Grape Varieties
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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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