Thermenregion whites
Thermenregion starts on the edge of the Wienerwald forest just 5km south of Vienna. It’s a region of two distinct parts, the result of a merger in 1985. Nearest to Vienna, two niche white grape varieties prevail – rotgipfler and zierfandler.
Tassie pinot noir
With 42% of total Tasmanian vineyard plantings, pinot noir is the island state’s lead variety. Still red pinot noir wine is getting to be a force to be reckoned with, with even latent sub-regional undertones becoming apparent.
An accidental treatise on lees work with chardonnay
A logistical misadventure meant Michael Glover, the winemaker at Bannockburn Vineyards in Geelong, Victoria had to leave one of his chardonnays on its lees for three years rather than the usual two. It turned out to be an excellent decision.
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.
Pinot noir regionality develops in New Zealand
Notwithstanding that most pinot noir vines in New Zealand are less than ten years old, the idea of differing regional expressions of the variety has already been gaining ground for at least half of that time.
Pinot noir the new bright thing
“Pinot noir is the next wine fashion” said Ross Brown, of Brown Brothers, speaking at the closing session of the 8th International Cool Climate Symposium, in Hobart, Tasmania.
What separates the Adelaide Hills from Clare Valley?
At a tasting masterclass in London, Clare Valley’s Wakefield/Taylors chief winemaker Adam Eggins joined forces with viticulturist Marty Edwards, of The Lane in the Adelaide Hills, to expound the differences and evolving styles. Chardonnay and shiraz were the focus of the tasting.
Primitivo in Puglia
DNA research that identified zinfandel and primitivo as the same grape variety boosted interest in Puglia of this variety since the 1990s and has led to great quality wines being produced.
Germany’s Burgundian links
Riesling may be Germany’s signature grape variety, covering 20% of the country’s vineyard area, but another 10% is covered with the increasingly trendy grauburgunder (pinot gris/grigio) and weissburgunder (pinot blanc).
Negroamaro
Negroamaro is one of the top three grape varieties grown in Puglia and a strong component of several DOCs. It’s found mainly in the southern, Salento, region of Puglia.
