Everyone's Talking About Glandore Estate Wines

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.