Tasting Journal & Wine Education

Check out this excellent article by Andrew Jefford from Decanter tackling the subject of subtlety and elegance in modern winemaking.  This is an issue which I hear time and time again as I travel around the world’s wine regions.  Alcohol levels still seem to be creeping up, new oak is everywhere, wine show medals and “Parker Points” are as important as ever and many believe we risk losing some of the great wines of the world due to the need to create “bodybuilders” instead of “marathon runners” in the cellar.  While I have to admit I did have to look up what “desideratum” meant, Mr Jefford is as eloquent and persuasive as ever.  Check it out.

Have you ever bought a bottle of red wine that despite all the great reviews, the hype, the beautiful label, the wonderful terroir and the delightful descriptions etched painstakingly into the back of the bottle, it just tasted like old socks and your garbage bin on a hot day? Sometimes we even receive these little gems as gifts in our stockings.  Well, rather than throwing that expensive bottle away why not turn it into something useful…mulled wine.  With the holidays approaching there is nothing quite like the smell of delicious spiced mulled wine simmering away on the kitchen stove.   I am yet to find a bad red wine that hasn’t been magically transformed by this simple process.  (Actually, good red wine works just as well, but what a waste!) Here is what you need: 2 bottles of bad red wine (1 is ok just halve the rest of the ingredients) 1 cup sugar Zest from one orange and one lemon Juice from the one orange and the one lemon 6 cloves 1 cinnamon stick 1 whole nutmeg 1 star anise 1 vanilla pod Method: Simply add spices, sugar and enough wine to cover them into a pot.  Boil the …

The annual 2012 Hospices de Beaune wine auction in Burgundy was recently concluded with some high priced action.  This auction of whole barrel lots traditionally sets the tone and pricing for the whole vintage to come, as industry heavyweights bid for the best lots. The event was supposed to have been graced by French actor,  Gerard Depardieu who ended up being a no show.  However, wife of ex-French President (Carla Bruni-Sarkozy) was still able to persuade bidders to part with 270 000 Euros for a single charity barrel of the Presidents’ lot…not too shabby.  The auction raised the most money since year 2000, due in part to strong Asian demand.  This augers well for the excellent 2012 Burgundy vintage, but like Bordeaux, those of us who actually like to drink wine from this region may soon find it a little out of financial reach  See the full story at Decanter here.

Wines for the Holidays With the Holiday season fast approaching, the inevitable festive social gathering is unavoidable.  Here are five tips on what to bring that will please even the snobbiest of wine snobs in your circle of friends…without breaking the bank.  

A new wine film”Chateau Chunder: A wine revolution” is about to be released next week.  The tongue in cheek Australian film about the rise and cultural changes wine has wreaked on this island nation should be must see for all Aussie wine lovers out there.  It is set to air on ABC1 TV  in Australia (30 October) and then on BBC4 in the UK (13 November).  Only subscribers to BBC4 in Canada & the US will have the chance to see it first time round.  Check out a link to the trailer on Decanter Magazine here