Australian First Families of Wine Masterclass
Australia’s ‘first families of wine’ rocked into London last week, marking their first port of call on an international road trip, aimed at re-igniting interest and enthusiasm for the sort of posher Aussie wines that lay above the big volume brands. They kicked off with a 24-wine masterclass tasting.
Tasmania sparkles
Tasmania is without doubt Australia’s coolest region, and as a result the state provides the fruit for many of the country’s bubblies. Indeed roughly a quarter of Tassie’s grape production ends up as sparklers.
Cool climate Australia
Australia is finding its cooler climate cool-spots. This piece explores the reality and busts some of the myths.
Hobbs Grenache 2005, Barossa Valley, Australia
Outrageously delicious ’sticky’ from Aus.
Australia’s First Families of Wine: Bruce Tyrell interview
Bruce Tyrell gives the lowdown on the new Australia’s First Family of Wines group, which will promote their regional and icon wines.
Where next for Aussie pinot noir?
Australian pinot noir can now stand on its own on the world stage. Tasmania and Victoria have the best spots so far.
Australia’s First Families of Wine
Twelve long-standing, family-owned, Australian wine producing companies plan to create a new image for Australian wine with a regional flavour.
De Bortoli Windy Peak Pinot Noir 2008, Victoria, Australia
One of an ad hoc selection of wines that have made me sit up, take notice and smile with renewed enthusiasm: raised eyebrows; a skipped heartbeat; a ‘yum’ on my tasting score, or some such.
Australian pinot noir
Pinot noir is a notoriously capricious and fastidious grape variety, demanding specific sites to perform at its best. Australia is getting to grips with the variety for high quality wine production.
Terroir in Australia – regionality by any other name?
As Australian producers explore more niche places to grow grapes, and their marketeers promote regionality, is this merely the Aussie view on that most French of concepts – terroir?
