Archive for March, 2010:
Sonoma strikes for coolness
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Sonoma, in California, made its cool climate case at a recent seminar in London, showing mostly pinot noirs with two chardonnays, a couple of classic grape varieties associated with cool climate viticulture.
Syrah/shiraz from around the world – a blind tasting
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Every few months I organise a themed tasting seminar for a group of local business people. We taste blind and discuss the wines.
Cool climate Australia
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Australia is finding its cooler climate cool-spots. This piece explores the reality and busts some of the myths.
Winkler's climate regions
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Amerine and Winkler classified five winemaking regions in California. Their classification still form the bedrock of viticultural climatic data, though various refinements have subsequently been made by others.
Weingut Liebfrauenstift
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The vineyard with the dubious reputation of giving birth to the German export phenomenon of Liebfraumilch is again building its reputation for top quality, aiming for VDP status.
German pinot noir, emerging excellence
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The recent emergence of German pinot noir (spätburgunder) on the world stage was revisited with this tasting seminar, held at Staatsdomäne Assmansshausen in Rüdesheim, Germany, in late September 2009, as part of a Master of Wine visit to the region.
Bordeaux and climate change: whites
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Four top Bordeaux producers recently got together in London to discuss climate change and the Bordeaux paradigm over the past 20 years. The news is not great for white wines.
Viña Casa Silva: Veritable Carmenère Specialist
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Carmenère specialist Viña Casa Silva, in conjunction with research institutions in Chile and Germany, is researching the best carmenère clones to make better quality wine.
South African model of cooler climate
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Understanding the cooler aspects of the South African climate is complicated. South Africa’s climate is undoubtedly warm Mediterranean and hot continental. But there are a number of cooling influences, most notably from both proximitous oceans, and high up at altitudes of 1,000m and more.
