On switching on the radio this morning and heard that UK newspapers have had the audacity to print something negative about New Zealand wine. The Times suggested buying French wine instead of New Zealand, it was reported to reduce your (UK readers) carbon footprint. New Zealand wine industry members were reported as being concerned that [...]
That is, easy to find on this blog. I thought I should write a post that has all the fining links on one page as so many people find their way here looking for information on fining agents. Just pick your agent Egg whites Fish or Isinglass Bentonite Caesine Ther are a few other I [...]
How long can they drag this out for? Perhaps until Vinexpo when they might be able to do some arm twisting. Normally I’d expect everything to have been released by now except maybe a few of the top wines. What I find strange though is that wines like Cantenac Brown which normally hit the market [...]
I discovered this on the interesting China Wines Information Website and have absolutly no idea what to make of it. Would you buy Playboy wine? Does it even exist?
I saw this at a super market two nights ago. Quite a bold step but Roesmount are not afraid of using unique bottle shapes, they were using a flanged neck prior to this. The bottle reverts to the traditional cylindrical configuration by about 150mm up the bottle. Its on their diamond lable range, this particular [...]
Bit of a break through here. The EU protecting a trading name of a region, outside of Europe is unusual but perhaps a little pragmatic. More comment over at The Cork Board
Botrytis is essentially a mould infection that forms on the skins of berries and works it’s way into the skins thus leaching out water and concentrating the flavours, sugars and acids inside the berries. The conditions required for botrytis to take are a period of high humidity or moisture. A fog is quite useful for [...]
There’s little point being stingy when buying wines you intend to cellar. While a lot of wines “drink†better with 6 months of rest, they don’t necessarily improve or change. A little time in storage will often dull any rough edges that brash young wines show when first on the market. However not all wines [...]
Getting to know the wines of France can be a difficult exercise if you are use to varietal labelling. It’s not really as complicated as a lot of wine writers like to make out but it is very different if your use to new world wines. When I first got interested in French wines when [...]
This afternoon a friend brought a bottle of Villa Maria 1999 Reserve Hawkes Bay Chardonnay around to my home. Old wines are a real passion of mine and this was going to be interesting as Chardonnay can be a real mixed bag when it comes to aging depending on where it comes from and often [...]
The New Zealand International Wine Show is looking to recruit new wine judges, but only if their opinion matches their current judges. Basically, you taste through a range of wine “blindâ€. If your scores match those of the current judges, you win! All joking aside, if you like the idea of having a go at [...]
I’ve posted before about using the right glassware and how it can improve your wine and change your perception of it. Winemakers also need to consider this. If your blending and producing your wine based on how it tastes in an ISO tasting glass will this be relevant to the consumers experience? I would suggest [...]
I’m in Matakana today north of Auckland. The late autumn colours are starting to show through. Matakana Estate Providence with parts of Hyperion in the background.
Over at Dr Vino there has been much discussion of carbon neutrality, off-sets and the like. What surprises me though is that people think they are reducing carbon emissions by buying locally produced wines. While it could reduce carbon emissions, you need to take into consideration the process of growing the grapes, making the wine, [...]
Herons Flight vineyard in Matakana is holding a vertical tasting of every Sangiovese they have produced back to 1998 complete with dinner in the appropriate Italian style. Scheduled for the 19th of May, contact Herons Flight for details.
Chateau Trotanoy seems to have been released but I have seen considerable price variation. Make sure you check both the first payment and second payment estimates (landing charges) when comparing prices as well as the theoretical total. If ordering wine en primeur make sure you keep a copy of those estimated second payments. Although these [...]
Australia’s wine exports have hit record new levels including some very impressive numbers for the Chinese Market. Also The US has edged ahead of the UK as the top export market for Australian wine.
The guys over at The Cork Board, have a post about this rather interesting piece of equipment. The WinePod is system for producing your own wine. Only available in the US at present (and there is a waiting list) They can even supply you the grapes year round. If your in the US and have [...]
Interesting article over at Wine Enthusiast
I have heard that Chateau Gruaud Larose has been released at about 275 pounds a case in bond but I haven’t been able to find it. Parker has also given the vintage a sort of thumbs up according to decanter. The most interesting comments come from Paul Pontallier of Chateau Margaux however. He is quoted [...]
My blogging has not been too regular over the last week. The cause of this has been that I’ve been occupied in getting my business site operational. www.globalwineconsultants.com Over the next few months I hope to add a couple of consumer services which I’m putting the finishing touches on at present. We do offer consumer [...]