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
Thursday, February 18, 2010
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
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.
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.
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
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
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
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)