Wine lovers musings, amusings and news

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  • 2010 Rockford Vine Vale Riesling
  • 2010 Rockford Local Growers Semillon
  • 2013 Tapanappa Tiers Chardonnay
  • 2012 Shaw + Smith M3 Chardonnay
  • 2013 Henschke Cyril Cabernet Sauvignon
  • 2003 Wolf Blass Black Label Cabernet Blend
  • 2008 Penfolds RWT Shiraz
  • 2010 Charles Melton Nine Popes GSM



  • Henschke Hill of Grace Shiraz 2016 - JO92
  • Henschke Mount Edelstone Shiraz 2016 - JO95
 
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New NWC at Home Masterclasses have been released
Our A-Z of Australian wine regions continues from November and on into 2021, beginning with McLaren Vale and finishing up with Yarra Valley. Wine maker co-hosts and details about the wine line up for each class will be released in the coming weeks.
Sommelier for a Day Winter Series 2021 @ National Wine Centre (previous sessions)
e.g. The Renaissance of the Australian Wine Industry l Sunday 4th July 1:30pm - 3pm l $95pp
  • Crawford River Riesling
  • Main Ridge Estate Chardonnay
  • Tapanappa ‘Tiers 1.5m’ Chardonnay
  • Jasper Hill ‘Georgia’s Paddock’ Nebbiolo
  • Balgownie Estate Cabernet Sauvignon
  • Woodlands ‘Margaret’ Cabernet Merlot
  • Yarra Yering No.1 Cabernet Blend
  • Craiglee Shiraz


Australian winemakers are caught between nature and China


Chenin Blanc: the world’s most underrated grape

D’Anna’s way: Hoddles Creek Estate, Yarra Valley
 

 
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Wynns John Riddoch & The World of Cabernet Sauvignon
7-8pm AEST Thursday 10th September via Zoom - free

Please join our host Jane Anson (Bordeaux Correspondent of the UK’s influential Decanter Magazine) and a panel of distinguished experts who will discuss the character, potential, and history of Cabernet Sauvignon in Australia.

Jane Anson will explore these topics, the story of John Riddoch Cabernet Sauvignon and the fascinating business of "La Place” with Sue Hodder (Wynns Coonawarra Estate’s winemaker) Andrew Caillard MW (author of “Imagining Coonawarra”) and Tom Portet (Director “Courtier" of Australian First Growths).

This presentation promises to offer a unique insight into the development and ambitions of a prized Australian First Growth.


Imagining Coonawarra, the story of John Riddoch Cabernet Sauvignon, is available in hard copy or ebook format. The free ebook version is available for Apple users here and PC/Kindle users here.

 
Mmm.

Time to stop cellaring wine?

"After all, most of these wines we plebs don’t understand (of course). But, if we’re honest, they all taste the same anyway."

"After all, they grew up with all sorts of hippy nonsense about decanting – who in their right mind would be oxidizing wine? After all it's been through? They might as well put it in a blender. Aging wine? You might as well put it in a slow cooker overnight."
 
Mmm.

Time to stop cellaring wine?

"After all, most of these wines we plebs don’t understand (of course). But, if we’re honest, they all taste the same anyway."

"After all, they grew up with all sorts of hippy nonsense about decanting – who in their right mind would be oxidizing wine? After all it's been through? They might as well put it in a blender. Aging wine? You might as well put it in a slow cooker overnight."
That's a hot take but I think we can all agree that some/many wines are drunk too old. I tend to agree with the comment about mega old Burgundy (mushroom water), but if you like that taste profile, there's not many other ways to get it.
 
This seems like a decent initiative. Direct to market platform for wineries. Marc Malouf (Wine Worth Writing About) is involved.


Pricing is nothing special at the moment but the events page seems quite handy.
 
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Mmm.

Time to stop cellaring wine?

"After all, most of these wines we plebs don’t understand (of course). But, if we’re honest, they all taste the same anyway."

"After all, they grew up with all sorts of hippy nonsense about decanting – who in their right mind would be oxidizing wine? After all it's been through? They might as well put it in a blender. Aging wine? You might as well put it in a slow cooker overnight."
I have very few wines over 10 years old.
It's okay to say cellar it for x years but 2 things come to mind:
1. Will I still be around?
2. I know I don't have perfect storage facilities so will the wine last the distance?
Better to drink and enjoy than not to drink at all.
 
I have very few wines over 10 years old.
It's okay to say cellar it for x years but 2 things come to mind:
1. Will I still be around?
2. I know I don't have perfect storage facilities so will the wine last the distance?
Better to drink and enjoy than not to drink at all.
You cellar your wines up to 10 years, the article is questioning why and suggesting it is time for you and everyone else to stop.
 
You cellar your wines up to 10 years, the article is questioning why and suggesting it is time for you and everyone else to stop.
Storing well in a controlled lower Celsius setup is the key for longevity. Ten years for stelvin is just dandy. What I find is the actual glass makes one hell of a difference to enjoyment and the flavour differential between my preferred and another two I have is remarkable. However I have been lucky to have had plenty over the last few years that were in the 9 to 15 year group without a single dud. Had a 2014 margan semi last night and it was stunning in said preferred glass but I gave it a whack in another and not as great.
 
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I have very few wines over 10 years old.
It's okay to say cellar it for x years but 2 things come to mind:
1. Will I still be around?
2. I know I don't have perfect storage facilities so will the wine last the distance?
Better to drink and enjoy than not to drink at all.
Due to a recurring medical condition over the last five and a half years, the treatment of which has left me unable to drink for months at a time, my cellar has got older and I have quite a lot of wine over 10 years of age. The oldest is a 1998 Xanadu Lagan Estate Cabernet, grown, bottled and cellared by the original Xanadu owners, the Lagan Family. I had a dozen, acquired when the original owners sold . Ullage on the remaining bottle is about 12mm above the top of the shoulder, so I believe should still be good. It needs to be released from its captivity this year, but it may be too late already.
It is probably time for me to stop buying wine, as my wife drinks very little, and would probably give most of the collection away.
I should do a complete stocktake, so I know what is there. At one time I had just on 600 bottles, but after a quick count a few weeks ago this was down by about 20%. (Enough musing)
 
full video of Ep. 1

Ep. 2: The Oldest Vines on the Planet
  • Cirillo "1850" Ancestor Vine Grenache 2012 - Marco Cirillo
  • Hewitson "Old Garden Vineyard" Mourvèdre 2015 - Dean Hewitson
  • Henschke "Mount Edelstone" Shiraz 2015 - Stephen Henschke
#TasteWithKaren LIVE: Australian Wine Discovered — A Taste Journey
3 wines and winemakers @ 10-11am AEST Friday 25th June, 16th July, 20th August, 3rd September
Episode 1: Chardonnay from Margaret River — Like No Other
  • Virginia Willcock - Vasse Felix Chardonnay 2017
  • Bruce Dukes - Clairault Streicker "Clairault" Margaret River Chardonnay 2018
  • Glen Goodall - Xanadu Black Label Chardonnay 2019
Future episodes: Yarra Valley, McLaren Vale, Margaret River Cabernet

 
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