Sauvignon blanc sub-regionality in Marlborough, NZ
What is it about Marlborough that makes this patch of land so well suited to producing the crisp, pungent, immediately-appealing, refreshing mouthfuls of intensely herby and fruity wines that Brits go wild for?
Abbotts and Delaunay
It’s refreshing to admit a vinous volte face, which is just what happened when I visited recently at Abbotts and Delaunay in the Languedoc-Roussillon.
The new Crus Bourgeois – three years in
With the cancellation of the 2003 classification in 2007, the cru bourgeois moniker in Bordeaux was due for extinction, but was saved via a third-party accredited, transparent scheme. Three years on from the introduction of the new system, how are the ‘new’ crus bourgeois being received?
Minerality quote, unquote 4
A recent visit to Australia turned up some interesting views on minerality.
Viña Zorzal Graciano, Navarra, 2010
This has to be one of the best value red wines being offered the Wine Soc just now.
The Complete Bordeaux, Stephen Brook
It is difficult for interested consumers to get an intimate appreciation for particular properties in Bordeaux, where it might be easier in other parts of the world, so someone with Stephen’s reputation and gravitas becomes the conduit through which consumers, and industry, learn.
Wine Grapes, Jancis Robinson, Julia Harding, José Vouillamoz
This has been a much-awaited and anticipated book. It will undoubtedly race to its place ahead of the few other ‘must stock’ books in any serious winey-person’s library.
Prestige Carmagnole 2011, Côtes du Roussillon Villages – Caramany
A delicious southern French red blend from Marks and Sparks. Yum
Australia's new cool
Australian cool viticultural climates can generally be found at higher altitudes or latitudes. Many have climbed in search of cooler zones such as the Macedon Ranges, Adelaide Hills, Whitlands at the Alpine end of King Valley, and the Upper (south) Yarra Valley. But maritime areas, especially those exposed to cool, Southern Ocean currents in the Bass Strait as it funnels across lands south of Melbourne, also find cool, and windy, locations. Island state Tasmania gets the double whammy of a high latitude location that is bang in the middle of the roaring forties trade winds.
Growing season temperature
Growing season temperature (GST) may just provide the most refined single index yet for identifying regions of cool and very cool climates. Work by Dr Andrew Pirie, honorary research associate at Tasmanian Institute of Agricultural Research, consultant at Tamar Ridge, and owner of Apogee, a single vineyard Tasmanian sparkling wine, has revised the index.
