Cellaring for Dummies pt 2

Here's a short video which follows up from the cellaring post. Enjoy!

http://media.smh.com.au/executive-style/wine-wisdom

Prost!

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Cellar for dummies!

I know that if you went to your local bookshop you'd probably find that title somewhere on the shelf, wedged between "An idiots guide to the guide for dummies" and "Idiots/dummies guide to becomeing an Entrepreneur" (I can answer that last one, by saying if your reading a book about becoming an Entrepreneur, that's your first mistake)!

So here is a short article about cellaring wine;

http://www.smh.com.au/executive-style/top-drop/cellar-lore-for-dummies-20100602-wyqu.html

salute!

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Australian wine facts

For those that are interested, I stumbled across what I assume to be the lastest stats about Aussie wine production, some of which caught me by surprise.

The link is here http://www.wineaustralia.com/australia/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=ZYJjumQDRaw%3d&tabid=5419

To summarize a few points of interest;

• Shiraz & Chardonnay are neck and neck for top spot in the most popular wine varieties, is that surprising, well it's the closeness that surprises me, that leads to the next point.

• Of the most planted varieties, Shiraz tops the list with 26% of all new wine being planted, while Chardonnay only features in "other white" making up some of the 14% of that particular mash up of wines.

• So what's the most removed variety, well you might have guessed, Chardonnay at a massive 31%. So I'd assume that Shiraz, if it hasn't already will take over as the most produced wine in the country.

• The other surprise for me is that Semillon is the 5th most popular variety, ahead of but I've know idea how far, of Riesling, Pinot Noir & Sauvignon Blanc. It's also 8% of new wine planted!

• So if they're pulling out Chardonnay, what are they putting in apart from Shiraz.....unfortunatley it's that hideos most boring of all wines, probably your wife's favourite, Sauvignon Blanc. Leave it to the Kiwi's I reckon!

• The last thing that surprised me was the production by state, obviously Sth Australia by a margin then N.S.W produce the lions share of Australia's wine, the one that caught me off guard was, that West Australia only contributes 3.7% of total wine production!

So there's some useless trivia for your next dinner party, as your sniffing and swirling keep the whole party entertained with some facinating wine stats!

Cheers

Bubbles

Here's an interesting article that shows Champagne consumption is flying in the face of the rest of the wine industry.

http://www.smh.com.au/executive-style/luxury/no-bursting-our-champagne-market-bubble-20100418-sml7.html

Could this become known as the Sean Byrne effect?

Cheers

May 1st = Grange 2005

May 1 is a red letter day in any Australian wine lovers’ calendar as it marks the release of the new vintages of Penfolds icon wines, including 2005 Grange. These are wines that barely need an introduction. On the face of it, Grange is a curious, indeed counter-intuitive wine. It’s not a single vineyard wine, or even a single region wine. It was famously dismissed by critics and even Penfolds in its early years. And yet here we are with the 54th vintage of the wine recognised as being at the top of the Australian hierarchy. In the end it comes down to pedigree. While we can surmise that a wine made in a certain style will develop for 20 years or more, with Grange it has been proven.

2006 St Henri Shiraz
St Henri is a stunning wine, and if there is a bargain to be had in the icon releases, this is it. Made from premium Shiraz and aged in large, older oak barrels, it is a beautiful expression of supple fruit and delicious Shiraz characters. It ages with grace and elegance.

2007 Bin 707 Cabernet Sauvignon
Possibly the most distinctive Cabernet in Australia, Bin 707 is made to be the Cabernet version of Grange. It’s ripe and intensely flavoured, and completes its fermentation and maturation in new American oak. The fruit is so powerful, almost like a blackcurrant paste, that the oak is unobtrusively integrated. It too will cellar for decades.

2007 RWT Barossa Shiraz
The tenth anniversary release of Penfolds’ Red Winemaking Trial (hence RWT), this is the perfect counterpoint to Grange. Sourced entirely from the Barossa Valley and aged in French oak, it is more aromatic, opulent and graceful than Grange. Its style is aromatic and finely textured fruit, rather than sheer power. With lush and expansive flavours and long-term ageing potential, RWT has firmly cemented its place in the company.

2005 Grange
Grange is the backbone of any serious Australian wine collection. Its proven capacity to age is second to none. The aromas are pure South Australian Shiraz – coffee, chocolate, liquorice and cassis with characteristically forward oak that will soften as the wine ages in the long term. The vintage was ideal, leading to a very complete wine with a chewy, mouthfilling fruit profile.

So get into your favourite retailer or email them with your requests as these wines generally sell out quickly.

Many thanks to http://www.wine-ark.com.au/ for the tasting notes.

Cheers

And now for something a little bit different?

Here is a very interesting concept being embraced by a few vinofiles.

http://www.smh.com.au/executive-style/top-drop/stopping-the-rot-20100406-ro4k.html

Is this something that the DD should explore?

Please direct all your feedback to The Bell Keeper and Vice royal Vinoman.


Cheers

For those with expensive tastes!

This is for those of you who are wondering whether or not to buy up big with the release of 2009 Bordeaux "En primeur"?

http://www.smh.com.au/executive-style/top-drop/bordeaux-uncorks-blockbuster-vintage-eyes-china-20100331-rbv8.html


Joyeux depenses!

Things to consider

Here's a helpful list of things to avoid this year.

http://www.smh.com.au/executive-style/top-drop/the-20-trends-to-avoid-in-2010-20100324-qvha.html

Cheers

Golf

A review of 2009 Golf at Cypress Lakes and preview of 2010 at the Vintage.



Firstly, we have booked our tee time for the DD weekend at The Vintage golf course for 10am, a very gentile time so one has enough time on hand to keep the wife happy, knock off some breakfast with the accompanying bloody mary to ward off the night befores full effects!

Cypress 2009 Review

At the inaugural weekend we lined up at Cypress Lakes with three teams of 4, for a 4 ball ambrose, with the teams looking like this;

Team 1
Matt
Nathan
Iain
Sean

Team 2
Rick
Richard
Scott
Chris S

Team 3
Ric
Penny
Chris H
Aaron

It was obvious from the team draw that one particular team looked the most likely on paper, but this is golf and stange things can happen to even the most accomplised players. Team 2 were that team and they combined well enough on the day to take the prizes, with a very respectable round of just a few over from memory, although in hindsight they should have had their score adjusted for the lack of alcohol consumed on course, Team 1 followed a few shots back, no mean feet considering the amount of alcohol consumed on course, their team style of one to hit it, one to watch it, one to find it and one to get the drinks held up all day!! Team 3 placed 3rd on the day and considering Penny had never really played, Ric and Chris H either hadn't played for a long time or where re-introducing themselves back to the game, acquitted themselves well finishing the day about 10 over!

All in, it was a great way to spend the day, if only it hadn't been 40 degrees and the fact I think Team 1 consistently drank the drinks cart dry, leaving very little for anyone else!!

Great work to Team 2 of Rick, Richard, Chris S, and Scott they lived up to their own hype!

Other awards for the day went to Matt and Aaron for winning longest drives, Nathan and Aaron nearest pins, and Penny Longest drive for the ladies!

Sharpen up the irons, The Vintage awaits!

The Consumed list

Trying to recall the order of which we consumed is more then difficult, so how about we just try and list it in what seems like a logical order of consumption!

Dirty Dozen Wine List

The Drop: Tower Estate, Semillon 2009 (NSW, Lower Hunter Valley)
Purveyor: Matt (This was a last min substitute for Petaluma 1988 Shiraz, which was declared DAT)

The Drop: Pol Roger, Champagne 1996 (France, Montagne de Reims, Cote de Blancs)
Purveyor: Sean

The Drop: Nepenthe, Pinot Gris 2009 (S.Aust, Adelaide Hills)
Purveyor: Rick

The Drop: Leasingham Classic Clare, Riesling 2005 (S.Aust, Clare Valley)
Purveyor: Chris H

The Drop: Lakes Folly, Chardonnay 2005 (NSW, Lower Hunter Valley)
Purveyor: Nathan

The Drop: Tyrells Vat 1, Semillon 2002 (NSW, Lower Hunter Valley)
Purveyor: Richard

The Drop: Bass Philp ‘21st’2006(VIC, South Gippsland), Curley Flat 2006(VIC, Macedon Ranges), Mount Mary 2006(VIC, Yarra Valley), all Pinot Noir
Purveyor: Scott

The Drop: Cabernet Sauvignon (WA, Margaret River)this is all the information that I have on this one, sorry!
Purveyor: Ric

The Drop: Glaetzer Godolphin, Shiraz/Cabernet 2005 (S.Aust, Barossa Valley)
Purveyor: Aaron

The Drop: Moppa Wilton, Shiraz, vintage cannot be recalled (S.Aust, Barossa Valley), Henschke Tappa Pass, Shiraz 2005 (S.Aust, Barossa Valley)
Purveyor: Chris S

This next wine will most probably be etched in a few of our memories for more then just one reason, it might have been the fact it was your first experience with the region/country of origin, it might just have been the fact it was so good & in another ten years will probably be just as good, or for the fact that most of our wives beat us in a game of wine choices!

The Drop: Chataeu Ducru Beaucaillou, 1995 (Bordeaux, France)
Purveyor: The Baker

The Baker!

The Baker


Iain Riggs, Managing Director, Chief Winemaker and part owner of Brokenwood, has taken Brokenwood from a small “hobby” winery and into the national and international arena.

Iain's skills in white winemaking revolutionised Brokenwood, which, when Riggs joined, produced only red wines. A year into his tenure, with the 1983 vintage, production levels changed to 70% white wine and 30% red.

Iain is also a regular show judge for capital city and international wine shows. The 2003 Hunter Valley Wine Show saw Iain take over from Len Evans as Chairman of the show. Previously he was, Chairman of Cowra and McLaren Vale Wine Shows, and Past Deputy Chairman of Wine Australia, the biggest wine exhibition in the southern hemisphere. He was also an inaugural board member of the Winemakers Federation of Australia, its Vice-President and President Australian Winemakers Forum.

In 2001, Iain Riggs was nominated by Gourmet Traveller Wine Magazine as a finalist in the Winemaker of the Year feature.

Born in Burra, South Australia in 1955, Iain’s first insight into the wine industry was through relatives who lived in the Riverland region of South Australia. These were very much “brandy and dry” times, but the allure of table wine drew the young Riggs. The experience that set him on the path that was to become his life was a bottle of 1970 Leo Buring DW110 Riesling - he has been tied to the power of the vine ever since.

Iain studied at Roseworthy College between 1972 and 1975, graduating with honours. At this time, the industry was undergoing a major change - namely the emergence of white wine. He first worked at Bleasedale and Hazelmere in McLaren Vale. At Hazelmere, he sparked his interest in varietal blending and was one of the pioneers of the now-famous combination of Semillon and Sauvignon Blanc. At Hazelmere, Iain, as Chief Winemaker, focussed on white wines, and was crowned McLaren Vale Bushing King in 1982 with his multi-trophy-winning Chardonnay.

The owners of Brokenwood, keen to grow their business and expand into white wine production, offered Iain the job of Chief Winemaker in 1982. That year, a new winery was built. Iain’s skills in white winemaking revolutionised Brokenwood, which, when Riggs joined, produced only red wines. A year into his tenure, with the 1983 vintage, production levels changed to 70% white wine and 30% red.

Brokenwood’s owners had already committed to a program of multi-regional blending, and Iain quickly embarked on sourcing the best parcels of fruit available from premium regions across the country. His criteria for fruit sourcing is to secure fragrant wines that the Hunter Valley does not excel in, namely Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet Sauvignon and Riesling. The other major factor is to ensure a consistency of style, regardless of vintage variations which, in the Hunter Valley particularly, can be dramatic.

Iain is also known as one of Australia’s Shiraz specialists. There are six Shiraz in the portfolio - the single vineyard Graveyard Vineyard, Rayner Vineyard, Mistress Block and Wade Vineyard Block 2 Shiraz and the area blend Brokenwood Shiraz and Hunter ‘Baby Graveyard’ Shiraz.

Iain’s plans for the future are to further consolidate on the premium end of the market, with single vineyard regional wines leading the way. Iain is also a regular show judge for capital city and international wine shows, including the Air New Zealand Wine Awards, Chairman of the Hunter Valley Wine Show, and past deputy chairman of Wine Australia, the biggest wine exhibition in the Southern hemisphere. Iain was also awarded the Graham Gregory Trophy for outstanding service to the NSW Wine Industry for 2003.

Dirty Dozen Beginnings

We have now established one of only a few private wine clubs in Australia and we will also own what will be one day a magnificent world class cellar. This will be hard for anyone to ever replicate.

This is an exclusive club that has been forged from the love of great wine and beautiful food. Congratulations to us all for being members of such an exclusive club. Not only that we have formed this club at the place where Australia started exploring wine, but at Len Evans’ last home of wine, Tower Estate. We can now live that legacy for generations to come.



It has not been easy to come up with a final 12 (we still haven't)to the Dirty Dozen. It has come from a small idea that I had a few years ago to bring together a group of younger people who enjoyed the exploration of wine, fine food, brilliant friends and a love of these passions.



I must confess Rick W. invented the name for the Dirty Dozen. He has been a friend of mine longer than I know. He has stood by me through thick and thin and never wavered.



Though, once the Dirty Dozen was conceived we had Nathan making sure that I followed through with it. He is one of my best friends and as much as I love him, I think he thought it was just a boy’s weekend away playing golf with a shit load of booze. Sorry mate, the Mrs. are coming along. Then Aaron (taller brother, less hair) learnt about it and said it was not to happen without him, so Chris H. wanted in, or was it his wife? His knowledge of wine is magnificent but he has yet to have an input, and he is like a third cousin removed by in-law. You work it out. I can’t.



Chris S was always a member but is still struggling to juggle his plans to join us, but if not we can hold the spot for him. If not I am sure we can find a bed for the Ruddyman can. Whatever he says, I’ve never caused him a hangover more than three times.



Scott is a long time school friend of mine and did not hesitate to be an inaugural member of this wonderful club. He caused the last hangover. He likes long walks on the beach and a good alibi. Sean has been a mentor to me in hospitality and I owe him the world and about 5 lunches by now.



Richard thought about joining the Dirty Dozen for about 20 seconds and he is one of the North Shore’s most respected residents. If you want to sell your house, think wisely. Ric H. is a workmate and a friend of mine for over 15 years and there is nothing I would not share or keep secret from one of Australia’s quiet achievers.



The Baker from a baker’s dozen for all the idiots! The bakers dozen is an Australian pastime. When you see who we have as a Baker you should want to take a greater role.



Most of us have not met each other.


Cheers

Matt