Chardonnay Shines - RESULTS of the 2011 Macquarie Group Sydney Royal Wine Show

2011 Macquarie Group Sydney Royal Wine Show RESULTS

After tasting and critiquing their way through 2283 entries, the judges at the 2011 Macquarie Group Sydney Royal Wine Show have awarded top honours to the best wine and brandy on offer from the Australian wine industry, with chardonnay the stand-out favourite.

Thirty six trophies and 982 medals were awarded to entries representing Australia's top wine regions.

Peter Lehmann Wines from Tanunda, South Australia was the standout performer of this year's Show, taking out the coveted Macquarie Group Perpetual Trophy for its 2005 Margaret Semillon, the Royal Agricultural Society of NSW (RAS) Annual Prize for Best Semillon and the Albert Chan Memorial Prize for Best White Wine of Show.

The winning entry from Peter Lehmann Wines greatly impressed the expert panel of 31 judges, led by Chairman of Judges Iain Riggs.

"Peter Lehmann Wines was exceptional this year, picking up three trophies, four Gold, three Silver and six Bronze medals in total and in the process made a bold claim for Barossa semillon," Mr Riggs said.

"At the other end of the production scale, Chapman Grove Wines from the Margaret River region also had an outstanding Show with two trophies from its four Gold medals across four different varieties."

The 2283 entries from 405 exhibitors judged at this year's Show covered red and white table wines, sparkling, fortified wines and brandy, with an impressive 43 per cent of entries receiving a medal.

2011 saw the Sydney Royal Wine Show become the first capital city wine show to implement a regional grouping judging system, based on the geographical indicators (GI) set out by the Australian Wine and Brandy Corporation.

"This innovation was trialed to assess its suitability in the judging process," Mr Riggs said.

"It allows smaller entry numbers per class and importantly less palate fatigue among the judges, but the main purpose is to judge like with like. The six judges involved in the class judged by GI were positive in their comments," Mr Riggs said.

Wine Show Committee Chair Lyndey Milan said the standard of Australia's chardonnay was exceptional this year.

"It was pleasing to see the depth of quality of Australia's chardonnay with Gold medals being awarded to wineries stretching from Tasmania to Western Australia. However, the ever-reliable shiraz topped the medal tally," Ms Milan said.

The 2011 Show saw the introduction of a new trophy. Formally the RAS of NSW Annual Prize for Chardonnay, the AP John Coopers Perennial Trophy for Best Varietal Wine Chardonnay was awarded to Wolf Blass' 2009 White Label Chardonnay.

"Wolf Blass, while part of a much larger entity, is always a standout as a premium producer," Mr Riggs said.
"Their work with chardonnay - now going back more than 20 years - is paying dividends. Wolf Blass had a super Show with six Gold, three Sliver and 12 Bronze medals."

McWilliam's Wines once again retained the McCarthy Shield for the Most Successful Exhibitor in the wines and brandy section for the fourth year in a row.

The Len Evans Memorial Perpetual Trophy for Best Named Vineyard was awarded to Chapman Grove Wines for its 2009 Dreaming Dog Shiraz.

All trophy winners are listed in the attached document. For a complete breakdown of Gold, Silver and Bronze medal winners, visit: www.sydneyroyalshows.com.au.

DEBBIE’S SUCCESS IS ROLLIN’, ROLLIN’, ROLLIN’….

JUST the drop with a
brunch of Eggs Benedict.

Wc14Feb11

David Ellis

WHILE we've still hopefully quite a few more weeks of warm weather to enjoy lazy late Sunday morning brunches, a wonderful drop to share these with is Rolling Wines' 2010 Moscato.

The first frizzante-style (small bubbled semi-sparkling) from Rolling's innovative young winemaker Debbie Lauritz, this lovely drop is also just 6.5% alcohol – about half the norm – making it ideal for splashing chilled into large wine glasses to enjoy with those relaxing brunches.

A blend of Riesling, Gewurztraminer and Black Muscat from Rolling Wines' vineyards in the cool climate Central Ranges of NSW, this wine's salmon-pink in colour with aromatic fruitiness and that frizzante light fizz. There's also a nice apple freshness without the biting acidity that sometimes comes with lower-priced fizzes.

At a good-value $17.95 put a couple of bottles on the ice and quaff it down with a brunch of Eggs Benedict.

KILLER drop: Italian Pinot Grigio perfect with
pan-fried or barbecued Atlantic salmon.

ONE FOR LUNCH: A label with a pair of legs in fishnet stockings, one stiletto on and one off, hints of a bare-backside, and the name The Killer may seem a somewhat raunchy way of drawing attention to your product on the shelves.

But South Australia's Chaffey Bros Wine Company has done it to good effect to successfully push sales of a 2009 Pinot Grigio they import in bulk and bottle here under supervision of their Italian winemaking partner in Venezia.

In keeping with the label the wine is subtly perfumed with floral and fruit – and put to the lips wakes the tastebuds with hints of honey and Pinot Grigio grassiness; at $14.95 a nice one to invite to the table with pan-fried or barbecued Atlantic salmon.


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

Seafood & Sauvignon at Bluemetal Vineyard

Media Release

Seafood & Sauvignon at Bluemetal Vineyard
Saturday 19th February 2011

Fresh south coast Seafood matched with new release Bluemetal Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc 2010.

Bluemetal Vineyard, just outside of Berrima, in the beautiful Southern Highlands of NSW is celebrating summer at the vineyard, by offering another Seafood and Sauvignon Day.

The atmosphere is relaxed and casual, ideal to sit back and enjoy the beautiful summer vineyard setting. Bluemetal Café offers many large alfresco dining tables or a cosy indoors setting.

The menu for the day includes:

• Freshly made Sushi
• Platters of fresh prawns with dipping sauce
• Platters of Freshly shucked Oysters
• A range of Sourdough breads
• As well as our Highland Cheese Platters.

New Releases

The Sauvignon Blanc 2010 – Honor was subject to unusual weather conditions in late summer 2010 which meant the grapes were picked riper than normal, resulting in intense flavours of melon and passionfruit. The addition of a small percentage of Semillon provides a hint of zesty lime and sometime in French oak barriques imparts a mild texture. A refreshing, well balanced wine with a subtle, silky persistence, perfect for matching with Seafood. Alc 11.2 %.  Drink now until 2013.

The Signature Pinot Gris 2010 has aromas of ripe pear and green apple. The palate is a complex blend of apple and citrus with a hint of wet stone. The wine has excellent length and displays a crisp, dry finish. Alc 12.5%.  Drink now until 2014.
Merlot is a traditional blending partner to Cabernet Sauvignon but makes a satisfying wine in its own right. Bluemetal Merlot 2008 is medium- to dark red in colour. The nose has aromas of berries and plums with just a trace of spiciness. The wine has a well-rounded palate, with dark plum, fruitcake and red berry flavours and supple, supporting tannins. Though immediately appealing, it will repay one or two years of cellaring.  Alc 12.5%. Drink now until 2013.

"We are really pleased with these new releases." Says Louise Horsley, manager of Bluemetal Vineyard.  " We are now in our eight vintage and seeing the wines evolve under our Bluemetal label has been rewarding and exciting.   Being so small, our wines vary with the different weather conditions each year brings but I believe that we are constantly improving our quality and continue to make wines that are different, interesting and award winning wines."

For full details of new release wines please visit the online store at www.store.bluemetalvineyard.com

Seafood and Sauvignon - Free Entry but bookings are advisable on
(02) 4877 1877 or cellar@bluemetalvineyard.com


Bluemetal Vineyard is the highest vineyard in the NSW Southern Highlands and produces single estate, award winning wines from its 11 hectare vineyard. There is a range of wines which includes whites: Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Gris and a Fumé Blanc and red wines: Sangiovese Rosé, Petit Verdot, and The Cabernets.
The Cellar Door is open Thursday to Monday from 10am to 5pm and the Café is open Friday to Monday and Public holidays from 11am to 4pm. Address: 112 Compton Park Rd, Berrima NSW 2577

16-MILLION BOTTLES IS A LOT OF BUBBLES

Wc07Feb11

David Ellis

A FIZZ bang for your buck:
Germany's Henkell Trocken claims title
to being  Europe's "favourite sparkling wine."

GERMANY's most famous sparkling wine, Henkell Trocken Sekt goes back 155-years to 1856 when Adam Henkell began making a bubbly little drop that whilst popular, took three generations of the family to really hit its straps.

And it was a 20-year-old, Otto Henkell who went to the USA to learn about marketing and trading, who finally put the wine on the world map: on his return home he recommended that the family discontinue its range of many differently-labelled sparkling wines, and produce just one Sekt (it means dry) bubbly of unmistakable flavour and quality.

And in a standard-labelled bottle, that could be recognised instantly wherever it was sold – in Germany or internationally.

It was revolutionary, and it worked. Today the company uses Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Blanc de Noir and Chenin from Rhine Valley vineyards to make a non-vintage fizz that's German-precision consistent, with a palate of smooth and creamy citrus-like fruit flavours and a lingering finish.

HISTORIC drop to share with a
rosemary-infused roast leg of lamb.

It sells 16-million bottles a year and claims title to being "Europe's favourite sparkling wine." It is also exports to 100 countries internationally, making Henkell Trocken a party-time favourite world-wide; enjoy at just $18.99.

ONE FOR LUNCH:  BRAND'S Laira were the first to plant Merlot in Coonawarra, and two rows of the original vines amid its-now 300ha vineyards were basically the genesis of most of Coonawarra's current Merlot plantings.

Fruit from those two original rows was hand-selected and used to create small quantities of the unique 2007 Brand's Laira Two Row Merlot, a big wine with varietal plum and blackberry flavours complemented by notes of cinnamon, chocolate and cedar. A great drop worth searching out – yet just $27.99. Share it with a rosemary-infused roast leg of lamb and baked vegies.

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

Australian wine industry rallies behind flood victims

Flood ravaged vineyards, some of which have lost their entire crops, have joined the Australian wine industry in an unprecedented show of generosity by the industry for victims of the floods.

Three hundred vineyards and wineries have donated more than $240,000 in exclusive wine, memberships, books and travel packages to the Australian Wine Trade Flood Relief Raffle - which is aiming to raise one million dollars for flood victims in Queensland and Victoria.

Launched by Brisbane based wine writer and author Tyson Stelzer with support from Australia's leading online wine and food travel guide, VisitVineyards.com, wine has been donated from almost every corner of Australia; with wineries from Europe and New Zealand also contributing.

Two hundred prizes are up for grabs - including three boxes of Wild Duck Creek Duck Muck Shiraz 2007 valued at $1320 each, six three litre double magnums of Cullen Diana Madeline 2007 valued at $500 each and an imperial of Kalleske Eduard Shiraz 2008 (retail price $900).

Stelzer says since putting out the call to the wine industry for support just weeks ago, he can't believe the generosity that has been shown, particularly given they've faced such tough times themselves.

"It hasn't been an easy year, as winemakers face widespread crop damage due to mildew and disease from the humidity, let alone direct damage to vineyards from rain and floods, all in the midst of a particularly challenging time in the market for everyone, so to see this kind of support is simply overwhelming."

Jason Kaeser who owns Kaeserberg Vineyard and Winery on the bank of the Lockyer Creek has had to replant three times in four years, and lost most of his vineyard to the Queensland floods - but was one of the first to donate.

He was forced to evacuate and on returning to his property found many sentimental items destroyed from flood waters which ravaged his property.

He says returning to his property was devastating, with dead animals strewn across the vineyard and having to trudge through the stench of the mud to salvage what he could - but he's just grateful he and his wife, and their three dogs, made it out alive.

"It is absolutely devastating, but it is phenomenal that everyone has chipped in, and people you don't know are coming up to you and offering to help out, it restores your faith in humanity."

Mount Avoca in Victoria, which donated a selection of its award winning wines, lost its entire crop to floods which affected one third of the State.

Despite facing an estimated $1.5 million loss over the next 24 months, Director Matthew Barry is philosophical, saying his problems seem trivial to others affected by the foods.

"It's not like losing your loved one, or your house .. sure economically we'll be hit very hard, but our family survived and we have our house."

He says the focus now needs to be on Melburnians supporting local vineyards.

"Taking a visit and purchasing wines at cellar door can really make a difference to smaller vineyards. It will help ensure they survive and without that, the future is grim."


Hanging Rock Winery in the Macedon Ranges also lost its entire crop for the year, and half of its crop in Heathcote, but Ruth Ellis says they didn't give a second thought to contributing to the cause.

"The floods were short and sharp and with the clean-up comes the need to get out and support each other."

VisitVineyards.com founder and CEO Robyn Lewis who is providing backend support, online raffle ticket services and donating memberships to its own online wine and food travel guide, which has 30,000 subscribers, hopes it will go some way to help drive visitors to cellar doors.

"Working in the wine industry and owning our own vineyard, we feel deeply for those affected by the floods and hope our involvement can in some way not only support flood victims, but go some way to assisting the wine industry through these trying times.

"But most of all, it's about being part of the community and showing those affected that they are not alone."

Tickets are $30 and can be purchased from www.winefloodrelief.com.au from February 4 with the raffle drawn on 11 March. There are 40,000 tickets available, and no limit on the number of tickets which can be purchased.

Victoria counts down to foodie fervour: Melbourne Food and Wine Festival celebrates highlight events from 250 + program

Media Release

The 19th Melbourne Food and Wine Festival (4 -14 March) invites fun-loving foodies to prime their tastebuds and clear their diaries as the countdown begins to Australia's preeminent celebration of food and wine. In five weeks the Festival will bring food and wine to the streets across 11 delicious days, from Chinatown to Footscray to Dandenong, and from the High Country to the Mornington Peninsula in a year that celebrates Heritage and Tradition.

A sold-out World's Longest Lunch (Fri 4 March) kicks off the Festival in the garden surrounds of the Royal Exhibition Building, but with more than 250 events, including 50 for under $50, there is still a plethora of tickets up for grabs. Book now to take a seat at one of 25 Regional World's Longest Lunches in spectacular locations across Victoria, then stay for the weekend to feast on more than 50 other regional events, from family festivals to alfresco lunches and dinners celebrating the state's bountiful produce and local wine.

On the first weekend, take your pick from alfresco events for every palate. Taste your way around Victoria's wine regions at Melbourne's original boutique wine market Cellar Door & Farm Gate (South Wharf Precinct, Sat 5 & Sun 6 March) in a new grassy riverside location, or celebrate multicultural cuisine, music and dancing at the SBS Food Journey Festival (Royal Exhibition Building, Fri 4 - Sun 6 March).

On your way there, pass through the CBD and drop into Metlink Edible Garden (City Square, 4 - 13 March) and watch free cooking and gardening demos as top chefs and gardeners revive the lost arts of pickling, preserving, baking and stewing. Sunday 6 March is officially Foodie Family Day presented by City of Melbourne (Federation Square Plaza) with hands-on fun and learning, spud-hunting, taste testing in the mini-market and foodie family favourites on the big screen.

Fill your week with after-work quick sips, longer feasts and satiating classes, or drop into Fed Square to catch free food-flavoured cinema and dish demos at HOSTPLUS Foodie Films (Mon 7 - Fri 11 March).

The Festival's second weekend has every level of wine enthusiast covered, with events ranging from global benchmark tastings at Acqua Panna Global Wine Experience for the wine obsessed to new all-round pleaser Perfect Match replete with food tastings, wine and tipple pairings, and sound advice from cupid (both at Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre, Sat 12 & Sun 13 March); and an unmissable tasting of some of the purest wines on the planet presented by revered biodynamic winemakers including Spain's Telmo Rodriguez at Australian exclusive Return to Terroir (ZINC at Fed Square, Mon 14 March).

Food lovers can still catch 100 of the world's biggest and brightest food and wine personalities at Langham Melbourne MasterClass, with select tickets available including Spain's Elena Arzak, New York's Zakary Pelaccio and Bordeaux's Jean-Guillaume Prats.

Spice takes centre stage at the Festival's night of extravagance, Stars of Spice - The Gala Dinner (North Melbourne, Sat 12 March) with fragrant and heady global flavours from stars including the UK's Atul Kochhar, Bali's Chris Salans and Peru's Pedro Miguel Schiaffino. These and other international stars will also showcase their spice-laden cuisines at amazing gastronomic dinners at Crown restaurants and Star Cooking Classes at Culinarium during the Festival.


Melbourne Food and Wine Festival, 4 - 14 March 2011, more than 250 events online: www.melbournefoodandwine.com.au

NSW Wine Festival | Feb 26 to March 31 2011

Media Release

2011 set for Wine & Food Heaven!

NSW Wine Festival ~ Feb 26 – March 31, 2011

NSW wines are set to star at the annual NSW Wine Festival launching February 26, 2011. Every year New South Wales toasts its most talented winemakers and award-winning wines with a collection of exciting public tastings and dinners in Sydney. This year the celebrations will be bigger and better than ever with the newly named NSW Wine Festival (formerly NSW Wine Week) hosting even more ways to discover the delicious wine and food produce from New South Wales' 14 diverse wine regions.

It is no coincidence that 2011 rhymes with 'heaven', as this year's month-long program is set to be the most tantalizing and tasty ever seen!

·      Sydney Cellar Door - February Sat 26 & Sun 27, 2011 (11am-6pm) - kicks off the festival as in previous years, but this year for the first time visitors will have a full weekend to enjoy even more wine styles, accompanied by all-day live music and cool entertainment, creating a world-class festival atmosphere.

To join the 100 or so winemakers that will be bringing their favourite drops to our fair city, the State's best producers and providores, and Sydney greatest restaurateurs will provide more dishes than ever to complement your wines perfectly.

One thing that hasn't changed is it will once again be set in one of Sydney's most beautiful alfresco (and convenient) settings, Hyde Park, and it is still free to enter (with tasting packages starting at just $25).

This year's Sydney Cellar Door is set to be our State's premier Wine & Food Fair and cement its position as the 'must attend' cultural event on the Sydney calendar.

·      Dine with NSW Wine – February 28 to March 31, 2011

Can't attend the Sydney Cellar Door on the weekend of the 26th & 27th? Well you can now explore the best our state has to offer during the whole of March 2011, with special wine-matched menus at participating restaurants throughout NSW. Celebrate the NSW Wine Festival at lunch or dinner, from just $30-$50 including wine. Participating restaurants will be listed on www.nswwine.com.au

·      Tour NSW Wine Regions Dinners - selected dates throughout March, 2011

And don't miss the very special Tour NSW Wine Regions Dinners! A series of unique degustation dinners – made from exclusively NSW produce and matched to the finest NSW wines - hosted by leading food and wine personalities at four specially-selected top Sydney restaurants. For more details see www.nswwine.com.au

So why so many great improvements when these events have already been sell-out successes since their launch in 2008?

New Chair of the NSW Wine Strategy, James Agnew explains, "We have a lot to celebrate this year! The latest Nielsen figures* show that sales of NSW bottled wines, within NSW, have grown a staggering 22% or $14.3 million on the previous year, to reach a record $79.3 million. This outstrips the State's growth of only 0.8% in the same period and shows that people are really embracing the quality and personality of our local wines. This phenomenal support is truly appreciated by the NSW wine industry and we are happy to give a little back. The new 2011 NSW Wine Festival is the ultimate way to meet all the well-known names in the wine and food industries, as well as discover the true secret gems our State has to offer."

*31 August 2010 MAT Nielsen data

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.

For full program details see www.nswwine.com.au