Is Gippsland Australia’s new cool climate zone?
The Gippsland zone is vast, about a quarter of the total area of the state of Victoria. The scale of viticulture is miniscule, about 1% that of neighbouring Yarra Valley. But the region is right on-trend with its cool climate locale.
Sustainability on the move
The necessary mantra that sustainability is a journey not a destination is becoming manifest. And to prove that enterprises are taking continuous steps of improvement along this journey requires measurement, reporting, traceability and improvement action plans, often accompanied by independent certification.
Introducing Tasmania
The island state of Tasmania has just 1,400 hectares of vineyard producing some 0.5% of Australia’s total crush. But its repute as the country’s leading producer of cool climate, high quality still and sparkling wines far exceeds its volumetric contribution.
Arras – the house that Ed built
House of Arras represents the pinnacle of Accolade Wines’ sparkling wine programme, a totally Tasmanian bubbly brand created and nurtured by Aussie sparkling wine maestro, Ed Carr, the group sparkling winemaker for Accolade Wines.
Minerality – quote, unquote 3
Here’s a northern European selection of minerality quotes and comments from Germany and the Loire, with just one Champagne thrown in for good measure.
What does it take to make pinot noir?
First stop on a tour of Tasmania was a pinot noir component tasting of Frogmore Creek’s Evermore pinot noir, with plenty of unexpected micro-batches taking part.
Tasting of Champagne Jacquart 2011 vins clairs
Floriane Eznack, winemaker at Champagne Jacquart smuggled out (not literally, but by the sound of the administration involved, it might have been the easier option) some still base wines from the 2011 Champagne vintage.
A Carafe of Red
This is a collection of essays, snapshots of Asher’s wine writing from the 80s and 90s, almost all in Europe, languid tales of wine and history and culture, with remarkable relevance, even insight, for today. Worth a read.
A guide to the sustainability guides
As the need to take better care of the planet increases, sustainability issues have moved onto the agenda. This is a “cut out and keep” guide to the various initiatives in the wine industry.
White Spanish trinity of albariño, godello and verdejo
The far north-west corner of Spain, the bit above Portugal, with its lush, verdant colours of the Costa Verde, due in part to its high rainfall coming off the Atlantic, is a mecca for fresh, vibrant, perfumed white wines.
