Over the weekend I opened a couple of Chateau Latour vintages. The 1990 and a 1947 magnum. The whole exercise was quite an experience, even getting the cork out of the 47 was quite a process. The end result was that both wines were excellent and very enjoyable. Over the next couple of days I’ll [...]
The rumors have been going for a while about Clos d’Ambonnay and the expected price but it seems like it really is going to be around $3000 USD per bottle. Essentially the wine is a single vineyard, vintage Blanc de Noirs (white wine made from red grapes). With top Bordeux and Burdundy selling in some [...]
The Hawkes Bay Wine Show seems to be turning into a complete debacle. There are now allegations of incorrect tallying of numbers and of yet another conflict of interest! The New Zealand Herald has details. This is a total shambles and will be damaging the credibility of all New Zealand Wine shows particularly when excuses [...]
If you are a Melbourne Wine Distributor and your looking for a high quality small batch New Zealand Pinot Noir for your range let me know. I have just the wine your looking for. My contact details are here at the Global Wine Consultants contact page.
Wine writers looking for their next writing project should look no further than the USA.
Oregon board of liquor control have moved to relax labeling rules pertaining to some varieties.
I saw an article yesterday that claimed Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay were “not so good for agingâ€. I’m sure there are few growers in Burgundy that would disagree for starters. Well forget that advice, there are many producers who make age worthy wines from both varieties. In both cases the wines need to have good [...]
Check out Le Chemins du Sud they have a listings of vineyards all around the South. From their current listings I think I’d plump for the 3.86 Hectares of Collioure et Banyuls for 97500,00 Euros. Although there are some other well priced blocks in the Roussillon AOC too.
After last years Wither Hills fiasco you would think that New Zealand’s incessant wine show circuit would be making sure that no judge has an interest in any entered wines be it financial or implied. It’s there fore surprising to see what has happened at the Hawkes Bay A & P wine show. Rather than [...]
Tesco are to begin shipping bulk wine by canal in an effort to reduce the amount of energy used in local shipping of bulk product.
In an attempt to help fund Breast Cancer research, Budge Brown has founded Cleavage Creek and is donating 10% of gross proceeds to that cause. Based in California they are producing a range of wines including a a Napa Cabernet. Budge’s passion for this cause came from the loss of his wife to cancer in [...]
Reports are now on the net that a limited number of wines from the Georgian Breakaway region of Abkhazia are to be allowed access to the Russian Market.
In New Zealand we are celebrating Labour Day this weekend by taking Monday off! Labour Weekend is quite big in Matakana with a number of events including the annual Morris & James sale. If you visiting the area Herons Flight is well worth a stop, not only are they celebrating their 20th anniversary, they are [...]
Private viticulture and wine making looks set to get a boost in India. The Economic Times in India reports on the developments from the government to free up distribution and production. From the report there seems to be a couple of thrusts to the plan; land use diversification and countering large imports of wine. There [...]
Do you have a purpose built wine cellar in your home? Despite the cost of building one there is a growing demand for them worldwide in upmarket houses. Whether it’s a specially insulated room or a subterranean addition, an article in the Dallas Morning Herald claims they are set to become standard features in up [...]
I’ve found oldish wines before, but it’s always been something I didn’t want though. For example; a 200ml twist top of Montana Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc circa 1992… My astounding discoveries aside, there has been a recent discovery in Cornwall England. In what seems to be an improbable find by a member of staff (who just [...]
Think your vineyard is marginal? Think you need irrigation? You’re probably not growing grapes in Namibia though! Allan Walkden-Davis is producing 3500 bottles annually of Shiraz and Shiraz Merlot. With only 3 inches of rain a year he could probably take a punt on some real late ripening verities!
Moldova wine exports to Russia are to resume. Georgia’s wine industry will be hoping that they are also welcomed back. However that would not seem likely given the current political climate between the two countries.
Do you think life would be better with a free glass of Champagne? Well I certainly do and thanks to Soul Aid the women of Auckland are in luck. Yes, free Champagne for the girls (not the men I’m noting) and not some locally produced sparkler, the genuine article. Not surprisingly conditions apply so have [...]
Due to circumstances beyond my control I can’t make it to drinks tonight at the Living Room on Ponsonby Road. I’ll attempt to re-schedule for next. Sorry about the late notice.
There seems to be some positive spin coming out of Bordeaux despite the poor weather. Interesting photos in the this AFP arcticle.
Benoit Tarlant of Champagne Tarlant has a really cool blog which includes video of the 2007 harvest, fermentation and barrel work. He has a recent post that refers to yesterdays rugby match and suggests another match. One between champagne and New Zealand sparkling wine. While it might be fun I think it could be a [...]
I stumbled across an interesting essay by Tom Cannavan on 100-point chasers. It’s well worth a read. The essay dates from June 2000 but I think it’s still very relevant. I had a lot of experience of this when I worked as the fine Wine Manager for a company called Glengarry Wines. Although I completely [...]
Next Tuesday, the 9th of October join us at the Living Room on the corner of Ponsonby Road and Pollen Street for an informal get together of wine enthusiasts. From about 6.30PM. I’ll be conspicuous by my red hair. Map below View Larger Map