Adelaide can’t help being a world beacon for wine. It has wine regions that lay on its doorstep in every direction but the ocean. It is fitting that the one side that is not teeming with world class vineyards, is the waters of the aptly named Gulf of St Vincent, known as a Patron SaintContinue reading "The Australian World Wine Capital"
How many grapes are in a bottle of wine?
How many bottles do you get from a vine? How many bunches of grapes are in a bottle of wine? There are many variables that go into winemaking, but to win the bar room bet remember: Approx 1kg of grapes = 1* 750ml bottle of wine. So 1000kg (1ton) = 1000 bottles (approx 84 dozen)Continue reading "How many grapes are in a bottle of wine?"
James asks: Does Berlin/Brandenburg have the conditions necessary for good wine growing?
A reader's question from a historian friend in Berlin: At the beginning of the 1780s King Friedrich Wilhelm II of Prussia bought up land in Potsdam's New Garden for wine growing. Does the area around Berlin and Brandenburg really have the conditions necessary for good wine growing? Are there vineyards in Berlin/Brandenburg? yes, a fewContinue reading "James asks: Does Berlin/Brandenburg have the conditions necessary for good wine growing?"
Where to go in the Barossa Valley
There are many reasons to visit the Barossa Valley...here are some more
“Expensive Wine Is For Suckers”….really?
It is the question discussed over many a bottle of wine at a dinner party...usually when an unsuspecting wine lover is at the table opening a favourite (maybe expensive) drop: is expensive wine and the whole "wine thing" all smoke and mirrors? Watch what these guys think: http://www.vox.com/2015/5/20/8625785/expensive-wine-taste-cheap Watch it? Yep? Now let's put a few thingsContinue reading "“Expensive Wine Is For Suckers”….really?"
Cellar Door Etiquette – Part 2 For Staff
Cellar Door Etiquette: Part 2 For Staff As promised ( a long long time ago), following on from Part 1 which was directed at Cellar door visitors, now it is time for some tips for the hosts, the Cellar Door (Tasting Room) Staff. Many apologies for the delay in publishing and I really have noContinue reading "Cellar Door Etiquette – Part 2 For Staff"
Napa Valley, where to go…
Just last month I had the opportunity to spend time in Northern California, which of course included time in the Napa Valley. As a visitor, this wine region can be daunting. They have over 100 tasting rooms packed into the 60km of the valley itself. Navigation is easy: You will either be on the SilveradoContinue reading "Napa Valley, where to go…"
My Hunter Valley Top 12
Over a glass of wine last night my wife and I started discussing which dozen wines we would put together to showcase the best of the Hunter Valley to somebody who has never tried anything from the area before. Never and easy task and it is limited to wines we are quite familiar with andContinue reading "My Hunter Valley Top 12"
Vintage and harvesting quick FAQs
The 2013 vintage is already in full swing in the Hunter Valley of Australia and the nerves and tension of every winemaker and vineyard manager are palpable. This is the time when you can feel that a random 2 days of bad weather can make or break the whole year' s work and how theContinue reading "Vintage and harvesting quick FAQs"
Wine Shopping Tips for Christmas
That time of the year is upon us again with Christmas lights all around and last minute presents still to be worried about. It is also now the time to buckle down and get ready for the Xmas catering and pick some wines for the celebrations. Many wine afficionados will have already picked out a listContinue reading "Wine Shopping Tips for Christmas"