Abbotts and Delaunay
It’s refreshing to admit a vinous volte face, which is just what happened when I visited recently at Abbotts and Delaunay in the Languedoc-Roussillon.
Jansz
What’s now known as Jansz (from Abel Tasman’s middle name), was established in 1975, in the Pipers River area of north-east Tasmania. The 24 hectare vineyard had been part of the original Heemskerk property, and a new lease of life began in 1998 when the Hill-Smith family bought it.
Eldridge Estate
David Lloyd of Eldridge Estate on Red Hill is a self-confessed ‘hillist’ of Mornington Peninsula. He used to think the “best pinot noir [came] from ‘the downs’ because it’s warmer” but he was persuaded by early pioneer Nat White of Main Ridge to focus on pinot noir from the hills.
Ten minutes with … Nick Farr
Nick Farr, of By Farr Vineyards, discusses soils, moisture and future-proofing in Geelong, Victoria.
The mesmerising world of Didier Barral
Didier Barral owns 33 hectares of Faugères, plus 20 hectares of land which is fallow for pasture, for his philosophy on the monoculture that is grape-growing and wine-making is that it is impossible to make organic wine in a monoculture.
Bodegas Terras Gauda
Bodegas Terras Gauda, in north west Spain, are making some extraordinarily good wines from the local Rias Baixas grapes.
Domaine d’Aupilhac
Sylvain Fadat is a pioneer of Monpeyroux, one of the top Languedoc locations for making wine, and a pioneer of varietal carignan.
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.
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.
Tasting of Champagne Jacquart 2011 vins clairs
Floriane Eznack, winemaker at Champagne Jacquart smuggled out (not literally, but by the sound of the administration involved, it might have been the easier option) some still base wines from the 2011 Champagne vintage.
