New Wine Releases
Bordeaux Chauvinist tries a cask, and likes it
The Bordeaux Chauvinist reviews a Rhone Valley cask wine, and likes it. He's gained humility, and saved some money. This column was originally published on the Bordeaux Chauvinist’s website, Cquoi ce vin, or What is this wine? He advises on good value for money wines of all appellations, regions and countries (but he remains a Bordeaux Chauvinist). ...
Bordeaux Chauvinist gets lost in Beaujolais
The Bordeaux Chauvinist’s advises on good value for money wines of all French appellations and regions (but he remains a Bordeaux Chauvinist). He recently tried a budget Beaujolais white (chardonnay) and liked what he tried. Beaujolais Nouveau "happy day” may have just gone, but it's never to late to try to a Beaujolais white. ...
Australian organic wine flows onto shelves
As organic and biodynamic wines increasingly appear on liquor shop shelves, Australian consumers are being offered more choice from winemakers, as they play catch-up to European producers. While prices of local products are still high, they are coming down though quality needs to improve. ...
The Bordeaux Chauvinist reviews a white
By the Bordeaux Chauvinist, who reviews the "Clos De Lunes" series in time for the full moon this Halloween weekend. The Bordeaux Chauvinist is a guest sommelier columnist for World Wine Watch, advising on good value for money wines of all appellations and regions (but he remains a Bordeaux Chauvinist). ...
Is one of the most expensive rosés in the world any good?
Guest columnist for World Wine Watch, the Bordeaux Chauvinist, has tried a very expensive rosé from Provence, Garrus, and he can't find the value. The Bordeaux Chauvinist is an anonymous sommelier who advises on good value for money wines of all regions and countries (But he remains a Bordeaux Chauvinist).
Bordeaux-Chauvinist likes a Rhone Valley cask ...
Bordeaux-Chauvinist likes a Rhone Valley cask ...
Crittenden Savagnin boasts WOW factor
While Australia is awash with French grapes, an unknown one is Savagnin, which is being wonderfully made by Crittenden Estate Wines in Australia. Elegant and powerful, the Savagnin wines of France have been compared to Sherry due to yeast flavours, but Crittenden's wines are very much their own, with a WOW factor.
Need help pronouncing Champagne brands? Say it like the French
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Need help pronouncing Champagne brands? Say it like the French
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Carbon Neutral wine can aid the climate
Ross Hill has undertaken extensive measures to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions caused by wine business and to minimise its impact on the environment. With full certification, wine consumers can trust its wines to be carbon neutral, says Ross Hill Wines co-owner, James Robson. ...
The Bordeaux Chauvinist goes lightweight
The Bordeaux Chauvinist recently received a package with a bottle of 2019 Rosé inside, so far nothing very original or exciting, however, the origin called out to him ... the Château Haut-Bailly, one of his favourite of the AOC Pessac-Léognan ...
Loonie Wines releases crisp selection
From the sea breezes of McLaren Vale and the pretty Fleurieu Peninsula to the cool climate of the Adelaide Hills, Loonie Wines is making wines to reflect these South Australian regions. The 2020 Sauvignon Blanc ($30) is crisp and fresh, with elegant minerality and great length. The 2020 Colab and Bloom Rosé ($27.50) is made. ...
Bordeaux Chauvinist breaks his budget
Last year, Bordeaux wine producer Loïc Pasquet released the world's most expensive wine, with the 2015 Liber Pater priced at €30,000. This year, the Bordeaux Chauvinist falls under the spell of Loïc Pasquet's 2018 Denarius release, one of Bordeaux's most expensive blends at around €500, with name aptly meaning money in Latin. ...
Mt Bera rips out French vines to expand varieties
With nearly fifty Grüner Veltliner growers in Australia, over forty are based in the Adelaide Hills. Here, says Greg Horner, who owns Mt Bera Vineyards with his wife Katrina, the Austrian variety does very well, producing even fuller, longer flavours than some of Austria's own 'Gru' wines. ...
K1 Gruner from Geoff Hardy scoops a trophy
The K1 Adelaide Hills 2019 Gruner Veltliner (RRP $25) recently won a trophy for 'best other varietal white' at the Royal Adelaide Wine Show, Australia's most prestigious wine show. The Wines by Geoff Hardy features exciting varietals, expanding options for Australian consumers hung over on French varietals. ...
Baileys reds allowed to mature
Certified organic in 2011, Baileys has adopted organic farming practices, well ahead of the Australian pack. Its wine are made without synthetic chemicals, sprays, fertilisers, herbicides, pesticides, or any other products that are not naturally occurring. And the wines are a small price to pay for locally-produced organic wines, especially given the Shiraz was produced in 2016, bucking the Australian trend to release heavy red wines well before they are ready. ...
WOW for Hahndorf Hill wines
WOW for these wines! Hahndorf Hill Winery owners Larry Jacobs and Marc Dobson have won loads of medals and their dedicated team at the cool climate Adelaide Hills winery know how to make sophisticated wines – and offer customers value for money. ...
Shaw + Smith hits the high notes
Shaw & Smith has released its 2020 Sauvignon Blanc (RRP$29), a wine that has become a benchmark for the cool climate Adelaide Hills region and Australian Sauvignon Blanc. The 2019 Shaw + Smith M3 Chardonnay is also a watermark for Adelaide Hills Chardonnay. ...
St Hallet new releases
November 12 marks the inaugural annual vintage release for celebrated Barossa winery St Hallett and get ready for some new labels. St Hallett will unveil two new vintage wines, the 2016 Old Block Shiraz (RRP $159), 2018 Blackwell Shiraz ($54.99), and three new releases. ...
Henschke releases 2016 Nebbiolo
Henschke has released its 2016 The Rose Grower Nebbiolo (RRP$50) sourced from the Eden Valley just above the Barossa. Nebbiolo is a fickle variety and Henschke have devoted many years of trial and experimentation to get the wine to this level of quality. The Nebbiolo, an Italian grape named after nebbia which abounds in the northern part of Italy Piemonte from where the grape originates, will last well 10+ years (from vintage) ...
Charming winery Ashton Hills could help make your day
These new releases from the charming winery Ashton Hills could help make your day, featuring a 2019 Chardonnay ($35), 2019 Pinot Noir ($35), Estate 2019 Pinot Noir ($55) and 2017 Vintage Rosé ($40). The wines are perfect examples of length and flavour, made with grapes grown in the Piccadilly Valley, one of the coolest areas in South Australia. You tend to hear ‘cool climate’ a bit too much in Australian winemaking. But it really is cold here, especially at night, but also in the day ...
New bubbles in House of Arras portfolio
House of Arras has unveiled the first new wine to its portfolio in over six years, House of Arras Blanc de Blancs NV ($34.99). Also released are the House of Arras Brut Elite Cuvee No. 1501 ($60.99), Rosé 2008 ($121.99), Grand Vintage 2009 ($108.99), Museum Release Blanc de Blancs 2004 ($349.99), E.J. Carr Late Disgorged Magnum 2004 (1.5L) ($399.00). House of Arras was born in 1995 as a project to create an Australian sparkling wine on parity with the world’s finest champagnes. Today, House of Arras is Australia’s most awarded sparkling wine brand with over 95 trophies and 242 gold medals. ...