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.
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.
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.
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.
A minimalist journey
Alan and Nelly Cooper are doing really tasty things high up in the Macedon Ranges. Here’s a tasting of their 2010s.
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.
Mornington Peninsula temperature curve
Temperature curve from the peninsula to the city.
Savaterre
The owner and winemaker of Savaterre, Keppell Smith, set up shop in 1996, spitting distance across the road from famed Beechworth producer Giaconda. “All I want is a wine with personality”, he said.
Cool climate Australia – tasting notes from around Melbourne.
When Wine Australia held a tasting in London during November of wines from Victoria that are available in the UK, I focused on pinot noir and chardonnay to explore cool climate expressions.
Castagna
Ex-film director Julian Castagna bought his vineyard land in Beechworth, Victoria, in 1997, planting shiraz, sangiovese and viognier, with nebbiolo following in 2001.
