What are the oldest grape vines in the world?

Whenever it comes to superlatives of ‘oldest/fastest/longest/biggest’ there are many grey zones and surprises. In winemaking: a big surprise is that the oldest continually producing vineyards are mostly from the ‘new world’. The oldest vines in the world that are used to make wine is a vineyard of the Žametovka variety growing in the townContinueContinue reading “What are the oldest grape vines in the world?”

Is a 10 year old wine ok to drink? Does wine go off?

A question I hear often. Quick answer: no wine doesn’t go off, but it might not taste good. It will be safe to drink, as in: it will not make you ill. The alcohol combined with natural acidity of wines create an environment unsuitable for harmful organisms to grow. Fermented drinks (Wine and Beer) andContinueContinue reading “Is a 10 year old wine ok to drink? Does wine go off?”

Why good impressions and good merchandise count at winery Cellar Doors

ᴍʏ ᴀʟᴘʜᴀ & ᴏᴍᴇɢᴀ ᴡᴀɪᴛᴇʀ’ꜱ ꜰʀɪᴇɴᴅ: ɪ ʟᴏᴠᴇ ᴛʜɪꜱ ᴛʜɪɴɢ. 𝐃𝐨 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐚 𝐆𝐎-𝐓𝐎 𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐤𝐞𝐩𝐭 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐲𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐬? Or 𝐚𝐧𝐲 𝐰𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐲 𝐯𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐭 𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐬𝐭𝐮𝐜𝐤 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐢𝐫 ‘𝐬𝐦𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐭𝐨𝐮𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐬’ 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐞𝐱𝐭𝐫𝐚 𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐞? My trusty Alpha & Omega branded waiters friend Not only has this been a solidContinueContinue reading “Why good impressions and good merchandise count at winery Cellar Doors”

Are Wine Show Medals a sign of a good wine?

Recently speaking with a customer I heard the comment “Don’t tell me about medals, that’s all bulls##t”. And with the amount of wine shows worldwide more than even the most astute wine expert to be familiar with, who can blame him. That said, wine medal claims are there for a reason, and if you canContinueContinue reading “Are Wine Show Medals a sign of a good wine?”

What is the Barossa Wine School and should you do it?

Just fresh from completing the Barossa Wine School Educator course with the Barossa Valley Grape and Wine Association, and it is the ideal time to share: What Is the Barossa Wine School and who is it for? The Barossa Wine School program is a 101 of the Barossa. In a way it is designed asContinueContinue reading “What is the Barossa Wine School and should you do it?”

The Australian World Wine Capital

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 SaintContinueContinue reading “The Australian World Wine Capital”

“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 thingsContinueContinue reading ““Expensive Wine Is For Suckers”….really?”

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 SilveradoContinueContinue reading “Napa Valley, where to go…”