The launch of Taylors so called “eco-bottle” seems certain to ignite the glass v plastic debate. It’s an argument that consumer health advocates, scientists and environmentalists have been having for years, but the launch of a range of consumer focussed wines in a “freight-friendly” plastic bottle might just be the spark needed to light the…
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In this data-rich world we live in, science tends to dominate contemporary thinking. And for all of its custom and traditions, the wine industry is no stranger to the fingerprints of research, artificial intelligence and technology. Modern winemaking is a calling that involves as much science as it does, art. Even the artisan and traditionalist…
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With all that’s going on in the world at the moment, it would be easy to throw away the rose-coloured glasses and ruminate over the headwinds now facing the Australian wine industry. Quite apart from a lingering spat with our once largest export market, bushfires, and more recently, droughts, the wine industry is now also…
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Maybe it’s human nature, or just the Aussie way, but we seem to be a bunch who like to seek the “good oil” in our quest for the proverbial holy grail. Whether it’s investing in the shares our stockbrokers are buying, following the lead of the racehorse trainer having a bet on their pick of the…
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As a self-confessed wine-wanker, I get a warm feeling in the pit of my stomach whenever I hear or see my friends sharing their excitement about a wine, a wine region or even just a grape varietal. After all, happiness isn’t real until it’s shared, right? So, when a friend visiting Somerled in South Australia…
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Let’s begin with passion, purpose, shared wisdom, mateship, love, fulfilment, enjoyment, and a sense of giving back. This Friday, 20 May, the 2022 Winemakers Master Class is bringing to life all those experiences as four leading Australian winemakers showcase their winemaking expertise for the benefit of Sunshine Coast SunnyKids. Ten years ago, given my passion…
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Maybe it’s just me, but I find that pinot gris is one of those varietals that in a blind tasting or wine options game is harder to pick than a broken nose! Unlike riesling and semillon, there just aren’t the abundant tell-tale markers that reveal its identity. To add to the pinot gris confusion, you then have…
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Like all primary producers, those in the wine industry have their ups and downs from year to year and season to season. There are so many “uncontrollables”; drought, frost, flood and pest infestation being just a few of the more common ones. Not even the most successful and high profile regions are immune from misfortune…
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Italian varietals are on the ascendency in Australian vineyards, and for good reason. Our climate is largely well-suited and our forward thinking and progressive winemakers are proving that they can make Italian native styles as successfully as their counterparts in the country that is famously shaped like a boot. In recent years, Italian varietals have…
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The chardonnay grape is undeniably Australia’s most important white wine varietal. According to the 2020 Wine Australia report, it’s the second most widely planted grape (after shiraz) and the most widely grown. With 285,000 tonnes crushed, it accounts for some 19% of the total crop in Australia and (at least in my opinion) remains the…
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