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