Wine Knowledge
Riesling has a long history, and there are several written references to the variety dating from the 15th century in Germany. Riesling was sometimes claimed to have originated from wild vines of the Rhine region, without much support to back up that claim. More recently, DNA fingerprinting by Ferdinand Regner indicated that one parent of…
Read More
Now don’t take this the wrong way, but most likely you’ve be doing shiraz wrong the whole time. Australia’s favourite grape variety, shiraz, is called syrah in its country of origin, France, as well as in the rest of Europe, Argentina, Chile, Uruguay, New Zealand and South Africa – pretty much the rest of the…
Read More
McLaren Vale is one of the great and oldest names of Australian wine. The birthplace of wine in South Australia, it lies just south of the capital city of Adelaide and offers a multiplicity of soils which bask under a Mediterranean climate. Best known for shiraz, McLaren Vale is forging a reputation as being home…
Read More
Rosé wine has enjoyed phenomenal success in recent years, helped in a large part by much better winemaking and focus, and in some part a change in the way we eat and drink. The profile of rosé has changed too, with lighter coloured and dry-tasting wines better suited to go with food dominating the shelves…
Read More
Grenache has been an important variety in Australia since it first arrived from the warm southern Rhône in France in 1832, as part of the original set of varieties imported by James Busby. In fact, Australia now has older vines than the French (due to the devastating effects of phylloxera) with ancient but productive vines…
Read More
Pinot noir is a beguiling grape in all its guises whether drunk as a single varietal wine, as a rosé or as part of the blend of grapes in champagne. Pinot noir’s long Burgundian history helps its prestige. The French region’s Benedictine and Cistercian monks first ‘discovered’ pinot noir’s pleasures a millennia ago. Louis XIV…
Read More
Until recently, Australia’s wine lovers maintained a singular love for shiraz, the most planted variety in the country. Its big, bold and rich personality dominated the drinking landscape, leaving faint-hearted reds in its wake. But while shiraz is still the most planted variety in the country, a new red is stealthily winning over drinkers with…
Read More
Chardonnay is the most planted grape in the world, and for good reason. It’s the backbone of many sparkling wines, and in a glass of chardonnay itself, you can find great diversity. Everything from the soil, to the barreling, to the climate of the region can impact its taste. And while it hasn’t been at…
Read More
From ‘christening’ ships to toasting in the New Year, champagne has become synonymous with celebration. But why on special occasions, when there are so many types of wine to choose from, do we tend to reach for a bottle of the famous sparkling white wine? According to historians, it all comes down to a sophisticated…
Read More
Get to know the popular styles of sparkling. Champagne A classic for good reason, champagne has gained an illustrious reputation within the world of sparkling wine for its depth, character and flavour. The three main varieties used in the crafting of champagne are the white grape chardonnay, and the red (black) grapes pinot noir and…
Read More