writer David Ellis for his ideas as to just what goes best with what.

CHRISTMAS MORNING BRUNCH is becoming increasingly popular amongst Australians, David says, and to match creamy scrambled eggs and smoked salmon try a Handpicked Wines' delightfully "spritzy" Moscato d'Asti from Italy ($25,) or a great Aussie-made Chandon Cuvee Riche bubbly at $39.95.

PRE-lunch or dinner platters call for more bubblies, and great value is Eternity Sparkling Dolcetto from Bill Calabria's Westend Wines (just $10.95), the always-rewarding Hardys Sir James Brut de Brut ($15) or a cracker-jack House of Arras Brute Elite ($55.)

TURKEY, whether hot or as a cold salad, is always all the more enjoyable with a good red: for a break from the traditional Cabernet Sauvignon, try it this year with an Aussie-made Pinot Noir – Lerida Estate's "Cullerin" 2009 from the Canberra District at $35 is really beaut value; if you prefer a white, don't look past Hardys Oomoo Chardonnay ($18.50) while Chandon Sparkling Pinot Shiraz ($29) is a delightfully rewarding "sparkling red."

DUCK will be a tasty alternative to turkey for many, and to match we suggest a choice red: try the exceptional Tim Adams 2006 The Fergus (Grenache) ($27,) or equally-rewarding Borrodell 2006 Pinot Noir ($38.)

SEAFOOD could soon be Australia's No 1 Christmas favourite and whites are the perfect match: we recommend Wicks 2011 Sauvignon Blanc ($18,) Climbing Pinot Gris 2011 at $21, or Leasingham Classic Clare Riesling ($40.)

IF A BARBIE'S your choice, match sizzling beef or lamb with reds: try the more-ish Amberley Secret Lane Cabernet Merlot ($19.99,) outstanding 2009 Limited Release Heathcote Shiraz ($29.90) or exceptional Katnook Estate 2009 Merlot ($40.)

CHRISTMAS PUDD: What else but Lillypilly Noble Blend 2008 "sticky" dessert wine ($22.50,) Westend 3 Bridges Golden Mist Botrytis ($22,) a pink Ballabourneen 2011 Sparkling Moscato ($26) or Hardys Tall Ships Tawny Port ($9.00?)

CHEESE PLATTERS: Bay of Fires Tasmanian Cuvee Brut ($31.50) or Brown Brothers 2006 Paticia Noble Riesling ($35.90.)

(NEED A FOOD/DRINK IDEA? Check out http://www.vintnews.com

Photo Captions:

[] AUSSIE-made Chandon classic Cuvee Riche bubbly

[] VALUE buying Westend Eternity Sparkling Dolcetto

[] MADE for the turkey: Lerida Estate's Cullerin 2009 Pinot Noir

[] PERFECT seafood match – Wicks 2011 Sauvignon Blanc

[] LIMITED release Heathcote Shiraz just the drop with a Christmas barbie

[] FINISH up with a cheese platter and Brown Brothers wonderful 2006 Patricia Noble

[] OUR wine expert, David Ellis at his home in the NSW Southern Highlands

Scarborough Wine Co. A New Year Resolution worth Keeping

2011-11-17T14:49:00.002+11:00

At Scarborough Wine Co. we are incredibly proud to be able to use our family home in the Hunter Valley to bring you wines for those special celebrations in your life - as we always say, "Our home. Your wine." And this year we will be involved in even more celebrations than ever as the Official Wine Partner for 2011 Sydney New Year's Eve.

Scarborough Wine Co. was selected by the City of Sydney as a renowned, 'home-grown' producer of fine Australian wines, being based in New South Wales' own Hunter Valley vineyards. We will join other home-grown talents such as the creators of the world's most technologically advanced fireworks displays, Foti Fireworks (family-owned and run by the Foti family), in the ultimate home-grown celebration; local families working together to make sure Sydney continues to be known as the New Year's Eve Capital of the World!

As the Official Wine Partner 2011 Sydney New Year's Eve, a range of Scarborough Wine Co. wines will be poured at the Lord Mayor's Party at the Sydney Opera House, including our flagship wine the newly released 2009 Scarborough Yellow Label Chardonnay. Scarborough Wine Co. specialises in Chardonnay, from the full-flavoured Yellow Label to the light, crisp Blue Label style, this varietal has become synonymous with Scarborough.

Fruit for our Scarborough Yellow Label Chardonnay is selected from our Estate's premium vineyards on the deep hillside red/brown terra rossa soils, of limestone parentage. The wine is fermented and matured on lees for 12 months in both new and older French oak. The meticulous use of French oak combines with bottle age to produce a full-flavoured wine that is true to the style of Scarborough.

Scarborough Wine Co. will also provide all the wines at the Dawes Point Viewing Area helping a selection of the 1.5 million people who gather along the Sydney Harbour Foreshore for the 9PM Family Fireworks and Midnight Fireworks Display, see in the New Year with flavour and style.

Not forgetting those that will be holding celebrations at home, Scarborough Wine Co. has created some very special offers so everyone can discover a part of the local wine community and celebrate with some fabulous wines this festive season and New Year.

Visit www.scarboroughwineNYE.com.au to view our special home-grown celebrations packs and enter our competition to win one of six magnums of Scarborough Yellow Label Chardonnay.

At Scarborough Wine Co. it's not just about making wine. It's a way of life. The Hunter Valley is our home and this is where the passion begins. To make the best wine we can, and share it with you…this New Year's Eve and every day after that.

Scarborough Wine Co. is the Official Wine Partner for Sydney New Year's Eve for 2011 – 2013

Purchasing Scarborough Wine Co. wines:

All our wines are available through leading independent liquor stores or via our website www.scarboroughwines.com.au

Sally Scarborough, Scarborough Wine Co. P: 02 4998 7563 E: sally@scarboroughwine.com.au

Twitter: www.twitter.com/scarboroughwine Facebook: www.facebook.com/#!/Scarboroughwine

2011-11-14T09:40:00.001+11:00

CHILE THOUGHTS FOR SUMMER CHEER

2011-11-14T09:39:00.002+11:00

UNUSUAL drop from Chile to enjoy
with spiced-up barbecued beef.

Wc14Nov11

David Ellis

WINEMAKERS in Chile have somewhat claimed the Carmenere grape as their own, even though it was once one of the original "Noble Grapes" of Bordeaux, where, interestingly, it's hardly known these days.

Eduardo Jordan is a winemaker in Chile whose name is highly respected internationally, particularly for his work with the De Martino company that was the first in his country to label a wine a Carmenere. More recently he's been making the varietal for Two Eights Australia, an interesting concept that sources wines from highly acclaimed winemakers and grape-growers around the world, and releases them under its Handpicked Wines label

RED and white in the one bottle:
enjoy with sweet 'n sour pork spare ribs.

Eduardo Jordan's Handpicked Wines' 2008 Selections Carmenere was made from fruit from Chile's dry and warm Maipo Valley and is a medium-bodied drop with a palate loaded with dark cherry, black fruits and spicy flavours. At $20 it's a delightful quaffer to enjoy with the coming of our warmer weather.

And its one of those medium-bodied reds that on a hot day responds well to a brief time in the ice-box as you barbecue some beef and capsicum kabobs marinated in garlic, coriander, oregano, paprika, cumin and a good splash of lime juice.

ONE FOR LUNCH: MARK Kirkby delights in telling people he has something of an "ultimate fruit salad" vineyard, as he's trialled something like 28 well- and lesser-known grape varieties at his Topper's Mountain vineyard in NSW's newest wine region, the New England, and aims to narrow these down to 8-10 star performers.

He and winemaker Mike Hayes have blended into a delightful drop Mark's red Pinotage and white Viognier, resulting in a 2010 Topper's Mountain Wild Ferment Pinotage Viognier that's nicely flavoursome with pronounced ripe plums to the forefront. Pay $35 and enjoy with sweet and sour pork spare ribs.

(NEED A FOOD/DRINK IDEA? Check out http://www.vintnews.com/ )

Cabernet in the Cabinet for Koonowla

2011-11-09T10:30:00.000+11:00

(from left) President Clare Valley Winemakers Association, Governor of South Australia Rear Admiral Kevin Scarce (middle) and accepting the trophy, Andrew Michael from Koonowla Wines

It was a Cabernet from Clare which took out the Trophy for Best Dry Red at the Clare Valley Wine Show last Friday 28th October. The team at Koonowla couldn't be happier to have had their 2008 Koonowla Cabernet Sauvignon (RRP $22) judged to be the top wine amongst some of the country's most renowned Shiraz.

Andrew Michael from Koonowla Wines was enormously proud of this win particularly due to the extremely high caliber of exhibitors in the class and across the board at the show and the regions fame for producing top quality Shiraz. He says of Koonowla's success "we were up against seriously high profile, expensive and top quality wines…for our Cabernet which you can pick up for just over $20 to receive this sort of accolade, it says a lot about the sort of value-for-money you can get in Australian wines from smaller Aussie producers".

This value-for-money statement is nothing new for Koonowla Wines, as late last year the team picked up the trophy for Best Red Wine under $25 at the Great Australian Shiraz Challenge for their 2006 Koonowla Shiraz ($22), which is sitting proudly in the winery's trophy cabinet!

The judging for the Clare Valley wine show went over two days, with 45 exhibitors and 352 entries in total, resulting in 144 medals awarded to those who stood out the most.

Koonowla Winemaking duo David O'Leary and Nick Walker are no strangers to success in the Clare Valley Wine Show, and this year was no exception as they picked up numerous medals for wines made under their own label O'Leary Walker Wines.

Koonowla Wines, set amongst the rolling broad acre hills of the Clare Valley, with 250 acres of vineyard and beautiful stone buildings is a truly iconic property consistently creating top quality Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon and Riesling.

With the Summer of Riesling campaign about to kick off, timing couldn't be better for Koonowla with the new addition to the Koonowla Ringmaster range with their 2011 Ringmaster Riesling (RRP $16). This wine brings the entire Koonowla portfolio to a rounded six wines, and is a true Clare Valley style Riesling with lemon lime flavours and a crisp dry finish.

Distributors: Young & Rashleigh Wine Merchants, P: 02 9967 5900,
E: wines@youngandrashleigh.com, W: www.youngandrashleigh.com

Frog Rock - A fabulous fizz for summer

2011-11-08T11:44:00.001+11:00

Media release:

Local Legend Frog Rock Wines of Mudgee are gearing up for a very busy fizzy summer and have released their first sparkling wine suited to all tastes and budgets just in time for the silly season…

Frog Rock Wines Fizzy Frog 2009 (RRP $30)

This wine, like the rest of the fantastic value-for-money Frog Rock range, is to be taken seriously (despite its name-sake!) as it delivers wonderful structure and flavour and is made in a similar fashion to those created in France's best Champagne Houses.

The Fizzy Frog is a classic French inspired blend of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier, with small parcels of grapes which were hand selected to create a vintage cuvee that is light salmon in colour.

Frog Rock is owned and run by long time locals the Turner Family, and they're thrilled with their debut sparkling wine (which sits right next to their award-winning desert wine 'Sticky Frog'). According to owner Rick Turner at Frog Rock "this little beauty has an interesting complexity that arises from secondary fermentation, providing a lifted fruit nose and lengthy mid palate flavor with a fine persistent bead".

Fizzy Frog is designed to be enjoyed as an aperitif in the sun this summer with good friends and your favourite music.

Frog Rock Fizzy Frog can be purchased online at www.frogrockwines.com and can be found at good independent liquor stores Australia wide.

If you would like a sample of the Frog Rock Fizzy Frog 2009, or for any other media enquiries please contact Winestream Communications E: info@winestream.com.au

Check out the Frog on Facebook…. www.facebook.com/frogrockwines

New World of NSW Wines

2011-10-31T14:10:00.003+11:00

Last week's 2011 Citibank NSW Wine 'Best of the Best' Tasting was a huge success with over 300 trade and consumers seizing the opportunity to meet the State's most talented winemakers and taste the Top 40 wines from the 2011 Citibank NSW Wine Awards, including Trophy winners and the 2011 Citibank NSW Wine of the Year.

The tasting highlighted some exciting wine trends in the world of NSW wines…

·         New Wave Chardonnays

Six Chardonnays featured in the Top 40, including the 2011 Citibank NSW Wine of the Year ~ Mistletoe Wines 2009 Reserve Chardonnay from the Hunter Valley.

According to Chief Judge Huon Hooke, these wines were "refined and restrained", in contrast with earlier more full bodied Australian styles. Huon also commented on the high quality of Chardonnay from all of the State's wine regions. Whether from traditional or emerging, warm or cool regions, the wines were equally delicious, showing how winemakers all over NSW are embracing the production of a modern, more elegant style of Chardonnay which is enticing consumers back to this most famous of white grapes.

·         New Hunter Heights

Thirteen of the Top 40 wines, including five of the ten Trophies were claimed by exciting wines from the Hunter Valley. The Hunter is Australia's oldest wine region and home to just over 100 wineries who have consistently produced wines of exceptional quality and outperformed the region's size. While steeped in history, a 'new generation' of Hunter winemakers is emerging who are not content to rest on the region's laurels and are pushing the wines of the Hunter to new heights.

·         Central Ranges ~ Top Awards

The Central Ranges is a 'wine zone' that encompasses the central western wine regions of Orange, Cowra and Mudgee and their surrounding vineyards. This area at the heart of NSW is starting to beat very strongly with eleven wines (six classified as Orange, two classified as Mudgee, three classified as Central Ranges) making it into the NSW Top 40 and the Logan 2009 Weemala Merlot and the Winburndale Wines 2008 Fontana Cabernet Sauvignon from the Central Ranges continuing on to collect a coveted Trophy. The wines and winemakers of the Central Ranges are definitely ones to watch.

·         Great Grape Diversity

A pleasing result from this year's Awards is the emergence of a range of high-quality Pinot Noirs, two of which received Top 40 status. Our emerging cool-climate regions, such as the Southern Highlands, Canberra and Orange, are working hard to show that this high-maintenance red variety can thrive here.

As well as Pinot Noir, there were also some excellent wines made from Viognier, Verdelho, Merlot, Tempranillo, Durif and Zinfandel. In fact, 14 different grape varieties or blends were used to make these "best-of-the-best" wines, demonstrating the huge diversity of NSW wines.

Another exciting Citibank NSW Wine Awards for NSW wine lovers with plenty of great success stories, and anticipation growing for the 2012 Sydney Cellar Door which will kick start the 2012 Citibank NSW Wine Festival on Saturday and Sunday 25th & 26th February.

The Citibank 2011 NSW Wine Awards Top 40 (in alphabetical order)

1.       Angullong 2010 Bulls Roar Tempranillo, Central Ranges ($25)
2.       Audrey Wilkinson 2011 Winemakers Selection Semillon, Hunter ($25)
3.       Ballabourneen 2011 Majors Lane Semillon, Hunter ($25)
4.       Barwang "842" 2009 Chardonnay, Tumbarumba ($35)
5.       Brangayne Of Orange 2009 Tristan Cabernet Shiraz Merlot, Orange ($30)
6.       Brokenwood 2011 Forest Edge Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc, Orange ($25)
7.       Capital Wines 2011 The Whip Riesling, Canberra District ($19)
8.       Centennial Reserve 2010 Pinot Noir, Southern Highlands ($30)
9.       Centurion Wines 2011 Verdelho, Hunter ($19)
10.    Cherry Tree Hill 2006 Riesling, Southern Highlands ($25)
11.    Constable Estate 2010 Premium Semillon, Hunter ($24)
12.    Coolangatta Estate 2006 Semillon, Shoalhaven Coast ($45)
13.    De Bortoli 2009 Deen De Bortoli Durif, Riverina ($13)
14.    De Bortoli 2008 Noble One, Riverina ($64) TROPHY WINNER
15.    De Iuliis Wines 2009 Steven Vineyard Shiraz , Hunter ($40)
16.    Eden Road 2010 Gundagai Shiraz, Gundagai ($45)
17.    First Creek Wines Winemakers Reserve 2010 Chardonnay, Hunter ($40)
18.    First Creek Wines Winemakers Reserve 2010 Shiraz, Hunter ($42) TROPHY WINNER
19.    Freeman Vineyards Secco Aged Release 2004 Rondinella Corvina, Hilltops ($75) TROPHY WINNER
20.    Grove Estate 2006 Shiraz-Viognier, Hilltops ($40)
21.    Hedberg Hill 2010 Claudia's Viognier, Orange ($20)
22.    Lillypilly 2002 Noble Blend, Riverina ($40)
23.    Logan 2009 Weemala Merlot, Central Ranges ($18) TROPHY WINNER
24.    Logan 2009 Cabernet Merlot, Orange ($25) TROPHY WINNER
25.    Lowe 2009 Zinfandel, Mudgee ($75)
26.    Mistletoe Winery 2009 Reserve Chardonnay, Hunter ($40) TROPHY WINNER & CITIBANK NSW WINE OF THE YEAR
27.    Mount Majura Vineyard 2010 Tempranillo, Canberra District ($40)
28.    Nick O'Leary 2010 Shiraz, Canberra District ($30)
29.    Philip Shaw 2010 No 11 Chardonnay, Orange ($35)
30.    Pokolbin Estate 2005 Reserve Shiraz, Hunter ($50)
31.    Printhie Wines2010 Mt Canobolas Collection Chardonnay, Orange ($35)
32.    Ravensworth 2009 Shiraz Viognier, Canberra District ($27)
33.    Saddlers Creek 2008 Supreme Botrytis, Riverina ($36)
34.    Tertini 2009 Pinot Noir, Southern Highlands ($30)
35.    Thistle Hill 2011 Organic Riesling, Mudgee ($40)
36.    Thomas Wines 2006 Braemore Semillon, Hunter ($45) TROPHY WINNER
37.    Tulloch Wines 2011 JYT Selection Semillon, Hunter ($25)
38.    Two Rivers 2011 Stones Throw Semillon, Hunter ($16) TROPHY WINNER
39.    Tyrrell's Vineyards 2008 Vat 47 Chardonnay, Hunter ($50)
40.    Winburndale Wines 2008 Fontana Cabernet Sauvignon, Central Ranges ($30) TROPHY WINNER

FROM LAUNDRY TUB TO WORLD-WIDE SALES

2011-10-31T09:31:00.002+11:00

GREAT buying at $10.95 to enjoy
with seafoods or Asian stir fries.

Wc31Oct11

David Ellis

WHEN one of the NSW Riverina's early pioneers Francesco Calabria, who'd arrived from Italy in 1927 with wife Elizabeth, decided he needed a glass or three of good home-made red or white to ease the pains of a day on the family's fruit farm in the new-fangled irrigation area, he didn't have the money to invest in all the necessary equipment to make it with.

So he took over Elizabeth's laundry tubs, and improvised from his workshop from there. By 1945 he was making wine full-time under the Calabria Wines label, and today son Bill is at the helm of the family-run business that's now called Westend Wines, helped by wife Lena, sons Frank, Michael, Andrew and daughter Elizabeth, selling world-wide, and amassing more trophies and medals than Francesco could ever have packed into his wife's little laundry.

Westend's Richland range is dedicated to the family founders who pioneered that "rich land," and is the premium commercial of a half-dozen labels that cater for all budgets. The 2010 Richland Sauvignon Blanc is a particularly excellent wine with great varietal flavours including passionfruit, garden peas, limes and mangoes – and even better is that its great buying at just $10.95.

BUY now, drink later – or if you can't wait,
enjoy with meatballs in an Italian-style tomato sauce.

With a dry, crisp and refreshing finish it's a great partner with seafoods such as oysters, mussels, prawns, crabs and lobsters, sushi and tuna, or Asian stir fries with lemongrass and plenty of coriander, tomato, onion and garlic.

ONE FOR LUNCH: ANDREW Margan has crafted a excellent Shiraz with the intention of buyers putting it away in a safe place for the next ten years – the $20 price tag making it a good investment as it is pleasant for enjoying now, but will become all the more so up to around the early 2020s.

Andrew picked the fruit for this 2009 Shiraz "al dente" (firm but not hard) off 40-year old Lower Hunter Valley vines; with nice savoury black fruit flavours its already an ideal match with meatballs in an Italian-style tomato sauce.

(NEED A FOOD/DRINK IDEA? Check out http://www.vintnews.com )

Nine reasons to dine at Australia's Best Restaurant in a Winery

2011-10-26T11:58:00.001+11:00

Media Release

Tower Lodge's nine wins Best Restaurant in a Winery

Tower Lodge's restaurant nine has won the "Best Restaurant in a Winery" at the 2011 National Awards for Excellence held at Luna Park on October 24.

Tower's award is in succession to its win of Best Restaurant in a Winery" and "Restaurant of the Year in the Hunter Valley" at the 2011 Australia Restaurant & Catering Regional NSW Awards for Excellence.

Located nine feet underground in the original Tower Estate cellar, nine and its unique dining concept, was the brainchild of Andreas Breitfuss, Maître de Maison who developed the idea with the aim of offering different dining experiences for Tower Lodge guests.

Nine's private dining space is surrounded by warm earthy sandstone and wood surfaces providing an intimate and luxurious dining experience for up to 16 guests.

"To win the award of Best Restaurant in a Winery in Australia further reflects the hard work and dedication Andreas and his team put into Nine and Tower Lodge," said Matt Cowley, CEO, Tower Estate.

"It is also a reflection on my long term vision for Tower Lodge, to offer our guests a truly unique experience in the areas of dining and accommodation."

Nine features nine seasonal degustation menus (one vegetarian) using, where possible, local Hunter Valley produce paired with one of six optional wine lists, featuring a selection of premium local and imported varieties along with Tower Estate's own wines.

The National Awards for Excellence are the culmination of 10 regional Award events held throughout the year across the nation. Over 270 finalists in 34 categories competed at a ceremony at Luna Park to determine the best of the best of Australia's restaurants and caterers.

Restaurant & Catering represents around 4,000 restaurants and caterers across Australia. Each year over 900 members are reviewed in the Awards of Excellence.

nine Facts

opening times: Friday & Saturday nights 6.30pm to 8.30pm (last booking 8.30pm sharp)

menu type: 9 course degustation (chefs selection created seasonally) excl wines, $180 per person, or 9 course degustation paired with a selection of premium local and imported wines, including picks from the Tower Estate cellar, $250 per person.

wine list: selection of Australian premium wines and exclusive imported varieties including Champagne, sparking, red, white and dessert. The wine list includes specially selected Tower Estate wines.

Tower Lodge, part of the gold standard Relais & Chateaux association is Australia's best shared secret comprising of 12 distinctly different guest rooms including two premier suites. Each of the rooms are uniquely furnished with no room the same and feature a king size bed, deep soaking spa bath, complimented with antique pieces and rich fabrics creating an opulent setting for any guest.

For those who truly want to indulge and enjoy a Hunter Valley weekend, Tower Lodge has packages which include the following:

2 night's accommodation in a Lodge room
Dinner for 2 guest in Roberts Restaurant
Dinner for 2 guests dining in restaurant Nine
Complimentary upgrade to high tea
Breakfast
Pre- dinner beverages daily
Private wine tasting at Tower Estate Winery

Prices are based on twin share and start from $1,035 per room per night.

To make a reservation at Tower Lodge and/or nine visit www.towerestate.com or call (02) 4998 7022

About Tower Lodge

Opened in May 2001, and situated on the grounds of Tower Estate, Tower Lodge is the only 5-star boutique luxury lodge in the Hunter Region.

The Lodge features 12 rooms including two suites accommodating up to 24 guests. Room rates range from $720.00 per night and include accommodation for two, full buffet and a la carte cooked breakfast, complimentary afternoon tea, a pre-dinner drink and an evening turn down service

Website www.towerestate.com

Tower Lodge is a member of Relais & Châteaux.

At the Top of New England | Topper's Mountain

2011-10-25T16:05:00.004+11:00

Media release

It was Topper's Mountain Wines which stole the show at the New England's night of nights on Friday when it took out 4 of the top trophies including the coveted Champion Winery of Show at the 2011 New England Wine Show.

Renowned wine critic Huon Hooke chaired the panel of judges at a show that he openly admits he was "...without much of an idea of what I would expect to find." And was pleased to find that this "tiny little wine region... making a bigger range of interesting wines than they have in Coonawarra" where he has gone onto judge at their wine show this week.

Interviewed from the region on Thursday after the one day judging which saw a record 154 wines judged by the expert panel, Huon told the ABC that the potential for the region was great. He made reference to the extraordinary number of less mainstream varieties that were of gold medal standard at this show and thought that perhaps varieties like Gewurztraminer and Tempranillo were styles on which the region could "hang their hat".

Topper's Mountain couldn't be happier with these claims that the less mainstream varieties are set to thrive in the region as they are almost as far from mainstream wine producers as their remote vineyard is from civilisation.

Recently quoted as having the 'ultimate fruit salad' vineyard, owner Mark Kirkby of Topper's Mountain has trialed plantings of 28 varieties in his 10ha vineyard since first planting in 2000, many with as few as 200 vines of each clone or variety. Mark's aim is to narrow these 28 down to 8-10 star performers through grape quality work in the vineyard in conjunction with ongoing wine style evolution with winemaker Mike Hayes to show off the exciting, cool-climate terroir of Topper's Mountain.

Located in spectacular yet remote countryside north-west of Armidale, about 50km north-west of the New England's highest town Guyra, Topper's Mountain reaps the benefit of altitudes in excess of 900m, ensuring idyllic growing conditions for his far-from-mainstream cool climate varietals. The vineyard is situated on beautiful, deep, red & aged volcanic soils high above the valleys of the MacIntyre and Gwydir Rivers.

Rose petals, a hint of tar & fresh strawberry leaves followed by layers of succulent, savoury & meaty characters on the palate reinforced by Nebbiolo's big, smooth tannins. Plenty of time for cellaring this one!

"It doesn't seem real" says owner Mark Kirkby after winning four trophies; 6 gold, two silver and five bronze medals on Friday night "we couldn't have timed it better having just made our first, albeit small, commercial release of wines under the new Topper's Mountain label."

It seemed the 2009 Toppers Mountain Nebbiolo (RRP $35) couldn't put a foot wrong, at first being awarded the Trophy for "Best Other Red Variety", then "Chief Stewards Pick of Golds" (which also takes into account the winery's contribution to the region), then finally the big one, "New England Wine of Show". Together with the 2010 Topper's Mountain Gewurztraminer (RRP $30) taking out the Trophy for "Best Aromatic White Wine", had Topper's Mountain named "Champion Winery of Show".

This is the first year which gold medal winners at the New England Wine Show qualify to enter in Australia's National Wine Show held in Canberra each year, giving this small region even more opportunity to show the wider wine world just what great things the region is doing.

Just last year the New England Wine region developed a Regional Brand Strategy aimed at raising the profile and awareness of Australia's newest wine region, and this the first wine show since, gives the NEW (New England Wine) region great promise from which to leverage its marketability, having hosted perhaps one of Australia's most regarded wine critics. Mark Kirkby sits on the marketing and branding strategy committee.

Topper's Mountain are seeking distribution of their wines in the on premise market in Sydney and Brisbane.

For further information contact:- Mark Kirkby – Topper's Mountain Wines, mark@toppers.com.au (0411) 880 580

BUBBLE AND BROTH, STELLAR RISE OF MOSCATO

2011-10-24T18:06:00.003+11:00

BUBBLY partner with spicy lemongrass,
coriander and chilli-infused Asian broth

Wc24Oct11

David Ellis

A DECADE ago Moscato was a little-known, relatively alternative wine style in this country, but it's enjoyed somewhat of a stellar rise since then – with Victoria's Brown Brothers leading the charge, and now accounting for an amazing 49% of all Moscato sold in this country.

And not content to leave it at that, they've now released their first-ever Sparkling Moscato under the stewardship of winemaker Cate Looney, who has been making Moscato for the past half-decade.

"The Brown family is renowned for pushing the envelope with new product development, and we (the winemaking team) were delighted when they challenged us to see where we could take Moscato next," she says.

POWER and elegance, nice drop
with home-made Osso Bucco.

What the team came up with is a sparkling wine made from Muscat of Alexandria grapes (the Romans found this grape's distinctive aroma was akin to musk, so dubbed it Moscato meaning "smelling of musk,") and which has a sherbet-like perfume and lifted aromas of citrus and freshly-crushed grapes that follow through on the palate.

A delightful bubbly at just $16.50, Cate suggests you take a bottle or two along to your favourite Asian restaurant and enjoy with a spicy lemongrass, coriander and chilli-infused Asian broth.

ONE FOR LUNCH: THE Adelaide Hills' Petaluma uses fruit from it's B&V vineyard on the eastern escarpment of Mount Barker for it's Bridgewater Mill Shiraz, a wine of somewhat power and elegance as a result of the work that went into selecting just the right site for its B&V vineyard in the early 1990s.

Fruit was hand-picked for the just-released 2009 Shiraz that's a wine having ripe, fresh blackberry and lifted plum characters, and spicy white pepper on the palate; at $22 it's a nice drop to serve with home-made Osso Bucco.

(NEED A FOOD/DRINK IDEA? Check out http://www.vintnews.com )

Winsor's choice: Dominique Portet 2011 Fontaine Rosé

2011-10-21T09:35:00.001+11:00

Winsor Dobbin

Another impressively dry new-wave rosé from father and son team Dominique and Ben Portet in the Yarra Valley - the ninth and 10th generations of family winemakers. This is worthy wine for inclusion in the second Rosé Revolution, a blend of merlot, shiraz and cabernet sauvignon from the Yarra and Pyrenees. It's a disturbingly drinkable wine with intense red fruit aromas and flavours but with a dry and savoury finish. Chill this down, serve it with a picnic and watch it disappear at breakneck speed. $20. www.dominiqueportet.com

2008 Shiraz - Pick of the show - Heathcote Wine & Food Festival - October 2011

2011-10-18T11:02:00.000+11:00

Media Release

The small but highly awarded Southern Heathcote vineyard, Redesdale Estate is proud their latest release of the highly awarded estate grown Heathcote Shiraz vintages, the 2008 Shiraz, was nominated as the pick of the show, at the recent Heathcote Wine and Food Festival. Renowned wine writer and judge Jeff Gordon commended the vintage - "my pick of the show - the 2008 Redesdale Estate shiraz - elegant but powerful fruit, beautifully integrated with soft tannins".He also further noted the exceptional quality of Redesdale Estate's produce by voting the Redesdale Estate olive oil as his personal 'best in show'.The 2008 vintage is the latest of 6 vintages, which have all gained the highest ratings on release.

www.redesdale.com
www.jeffgordon.com.au

$86.3 million celebration for NSW Wines

2011-10-18T09:50:00.001+11:00

Media Release

Last night saw the Mistletoe Wines 2009 Reserve Chardonnay crowned the 2011 Citibank NSW Wine of the Year in front of the who's who of the wine industry at the Citibank NSW Wine Awards Presentation Dinner at Guillaume at Bennelong in Sydney.

Those who attended also heard from special guest the NSW Minister for Primary Industries and Minister for Small Business, the Honourable Katrina Hodgkinson MP, who was delighted to announce new Nielsen data, revealing that since the launch of the government /industry partnership behind the NSW Wine Strategy in February 2008, sales of bottled NSW wine within NSW have dramatically increased from $52.4 million a year to a new record yearly sales figure of $86.3 million*, a 64% increase in just 3 years.

Mike De Iuliis, Chair of the NSW Wine Strategy said, "The partnership with the NSW government has been critical in the achievement of these great results and we know with continued hard work this growth is here to stay."

The State of NSW is passionate about wine. In the last 12 months, ending July 2011, total bottled wine sales in NSW have grown by +8.4% in value – outperforming the market with other States growing at just +3.4%. And the latest quarterly figures highlight further growth of +11.1%, show that not only is there growth but that growth is accelerating!

Mike added, "And it's not that NSWs enjoys wine, we are also continuing to appreciate our local wines more. The latest Nielsen figures show local Sales of NSW wine in NSW are now outpacing bottled wine from Victoria and South Australia by 2X and whilst all price points are growing it is the premium wines in the $20+ per bottle category which continue to lead the growth with an increase of +14%, now making up 15% of the state's bottled wine sales."

These amazing Off-Premise sales figures from Nielsen are complemented in a report by Wine Business Solutions on the On-Premise that shows a 22% increase in the last year in the representation of NSW and ACT wines on NSW /ACT wine lists.

Even more encouraging is that the message of NSW wines' quality, diversity and value - which has been so successfully accepted by wine drinkers in NSW - is now spreading. Nielsen figures show within Total Australia, sales of bottled wine indicated to be from NSW is growing by +10.6% in value with growth rates in QLD and SA doubling and quadrupling respectively! Reasons for all NSW winemakers to celebrate. But it was Ken Sloan from Mistletoe Wines who had the most to celebrate, collecting the Trophy for the 2011 Citibank NSW Wine of the Year, flanked by the other 8 Trophy winners of the 2011 Citibank NSW Wine Awards:

2011 Citibank NSW Wine of the Year & Trophy Best Young Chardonnay ~ Mistletoe Wines 2009 Reserve Chardonnay, Hunter ($40)

A contemporary Chardonnay which highlights that this grape is making a comeback! This wine also collected Gold at the 2011 Winewise Awards and 2011 Hunter Valley Boutique Winemakers Show, and last year was crowned the 'Reserve Wine of Show' at the International Chardonnay Challenge in NZ. Mistletoe Wines is a wonderful example of the family businesses which dominate NSW winemaking (family owned wineries account for over 75% of the total NSW crush) and shower our vineyards with care and dedication, creating wines worthy of world-class status.

Trophy Best Young Semillon ~ Two Rivers 2011 Stones Throw Semillon, Hunter ($16)

Another multi-award winning wine, capturing the qualities of the Hunters signature white grape and showing exceptional value for money at just $16.

Trophy Best Mature Dry White ~ Thomas Wines 2006 Cellar Reserve Braemore Semillon, Hunter ($45)

Re-released in August 2011, this wine is just starting to emerge with those classic bottle aged Hunter Semillon complexities.

Trophy Best Young Shiraz ~ First Creek Wines 2010 Winemakers Reserve Shiraz, Hunter ($42)

The Hunter has again collected the most Trophies, with the 'new generation' of winemakers, not resting on their laurels but pushing winemaking further.

Trophy Best Young Cabernet ~ Winburndale Wines 2008 Fontana Cabernet Sauvignon, Central Ranges ($30)

Bathurst can sometimes be a little overshadowed by its neighbour Orange, but wines from the Central Ranges are starting to shine in their own right.

Trophy Best Young Red Other Variety ~ Logan 2009 Weemala Merlot, Central Ranges ($18)

The 2nd wine from the Central Ranges, proving their quality is not just a case of luck but an emerging region with great grapes & talented winemaking.

Trophy Best Young Red Blend ~ Logan 2009 Cabernet Merlot, Orange ($25)

The region of Orange goes from strength to strength every year creating increasing amounts of wine with elegance and flair.

Trophy Best Mature Dry Red ~ Freeman Vineyards Secco Aged Release 2004 Rondinella Corvina, Hilltops ($75)

A very unusual blend of two Italian varieties this wine showcases their amazing ageing potential and longevity.

Trophy Best Sweet White ~ De Bortoli 2008 Noble One, Riverina ($64)

Yet again proving that the Riverina is a region that dominates in sweet wine production.

Alongside the Trophies, two other special awards were presented on the night. The NSW Department of Primary Industries Graham Gregory Award is presented to someone for their individual contribution to the NSW wine industry and this year the deserving recipient was Richard Hilder. Katrina Hodgkinson, NSW Minister for Primary Industries and Minister for Small Business, presented the award commenting, "Richard has contributed significantly to the viticulture and horticulture industries within the Australian Wine Industry. His forward planning for the development of irrigation, fertigation, pruning, harvesting, and other viticultural practices has benefited the overall wine industry…it is because of people like Mr Hilder that the NSW wine industry is continuing to go from strength to strength and is a major player in the international wine market."

The NSW Department of Primary Industries Award for Best Organic Wine was awarded to David Lowe for the Lowe Wines 2009 Zinfandel from Mudgee. The Organic category was a hot division this year with 30 Organic wines entered into the Wine Show (20% more than last year) and 2 were awarded with spots in the 2011 Citibank NSW Wine Top 40. Both of these wines, along with the rest of the Top 40, will be on taste for the public at the upcoming Citibank NSW Wine Awards "Best of the Best Top 40" Tasting on Thursday 20th October. Visit www.nswwine.com.au for details.

*MAT 31 July 2011 Nielsen figures:

·       Data prepared by Nielsen is based on wine sold in NSW that is indicated to be from NSW.
·       The figures are calculated using off-premise sales of wines that indicate that they are from NSW on the bottle.
·       In $AUD dollar

Major Sponsors:

Beelgara Estate joins the elite

2011-10-18T09:45:00.001+11:00

Media Release

Beelgara Estate joins the elite of premium Australian Winemakers

Beelgara Estate is one of the oldest wineries in the Riverina grape growing district of Australia, having been established in 1930.

Being a top twenty Australian winery, Beelgara has established an enviable reputation amongst industry analysts, having just recorded three consecutive years of incremental profit growth with a forth year projected at a 10% increase.

One of Australia's leading wine writers, James Halliday, has just awarded Beelgara a five star winery rating in the 2012 edition of his Australian Wine Companion, which effectively ranks Beelgara amongst the elite of Australian winemakers.

Rod Hooper, Beelgara's chief winemaker has commented, "we are immensely proud of our elevation to a five star rating from James and it is a wonderful endorsement of the quality of our wines and a just reward for all our hard work over recent years". Two of Beelgara's most awarded red wines achieved 94 points, which is an amazingly high score and ranks them amongst some of the best reds in Australia.

Allison Payne, Beelgara's CFO has remarked, "this most recent award has crowned what has been another amazing year for us. We are now shoulder to shoulder with some of the most premium and profitable wineries in Australia".

Beelgara has just reported a circa $2.1 million EBITDA profit for the 2011 year, eclipsing the record profit in 2010.

Beelgara Estate Pty Ltd
National Sales Office: Unit 2/448 Pacific Highway Artarmon NSW 2064 Australia
Tel: +61(2) 9017 6400

New Gen Hunter Valley | Putting the New into NSW Wine Awards

2011-10-17T22:28:00.001+11:00

Media Release:

Tonight was a big night for the New Generation Hunter Valley winemakers, with the 2011 Citibank NSW Wine of the Year and Trophy for Best Young Chardonnay going to Mistletoe Wines 2009 Reserve Chardonnay ($40), made by Nick "Doggy" Paterson – one of the 6 not-so-usual suspects!

Andrew "Thommo" Thomas was not far behind Doggy on his way to the stage, collecting the gong for Best Mature Dry White with his Thomas Wines 2006 Cellar Reserve Braemore Semillon ($45). With Mike De Iuliis also scoring a place in the fiercely contested NSW Wine Top 40 for his De Iuliis 2009 Steven Vineyard Shiraz ($40), the New Generation Hunter Valley confirms their place amongst the best winemakers in the state and no doubt the whole NGHV clan, which also includes David Hook (David Hook Wines), Rhys Eather (Meerea Park) and Andrew Margan (Margan) will be celebrating their mates' triumphs in style!

One third of the Top 40 wines were from the Hunter Valley, dismantling claims that the Hunter is old-hat and unexciting. In fact, wines in the NSW Wine Awards Top 40 are mostly made by the "new generation" of winemakers rather than the old family institutions - there are thrilling times ahead for family owned Australian wineries.

Exciting is how the New Generation Hunter Valley like to roll, with the boys popping up in a secret location with a wine bar in Sydney's eastern suburbs this week on Friday 21st October for one night only. This Pop Up Wine Bar is part of The Sydney Morning Herald Crave Sydney International Food Festival, presented by Citibank, and tickets can be purchased at www.newgenerationhuntervalley.com.au . This will not be your usual Friday night drinks…

Plans are also well underway for the second episode of the New Generation Hunter Valley "Not Your Usual Caravan of Courage". The boys couldn't help themselves but to do it again in 2012 after the first adventure was such a wild success, so watch out for more details to come on this. One thing we can say is that their road show will kick off in Sydney and again culminate in the Noosa International Food and Wine Festival from 17 May 2012.

So despite claims that the Hunter Valley isn't doing much fresh and exciting, this group of blokes are making waves (and occasionally surfing on them) in the wine industry and demonstrating that there is new blood in the Hunter who are doing amazing things with their old vines….grey hairs and all.

For further information please contact Camilla Barlow, Winestream Communications on (02) 9439 1633 or millbarlow@winestream.com.au

www.newgenerationhuntervalley.com.au

www.facebook.com/newgenerationhuntervalley

Twitter @NewGenHV

FLOODING RAINS BRING OUT THE INNOVATIVE

2011-10-17T13:59:00.001+11:00

SEAFOODS and poultry go particularly
well with this Sauvignon Blanc.

Wc17Oct11

David Ellis

THE 2011 vintage in South-eastern Australia can best be summed up in three words, wet, wet, wet, with some vineyards totally inundated by flood waters, areas reporting rains of six or eight times their normal for summer – and still others drenched with entire annual rainfalls in just three months.

It brought out the most innovative in those on the land, not the least vignerons and winemakers like Simon and Tim Wicks whose Woodside (Adelaide Hills) Wicks Estate would normally harvest Chardonnay, Riesling and Sauvignon Blanc of enviable quality for resultant enviable wines. But this year they abandoned all hope for Chardonnay and Riesling (although some early-picked Chardonnay is going towards a sparkling wine.)

"But we saw light at the end of the tunnel for Sauvignon Blanc," says Tim who manages their vineyard and winery. "It seems to develop quite distinct varietal flavours early in the season, so it was a matter of protecting the fruit – and those flavours – once the wet set in; we did a lot of leaf plucking to make sure that the canopy was clean and that our rigorous spraying program could have maximum impact on keeping the berries free from disease."

A BEAUTY to enjoy with tasty
plum-marinated pork ribs.

Then the winemaking team led by Tim Knappstein (working his 50th vintage,) got to work and although not easy produced a 2011 Sauvignon Blanc the Wicks' say "jumps out of the glass." At $18 it's a rewarding drop with nice varietal tropical fruit and grapefruit flavours to pair with seafoods and poultry.

ONE FOR LUNCH: IF you enjoy Merlot, don't look past Katnook Estate's 2008 Founder's Block that at $20 is a generously-flavoured wine from an excellent vintage, one that gave this wine particularly nice flavours of dark berries, ripe plums and a hint of spice.

Named after the original landholding of John Riddoch, the founder of Coonawarra, this is a beauty to enjoy with tasty plum-marinated pork ribs.

(NEED A FOOD/DRINK IDEA? Check out http://www.vintnews.com )

2011 Citibank NSW Wine Awards Results

2011-10-17T12:22:00.009+11:00

Celebratory Kissing underneath the Mistletoe

The nine Trophy Winners in the 2011 Citibank NSW Wine Awards will be presented with their awards on Monday 17th October at the 2011 Citibank NSW Wine Awards Presentation Dinner at Guillaume at Bennelong in the Sydney Opera House.

These Trophy winners were chosen from the NSW Top 40 Wines, which were selected by a panel of 20 highly regarded wine judges, Chaired by one of the country’s leading wine experts Huon Hooke, who whittled down over 820 wines to this impressive shortlist.

And the winners are…

Trophy Best Young Chardonnay ~ Mistletoe Wines 2009 Reserve Chardonnay, Hunter ($40)
Trophy Best Young Semillon ~ Two Rivers 2011 Stones Throw Semillon, Hunter ($16)
Trophy Best Mature Dry White ~ Thomas Wines 2006 Cellar Reserve Braemore Semillon, Hunter ($45)
Trophy Best Young Shiraz ~ First Creek Wines Winemakers Reserve 2010 Shiraz, Hunter ($42)
Trophy Best Young Cabernet ~ Winburndale Wines 2008 Fontana Cabernet Sauvignon, Central Ranges ($30)
Trophy Best Young Red Other Variety ~ Logan 2009 Weemala Merlot, Central Ranges ($18)
Trophy Best Young Red Blend ~ Logan 2009 Cabernet Merlot, Orange ($25)
Trophy Best Mature Dry Red ~ Freeman Vineyards Secco Aged Release 2004 Rondinella Corvina, Hilltops ($75)
Trophy Best Sweet White ~ De Bortoli 2008 Noble One, Riverina ($64)

The results reflect the great performance of Orange and the Central Ranges in this year’s Top 40, with 3 Trophies going to wines from that area, alongside 4 from the Hunter and one each from the Riverina and Hilltops.

Of these nine wines, only one can be given the ultimate title of 2011 Citibank NSW Wine of the Year…and this year that honour goes to…

2011 Citibank NSW Wine of the year ~ Mistletoe Wines 2009 Reserve Chardonnay, Hunter Valley

Mistletoe Wines is a wonderful example of the family businesses which dominate NSW winemaking (family owned wineries account for over 75% of the total NSW crush) and shower our vineyards with care and dedication, creating wines worthy of Top Class honours. Ken and Gwen Sloan started Mistletoe Wines in 1989 and have since been perfecting the art of producing high-quality Hunter Shiraz, Semillon and Chardonnay. This isn’t the first award for their 2009 Reserve Chardonnay, which earlier this year collected Gold at the 2011 Winewise Awards and 2011 Hunter Valley Boutique Winemakers Show. And last year was awarded a Trophy for the Reserve Wine of Show at the 10th International Chardonnay Challenge in New Zealand (selected from over 400 Chardonnays from around the globe.) A truly world-class wine which has been described as “a wine with intense grapefruit and white-flesh stone fruit driving its exceptional long palate.”

Everyone will have the opportunity to taste the new 2011 Citibank NSW Wine of the Year, Trophy Winners and Top 40 Wines at the Citibank NSW Wine Awards “Best of the Best Top 40” Tasting … Discover the “best of the best” wines from the 2011 Citibank NSW Wine Awards, either in a small group guided by one of the State’s most talented winemakers or as a self-guided tour of NSW’s diverse wine regions.

When: Thursday 20 October 2011
Where: The Cargo Hall, Overseas Passenger Terminal, Circular Quay
Trade/Media Tasting 2.00- 4.00pm Pre-registration compulsory at www.nswwine.com.au
Consumer Tasting 5.00- 9.00pm $55pp including wine, souvenir wine glass, winemaker guided tour & light refreshments

This event is part of Crave Sydney International Food Festival, presented by Citibank.

Book: Tickets can be purchased online at www.nswwine.com.au

New Release | 2011 Climbing Pinot Gris

2011-10-17T09:00:00.001+11:00

Media Release:

Sales of Pinot Gris/Grigio have now overtaken Riesling in this country and it's no wonder with wines such as the delicious, new 2011 Climbing Pinot Gris (RRP $21.95) now readily available.

Produced by Cumulus Estate Wines in Orange NSW this wine is a perfect example of an Alsatian Pinot Gris style with an Australian twist. Senior winemaker Debbie Lauritz worked in Alsace at the beginning of her career so fell in love with this variety at an early age. "It not just that I personally love this style of Pinot Gris, with its full palate of classic apples, pears, honey and fresh butter. But I also believe that our vineyard in Orange is ideally suited to such a style. Orange's high altitude, with resultant cool climate and greater concentration of UV light, does give us a unique balance of good palate weight, texture, zest and restrained elegance."

Debbie's interest in Pinot Gris and its suitability to Orange has culminated in an impressive 20 hectares of vines being planted on the Cumulus Estate. Debbie comments, "You have to have an inbuilt desire to create a top quality Pinot Gris because it is a very difficult variety to grow and is work intensive, needing heavy pruning as well as bunch and shoot thinning."

The 2011 season was working in Debbie's favour though, as the cooler than average temperatures and mature vines (with their well balanced canopies) produced less fruit, resulting in concentrated pear and apple flavours, and helped keep hold of the grapes natural aromatics and acidity.

"Getting such great fruit in 2011 was more than half the battle, but with our Climbing range we do like to carefully apply some winemaking techniques to deliver a little extra." Debbie adds.

"In this wine's case we selected three separate parcels, each picked at varying levels of fruit ripeness. The parcels were fermented separately, one held on lees and stirred weekly, and with a small proportion being barrel fermented. Blending the parcels together let us create a wine with that extra touch of complexity to layer the natural bright and elegant fruit character."

There's nothing grey about this modern style of an enticing French classic. More Pinot Greyt than Pinot Grey!

2011 Climbing Pinot Gris - RRP $21.95

Stockists: Distributed by Cumulus Wines. Available nationally though independent liquor stores.

Current Climbing wines:

Climbing Pinot Gris 2011 Climbing Sauvignon Blanc 2011 Climbing Chardonnay 2010

Climbing Merlot 2009 Climbing Shiraz 2009 Climbing Cabernet Sauvignon 2009

Taste the full range at this year's ORANGE WINE WEEK 2011…

Now in its sixth year, Orange WINE Week (21st -30th October 2011) is set to draw thousands of visitors to the beautiful wine region of Orange NSW this spring. Join them to discover why Orange has so rapidly gained a name for itself as a region of rich and diverse food & wine quality and culture.

There are over 100 events to choose from (details at http://www.tasteorange.com.au/wineweek.htm) but for something new visit Cumulus Estate Wines. For the first time Cumulus Estate Wines will be setting up their Cellar Door at one of Orange's most delightful locations, the Wentworth Gallery Restaurant. Here they will hold the 'Cumulus Winemakers' Table' – a wonderful opportunity to hear directly from the winemakers what makes Orange so great - and a selection of free tastings, including all the wines from their Cumulus, Climbing and Rolling labels. See www.cumuluswines.com.au for more information.

Noosa Food and Wine Festival Goes Global

2011-10-16T14:39:00.000+11:00

The Noosa Food & Wine Festival has a new name - The Noosa International Food & Wine Festival. The name change heralds a new focus on both Australian and International chefs and cooking identities as well as a global interest in the festival itself.

Expect four action-packed days from May 17 to May 20 in 2012 when two hundred of the world's most prominent chefs, winemakers, media and food personalities descend upon Noosa and the Sunshine Coast.

Noosa Food & Wine Festival 2011 from Source Media on Vimeo.

The final details of the full program are being locked in but it has been confirmed we can announce that molecular gastronomist and 'Demon Chef', Alvin Leung of Bo Innovation in Hong Kong and Davide Scabin of Combal Zero in Turin Italy will both participate in the Qantas 'Best Dinner in the World' event. Each course of the degustation meal will be created by a different chef from the prestigious S.Pellegrino World's Best Restaurant List. The list is created from The World's Best Restaurants Academy, an influential group of over 800 international leaders in the restaurant industry, each selected for their expert opinion of the international restaurant scene.

Local restaurateur and Festival Director, Jim Berardo, is thrilled with the international focus of the 2012 festival. "We are proud to have built this event over eight years to something truly world class" says Mr Berardo. "The Festival originated to acknowledge and promote Australian produce, wine and talent. Now Australia has a real presence in the world of food and wine and we want to recognise this by including overseas talent. "

Watch this space as more International and Australian names for the festival are announced: http://www.facebook.com/NoosaFoodWineFestival

Or for further information on the Festival check out: www.noosafoodandwine.com.au

Key Sponsors:

Peregrine Soars to New Altitude

2011-10-14T18:26:00.000+11:00

Media Release

A multi-award-winning Central Otago wine has taken its accolades to impressive new heights by winning a prestigious Northern Hemisphere trophy.

Less than a year after sweeping the board with the same wine in a Southern Hemisphere competition, the Peregrine Pinot Noir 2009 has been awarded the Bouchard Finlayson Trophy Pinot Noir in the International Wine and Spirit Competition (IWSC) in London.

Just under 12 months ago, the 2009 Pinot Noir won three trophies at the Air New Zealand Wine Awards, receiving the JF Hillebrand New Zealand Ltd Champion Pinot Noir trophy, the Fairfax Media Champion Open Red Wine trophy and being hailed the Air New Zealand Champion Wine of the Show.

The double-hemisphere achievement has left Peregrine Wines’ Managing Director and co - owner Lindsay McLachlan extremely proud and humbled.

“Although we’ve been quietly confident all along with the standards of wines we produce, never in our wildest dreams did we think we would receive two fantastic accolades like this so early in our history,” he said.

“This is a unique achievement, the pinnacle to date for our winemakers, vineyard team and growers.

“We never thought we would deliver the best wine in New Zealand and one of the best in the world in our 13th year of operation.

“To have a wine recognised by hugely experienced judging panels at different ends of the world is truly unique. I’m not aware of a wine like this that has won to this standard in both hemispheres.”

The judging panel was full of praise for the wine. “When you taste a wine like this you understand the term ‘Peacock’s Tail’ in the way that the flavours display themselves across the tongue,” said the panel. “Sensuous, nervously controlled elegance are the hallmarks of this absolutely stunning wine. This rose effortlessly to its supreme gold mark with the panel.”

Mr McLachlan will be travelling to London next month to receive the trophy from IWSC President Prince Robert de Luxembourg at a presentation banquet at the Guildhall on November 16.

The banquet is a glittering five-course meal with matched wines and spirits, preceded by a pre- dinner tasting of Gold Medal winning products and attended by some of the biggest names in the global wine trade.

Mr McLachlan said Peregrine Wines prided itself on producing wines that truly represented the Central Otago winegrowing region.

“The Central Otago product is world-class and we have a long-term plan to craft wines that will continue to exceed consumer expectations and reward our many loyal supporters.”

For more information on Peregrine Wines go to www.peregrinewines.co.nz

Kiwi Winery Trumps International Awards

2011-10-14T18:21:00.000+11:00

Media Release

Award-winning Kiwi winery Mud House continues to trump the competition overseas, with the 2011 Mud House Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc winning prestigious accolades at the 2011 International Wine and Spirits Competition (IWSC).

Scooping both a Gold medal and Best in Class at the IWSC, the 2011 Mud House Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc was a standout success for the New Zealand winery, beating out entries from more than 82 countries worldwide.

Described as “delicious” and “a terrific example of a beautifully made wine” by the IWSC judging panel, the 2011 Mud House Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc received high praise in its tasting notes.

“Zesty lifted nose of crushed bramble leaf, kiwi, cucumber and citrus. In the mouth mange tout flavours caress with a mild touch of red pepper and lime leaf,” furthered the enviable sentiments expressed by the judging panel in favour of the 2011 Mud House Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc.

A highly regarded international competition, the IWSC was founded in 1969 and is the premier competition of its kind in the world. Held in the United Kingdom, it aims to promote the quality and excellence of the best wines, spirits and liqueurs the world over.

This standard is achieved through a rigorous two-stage judging process of professional blind tasting and detailed technical analysis that takes place at the IWSC competition's headquarters in Surrey, United Kingdom. To ensure perfect conditions, the premises include temperature-controlled cellars, a fully equipped independent laboratory for technical analysis, and three dedicated tasting rooms.

The Competition is backed by a group of vice presidents made up of the most influential people in the trade and has the support of many of the world’s top wine and spirits producers.

Mud House Wines marketing manager Cathy Wansink says gaining an award in the IWSC is an outsanding achievement for the winery.

“The International Wine and Spirits Competition is a hugely celebrated competition and the Gold medal and Best in Class awarded to the 2011 Mud House Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc is testament to the passion, commitment and hard work demonstrated by our viticulturalists and talented winemakers every day,” says Wansink.

For more information, visit www.mudhouse.co.nz

Winsor's choice: Lock & Key 2011 Hilltops Riesling

2011-10-14T10:04:00.008+11:00

Winsor Dobbin

If you love classic dry riesling but are on a tight budget, this is a name well worth remembering. From the Moppity vineyard outside Young in New South Wales, it is an absolute bargain at a recommended retail price of around $16 - more so given it can sometimes be found discounted to considerably less. It has lemon zest fragrance, oodles of lime and grapefruit character on the quite austere palate and delightfully zingy racy acidity on the finish. A pristine and appealing partner for oysters, pan-fried seafood or Thai cuisine. $15. www.moppity.com.au.

MEDICO’S COOL IDEA IS CAPEL VALE’S SUCCESS

2011-10-11T01:01:00.002+11:00

Wc10Oct11

SNAP-up this WA beauty with pan-fried
baby snapper and baked eggplant.

David Ellis

WESTERN Australia's Capel Vale has come a long way since Perth medico, Dr Peter Pratten and his wife Elizabeth were the first to recognise the potential of the quiet banks of the Capel River for cool-climate viticulture, planting their first vineyards there back in 1974.

And an interesting new release from their still family-owned Capel Vale is a Debut label 2010 Chardonnay that's made from fruit that's largely from vines that were first planted as Riesling and Gewurztraminer, and cut-back and grafted-over to Chardonnay in the late 1970s.

This buy-now, drink-now wine has lovely tropical pineapple aromas together with some peach, apple and melon, and on the palate displays plenty of fresh varietal citrus and stone-fruit characters.

Pay $18 and match it with pan-fried baby snapper served with baked eggplant, tomato and a sprinkling of basil.

DUCK confit an ideal partner with
this delightful Yarra Valley Pinot Noir.

ONE FOR LUNCH: VICTORIA's Yarra Valley maker Mandala Wines has released a more-ish Pinot Noir from the excellent 2010 vintage, after skipping a year in 2009 because of climatic problems that owner Charles Smedley did not want to see impact on the company's show-case reputation.

"The 2010 vintage was outstanding with warm and mild conditions allowing for a long and gentle growing season," he says. "And particularly good was rain that came at exactly the right time, negating the need for irrigation and thus expressing our cool climate sites to their very best."

Here's a Pinot Noir from vines that were both fruit- and shoot-thinned to lower yield and maximise flavour, and which is reflected in the beautifully forward ripe red-berry fruit on the palate. Pay $28 and embrace this one with duck confit or a cold charcuterie platter.

(NEED A FOOD/DRINK IDEA? Check out http://www.vintnews.com )

Two trophies for the 2009 Lowe Zinfandel

2011-10-10T07:26:00.001+11:00

Media Release

Lowe Wines has been awarded the 'Best Wine of the Show' at the 2011 Australia / New Zealand Organic Wine Show with the recently released 2009 Lowe Mudgee Zinfandel.

The Australia / New Zealand Organic Wine Show was established in 2005 and is the only annual organic wine show dedicated to the judging and promotion of certified organic and biodymanic wines from Australia and New Zealand.

Showcasing the diversity, regionality and quality of organic wines, the show aims to help the organic wine sector carve a larger niche for itself on the shelves of the wine trade and in the knowledge base of wine connoisseurs.

The 2009 Lowe Zinfandel won two prestigious trophies; the 'Trophy for the Best Red Wine of the Show' and the prestigious 'Gil Wahlquist Trophy for the Best Wine of the Show'.

According to the Organic Wine Show's website, "the Best Wine of Show is awarded the beautiful Gil Wahlquist Trophy, designed and carved by Nick Statham (from Rosnay Organic Wines in Cowra) from a fallen tree. Gil Wahlquist planted the first organic vine in Australia in 1971, which then went on to become the first certified organic vineyard in 1984."

"2009 was a textbook season with a mild spring and good rainfall, then a benign, dry summer," explained Lowe Wines winemaker and owner, David Lowe. "Following the drought from 2002 onwards, this was a godsend. We crop-thinned the unripe fruit twice in the vineyard which helped produce outstanding fruit."

The 2009 Zinfandel is only made in very limited quantities and only in years where David Lowe deems the fruit to be of outstanding quality.

The 2009 Zinfandel was also recently named in the NSW Top 40 wines of 2011. The Citibank NSW Wines Awards will hold their Trophy Presentation and Awards dinner on 17 October 2011 at the Sydney Opera House.

Recent Awards:
• "Best Wine of the Show" Australia / New Zealand Organic Wine Show 2011
• "Best Red Wine of the Show" Australia / New Zealand Organic Wine Show 2011
• Gold Medal, Australia / New Zealand Organic Wine Show 2011 (19/20)
• Top 40, NSW Wines 2011
• The Gil Walhquist Perpetual Trophy for 'The Most Successful Exhibitor of the Show, Mudgee Wine Show 2011

Distribution: Lowe Wines are distributed by Single Vineyard Wines. All wines within the Lowe portfolio are available on line via the Lowe website at lowewine.com.au

The Sydney Boutique Wine Fair

2011-10-10T07:05:00.003+11:00

Media Release

A handpicked collection of small family owned & operated wine estates are visiting Sydney this October for the launch of The Sydney Boutique Wine Fair 2011. The fair is a casual tasting experience for those that enjoy a glass of wine and are looking to discover something new.

So what does boutique mean? First of all it has to have small production, however for us it means more than that. Being family owned with a focus on quality with a story behind it creates a wine that not only tastes good but is interesting as well

The specialist wine team at The Oak Barrel has selected more than 15 of their favourite small wine estates from NSW and the rest of the country, to be a part of the inaugural boutique wine fair.

The Oak Barrel will be hosting the event at their spacious CBD bottle shop on Elizabeth Street.

Manager Simon Clarke says 'With the big chain stores ignoring quality in preference for price, the onus has fallen on passionate stores to reveal the gems that lie hidden beneath the surface'. The Sydney Boutique Wine Fair gives wine drinkers the opportunity to discover some distinctly boutique wineries and broaden their wine knowledge.

Tickets are on sale now and for more information visit www.sydneyboutiquewinefair.com.au.

Fast Facts:

Dates: 12:00 – 15:00 Saturday 22nd October 2011

Location: The Oak Barrel Bottle Shop, 152 Elizabeth Street, Sydney 2000

Winsor's choice: De Iuliis 2009 Steven Vineyard Shiraz

2011-10-07T22:22:00.008+11:00

Winsor Dobbin

There is no doubt that Mike de Iuliis is among the brightest young winemaking talents in the Hunter Valley.

His 2011 semillon was one of the standouts of a recent Twitter tasting and this is another excellent offering made from the Hunter's other key grape variety.

Inky, with intense black pepper and wild berry aromas, it is full bodied on the palate with dark, rich fruit flavours, hints of earthiness and considerable poise and elegance (and only 13% alcohol).

A singe-vineyard wine from one of the Hunter's best blocks, this will almost certainly cellar well for a decade or more.

$40. www.dewine.com.au.

Canberra District home to Australia’s first winemaking Nobel Prize winner

2011-10-06T12:40:00.002+11:00

MEDIA RELEASE

The Canberra District is home to Australia's first winemaking Nobel Prize winner and Australian National University Scientist, Brian Schmidt, who was yesterday named joint winner of the 2011 Nobel Physics Prize for his research into supernovae.

Brian Schmidt is a world renowned astrophysicist who led the team that discovered that the universe is accelerating. But it's not just the stars that are of interest to Brian, he's also a talented winemaker who puts much time and effort into his wines under the Maipenrai label.

"While Brian's off exploring the world of astronomy, people are discovering the high quality of his Pinot Noir," said Brad Schafferius, President of the Canberra District Wine Industry Association.

Schmidt lives in Sutton just outside of the ACT where he has planted 1.1 hectares of grapes, specialising in Pinot Noir. The small winery sits atop the Yass River Valley, 760 metres above sea level where the vineyard's rocky soil and cool climate make growing Pinot Noir a challenge, but what results is an intensely flavoured wine. Last year this was recognised with James Halliday awarding Maipenrai a four star status.

"What Brian is doing with his wines is to be commended. He is producing a wonderful Pinot Noir in a difficult climate. The Canberra region is known more for Riesling and Shiraz but the Pinot continues to shine with a number of winemakers creating great drops," Brad said.

"A lot of small winery winemakers have 'other jobs' to supplement their winery business. The Canberra District has writers, teachers, public servants and now we can count a Nobel Prize winning physicist in that group," he continued.

Following Brian's Nobel Prize win yesterday, the Maipenrai Pinot Noir current vintage has sold out, but the next release of 2009 Maipenrai Pinot Noir will be available from December. Wines are available via mail order and select retailers and restaurants. See www.maipenrai.com.au for more information and stockists.

"The Canberra District wine makers congratulate Brian on this momentous award and look forward to the next release of Maipenrai Pinot Noir in December," Brad concluded.

Brian Schmidt can be followed on Twitter @cosmicpinot where he last night tweeted "I do not have the answer to life, the universe and everything. My advice. Work hard, take risks, have fun, and you never know..."

Canberra wines score well in NSW Top 40

2011-10-04T12:16:00.005+11:00

Media Release

Five Canberra District wines have just been named in the NSW Top 40 wines at the 2011 Citibank NSW Wine Awards.

“The fact that Canberra District wines can take five of the top 40 spots is testament to the quality of cool climate wines being produced in our region,” said Brad Schafferius, the new President of the Canberra District Wine Industry Association.

The Canberra District wines named in the top 40 were Capital Wines for the 2011 The Whip Riesling, Eden Road for the 2010 Gundagai Shiraz, Mount Majura Vineyard for the 2010 Tempranillo, Nick O’Leary for the 2010 Shiraz, and Ravensworth for the 2009 Shiraz Viognier.

The Citibank NSW Wine Awards were created in 1996 to build awareness of the quality of wines produced in NSW. Entries were judged by five panels of four judges comprising retailers, sommeliers and winemakers. The judging was chaired by Huon Hooke with panel chairs Philip Shaw, Corey Ryan, Nick Bullied, PJ Charteris and Mike De Garis.

“Some of the district’s wineries are relatively small in comparison to some of the other wineries that entered the awards, so this is again more recognition of the fact that our winemakers are creating wines that can match it with the best in the state, and across several wine varieties,” Brad concluded.

For more information on wines and wineries of the Canberra District go to www.canberrawines.com.au

PERFECT VINTAGE FOLLOWS WOES OF 2006

2011-10-03T21:29:00.001+11:00

WORTH an investment for the cellar:
or enjoy now with char-grilled eye fillet.

Wc03Oct11

David Ellis

STICKING by their philosophy of producing their popular Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot only when fruit quality warrants it, Margaret River maker Voyager Estate decided not to make and release the blend from the 2006 vintage.

"2006 was extremely challenging," says Voyager Manager of Winemaking and Viticulture, Steve James. "The winter was one of the coldest we've ever experienced, with rare, severe frosts. But by contrast we were rewarded in 2007 with a near-perfect growing season and warm to hot summer: it gave us fruit that was rich and ripe with excellent flavour concentration and tannins."

Steve chose the 88% Cabernet Sauvignon component from two major vineyards, and with a smaller quantity from a third and the 12% Merlot from yet a fourth, keeping each parcel of fruit separate throughout the winemaking process to achieve what he calls "exceptional balance" in the final blend.

This wine has rich dark berry fruits at its heart, and accompanying mocha and dark chocolate notes. At $60 its one well worth investing in for its cellaring potential and development up to 15 years, or to enjoy now while young with char-grilled eye fillet and a medley of corn and roasted peppers.

GREAT Australian Alsace-style Gewurztraminer to
savour with spicy, not- too-hot Thai dishes.

ONE FOR LUNCH: JOHN Cassegrain whose family winemaking heritage goes back to France in the 1600s, is a great believer that Australia really can produce wonderful examples of France's classic Alsace region aromatic Gewurztraminer… and he's using fruit from the cool NSW New England to achieve it at his Port Macquarie winery on the State's Mid North Coast.

"The variety suffered in 1970/80 when it was grown here in warm climates and blended with Riesling to produce sweetish, fairly ordinary wines," he says. "But delicate fruit we've sourced from Toppers Mountain Vineyard south of Inverell is perfect for great Alsace-style Gewurztraminer." Try his 2010 Edition Noir at $25 that's nicely fragrant and ideal with spicy, not-too-hot Thai dishes.

(NEED A FOOD/DRINK IDEA? Check out http://www.vintnews.com )

Winsor's choice: DiGiorgio Family 2008 Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon

2011-10-02T23:10:00.003+11:00

Winsor Dobbin

The DiGiorgio family are unsung heroes of the Limestone Coast wine region, producing nicely balanced wines at very fair prices. This is a classic - and affordable - Coonawarra cabernet with ripe, supple and sweet dark fruit characters matched by black olives notes, soft tannins and unobtrusive toasty French oak. Made by veteran Coonawarra winemaker Peter Douglas in the historic former Rouge Homme winery, this ticks all the regional boxes and will probably cellar well for a decade or more. But my bet is most of it will be drunk relatively young - it's a hard wine to resist. $26. www.digiorgio.com.au.

Chateau de Sours | It's more than a Rose Revolution this Spring...

2011-09-29T12:41:00.002+10:00

Media Release:

The Chateau de Sours harvest in France is now in full flight and here in Australia we are looking forward to the days heating up with warm Spring weather and long afternoons in the sun. Spring is the season for all wines Rose.

Chateau de Sours, from the famed Bordeaux region is a leader in Rosé production and is naturally a big supporter of the renewed global interest in Rosé.

Popularity for the pink drink is growing rapidly internationally and in Australia alone a 50% increase has been reported in the on-premise sales of Rosé in the last 12 months.*

The 2010 Chateau de Sours Rosé 2010 (RRP $28) has received particularly widespread acclaim, just like previous vintages which have been described as "possibly the best Rose in the world" by a leading UK journalist. The 2010 vintage is made from two of the regions hallmark varieties; Merlot and Cabernet Franc giving the wine great richness and, as always, a mouth-watering vivacious colour.

The French wine label's fine reputation can largely be attributed to the production of world class Rosé and, unlike many of the world's winemakers, Chateau de Sours proudly and intentionally produce Rosé as their flagship wine. So much so that the 2011 vintage will see this wine produced in brand new state of the art cellars designed exclusively for the production of Rosé.

The Australian public's love affair with the label looks set to continue with the release of the Chateau de Sours Réserve de Sours Sparkling Rosé (RRP $28). With its delightful bright salmon pink colour and crisp, refreshing acidity, this sparkling wine is a standout summertime aperitif and a most affordable alternative to the great wines of Champagne made in this same 'Methode Champenoise'.

Beneath the Chateau de Sours winery just outside St Emilion lies a labyrinth of caves used for the patient storage of the sparkling rosé. Made in this traditional method, the wine undergoes the second fermentation in bottle here, gently ageing on the lees for a minimum of 16 months. The result: a beautifully balanced and instantly appealing Réserve de Sours Sparkling Rosé, with fine persistent bubbles and a very delicate mousse; its aroma rich with ripe summer berry fruit and crushed raspberries.

As winter beckons in the northern hemisphere, the sun continues to shine on Chateau de Sours as Australia embraces the Rosé Revolution once again.** Alluring in its invigorating and vibrant European style, the Chateau de Sours Réserve de Sours Sparkling Rosé has timed its arrival perfectly.

Chateau de Sours wines are now available in 22 countries worldwide and in Australia are distributed by Tyrrell's Wines.

Distribution Enquiries: Tyrrell's Wines P: (02) 9028 7335 www.tyrells.com.au

*Wine Business Solutions On Premise Distribution Report Winter 2011

** Australian consumers will again have the chance to take part in the Rosé Revolution events this November. Visit http://rosewinerevolution.com for event details.

As the Weather Warms Up, Our Tastebuds Turn Chile

2011-09-28T05:10:00.000+10:00

Media Release:

This spring Australia is dancing to the beat of a caja chayera (a Chilean drum). Not only was it Chilean Independence Day on September 18th but also the Crave Sydney International Food Festival (Oct 1-31, 2011) has a South American flavour this year. An ideal time to try the new…

Handpicked Wines 2008 'Selections'
Carmenère, Maipo Valley Chile (RRP $20)

Carmenère, believed to be one of the original six noble grapes of Bordeaux, is now rarely found in France and has been successfully claimed by Chile as its own. Chile's dry, warm and moderated climate has proved to be perfect for this grape, producing delicious wines particularly when in the skilled hands of a winemaker like Eduardo Jordán.

Eduardo is known the world over, sometimes not by name but through his wines. Perhaps the strongest brand he has made wine for is De Martino – the first winery in Chile to label a wine as Carmenère. His knowledge of this grape enables him to create wines that truly showcase this variety at its best; crimson coloured, medium-bodied wines, with tannins that are gentler and softer than Cabernet Sauvignon, and a palate full of dark cherries, black fruits, lovely spice and smoky qualities, and a freshness of black fruit skin acidity.

There's not much Eduardo doesn't know about Carmenère or Chile's diverse soils or micro-climates. In fact, his full-time project is to search for new viticultural zones in Chile and he makes a habit of visiting other wine regions to update his knowledge. He extensive travels outside of Chile are how he became part of the Handpicked Wines family of winemakers.

Handpicked Wines, from Two Eights Australia, is a global winery that brings together an expert team of world-acclaimed winemakers and growers to hand-craft a uniquely diverse portfolio of wines suitable for any moment; a handpicked selection of highly-regarded classics from trusted regions, varieties and vintages (such as the Handpicked Wines 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon, Coonawarra) together with exciting, emerging styles and hot trends from around the world (such as this contemporary Carmenère).

Handpicked collaborates with winemakers who are open-minded, and whilst they are often champions of particular areas, they also appreciate listening, discussing and determining the best world-wide wine regions and current climatic conditions for both traditional and modern varieties. Winemakers like Eduardo Jordán, Dominique Portet, Peter Douglas and Rolf Binder, to name a few, who have helped create a handpicked fusion of wine styles – all under one brand – that wine lovers can come to for their well-known favourites or to enjoy discovering something new.

And if you don't get the opportunity to discover this great Carmenère this spring, don't worry. Chilean's also celebrate the day when they were "officially" proclaimed independence (Feb 12, 1818) so the festivities will start all over again in February. Salud, amor y tiempo para disfrutarlo – health, love and time to enjoy it!

Handpicked Wines are distributed by Two Eights Australia.

Available nationally though independent liquor stores.

www.handpicked-wines.com

International Sweet Wine Challenge: SMALL BUT PERFECTLY FORMED

2011-09-28T05:08:00.003+10:00

Media Release

Although most sweet wines come in half-sized bottles, they still offer exceptional value-for-money when you take into account the considerable resources, time and effort which goes into creating these little bottles of liquid gold. This year’s 2011 International Sweet Wine Challenge has just announced its results, shining a light on which are the best quality and value sweet and medium-sweet wines currently available...

TROPHY WINNERS

International Sweet Wine of the Year
Lillypilly 2008 Noble Blend

Best Medium Sweet ~ Delatite Winery 2010 Catherine Gewurztraminer

Best Young Sweet, Floral styles ~ Seifried Estate 2011 Winemakers Collection “Sweet Agnes” Riesling

Best Mature Sweet, Floral styles ~ Forrest Wines 2009 Forrest Botrytised Riesling

Best Mature Sweet, Semillon predominant ~ Berton Vineyards 2009 Botrytis Semillon

Best Young Sweet, Other Varieties and Blends ~ D’Arenberg 2010 The Noble Botryotinia

Best Mature Sweet, Other Varieties and Blends ~ Lillypilly 2008 Noble Blend

Best Sweet Wine from the Museum Class ~ Lillypilly 2002 Noble Blend

International Sweet Wine of the Year ~ Lillypilly 2008 Noble Blend

Highlighting the Riverina’s credentials to host the International Sweet Wine Challenge, it was a local wine which claimed the ultimate prize of the International Sweet Wine of the Year, the Lillypilly 2008 Noble Blend. The boutique Riverina producer, owned and run by the Fiumara family, impressively also claimed the trophy for the separate Museum Class, a class created to showcase rarer more unusual older styles of wines, with its 2002 Noble Blend.

Judge Ben Edwards (co-contributor to James Halliday’s Wine Companion and President of Sommeliers Australia) said, “This year’s winner showed beautiful purity and concentration, demonstrating why the Riverina is still a powerhouse when it comes to wines of this style."

Nearly 100 sweet wines were entered this year, and judged by some of Australia’s most talented palates, including Ben Edwards and chaired by Lester Jesberg (a prolific wine show judge and author of Winewise). They were also joined by International guest judge Simon Nunns (Coopers Creek Vineyards, New Zealand) who was thrilled to see a higher number of New Zealand wines entered this year; two of which, from Forrest Wines and Seifried Estate, collected Trophies.

The Riverina Winemakers Association created the International Sweet Wine Challenge six years ago to highlight the quality of sweet wines around the world and allow Australian sweet wines to be judged alongside their international counterparts. The Challenge has grown in strength each year, along with the international interest and demand for sweet and medium-sweet wine styles.

Riverina Winemakers’ Association president Les Worland said, “The aim of the International Sweet Wine Challenge is to bring all the various styles together, to allow us to compare and contrast, and then help promote greater understanding and awareness of these delicious wines.”

www.sweetwinechallenge.com.au

Canberra’s wineries to lure visitors with Wine, Roses and All that Jazz

2011-09-27T13:58:00.001+10:00

MEDIA RELEASE

Canberra District Wineries are gearing up for what is set to be another fantastic Wine, Roses and All that Jazz Festival, to be held this year on the weekend of 5 and 6 November.

This year 22 of the region’s wineries are participating in what will be a delightful two days of cool climate wines, smooth live jazz and the blooms and scents of spring roses, known for being successfully grown side by side with the vines.

“This is a key event on the Canberra District Wineries calendar. The festival always pleases visitors who come to escape the busyness of this time of year, and relax with the sights, smells, and sounds of spring – and of course the great wines and live music we have on offer,” said festival organiser, Annemaree Schafferius of Tallagandra Hill winery.

“For the locals it’s an extra reason to get out and explore the many wineries located right on their doorstep, all within 35 mins drive of Canberra city,” Annemaree continued.

Some of the experiences on offer as part of the festival this year include tasty Mediterranean mezze with sparkling Bel Canto and music by ‘As famous as the moon’ at Brindabella Hills; the opportunity to test your senses with a wine scents challenge and barrel samples at Four Winds Vineyard; disgorging your own bottle of fermented rosé and a long lunch at Lark Hill Biodynamic Wines; viewing an art exhibition and enjoying music from ‘Acca Daicquiris’ at Shaw Vineyard Estate; and a rare opportunity to taste the 2010 Shiraz Viognier at Clonakilla. *

“This year we also have the Festival Passport available. Visitors get their passport stamped at three of the participating festival wineries to go into the draw to win one of three Canberra District mixed dozens,” Annemaree concluded.

For more information go to www.canberrawines.com.au or call (02) 6205 0044.

DIARY DATE:

What: Wine, Roses and all that Jazz Festival
Where: 22 Canberra District Wineries, various locations
When: 5 – 6 November 2011
Cost: Various depending on festival event
Web: www.canberrawines.com.au

Another Record Breaking Year for Beelgara Estate

2011-09-27T13:44:00.001+10:00

Media Release:

Beelgara Estate winery's Managing Director, Peter Toohey, has announced that the Australian winemaker has just recorded an increase on last year's record profit. "We are extremely proud of our 2011 results which follow on from an excellent profit result last year".

Beelgara is one of the top twenty wineries in Australia and has just been awarded a prestigious five star rating from the renowned wine writer, James Halliday. This effectively ranks it amongst the elite of premium Australian winemakers.

Beelgara's EBITDA for the 2011 fiscal year was circa $2.1 million, in line with the previous years results, with before tax profit up by 11% on net sales. Revenue came in at circa $16 million for the year. "The most pleasing aspect of last year's results," Mr Toohey said, "was that in a year of worsening market conditions internationally, we were able to improve our overall profit position."

Beelgara has just signaled that the budgeted 2012 fiscal years profit before tax is projected to rise by 10% on prior year , a bold prediction, but one the management team is confident of delivering.

Experts believe that the industry has passed the bottom of its cycle and that there will be gradual improvements in the sector moving ahead. Against this backdrop of industry sentiment, Beelgara has signaled that it is in merger and acquisition mode after its purchase of the iconic Cockatoo Ridge wine brand late last year. "Beelgara has a strong balance sheet, with minimum debt and a positive cash flow, which we intend to use to secure further acquisitions", Mr Toohey said.

Mr. Toohey has signaled a period of expansion through merger and acquisitions to further broaden Beelgara's sales base while releasing economies through amortising surplus capacity in its 15,000 tone facility as well as having the potential to significantly increase the profit line through acquisitional cost savings.

www.beelgara.com.au

Celebrate Pinot at Max's - Red Hill Esate

2011-09-27T12:34:00.000+10:00

Media Release

Mornington Peninsula Pinot Week

Pinot Celebration Dinner

Friday 14 October, 7pm

Celebrate the grape at Max's Restaurant with our partnership dinner.
Beginning with Blanc de Noirs and canapes in the Red Hill Estate cellar door, be introduced to four of the Peninsula's finest cool climate pinot producers over a matched four course menu designed by Max Paganoni. Featuring tastings from Red Hill Estate, Scorpo Wines, Staindl Wines and Yabby Lake Vineyard.

Come with us on our journey of discovery in Pinot with interactive detail from the winemakers about the wine origins, vineyard sites and vintage characteristics.

Fabulous value at $150 per person, including wines.
Numbers for this event are strictly limited, so book now on 03 5931 0177

Established in 1989, Red Hill Estate is a multi-award winning wine producer, which boasts one of the best views from any winery in the world.
Scorpo Wines strives to make wines that are complex and intense in flavour. The wines also aim to evokea strong sense of place.
Staindl wines are committed to biodynamics, making small parcels of hand managed, long, textured wines from old vines. Enjoy.

53 Shoreham Road
Red Hill South
Victoria 3937

Tel: (03) 5931 0177
Fax: (03) 5989 2204

Email: info@maxsrestaurant.com.au

www.maxsrestaurant.com.au

Sparkling Spring Racing with Blue Pyrenees

2011-09-26T16:28:00.001+10:00

MEDIA RELEASE:

This spring racing season is set to sparkle with Blue Pyrenees releasing their two new sparkling wines out of the gates in time for their largest and most coveted event, the PJA Blue Pyrenees Avoca Cup.

2008 Blue Pyrenees Midnight Cuvee (RRP $30)

Blue Pyrenees Luna (RRP $20)

These 100% estate-grown and crafted Méthode Traditionelle sparkling wines from Blue Pyrenees will see the punters sipping trackside in style, and will be the perfect accompaniment to any lawn party this spring racing season.

Blue Pyrenees is one of the Australia's 'favourites' when it comes to producing both sparkling and table wines and using tried and tested contemporary winemaking techniques combined with parcels of top-quality fruit has led this winery to be a leader in their field.

The Western Victorian vineyard sites provide an ideal terroir for producing grape varietals used in sparkling wines. The company's flagship sparkling wine, the Midnight Cuvee is named after a time consuming yet worthwhile harvesting trial from the 1980's, where the sparkling Chardonnay grapes were handpicked under the light of the moon (and a few floodlights!) starting at midnight, avoiding the heat of day and delivering the grapes in optimum condition plus a bonus increase in natural acidity. This spectacular sparkling wine has benefited from 3 years on yeast lees but retains the original balance, length and fresh acidity from the night picked grapes.

The harvesting and winemaking methods, including bottle fermentation, is replicated for Midnight Cuvee's non-vintage sibling Luna, and Andrew Koerner, Senior Winemaker at Blue Pyrenees is extremely proud of the results. "The quality and value of both of these wines demonstrates that Blue Pyrenees are among the frontrunners of Australian and international sparkling wine producers. From vineyard to glass, we take exorbitant amounts of care to ensure that the end result is positively memorable".

These two sparkling wines and more from the award-winning Blue Pyrenees range will be available at one of Victoria's premier days in the spring racing calendar, the PJA Blue Pyrenees Avoca Cup. Happening Saturday 15th October, it is a day not to be missed and will feature the regions best food, wine and hospitality! For further information visit www.avocaraceclub.com.au

www.bluepyrenees.com.au

NSW Wine Top 40 Unveiled Today

2011-09-26T12:58:00.001+10:00

REVEALS HIGH QUALITY & HUGE DIVERSITY

The battle narrows today for the coveted 2011 Citibank NSW Wine of the Year title, with the announcement of the 2011 Citibank NSW Wine Awards Top 40 Wines (full list of winners below). And this year, more than any other, the winning wines truly represent the high quality and huge diversity of the wines available from NSW's 14 different wine regions.

Over 820 wines were entered in to this year's competition, so the panel of 20 judges, Chaired by Huon Hooke, had a hard task to select 40 of the best and most interesting wines to be named part of the Top 40. It is from these wines that the supreme Trophy winners and ultimately the 2011 Citibank NSW Wine of the Year will be selected (and announced on Monday 17 October at the 2011 Citibank NSW Wine Awards Presentation Dinner at Guillaume at the Sydney Opera House).

This year's winning Top 40 is made up of wines from 11 different wine regions (4 more than last year) and an impressive 14 different grape varieties/blends.

Whilst the well-known Hunter Valley wine region still produced a large number of winners (13), Orange increased its holding again this year, moving in to the number two spot with 6 wines named in the Top 40, while the neighbouring Central Ranges, also featured with 3 entries in the Top 40. The other Top 40 titles were shared between the Riverina (5), Canberra District (4), Southern Highlands (3), Mudgee (2), Gundagai (1), Hilltops (1), Shoalhaven Coast (1) and Tumbarumba (1).

Further demonstrating the diversity of NSW wine in style, 14 different grape varieties or blends were used to make these "best-of-the-best" wines. For the white wines, Semillon and Chardonnay still shone but Sauvignon Blanc, Viognier, Verdelho and Riesling all proved they can make high-quality wines in different regions in NSW. For the red wines, Shiraz was still top but closely followed by Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, Tempranillo, Durif, Zinfandel, Merlot and a unique blend of Rondinella and Corvina.

For your chance to taste all of the Top 40 wines and be one of the first to try the wine crowned the 2011 Citibank NSW Wine of the Year,

attend the Citibank NSW Wine Awards "Best of the Best Top 40" Tasting, to be held on Thursday 20 October at the Cargo Hall of the Overseas Passenger Terminal…

Discover the "best of the best" wines from the 2011 Citibank NSW Wine Awards, either in a small group guided by one of the State's most talented winemakers or as a self-guided tour of wine from NSW's diverse wine regions. All guests will receive a souvenir NSW Wine glass and Top 40 wine booklet, and the wines will be accompanied by light refreshments.

When:                                    Thursday 20 October 2011

Where:                                   The Cargo Hall, Overseas Passenger Terminal, Circular Quay

Trade/Media Tasting          2.00- 4.00pm    Pre-registration compulsory at www.nswwine.com.au

Consumer Tasting              5.00- 9.00pm    $55pp including wine, souvenir wine glass, winemaker guided tour & light refreshments

This event is part of Crave Sydney International Food Festival, presented by Citibank.

Book:                                      Tickets can be purchased online at www.nswwine.com.au

And the Citibank 2011 NSW Wine Awards Top 40 are (in alphabetical order):

1.       Angullong 2010 Bulls Roar Tempranillo, Central Ranges ($25)
2.       Audrey Wilkinson 2011 Winemakers Selection Semillon, Hunter ($25)
3.       Ballabourneen 2011 Majors Lane Semillon, Hunter ($25
4.       Barwang "842" 2009 Chardonnay, Tumbarumba ($35)
5.       Brangayne Of Orange 2009 Tristan Cabernet Shiraz Merlot, Orange ($30)
6.       Brokenwood 2011 Forest Edge Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc, Orange ($25)
7.       Capital Wines 2011 The Whip Riesling, Canberra District ($19)
8.       Centennial Reserve 2010 Pinot Noir, Southern Highlands ($30)
9.       Centurion Wines 2011 Verdelho, Hunter ($19)
10.    Cherry Tree Hill 2006 Riesling, Southern Highlands ($25)
11.    Constable Estate 2010 Premium Semillon, Hunter ($24)
12.    Coolangatta Estate 2006 Semillon, Shoalhaven Coast ($45)
13.    De Bortoli 2009 Deen De Bortoli Durif, Riverina ($13)
14.    De Bortoli 2008 Noble One, Riverina ($64)
15.    De Iuliis Wines 2009 Steven Vineyard Shiraz , Hunter ($40)
16.    Eden Road 2010 Gundagai Shiraz, Gundagai ($45)
17.    First Creek Wines Winemakers Reserve 2010 Chardonnay, Hunter ($40)
18.    First Creek Wines Winemakers Reserve 2010 Shiraz, Hunter ($42)
19.    Freeman Vineyards Secco Aged Release 2004 Rondinella Corvina, Hilltops ($75)
20.    Hanwood NV Pinot Noir Chardonnay, Riverina ($13)
21.    Hedberg Hill 2010 Claudia's Viognier, Orange ($20)
22.    Lillypilly 2002 Noble Blend, Riverina ($40)
23.    Logan 2009 Weemala Merlot, Central Ranges ($18)
24.    Logan 2009 Cabernet Merlot, Orange ($25)
25.    Lowe 2009 Zinfandel, Mudgee ($75)
26.    Mistletoe Winery 2009 Reserve Chardonnay, Hunter ($40)
27.    Mount Majura Vineyard 2010 Tempranillo, Canberra District ($40)
28.    Nick O'Leary 2010 Shiraz, Canberra District ($30)
29.    Philip Shaw 2010 No 11 Chardonnay, Orange ($35)
30.    Pokolbin Estate 2005 Reserve Shiraz, Hunter ($50)
31.    Printhie Wines2010 Mt Canobolas Collection Chardonnay, Orange ($35)
32.    Ravensworth 2009 Shiraz Viognier, Canberra District ($27)
33.    Saddlers Creek 2008 Supreme Botrytis, Riverina ($36)
34.    Tertini 2009 Pinot Noir, Southern Highlands ($30)
35.    Thistle Hill 2011 Organic Riesling, Mudgee ($40)
36.    Thomas Wines 2006 Braemore Semillon, Hunter ($45)
37.    Tulloch Wines 2011 JYT Selection Semillon, Hunter ($25)
38.    Two Rivers 2011 Stones Throw Semillon, Hunter ($16)
39.    Tyrrell's Vineyards 2008 Vat 47 Chardonnay, Hunter ($50)
40.    Winburndale Wines 2008 Fontana Cabernet Sauvignon, Central Ranges ($30)

MR MICK A LABEL THAT BOTTLES-UP HISTORY

2011-09-26T10:10:00.002+10:00

Wc26Sep11

BOTTLING-up history – and a
delight with most Asian cuisines.

David Ellis

CLARE Valley makers Tim Adams and Pam Goldsack have launched an interesting new label they call Mr Mick after Tim's friend and mentor, the legendary Mick Knappstein.

And their idea is to emulate Mick's philosophy of making wines for everyone to enjoy, with good flavour, regional and varietal definition, and affordable pricing (the Mr Mick range at $15 a bottle includes a Mr Mick Gela Blanc de Blanc NV named after Mick's wife, a 2011 Riesling, 2011 Rosé, 2009 Shiraz and 2009 Cabernet Shiraz, and a 2011 Late Harvest Riesling.)

The 2011 Rosé is also a reflection of Mick Knappstein's passion for the style, and how in the 1960s his nephew Tim Knappstein, who'd just qualified from Roseworthy College, produced a first-ever Rosé for Leasingham under Mick's stewardship, and which went on to considerable acclaim.

The 2011 Mr Mick Rosé has a subtle complexity to it, with fruity raspberry, strawberry, lychee and white peach flavours… a lovely drop as an aperitif or to share with most Asian cuisines.

TASTE of Northern Italy:
share it with pizzas or pastas.

ONE FOR LUNCH: DAN Murphy's has been appointed exclusive Australian retailer for Northern Italy's Pio Cesare that was founded in 1881, and was one of the first producers to believe in the potential of the Piedmont region for growing Barbera grapes.

Long considered a poorer cousin in Piedmont, Barbera is now the second-most planted grape in Italy, and is fighting a rear-guard action to prove itself as more than just fruit for budget-wine making.

The 2008 Pio Cesare Barbera d'Alba is one of these new quality Barberas, with delightful ripe plum and blackberry flavours. Pay $29.99 at Dan Murphy's and enjoy with its homeland food favourites of pizzas and pastas.

(NEED A FOOD/DRINK IDEA? Check out http://www.vintnews.com )

Sydney's Food Scene Uncovered

2011-09-26T09:49:00.002+10:00

October is all about food in Sydney. With the Crave Sydney International Food Festival in town and record numbers of new restaurants and bars opening across the city, there really is no better time to take a bite out of Sydney’s food scene. We hope you’re hungry!

Full Details

Growing Experience the Key to a Challenging 2011

2011-09-26T08:33:00.003+10:00

Media Release

After a challenging 2011 vintage, the Orange region is beginning to see the results of judicious vineyard management with the release of the 2011 whites.

Angullong has recently released their 2011 Angullong Sauvignon Blanc ($17.00) and 2011 Angullong 'Fossil Hill' Pinot Gris ($22.00).

"Orange has been making some serious in-roads over the past few years," explained Angullong owner, Ben Crossing. "The region, as a whole, has received numerous awards for our Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Gris wines."

"The winemaking and vinicultural experience and knowledge is continuing to grow, and with it, the quality of the wines increase. If we'd had a vintage like 2011 five years ago, it would have been a different result. In a relatively short timeframe the region has substantially increased its understanding of its winegrowing. This, along with the fantastic collaboration between winemakers, has helped the quality immensely."

"The latest news from 'NSW Wine' is indicating that there has been further, substantial growth of NSW within NSW. There is some NSW wine parochialism starting to creep in. We have certainly seen this with a steady increase in the quantity of these wines that we are selling."

Both the Angullong Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Gris were made from grapes grown on the Angullong vineyard, situated on the southern fringe of the Orange GI, with a small portion of fruit from higher up the mountain.

"A small parcel of fruit from around 950 metres helps add another layer of flavour to these wines," commented Ben. "Our vineyard captures the riper profiles of the varieties, whilst the higher elevation vineyards add some further depth and structure to the finished wines."

Pricing:
2011 Angullong Sauvignon Blanc $17.002011 Angullong 'Fossil Hill' Pinot Gris $22.00
Distribution:

Angullong wines are distributed in NSW, QLD and ACT by Cogito Wines and direct from the Cellar Door at Millthorpe or via the website at www.angullong.com.au

Angullong Wines is located in the picturesque foothills of Orange's Mount Canobolas in NSW. The property has been in the Crossing family since 1950 and has been run as a successful sheep and cattle station prior to diversifying into grape growing and winemaking in 1998. In 2009 Angullong opened their cellar door in the historic bluestone stables in the village of Millthorpe

Orange Wine Week Program released

2011-09-26T07:46:00.006+10:00

The Orange Wine Region is preparing itself for another week of wine education, tasting, food matching and judging, with the annual 2011 Orange Wine Week set for October.

Orange Wine Week (21-30 October 2011) will showcase the rich and  diverse wine and food culture and allow visitors to meet the talented wine growers and producers from the region.

The program for the 2011 Orange Wine Week was officially launched at Taste Orange @ Bondi last week. Wine Week features over 80 different events including four key events. These comprise

‘Saint Martin’ & ‘Impresstik’ Orange Wine Show Public Tasting

Friday 21st October, 5.30pm to 7.30pm, Orange Showground Pavilion.

The Orange Wine Show results booklet will be hot off the press and visitors will have the opportunity to discover the award winning wines, poured by the winemakers and vignerons. This is a unique experience to get up close and personal with the people who grow the grapes and make the wine. Cost: $35.00 per person.

Orange Terroir Tour
Thursday 27th October, 1pm to 7.00pm.

Tour three Orange Region vineyards from the 600m start of the region to the 1100m summit, with the region’s best food and wine. The tour will show region’s varying soils, climate and the altitude that makes up the cool climate wine style of Orange. Cost: $65.00 per person.

Orange Wine Week Night Market in Robertson Park
Friday 28th October, 5.30pm to 8.30pm.

This street market features a plethora of wine and food stalls, a children’s entertainment area, table seating in the street and a full line up of local live entertainment. Free entry.

O-I Cellar Door Grazing Trail
All week during 21-30 October

The Cellar Door grazing trail allows visitors to experience the region’s cellar doors at their own pace. Every cellar door will be open, and those participating in the grazing trail will be offering simple yet flavoursome local dishes at a price not exceeding $10.00. This is a perfect way to experience the region through its wine and food.

Orange Wine Week offers visitors a broad range of experiences within the region. From casual family entertainment to educational opportunities for the serious wine lover, the week offers visitors a chance to discover and enjoy Orange’s emerging wine culture.

The complete 2011 Orange Wine Week program is available at http://www.tasteorange.com.au/wineweek.htm

For more information please visit www.tasteorange.com.au

Sangiovese dances into Spring

2011-09-20T22:30:00.000+10:00

Media release

Spring at Tintilla Estate is a time to celebrate new beginnings and all things al fresco! Nestled in the picturesque hills of the Hunter Valley there is a hive of activity going on in the Mediterranean inspired family-owned and operated cellar door as the Lusbys launch two exciting new wines…

Tintilla Estate Tarantella (RRP $30)

Tintilla Estate Rosalind Sparkling Blush (RRP $28)

The Lusby family has long maintained a love affair with Italian wine and cuisine, and recognising Australia’s shared passion for the Tuscan lifestyle, Tintilla Estate pioneered the planting of the famed and food-friendly Italian grape variety Sangiovese in the Hunter. These two new handcrafted wines exemplify Tintilla’s flagship variety; one that has certainly found itself at home in the Hunter due to the region’s climate and soil profile resembling that of the vines’ native Tuscany.

Lively and full of flavour, the Tintilla Estate Tarantella (RRP $30) is an intriguing blend of Sangiovese, Cabernet, Merlot and Shiraz, giving it a deep colour, rich berry flavour and soft tannins that dance in your mouth. The Tarantella takes its name from the frenzied “spider dance” of ancient Greek and Italian celebrations, later adopted in the Southern Italian region of Puglia. It was believed that a deadly spider bite could be cured by dancing the whirling ‘Tarantella’ to the beat of loud percussion music!

As the nights heat up and the days grow longer, another wine that will get you dancing this spring is the Tintilla Rosalind Sparkling Blush (RRP $28). The Sangiovese grapes produce a wine that is brilliantly translucent in appearance, with fine bubbles and crisp aromas of strawberry and watermelon. This blushing beauty is the ideal fizz for the festive season and is sure to hit the ground running as Australians once again embrace the Rosé Revolution*, celebrating the pale and delicious European styles that have begun to grace our shores.

Passionately integrating family, food and wine, the Italian way of life seems to be a winning formula at Tintilla Estate. Father and son winemaking team Robert and James Lusby perfectly demonstrate the versatility of Sangiovese with these two wines.

*Visit http://rosewinerevolution.com/

Tintilla wines available online at www.tintilla.com.au at Cellar Door 725 Hermitage Rd Pokolbin 2320 (Ph) 02 6574 7093 or via distributor Euro Concepts Sydney.

Distribution enquiries: Euro Concepts Sydney E: info@euroconceptssydney.com.au

TRUE BLUE – WITH A TWIST OF FRANCE

2011-09-19T10:50:00.002+10:00

TASTES good, looks good and
immediately drinkable.

Wc19Sep11

David Ellis

WINEMAKER Scott Comyns at the Hunter Valley's Tempus Two has created an interesting 2011 Sauvignon Blanc under the company's Copper Series label, a wine that's true-blue Aussie yet has suggestions of French Fumé Blanc about it.

And by bottling the wine under an eye-catching copper label, he's done what company founder Lisa McGuigan has always sought to achieve: that is to create a wine that tastes good, looks good and is immediately drinkable.

Scott used fruit from the Adelaide Hills for this wine, fermenting it in 100% French oak barrels to give it that almost-French twist that he believes will appeal to the changing palate of Australian wine drinkers. "The Copper Series is about traditional European varietals and blends," he says. "This 2011 Sauvignon Blanc is hugely exciting with its Australian and French twists."

A LIGHT red to serve out of
the fridge on a warm day.

With tropical fruit aromas of lychees and gooseberries and a smooth palate that's got a touch of creaminess to it, this is a nice drop to enjoy with a Caesar Salad, or try it with white fish pan fried in lemon butter. Pay $19.99.

ONE FOR LUNCH: ANOTHER Hunter Valley boutique maker, Ballabourneen has released a 2011 Gamay Noir that's one of those lighter-bodied reds we agree with its maker shows every good reason for serving out of the fridge now that warmer days are heading our way.

Made from fruit from one of Australia's few plantings of Gamay, this almost-Beaujolais style wine has beautifully fine dark-berry flavours and a touch of cherry sweetness. Pay $25, and as maker Daniel Binet suggests, chill it down a bit in the fridge, and enjoy with cold herb-crusted chicken and a sun-dried tomato salad, or if you prefer with something hot, salmon steaks with a sweet chilli sauce.

(NEED A FOOD/DRINK IDEA? Check out http://www.vintnews.com )

Site Search Now Added

2011-09-17T11:02:00.003+10:00

Yes, it was a bit slow in coming, but we've added a 'Site Search' facility to Vintnews. Locate wine brands, types and labels instantly. Go on, try it now.

Custom Search

Akarua Pinot Noirs Shine at 2011 Decanter Awards

2011-09-17T10:57:00.003+10:00

Media Release

Akarua Rua 2010 Measures up Against the World's Top Pinot Noirs

Akarua Rua Pinot Noir 2010 from the famed Pinot Noir producing Central Otago region of New Zealand took home one of only 11 Gold medals awarded to New Zealand wines from more than 12,200 international entries in the UK's prestigious Decanter World Wine Awards 2011.

Notably Akarua Rua 2010 has also been named Number 4 wine on Decanter's World Wine Awards Top 8 Pinot Noir List for 2011. This stellar achievement, for a newly released wine which is the entry-point in Akarua's lineup of three Pinot Noirs, only further confirms Akarua's ability to produce top quality Pinot Noir at all levels.

Rua (RRP $32) is made from estate grown fruit from Akarua's vineyards in the sub-region of Bannockburn, which is widely regarded as the "jewel in Central Otago's crown". It is deliberately made in a style that can be consumed young and fresh, while retaining hallmark Central Otago characters of intense dark berry fruits, a velvety texture and soft bright finish.

The Akarua range also includes a Pinot Gris (RRP $31) made in the house style which highlights the orange blossom and pear characters that the sandy loam soils of the estate has become known for.

The benchmark Pinot Noir from the Akarua range is the Akarua Estate Pinot Noir 2010 ($48), which sits in the middle of the trio of Pinot Noirs from this famed estate. A wonderful vintage year is evident in the poise, concentration and balance this wine possesses.

First planted in 1996, Akarua is the largest privately owned estate in Central Otago. Under second generation family leadership, Akarua has never been in such a strong position as it is today as it continues to receive international recognition, coinciding with increasing presence in markets outside New Zealand.

Akarua Winemaker Matt Connell is delighted. "We are focused on providing consistently great wines from our Akarua vineyard which will introduce wine lovers from all around the world to the delights of Central Otago wines."

Akarua has enjoyed a string of successes with their 2009 vintage wines; Champion Pinot Noir Trophy at the Royal Easter Show 2011 for Akarua Pinot Noir 2009 and Gold Medals in the Air NZ Wine Awards 2010 and the NZ International Wine Show 2010 for Akarua Reserve Pinot Noir 2009.

The team at Akarua is confident of another great year with such a positive first showing for the 2010 vintage. Also recently released from the Akarua portfolio are the new vintages of Akarua Pinot Noir 2010 and Akarua Pinot Gris 2010.

Akarua Pinot Gris 2010 RRP $31 (LUC $19.35 excl GST)
Akarua Rua Pinot Noir 2010 RPR $32 (LUC $19.35 excl GST)
Akarua Pinot Noir 2010 RRP $48 (LUC $29.03 excl GST)

Distributed by:

Vinous Solutions (NSW) Contact tim@vinous.com.au or ph: +61 (0) 2 9572 7285
Marquee Wines (Victoria) Contact nick@marqueewines.com.au or ph: +61 (0) 409 597 050

Adelaide Hills Wine Region

2011-09-17T10:35:00.003+10:00

Source: Great Wine Adventure

Now it may be construed (quite unfairly I hasten to add) as laziness, starting our great wine adventure through Australia’s 65 magnificent wine regions with a region barely 15 minutes up the road from my house.

Indeed, when a blue and white ’74 kombi is what’s hoping to get you across your 20,000 km odyssey – starting with a nice, achievable distance is not an altogether silly idea.

But it’s not just the fact that the Adelaide Hills are less than 20 mins east up the freeway from the city of Adelaide (if we may call it a city) that has brought us here – “the Hills” is a seriously cool wine region, as vast and varied as they come, and the old kombi has many-a-time trekked its way up and down and across and all around its beautiful winding and undulating roads in recent years.

When I think of Adelaide Hills, I think of some of Australia’s best cool climate Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir and Shiraz (or Syrah, as many producers are going with – a homage to a more elegant style of Shiraz that the region produces).

I think of superb boutique Sparkling producers hidden in its peaks and valleys, and you’ll find splashes of fine Pinot Gris, Riesling, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and even the occasional surprize Cab Franc or Gruner Veltliner.

It’s easy to forget, with such iconic producers as Petaluma, Shaw + Smith, and Nepenthe that the Hills really only came to life as a wine region in the seventies, though there were vineyards planted back in the 1800’s.

There are few places in the world as beautiful to have lunch as The Lane or Longview.

Historic, picture-book little towns like Stirling, Bridgewater, Chain of Ponds, Lobethal, Nairne, the “Little Germany” that is Hahndorf, sit perched aloft, some over 600 metres above sea level.

There is gold in the hills near Woodside, there are even rumours of an underwater town up near Birdswood, forever submerged when the gorge was dammed up to create the Millbrook Reservoir.

Apple and cherry orchards line the roads, and in season you could pull over and pick fresh fruit bursting with flavour right off the trees. Of course, I’m not condoning this type of thievery – I’m just saying, you could, if you were that way inclined.

Climb up the trek from Waterfall Gully to the top of Mount Lofty and you’re sitting 710 metres above sea level. And if you’re as fit as me, you’ll bloody feel it!

It’s 70 km from Gumeracha up north to Macclesfield down south, and you’re virtually bordering Eden Valley and McLaren Vale at each point.

But it’s not the geography, the topography, or even the photography of the region that has won a place in my heart for the Hills – it’s the world class Chardonnay and rich, juicy Pinot.

It’s the dream of one day buying 20 acres of rolling green hills, with a tumble-down old stone cottage that I restore and turn into a family home for generations to come. Some fruit trees, a big veggie garden, and just a few rows of Chardonnay and Pinot, to see me through my twilight years in bliss.

Ah, Adelaide Hills – don’t go anywhere, I’ll be up there soon!

PJ Charteris & Brokenwood | The times, they are a changin'...

2011-09-17T09:35:00.001+10:00

Media Release

As Bob Dylan once famously penned "the times, they are a changin'".

After 12 years as barista, brewer, roustabout, cleaner, mixologist, tour guide but mostly Winemaker at Brokenwood, P-J Charteris is about to embark on a new challenge, all of his own.

From his formative wine years in the early 1980's in New Zealand the magic and mystique of Pinot Noir has never been far from P-J's mind. So for many it will be hardly surprising to see P-J succumb to this lure and hang up his Brokenwood hat in favour of his fledgling Charteris wine brand from Central Otago, the second vintage of the Winter Vineyard Pinot Noir is soon to be released. Charteris Wines will also be expanding their range in 2012 to include a single vineyard Central Otago Chardonnay and Riesling.

P-J is also rumoured to be continuing his obsession with multitasking and maintains that he'll be involved with some other projects here in Australia too, under the guise of Charteris Wine Consulting.

P-J's time at Brokenwood has been synergistic with the rise and rise of one of Australia's most successful small wineries. From developing new vineyard resources, embracing new grape varieties and wine styles, to the fostering of up-and-coming winemaking talent, there has always been one eye on the horizon and that next challenge for P-J.

"The time is right" says P-J referring to his time at Brokenwood, which recently saw Brokenwood's Graveyard Shiraz elevated to the "Exceptional" tier of the Langton's Classification, "and what better timing than coinciding this recognition for consistency of quality with Brokenwood's recent 40th birthday celebrations. I'll be definitely leaving on a high."

Away from Graveyard Shiraz the last 10 years has seen the focus on single site wines develop with benchmark results from Hunter Valley Semillon, the Wade Block 2 Shiraz from McLaren Vale and Chardonnay from the Indigo Vineyard at Beechworth and the Forest Edge Vineyard in Orange.

P-J attributes much of the success of Brokenwood to the secret manifesto-like gatherings of the winemaking team around the dining table upstairs above the old winery tasting, discussing and enjoying the great wines of the world.

Brokenwood has been nothing short of encouraging of P-J's career and in particular his wine show judging. As a result P-J is a respected senior judge at wine shows around Australia and has been the Chairman of Judges at the Barossa Valley Wine Show for the last 3 years. P-J was also named 'Winemaker of the Year' in 2010 at the Hunter Valley Wine Industry Awards, an award judged by his peers tells the tale of the mark P-J has made in the Hunter.

"We wish P-J resounding success with Charteris Wines and any of his endeavours in the future, he's definitely in Australia's top echelon of winemakers, so its great he can put his name and energy into his own brand" Iain Riggs, Chief Winemaker/Managing Director of Brokenwood comments.

It is therefore with a fair bit of emotion and a lot of excitement that P-J makes the great leap into another chapter of this exciting and dynamic world of wine. We're sure that everyone will be watching.

Koonowla | Good news from the 2011 vintage...

2011-09-17T09:33:00.001+10:00

At last … Good news from the 2011 Vintage!

Koonowla is pleased to announce the release of an exciting new wine in its range, the 2011 Ringmaster Clare Valley Riesling (RRP $15.99). Defying some of Australia's worst harvest weather conditions in recent history, Koonowla has "dodged the bullet" of the 2011 harvest conditions to release a terrific Clare Riesling.

Harvested in February and bottled in June 2011, this elegant Riesling is bursting with flavour and notable floral, lime and spice aromas; perfectly zesty and well structured. This latest addition to the Ringmaster range represents excellent value for money.

As experts bemoan the shortcomings of this year's harvest, Andrew Michael from Koonowla is pleased to see some good come out of the 2011 vintage "It has certainly been a challenging time, particularly for larger commercial producers. We were very lucky in that respect as being a small operation allowed us to have more 'hands on' time with the vines, and our micro-climate escaped the worst of the weather."

The Ringmaster series are magnificent wines made from premium Clare Valley fruit. The 2008 Ringmaster Clare Valley Shiraz (RRP $15.99) has an intense deep colour with rich red and black berry aromas. Thankfully the region avoided the worst of 2008's heatwave; harvesting at night ensured the fruit quality was not compromised.

The 2008 Ringmaster Clare Valley Cabernet Sauvignon is sure to impress when it is released in the very near future; a staple in the impressive Ringmaster range the Cabernet receives kudos for its outstanding value year after year.

Koonowla is set amongst the rolling broad acre hills of the Clare Valley, being the first commercial vineyard in the region of Auburn it is a truly iconic property encompassing 250 acres of vineyard and beautiful stone buildings. Thanks to the relentless practices of winemakers David O'Leary and Nick Walker, Koonowla consistently produces top quality Riesling, Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon.

If you would like to receive samples or further information on any of these wines, please contact Camilla Barlow E: millbarlow@winestream.com.au

Distributors: Young & Rashleigh Wine Merchants, P: 02 9967 5900

E: wines@youngandrashleigh.com

W: www.youngandrashleigh.com

NSW Wine | Time to Shine

2011-09-16T17:08:00.002+10:00

2011 Citibank NSW Wine Awards

Next week the NSW Wine Industry Association will bring together some of the most experienced palates in the country to taste a vast range of wines from the 14 diverse wine regions in New South Wales and help select which wines will be crowned the finest of the year. And the new 2011 Citibank NSW Wine Awards (newly partnered with Citibank to offer greater access for consumers and even more support for NSW wineries) are set to unveil some of the best wines ever with many reds from the cracking 2009 vintage now reaching maturity and the new whites from the recent 2011 vintage offering some of the most exciting wines around.

Judging of the 2011 Citibank NSW Wine Awards takes place on the 19th & 20th September, with returning Chair of Judges Huon Hooke being joined by a host of internationally renowned wine writers, sommeliers and wine industry professionals, including the talented tastebuds of Philip Shaw, PJ Charteris, Mike De Garis, Cory Ryan and Nick Bulleid.

President of the NSW Wine Industry Association David Lowe comments, "This year promises to be the most hotly contested competition yet. Last year saw some delicious Chardonnay and Semillon highlighted by our panel of experts and we are looking forward to discovering some exciting emerging varieties this year."

For NSW winemakers, the Citibank NSW Wine Awards is the most serious and highly-regarded competition in their home State, with over 800 wines entered last year. However, it's not just for super-expensive wines with last year seeing 26 of the Top 40 positions being awarded to wines under $30, highlighting to wine-lovers the amazing value-for-money available in NSW.

Entries to the Awards will be critiqued in two stages. In the first stage, 5 panels of judges narrow down the 800 plus entries to approximately 120. These 120 are then re-assessed by the 6 most experienced judges to determine the Top 40 NSW Wines, Trophy Winners and the coveted NSW Wine of the Year. Wines entered into the Citibank NSW Wine Awards are also eligible to receive Gold, Silver and Bronze medals.

And the Awards are just the start of an amazing series of wine events, promoted and supported by major sponsor Citibank, allowing everyone to discover and experience the finest NSW has to offer ~ the 2011 Citibank NSW Wine Awards Program:

·         Monday October 17:    2011 Citibank NSW Wine Awards Gala Presentation Dinner at Guillaume at Bennelong Point, Sydney Opera House

Tickets $220 pp including degustation menu & wines

·         Tuesday October 18:   Tetsuya's Citibank NSW Wine Awards "Trophy Winners Hats Off" Dinner, hosted by Huon Hooke

Tetsuya's Restaurant, 529 Kent St, Sydney @ 7pm

Tickets $290pp including degustation menu & wines ~ bookings P: 02 9267 2900

·         Thursday October 20: Citibank NSW Wine Awards "Best of the Best Top 40" Tasting at The Cargo Hall, Overseas Passenger Terminal, Circular Quay

Trade Tasting                    2.00- 4.00pm    Pre-registration compulsory

Consumer Tasting           6.00- 9.00pm    $55pp including Wine, Canapés & Winemaker Guided Tour

Tickets can be purchased online at www.nswwine.com.au

Fresh faces at Petaluma's Bridgewater Mill

2011-09-16T11:54:00.001+10:00

Media Release

Petaluma's Bridgewater Mill ~ a heritage listed stone flour mill on the banks of the Cox Creek ~ has long been a popular destination in the Adelaide Hills, but an exciting young chef, Zac Ronayne is attracting a whole new audience to the cellar door and restaurant. The 30 year old has made the kitchen his own since he started earlier in year, whipping up stunning regional cuisine to serve with the latest Petaluma wines.

The Petaluma Bridgewater Mill range which showcases the best of this cool climate region also has a new face; with a stylish label design to reinforce the Petaluma pedigree.

One of the new wine releases showcasing the re-vamped label is the new Petaluma Bridgewater Mill Sauvignon Blanc 2010 (RRP $22) - we think it is one of Australia's best Sauvignons!

This wine is a great example of Andrew's direction with the Petaluma Bridgewater Mill range; crisp, fresh and food friendly, with gentle winemaking allowing cool climate attributes to shine through in each variety.

Asked to recommend a match with a dish from the restaurant menu, Andrew says the lifted, vibrant style of the Sauvignon Blanc is delicious with Zac's Tuna Belly Sashimi with soy and wasabi.

Both winemaker and chef share a passion for their crafts and similarly a desire to allow the beauty of the regional produce to shine through in the final result; food or wine.

Andrew says, "We might be biased but we feel that the Adelaide Hills is Australia's best source of sauvignon blanc. Our low yielding and mature vineyards - the Deanery Vineyard near Balhannah and the Cobbs Hill Vineyard on the edge of Lenswood - give us the perfect fruit for the truest expression of this classic variety, with beautiful citrus and apple characters to the fore."

At the age of 30, Zac Ronayne is an exciting young chef with boundless energy. He grew up in the Adelaide Hills, spending 20 years there, including a stint at Petaluma's Bridgewater Mill as Sous Chef (2004-2007), before embarking on a journey to explore the best food, flavours and produce appearing on tables all around Australia.

Zac spent 2 years at Nu Nu in Palm Cove QLD becoming Head Chef of the 2008 Gourmet Traveller Regional Restaurant of the Year. There he learnt a huge amount, discovering his passion for regional produce – especially fresh reef fish and tropical fruit - his love of education and sense of fun with food.

The Asian influences he found in tropical Queensland tallied closely with his own background as his mother specialised in Japanese food and he has made numerous visits to Japan. He is excited to stamp his own mark on the Mill's Contemporary Australian with Asian highlights menu, emphasising his philosophy of clean flavours with a sophisticated blend of style and simplicity.

Fresh and pure are the ideal adjectives when it comes to describing Petaluma's Bridgewater Mill; food, wine and region!!

Petaluma's Bridgewater Mill, Mount Barker Road, Bridgewater, SA 5155

Restaurant Open: Lunch Thursday – Monday 12 – 2.30pm P: 08 8339 9200

Cellar Door: Daily 10am – 5pm P: 08 8339 9222

STOCKISTS: Fine Wine Partners on P: 1300 668 712 or Cellar Door www.petaluma.com.au

A bright future is set in Stonehaven...

2011-09-16T11:51:00.001+10:00

It's set in Stone; a bright future for this Haven in Padthaway

The winery at the very heart of the Padthaway wine region has been given a new lease on life.

The Stonehaven Winery, built in 1998 at a cost of more than $33 million, has been acquired by a family consortium from Melbourne. Built by BRL Hardy, no expense was spared but just 12 years on under the ownership of Accolade, Stonehaven sold for a fraction of its cost.

The sale was finally completed last month and the new family owned company now possess a 12,500 tonne winery, 35.9ha of vineyards on prime Padthaway soil, the region's most visible cellar door and the famed Stonehaven and Stepping Stone wine brands which will soon adorn the shelves in exciting new livery.

The state-of-the-art facility in the heart of the Limestone Coast wine region has been operating under the management of its new owners since early 2011, and some 8,000 tonnes were produced in the 2011 vintage destined for sale in both Australia and China initially.

Well known local winemaker Grant Semmens has been appointed as chief winemaker, who alongside respected fellow locals Ulrich Grey-Smith and Leisha Slattery aims to breathe new life into the Stonehaven brands while at the same time producing some exciting new ciders and beverages. The enormity of the facility will also allow Stonehaven Wines to provide an exceptional contract winemaking service to the region.

"Our philosophy is to employ the best people from the industry to lead Stonehaven into a new era, and I think the pedigree of our winemaking team alone confirms that. Our plan is to produce great quality wines that are at the very least exciting and showcase the region, and at the same time develop other beverage products that are extremely innovative and engage a new consumer" says Nikki Gilhome, Marketing Manager, Stonehaven Wines.

So, the future is bright for this Australian icon who has just signed a long term supply deal with a major liquor producer and distributor in Australia to produce a new range of fruit flavoured ciders which will be widely available in Australia this summer.

In the meantime keep your eyes out for the new look Stonehaven, which will also hit the shelves this summer.

HOUGHTON BOTTLES-UP 175 YEARS – WHAT A CLASSIC

2011-09-12T13:44:00.002+10:00

WHAT's in a name: many still think of
White Classic as Houghton's White Burgundy.

Wc12Sep11

David Ellis

HOUGHTON'S White Classic is a virtual chapter in itself in the book of the Australian wine industry.

Originally created as Houghton's White Burgundy by the legendary Jack Mann in 1937, it was made by him for an amazing fifty-one consecutive vintages, can lay claim to being both one of our most popular white wines and Australia's oldest consecutive-vintage white, and this year the Houghton company celebrates its 175th Anniversary having been founded in Western Australia's Swan Valley way back in 1836.

The White Burgundy label had to be changed to White Classic in 2006 to comply with international wine regulations, and is today made under the guiding hand of Ross Pamment who has spent thirteen of his twenty-two winemaking years at Houghton's, and is now it's Chief Winemaker.

INTERESTING partner with
country-style rabbit casserole.

The 2011 is traditional White Classic – fresh and fruity with tropical grapefruit, passionfruit, lime and rockmelon flavours, and a nice hint of green apples; pay $13.99 and enjoy with roast chicken stuffed with green olives and prunes. (And we don't care if you DO, like us, still think of it as White Burgundy.)

ONE FOR LUNCH: WITH apple prices in free-fall in the early 1990s, long-time orchardist Borry Gartrell and his wife Gaye Stuart-Nairne decided something had to be done – and that something was to rip out their apple trees at Orange in NSW's Central West and replace them with wine grapes.

It was a good move: today there are just 40 of the once-400 apple orchardists left in the Orange region, and Borry and Gaye now enjoy the successes of a flourishing vineyard, a restaurant and tourist accommodation facilities, with their wines made under contract by local maker Christophe Derrez; their 2006 Borrodell Pinot Noir has beautiful cherry, raspberry and forest-floor flavours. Enjoy at $38 with a country-style rabbit casserole.

(NEED A FOOD/DRINK IDEA? Check out http://www.vintnews.com )

Merlot, Medals, Moving Feasts and More...

2011-09-09T14:04:00.001+10:00

Media release:

Shaw Vineyard Estate has much to celebrate this spring, kicking off with a Trophy win at the NSW Small Winemakers Wine Show for their 2009 Premium Merlot.

"This wine is shaping up to be the best Merlot we have ever made, having so far won two Gold medals, two Bronze and now this Trophy" says Graeme Shaw, owner of Shaw Vineyard Estate.

Although the wine is yet to be released, the wine will be previewed during the Murrumbateman Moving Feast on the October Long Weekend.

The Murrumbateman Moving Feast now in its 11th year, is just weeks away and is undoubtedly the best festival of the year in the district. Held each year on the October long weekend, this year being the weekend of the 1st & 2nd October 2011, thirteen local wineries each offer a main meal and/or dessert, perfectly matched with one of their wines, and countless pilgrims make their way around the popular wine district tasting their wares and experiencing the vast range of entertainment on offer.

At Shaw Vineyard Estate the Moving Feast also signifies the kick-off to the HeadOn Photo Exhibition, which Shaw proudly sponsors each year in Sydney. This year's exhibition at Shaw Vineyard Estate includes the winners of the 2011 Portrait Prize and is well worth the visit to experience photography of this quality in the region from 10am-5pm daily from 1–31 October.

Then in November when the wineries and cellar doors in the Canberra region come alive with entertainment, food and of course wine during the Wine, Roses and all that Jazz Festival, Shaw are proud to announce that they have secured The Acca Daiquiris as their entertainment to top off the weekend. Well, nearly. They will also play host to Bromley Fine Arts & Collectables Exhibition on Saturday 5 and Sunday 6 November from 10am to 5pm in the Shearing Shed.

For further information contact:-

Tanya Olinder, Cellar Door Manager, Shaw Vineyard Estate

(02) 6227 5827 or email info@shawvineyards.com.au

Pink, Orange and Gold

2011-09-08T18:31:00.001+10:00

On Saturday (3rd September) the team from Cumulus Estate Wines left the cool-climate of Orange NSW and travelled to the even cooler climate of Auckland, New Zealand to collect a Trophy at the 2011 New Zealand International Wine Show Awards Dinner for the new Rolling Rose.

2011 Rolling Rose ~ Best Rose 2011 New Zealand International Wine Show

This is a very big achievement for a wine which sells for around just $17, in a truly 'International' competition, with wines from any country and made from any variety entered.

The New Zealand International Wine Show is firmly established as the largest wine competition held in New Zealand each year, and hosts an impressive 24 senior wine judges, under the leadership of Bob Campbell MW, over 3 days of hotly-contested competition.

The judges picked up on what winemaker Debbie Lauritz has always loved about this wine, "The Rolling Pink is made using one of our greatest assets, stunning cool-climate shiraz. Shiraz from the Central Ranges wine region has that wonderful balance of bright, primary fruit and spiciness. By picking early and in cool conditions, it's ideal for crafting a vibrant, drier styled rosé, which still holds our regions distinctive character.

In particular the new 2011 vintage showcases the quality of our fruit as the slightly lower than average temperatures during the season gave us slow ripening emphasising the level and brightness of flavour and encouraging high levels of natural acidity right up to harvest."

Earlier ripening Shiraz from block 51 was chosen for the Pink. Low cropping and careful canopy management produced grapes that combine a lively acidity with desirable lifted berry characters. Whole berries were left on the skins for 16 hours and the grapes were then lightly pressed and the free run juice drained off, aiming for flavour with optimum colour levels but without too much tannin pick-up.

This trip to New Zealand is a well earned break for the Cumulus winemaking team, who have worked hard since the last grapes of the 2011 vintage were picked on 6th May to hand-craft wines true to Rolling's bright, fruit-driven style and created (according to the 2011 New Zealand International Wine Show judges) one of the best rosés on the market.

Only the 4th vintage of this wine, it has made a real impact already having collected a total of 3 Trophies and 28 medals since first release – giving Beatrice (the young lady on the Rolling label riding the bicycle and proudly wearing the scarf of the local Orange Emus football team) something else to smile about!

The 2011 Rolling Pink will be available for tasting over the next few weeks and released to the public this Summer. Perfect for Christmas BBQs or those forward planning for Valentine's Day.

If you would like to request a sample bottle please contact:

Alex Burgener, Palate PR, P: 0404 900 961 E: alexburgener@palatepr.com.au

Current Rolling wines:

Rolling Rosé 2011                    Rolling Sauvignon Blanc Semillon 2011

Rolling Chardonnay 2009         Rolling Cabernet Merlot 2009

Rolling Shiraz 2009                  Rolling Sparkling Pinot Grigio Chardonnay 2010

Stockists

Distributed by Cumulus Wines. Available nationally though independent liquor stores – RRP $17.95

Everyone's Talking About Glandore Estate Wines

2011-09-05T16:14:00.001+10:00

With two wine reviews fresh off the press and excellent results on the wine show circuit it seems like everyone is talking about Glandore Estate Wines.

Some people may be familiar with the online wine journalist and blogger the Wining Pom, he writes about great wines and his latest review features our 2008 TPR Tempranillo. Check out the review Here

Another fantastic review by Huon Hooke was featured in the Sydney Morning Herald titled 'Hunter Kicks up a fuss'.  An interesting article off the back of the Hunter Wine Show talking about what's old and what's new in the Hunter which is where Glandore's Savagnin comes into play. For any one who has not tried this unique variety make sure your visit the Cellar Door soon! To read more of Huon Hooke's article visit this link.

Glandore's Recent Wine Show Results

2006 Elliott Semillon - GOLD
Hunter Wine Show
Comment from the Winemaker Duane Roy "Our Current Vintage 2010 Elliott Semillon looks just as good if not better as a young wine then the 2006 did".
The 2010 can be purchased from the Cellar Door

2008 Estate Tempranillo- GOLD - Wine Selectors Tempranillo Challenge
                                                Bronze - Boutique Wine Awards

2010 DPJ Chardonnay - Silver Cowra Wine Show

2010 Savagnin - Bronze Cowra Wine Show

"One of the most appealing examples I've tasting lately of the grape formally know as Albarino"
  Huon Hooke, Good Living

2007 Hamish Shiraz - Bronze Cowra Wine Show, SOLD OUT

We are awaiting results from 3 more shows so we are crossing our fingers for some more great results

Cheers, Duane

GET HOOKED ON THE RARE AGLIANICO

2011-09-05T10:04:00.002+10:00

BILL Calabria's full-flavoured red
to try with Southern Italy's oddly-named
"prostitute's spaghetti."

Wc05Sep11

David Ellis

THERE probably wouldn't be more than a dozen Australian makers produce the rare Aglianico, a full-flavoured and elegant red that originated in Greece and found its way into Southern Italy a couple of millennia ago.

The ever-adventurous Bill Calabria at Westend Wines in the NSW Riverina has cleverly mastered Aglianico, just releasing a 2008 that's got black cherry and ripe plum aromas and coffee and smoky notes on the palate, together with what Bill likes to call "Italianesque tannins."

It will be interesting to see how it fares in the market-place here, as even in Italy, Aglianico is not grown much outside the Basilicata and Campania regions, yet being at home in very warm to hot areas it could thrive in several of our such regions.

MIDNIGHT delight when
a party's in sight.

If, like Bill, you too are a bit adventurous, match his 2008 Calabria Private Bin Aglianico (at just $14.95) with one of it's homeland's favourites – spaghetti alla puttanesca (strangely it means "prostitute's spaghetti,") whose flavour-some sauce is made of garlic, olive oil, tomatoes, anchovies, capers and chilli.

ONE FOR LUNCH: WESTERN Victoria's Blue Pyrenees Midnight Cuvee is one of Australia's favourite home-made Methode Traditionelle sparkling wines, and so-named after the Chardonnay grapes used in a trial harvest in the 1980s were picked under a midnight moon to avoid daytime heat, and thus deliver the fruit in optimum condition.

The 2008 that's now available lives up to the label's reputation as a party-room favourite – and like those early experiments the grapes for this were also harvested at night, but under floodlight rather than moonlight.

If you've a party in sight, this one's good value at $30 with its lively flavours and fresh acidity.

(NEED A FOOD/DRINK IDEA? Check out http://www.vintnews.com )

SUCCESS SPARKLES FOR DIAMOND CREEK ESTATE

2011-08-29T09:25:00.002+10:00

NSW Southern Highlands success story:
enjoy with seared salmon or smoked duck.

Wc29Aug11

David Ellis

EARLY colonists soon discovered that an area to the south of Sydney Town and now known as the Southern Highlands, had a climate that was perfect for farming and grazing – and for also escaping Sydney's humid summer heat.

And while some wine grapes were grown there as early as the 1820s by those pioneering colonists, it was not until the late 1900s that serious thought was given to winemaking; today cool climate vineyards are scattered throughout the region, thriving in the region's warm summer days and colder nights.

Diamond Creek Estate, 680-metres up on the northern slopes of Mittagong, is one of the region's success stories, producing premium Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Riesling and a Botrytised desert wine from 6ha of sunny, north-facing vineyards planted in 1997.

CLEAN up on this for value:
great with fish or other seafoods.

Today's owner and vigneron, Helen Louise Hale hand-prunes and plucks her vines, which in the case of her 2006 Pinot Noir has resulted in a beautifully full-bodied wine with ripe cherry and strawberry fruit flavours, lingering tannins and a velvety finish. A great food wine to share with seared salmon or smoked duck, its available cellar door or online only by phoning Helen on 02 4872 3311 or visiting www.diamondcreekestate.com.au

ONE FOR LUNCH: WOOLWORTHS Liquor, BWS and Dan Murphy's have a new range of budget-priced wines they call CleanSkins Selection, created they say to "over-deliver in quality at the best-possible price."

Their CleanSkins Taster's Choice Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc certainly lives up to this claim: at $9.99 it has subtle passionfruit, melon and capsicum notes on the palate, and a crisp finish that makes it a pleasant companion with fish and other seafoods. They've also a nice CleanSkins Taster's Choice

'DW31' 2009 Barossa Valley Shiraz if you are more into reds, and it too is priced at just $9.99.

(NEED A FOOD/DRINK IDEA? Check out http://www.vintnews.com )

Wine without Borders? It's a Philosophy

2011-08-29T08:36:00.000+10:00

Tonight the group of winemakers who call themselves "winemakers without borders" will be introduced at Magazine Gallery, Clubhouse Lane off Hindley St, Adelaide.

The group, who came together in a most organic and democratic way, mostly via social media, share a philosophy that winemaker David Bowley of Vinteloper describes as "essentially being about mixing things up and doing things differently with wine."

Oliver's Taranga winemaker Corrina Wright says winemakers without borders is "about bringing wine to the people."

"From Adelaide Central Market to the Sydney Opera House - this crew is all about taking wine to new and interesting spaces."

Winemakers without Borders events so far include Shin & Shiraz; The #HEARTYPARTY; and Pinot & Polenta, with Oysters in the House and the V and S Ball planned in October for many members of the winemakers without borders crew.

Yalumba winemaker Louisa Rose says: "it's a holistic philosophy - no borders means that you can experiment with new everything - from grape varieties, regions and winemaking styles, to wine occasions, food matches and the people and places that ultimately share the experience."

In the spirit of how it all began - here's what some people are saying in the twittersphere about tonight's launch and about previous events:

@OliversTaranga Corrina Wright Going to be a cracker! RT Cant wait for launch nite! @winenoborders @Bosworthwines @Vinteloper @_amanda_jane @OliversTaranga @MitoloWines

Andr頃eccon
oh my so much delicious wine to taste! and many delicious wine makers to meet! :D hopefully I can find someone who will take me for vintage :)

@GandTQueen Samantha Connew @_amanda_jane@cogitowine@swellbrewery@winenoborders I'm allabout no borders...I cross 'em all ;)

Josh Twothousand
viticulture sans frontiers?????

@Vinteloper Vinteloper loving the #heartyparty video feat. @stockwine@OliversTaranga@winenoborders. Check out the height different & more! http://bit.ly/lNLNOr

Mark Reginato
we all need no borders! i'll be there!

@benmoroney Ben Moroney@winenoborders Hey, as a keen supporter of Medecins Sans Frontieres, great to see someone doing wine-related charity work...

@amanda_jane Amanda J Pritchard @MyCentralMarket you know we have HEAPS of ideas! suffolk lamb & shiraz; classic wine & cheese; fianoagogo; pinot &polenta + @winenoborders

@maxhalliday max halliday @winenoborders@vinteloper@yalumba hey Goodluck fellas, surely without borders holding you back you're A shoe in!

The blog www.winemakerswithoutborders.wordpress.com is still in build mode for launch tonight but will be live later today with the full list of winemakers without borders along with some very non wine related information about them, naturally.

In the meantime - here they are - the inaugural winemakers without borders crew.

Andre Bondar, Mitolo,
Brioni Oliver and Corrina Wright, Oliver's Taranga,
Chester Osborn, D'Arenberg,
Chris Dix, Madeleines,
Chris Ringland, Solita,
Darren Golding, Golding,
David Bowley, Vinteloper,
David Le Mire, La Linea,
Greg Clayfield, Zema Estate,
John Edwards, The Lane Vineyard,
Karina Dambergs, Clover Hill,
Kim Chalmers, Chalmers,
Kevin McCarthy, T'Gallant,
LoＯspan>c Le Calvez, Taltarni,
Louisa Rose, Yalumba,
Louise Hemsley-Smith and Joch Bosworth, Battle of Bosworth, Spring Seed,
Nick Stock, Solita, Twofold, Bespoke Bros,
Paul Smith, Wirra Wirra,
Richard Bate, Arete,
Rory Lane, The Story,
Samantha Connew, Tower Estate,
Sam Wigan, Running with Bulls,
Sue Bell, Bellwether,
Taras Ochota, Ochota Barrels,

Twitter: @winenoborders
Winemakers without Borders launches TONIGHT , Magazine Gallery 6pm 83a Hindley St (Clubhouse Lane)
Please come with your twitter handle and smart phones at the ready!

CRAVE SYDNEY INTERNATIONAL FOOD FESTIVAL LAUNCHES OFFICIAL PROGRAM

2011-08-28T11:41:00.001+10:00

Hundreds of extraordinary food events announced across Sydney and NSW

Global superstar chefs, foodies and families will converge across Sydney and around the state during October's Crave Sydney International Food Festival, presented by Citibank.

This year's exciting program, launched this weekend in The Sydney Morning Herald and on www.cravesydney.com again proves Sydney is the place to be in October for food lovers, with brilliant new events such as Breakfast on Bondi and Kids' Crazy Island Tea Party on Goat Island joining favourites such as the Night Noodle Markets, Barbecue Madness, Let's Do Lunch and the fabulous World Chef Showcase (October 1 and 2).

"We have a fantastic South American theme this year and I am excited not only about the incredible international chefs coming to Sydney – including those behind six of the S. Pellegrino World's Best Restaurants – but also the opportunities we will have to celebrate Sydney's fantastic food culture, through special dinners, lunches and other one-off food experiences in our own backyard," said Festival Director Joanna Savill.

"With literally hundreds and hundreds of events, there is so much to see and do and taste. We're also thrilled to see a real growth in regional events, especially the 100 Mile Meal events, as well as a stack of new community festivals across Greater Sydney."

Highlights of the festival include:

·         World Chef Showcase (October 1&2) – star chefs like Alex Atala (Brazil) David Chang (US), Gaston Acurio (Peru), and Mauro Colagreco (Argentina) join local legends to showcase their talents in intimate sessions at Hilton Sydney

·         Barbecue Madness (October 1) – the festival starts off with a sizzle at The Sydney Morning Herald Growers' Market at Pyrmont as Kylie Kwong and other top chefs - including David Tanis from the legendary Chez Panisse restaurant in California - grill up a storm with a sustainability message

·         Breakfast on Bondi (October 23) – join breakfast king Bill Granger and surf lifesaver/MasterChef star Hayden Quinn for the perfect start to the day, on the beach!

100 Mile Meals (October): Think global, eat local! Enjoy a huge long table lunch at a number of 100 Mile Meal events taking place across regional NSW, celebrating the best local produce. All ingredients for these lunches, dinners, picnics and more come from just down the road or a nearby paddock – with brilliant local wines.

·         Kids' Crazy Island Tea Party (October 15-16, 22-23 and 29-30) – jump on a ferry to explore Goat Island transformed into a magical food playground

·         Night Noodle Markets (October 10-14, 17-21) – get among the happy crowds at the festival's signature evening event and sample authentic Asian hawker-style fare in Hyde Park North

·         Let's Do Lunch – top Sydney Morning Herald Good Food Guide hatted Sydney restaurants invite you to enjoy a specially created main course, a matched glass, beer or mineral water and a coffee for just $38

·         Street festivals (throughout October) – with dozens of great street-based events this year, including eight new community festivals – such as Fairfield's South American Culinary Carnivale (October 15), Bexley's Food n' Groove (October 22) and Strathfield Asian Fusion (October 23), there's never been a better time to explore Sydney's multi-cultural food scene

NSW Minister for Major Events George Souris said Breakfast on Bondi and the Kids' Crazy Island Tea Party are an exciting new addition to the 2011 Crave Sydney International Food Festival program.

"Visitors and Sydneysiders will be able to enjoy a sunrise breakfast on Bondi Beach on October 23 and experience a tea party on Goat Island over three weekends.

"What is special about the Crave Sydney International Food Festival is that it uses many of our wonderful and unique Sydney icons but also allows for discovering Greater Sydney and Regional NSW," he said.

NSW Deputy Premier Andrew Stoner said Crave Sydney International Food Festival celebrates Sydney and regional NSW as a global dining destination based on world class local wine and produce.

"Our farmers, growers and winemakers produce some of the best food in Australia.

"Crave Sydney International Food Festival is an opportunity to showcase this culinary produce on a global stage with some of the best chefs in the world experiencing, tasting and cooking with NSW produce during the festival," he said.

Crave Sydney International Food Festival (October 1-31) is a month-long celebration of extraordinary food experiences and one of five signature events in the NSW Events Calendar.

The full Crave Sydney International Food Festival program, is published on August 27 in The Sydney Morning Herald and is available on the website www.cravesydney.com.

Tickets for the must-do World Chef Showcase are on sale now via Ticketmaster.

See ticketmaster.com.au/worldchefshowcase.

Sips and the City Takes Sydney

2011-08-27T12:43:00.000+10:00

Media Release

WHO: Louise Hemsley-Smith (Battle of Bosworth and Spring Seed Wines), Corrina Wright (Oliver's Taranga), Samantha Connew (Tower Estate), and your hosts Louise Radman (Wine lady of Radpublic) and Miss Kate Parry (Wine with Curves)

WHAT: Giggle and gulp with women winemakers and discover you don't need a wang to make good wine. $70 per person includes tasting plate and wine.

WHEN: Wednesday, 21st September 6-8.30pm

WHERE: Fix St James, 111 Elizabeth St SYDNEY

Sydney lady lovers of wine and a good time, you are invited to giggle and gulp with female "MW's" (Mistresses of Wine) —Louise Hemsley-Smith, Corrina Wright, Samantha Connew, Louise Radman and Kate Parry and become familiar with some of this season's hottest labels—Tower Estate, Oliver's Taranga, Spring Seed, and Battle of Bosworth.

"Cosmos are passé, vino's the new way!" said winemaker Corrina Wright of Oliver's Taranga.

Send those misters big or small away with their cocktails between their legs, as this one's not for the lads. The all-girl gathering will soak up how four mistresses of wine tame their grapes, and guests will become well heeled in their various styles and support the Variety Club at the same time.

The idea for this event came when a bunch of ladies more accustomed to Valentino than vermentino were together drinking wine but lamenting the fact they didn't feel quite right talking about it.

"We thought, what better way than to get a bunch of leading wine women together, taste, talk and enjoy?" said Louise Radman of Radpublic..
"There will be a wine options game like no other, prizes and all for a good cause in Variety" said Kate Parry, who prefers her wine with curves. "Frock up and make a night of it."

Fix St James owner, Stuart Knox said he was sure once word got out about the ladies only event that Elizabeth St would be teeming with men. "I'm looking forward to welcoming women in droves!"

"We know that women outside the industry are anxious to learn a bit more about wine, but can feel a bit out of their depth with all the wine language," says Louise Hemsley-Smith of Battle of Bosworth and Spring Seed Wines.

"With Sips and the City," explains Samantha Connew, "we're providing a comfortable avenue for women to have their wine questions answered by women, and take in a bit of knowledge and fine wine at the same time."

March those Manolo's in to drink Montepulciano, sachet Ferragamo to splash Fiano and replace Valentino with Vermentino at Sips in the City.

Bookings - Fix St James 02 9232 2767

Twitter: @fixstjames @gandtqueen @oliverstaranga @bosworthwines @ louiseradman @ misskateparry #sipsandthecity Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=135236009903239

Canberra wineries using a drop of technology to reach customers

2011-08-25T14:59:00.001+10:00

Not only are Canberra district wineries leading the way with high quality wines in several premium varieties, they are also leading the way with innovative technology. Several have started using QR codes on their labels, or are planning to do so in the near future.

Shaw Vineyard Estate, a boutique winery located in Murrumabteman in the Canberra District wine region is one such winery that has started adding the QR (quick response) codes to their labels.

"The use of QR codes in the winery actually started when we began exploring new ways to attract people to our winery and wines through different online marketing channels. The conversation about websites and new technology inevitably headed in the direction that many marketers are heading these days – smart phone apps," said Tanya Olinder, Director and Cellar Door manager at Shaw Vineyard Estate.

QR codes are better known as those 'website friendly bar codes' that are tailor made for helping people navigate to information via their internet enabled smart phones. First launched onto the scene in Japan in 1994 by a subsidiary of Japanese car manufacturer, Toyota, they were originally designed to track vehicle parts in car manufacture. The codes have been going through somewhat of a renaissance of late with the fast growth in software and devices that allow for the creation and use of QR codes, most notably Iphones and Google powered Android phones.

"From 2011 onwards all new domestic and export wine releases will contain the QR codes within the label design. The codes will take the viewer to a page on our website which has the most up to date information on the release including tasting notes, food matching ideas, and the latest awards the wine has won.

"Adding another layer to the in store wine selection process definitely adds an attractive element for wineries that have been fighting the 'label and shelf wars' for years in Australia. For consumers this new marketing tool will provide those with a smart phone a more accurate and timely way to research and explore new wines prior to purchase and a few handy tips about the wine to share at the table once they get the wine home," Tanya continued.

Shaw Vineyard Estate hopes that these little codes will help them connect customers more closely with their brand and wine stories well into the future. Tanya acknowledges that she isn't the first in the Canberra District to implement QR codes, but is definitely in a small group of early adopters.

"We looked around the region and found some of the other wineries were doing it also so we know there has to be something in it," Tanya said.

In fact there are at least five others who are either already using the QR codes, or planning on using them in the near future. All wines made by Lark Hill will feature QR codes on the labels from the 2011 vintage on.

"The codes on labels provide a fast link to a permanent page on our website with information on that specific wine. They therefore provide permanent after-sales support for our customers – once they purchase the wine they can immediately find out more detail on its provenance, tasting notes and so on. The links will remain active for many years to come so that even if you cellar a wine, you can always find relevant, updated content about it," said Chris Carpenter of Lark Hill.

Lerida Estate will be including codes on their three new release wines – the 2011 Botrytis Pinot Gris, Lake George Blend (LGB) and Moscato style wine, the Rosa Frizzante – all to be released later in 2011. Capital Wines are also planning to have codes on their labels by the end of the year.

And it seems labels are only one use. Mount Majura Vineyard has several concepts under development including their brochure reprinted to include a code that will link to a dedicated page on their website with a video selling the cellar door experience. And in addition to labeling wines of the 2011 vintage with QR codes, Domaine Rogha Crois Wines' flagship Pinot Noir will have a label code linking to a YouTube video that explains the techniques used to make the wine as well as tasting notes and food matches. Tanya at Shaw explains some of the other uses.

"We now have QR codes at the Cellar door for signing up to our email list and a separate one for liking us on Facebook. These are two important marketing tools that we use to keep our customers up to date, so making it easier for people to join these lists was an easy choice. It's definitely an innovation over the old clipboard and wine stained paper sign up list you see at most cellar doors," said Tanya.

"In the world of wine, anything that makes local Canberra district wines more enjoyable for consumers to purchase and consumer is surely going to leave a nice taste in people's mouths," Tanya concluded.

See the below media backgrounder for more detail on Shaw Vineyard Estate's experience implementing QR codes.

Shaw Vineyard Estate | Winning Times for Canberra that’s for Shaw

2011-08-24T14:25:00.002+10:00

Media Release

The Canberra district continues to shine as one of Australia's premier wine growing regions and Murrumbateman's Shaw Vineyard Estate never fails to impress with its outstanding range of expertly crafted wines.

The Shaw Vineyard Estate Shiraz 2009 (RRP $22) has this week been named on the Champions List at the New Zealand International Wine Show having been awarded a Gold Medal alongside a Silver and Bronze for its Cabernet Shiraz 2009 and Cabernet Sauvignon 2009 respectively. The 2009 Merlot also won Gold in Cairns this month, highlighting the greatness of the 2009 reds from this rapidly emerging region.

Shaw Vineyard Estate is ideally located in Murrumbateman, just 25 minutes north of Canberra. The impressive 700 acre property is the largest privately owned vineyard holding in the Canberra wine region. The property, formerly known as 'Olleyville' historically produced some of Australia's finest wool. Nowadays, some 85 acres (32ha) are planted to vine on the property's most optimal vineyard sites.

With a unique sloping profile and elevation at around 640 metres above sea level, the property is ideally situated for the production of outstanding cool climate wines particularly Riesling, Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon, which thrive on this elevated site with optimal drainage, and ideal aspect on this unique estate.

The region has fast become known for producing some of the country's most outstanding and sought after red wines, and vigneron Graeme Shaw feels that the 2009's are set to be amongst some of his finest.

A high quality vintage devoid of the hail and frost that effects so many growing seasons, so in great years like 2008 and 2009 the region produces some of Australia's best.

The 2009 Shaw Vineyard Estate Shiraz, has obviously the same pedigree as the 2008, refined and elegant. It exhibits those same classy characters that the estate produces so well year after year; rich black cherry, white pepper and spice. Let's hope the medal tally on the 2009 tops the 2008's haul of 10 medals and climbing…

A truly family owned and run operation, the Shaw family spare no detail. Their busy cellar door is home to many of the regions leading events, and most certainly Flint in the Vines is the place to dine in the region. The cellar door, vineyard, warehouse and business are all completely run by this hands on family who exude enthusiasm for what the region has to offer.

See for yourself...

Distribution enquiries:-

Merlin Boutique Wines (NSW & ACT) merlinboutique@optusnet.com.au P: (02) 9940 2240

Cellar Connections (VIC) expatwine@gmail.com P: (0477) 959 463

www.shawvineyards.com.au