I’ve collected here some of the stuff I’ve written for other (print) publications, alongside new writings exclusively for the Wine Wisdom site.
Faugères
Faugères schist defines the appellation, where the days, and nights, are warm, and blended reds have a freshness that defies that warmth.
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.
Closure trends
Nomacorc are the second largest closure manufacturer in the world, after cork stopper producer Amorim, selling a projected 2.4 billion units in 2011, but the synthetic category has experienced significant consolidation in the last couple of years. Will synthetic closures be squeezed out by cork and screwcap?
Tasmanian regions – the north
Tasmania is a relatively small island, some 250km north to south. The cool, moderate, maritime, climate location of the whole state means that small local variations in weather, soils and topography result in differing outcomes for wine styles.
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.
