Italy has a whopping 825,000 hectares under vine, and produces a touch under 18 percent of the world’s wine, around 4,500 megalitres, each year (Australia produces 4.5 percent, about 1,200 megalitres). Comparisons are odious they say, but considering Italy is just a little larger than the State of Victoria this speaks of a huge industry, and hints at wine’s cultural and economic importance in that country. Read More >
Geoff Weaver Adelaide Hills Riesling 2012 – pale lemony gold, green tinged; scents of lime blossom followed by intense fresh lime juice and minerally acid; long, pure and delicious. This will last and improve for 10 years and give increasing pleasure over the journey. Read More >
This is a new label created by David Fesq of the well-known Sydney wine family, and the wines are made at Lethbridge Estate in the Geelong region from locally grown grapes. Read More >
Not sure if its a longing for Christmas (summer here in New Zealand) or the fact I have had two brilliant bottles of Millton Chenin Blanc in the last few days, so I thought we would revisit an article I wrote in December, 2012, “Annus Chenin, Ad infinitum”.
Millton’s 2009 Te Aria Chenin Blanc Demi-Sec that was sensational paired with “Countryside Bird”, Hay baked quail (think Hāngi style in an oven), forest mushroom, ash potato, Maori spinach, popcorn grits, locust, foraged greens, preview of their Wellington on a Plate special menu “Land, Sea and Sky”, designed by Andre Rotar, their 21 year-old kitchen hand! Well, with a bit of mentoring by executive chef, Laurent Loudeac. Absolutely brilliant dish and ingredients foraged from Wellington region with a wink to Noma.
A few days earlier I had the Millton Te Aria Chenin Blanc 2013, current release, which I am convinced is the best value white wine in all New Zealand and touchstone for this variety…large tasting note on this coming up.
Cheers and won’t be long for Christmas!
Andrew Jefford goes out on a limb (and might even lose one) in defence of Bordeaux Read More >
Our Melbourne correspondent, Andrew Jenkins, is on the trail of dry cider in Australia and discovers a particularly good vintage 2011 up in Harcourt. Read More >
Our Shanghai correspondent, Mick Knuppel, senses a change of the old guard as the new generation Shanghainese move away from pretentious French burgundy and discover that New Zealand’s deep-fruited pinot noirs are not only more generous and accessible they are brilliantly suited to this region’s cuisine moreover, offer exceptional value for money. Read More >
Our Shanghai correspondent, Mick Knuppel, warms to the “art of life” and the wines from the South of France at the Gerard Bertrand dinner, Le Royal Meridien, voted 2011 Best European Winery, by Wine Enthusiast Read More >
Our Melbourne correspondent, Andrew Jenkins, investigates the bourgeoning Cider and Perry consumption in Australia, moreover is making some of his own with favourable results, least the local possums think so. Read More >
My appreciation of “grower” champagne began whilst living in Singapore. Henry Hariyono, Artisan Cellars – http://www.artisan-cellars.com/ introduced me to the wonders of REAL champagne – terrior expression and low/no dosage. Read More >
