A Watershed Development for the Wine Consumer & Wine World
Preserving open wine

Throughout 6500 years of winemaking evolution, the constant issue of keeping wine from deteriorating and bacterial spoilage has been a conundrum. Ironically the solution to this quandary was always, literally, right under our noses.

Over thousands of centuries there are landmark discoveries and inventions that have been instrumental in changing the way wine has been made, stored, transported, traded and most significantly, consumed.

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Red Harvest
Barolo Nebbiolo Grape

A progressive balance of contemporary and traditional techniques have transformed the otherwise unyielding Nebbiolo grape.

For the uninitiated, the formidable Barolo is a full-bodied Italian red wine produced in the Piedmonte region of northwest Italy from the idiosyncratic and indigenous Nebbiolo grape.

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Post Bordeaux Brilliance
Ridge Vineyard California, USA

A Californian vineyard is a deserving bearer of the torch of old-world winemaking, writes Curtis Marsh.

In the world of fine wine, what was old is now new. This is not a past fashion reinventing itself, nor a renaissance of a specific variety, style or region. It is the acceptance of an age-old reality: that truly great wines are made in the vineyard.

There are distinct vineyard sites and soils emblematic of this around the world, begetting truly distinguished wines that are expressive of their unique terroir, endowed with an encompassing spirit of place and indisputable authenticity.

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Wine Review
Many bottles of wines

Curtis Marsh shares why it’s impossible to make up his mind when it comes to a favourite wine.

Whenever I’m asked, “What is your favourite wine?” I reply, “The wine I haven’t tried yet”, emphasising that I gain the most pleasure in discovering new taste sensations.

The fact is: I have a wandering palate for food and wine, greatly influenced by my mood and by different cuisines, although inevitably, there are certain flavours, varieties and regions I enjoy more than others.

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Zhong Chen Exhibition
Zhong Chen Boy on Dragon, China

Aratong Galleries requests the pleasure of your company at the Opening Ceremony of a Solo Exhibition by Chinese Contemporary Painter, Zhong Chen, “Butterfly Lovers”, to be launched by the Australian Ambassador to China, HE Dr Geoff Raby.

The exhibition will be help at the new Aratong Galleries, Beijing, China on Saturday 23rd October 2010 at 3:30pm

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Langkawi Rebak Island Resort
Taj Resort Langkawi Beach, Malaysia

Rebak Island Resort in Langkawi is one of the best romantic vacations I have had in a very long time and this beautiful place is also located on one of the 99 islands that make up Langkawi. The Rebak Island Resort is also managed by the famous TAJ Hotel group on this 390 acre privately owned island here in Langkawi Island, Malaysia. I had the pleasure of visiting this amazing place over one weekend in August 2010 and here is my story.

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Wine Ratings: Catering to the Herd Mentality or A Necessary Evil?
Wine Ratings

The clinical and somewhat erroneous methods of scoring or rating wine does not take into account the human factor, not only dysfunctional to its pleasures, but unfairly disqualifying otherwise perfectly agreeable wines. Yet, how else does the novice wine consumer or enthusiast alike, wade through an overwhelming glut of hype? Curtis Marsh explores this polemic.

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Maison Trimbach Riesling 2005 Alsace, France
Maison Trimbach Riesling 2005

Most Consistent and Best Quality – Price Rapport White Wine of the Year 2007

Winery Profile

Twelve generations of Trimbachs have prevailed since 1626 over this pre-eminent Alsace house, an unbroken line unthinkable in the new world. The collaboration of time-honored knowledge and skills always impresses me. Maison Trimbach commands the greatest respect from fine wine lovers universally. Their Clos Sainte Hune vineyard, which they have owned for two centuries, is the most distinguished single vineyard in Alsace and produces arguably the finest dry riesling in the world.

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Hermitage La Chapelle Rouge – Part 2
Paul Jaboulet vineyard

Following on from the first instalment on Paul Jaboulet La Chapelle Hermitage in our last edition of the Asian Wine Journal, it is quite possible that I am becoming obsessed with La Chapelle and perhaps suffering from autosuggestion

My deprivation and craving to try the legendary 1990 was more than satisfied on a recent trip to France, in Bordeaux of all places! Well, at least that’s where the story begins. Participating in the 2007 en Primeur tastings, I was a guest of the Frey family, consummate hosts and my lodgings at the impeccably renovated Château La Lagune. Indeed, an auspicious circumstance if not nostalgic, recollecting my early days as a sommelier, Château La Lagune being amongst the first Bordeaux wines I cut my teeth on.

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Metamorphosis Of Piedmont
Gaja Barbaresco, Italy

The Rapidly-Evolving Expression Nebbiolo

Curtis marsh reports on modern-day Barolo and Barbaresco where a progressive balance of contemporary and traditional techniques have transformed an otherwise unyielding style of red.

Like many of the Old World wine regions, there was an inherited resistance to change in Piedmont, with the old guard Barolo and Barbaresco winemakers obstinately adhering to time-honoured traditions and techniques. Indeed, Barolo was seemingly cemented in time with little variance from the winemaking methods introduced in the early 1800s by French oenologist Louis Oudert.

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