Kurtz Charlie’s Grenache 2022 Grenache may be a varietal most frequently used for blending, but as a single varietal is typically brash, bright and berried! It probably originated in Spain, but shows its best side in hot, dry continental climates like the Barossa Valley in South Australia. There are plenty to choose from, but if you…
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Across the globe Australian Shiraz is synonymous with the Barossa Valley; a region with plantings that go back as far as 1843, and in which over half of all vineyards are dedicated to the varietal. It’s a style that is typically full bodied, ripe and bold, and emphasises ripe fruit, chocolate and earthy characters. Undeniably…
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Lovers of Cabernet Sauvignon have always been spoiled for choice in Australia. With our diverse range of regions, terroir and style, the varietal is notoriously versatile with medium-bodied examples emanating from the cooler regions and mouth-filling jammy styles being produced in the warmer districts. Whatever the weather outside, there’s nothing better than indulging in the…
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It has often been said that Australian sparkling whites offer much better value than those from Champagne, and that might often be true, but if a sparkling blush is your preferred style of fizz, then cool climate Aussie wines are almost certainly in your wheelhouse! It’s the time of year to enjoy sparkling wines; with…
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When the annual James Halliday Wine Companion announces a 5 Red Star winery and awards red wines scores as high as 95 and 96 points, I generally sit up and take notice. This year, the release of the 2025 Companion listed Victorian producer Sanguine Estate in this elite category. With such accolades, what else could…
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Possibly more widely misunderstood than the Orphelia character from William Shakespeare’s Hamlet, Riesling is a varietal that many of us either love to hate or hate to love. But thanks to contemporary winemaking practices and artisan winemakers, Riesling is enjoying somewhat of a renaissance, with the Clare Valley in South Australia at its epicentre. It might seem…
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As the mercury rises and we shake off the doldrums of short days, cold nights, and blustery westerlies, our collective palates seem to naturally gravitate towards sparkling white wines—champagne, to be precise! Spring is, after all, the season of weddings, racing carnivals, and anniversaries. But as my CEO recently lamented, “Champers has become so bloody…
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Given that Australia is the sixth largest country in the world, it probably isn’t surprising that we are home to the world’s largest and most isolated wine region. Some might say that it’s a dubious honour, but the wine industry of the Great Southern Region in the southwest of WA wears it as a badge…
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Much to my mother’s disappointment, I’ve lived most of my adult life believing that I could never be a salad kind of guy. It’s not tomato; at least it’s a colourful fruit with flavour, body and texture. It can even be sweet. And it isn’t red onion; I do like its spicy tang and the…
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To the average wine consumer, selecting a red wine from a bottle shop shelf or a restaurant wine list can be a daunting experience. After all, it can be an expensive treat, but get it wrong and you’ll feel as though you’ve just put a lighter to a $50 or even $100 note! Some reds…
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