Australian Wine Vintages

You have to love your job when it takes you to unexpected places & mind spaces. In the past month, I have had a flying visit to New Zealand, judged wines at the Sydney Royal Easter Show district exhibition & set up a facebook page.

I have also been unsettlingly reminded how the world views our wines & the challenge that the industry faces to change the perception that Australia is all about chardonnay & shiraz. A challenge yes, but one with exciting potential....

Rob

Are we embarking on a wine oddity?

This is a story about what is really relevant in wine and that as far as overseas is concerned Australia is only ever going to be known for Shiraz and chardonnay. No brainer really as we do these well and have large volumes of high quality diverse vineyards that will overcome the tyranny of distance but it is still a painful lesson to someone who loves the diversity of Australian wine. It seems that only a small educated market will learn of our great Semillons, Rieslings, Cabernets and Muscats but familiarity will be slight and confined to the higher levels of wine scholarship.

It points out that the globalisation of wine sales is never going to create a richly diverse consumer offering reflecting local diversity rather overseas sales will reflect our strengths in wine volume production.

Recently I was asked to host a tasting for a group of scholarship winning Wine and Spirit Education trust students on Australia’s alternate varieties. The group were from our major markets in the Northern hemisphere and as top students represented an up to date, informed view of Australian wine, they were articulate and extremely experienced in their markets and having done a fair bit of “heavy lifting” with tastings across Australia were up to date on our wines.

My tasting covered a lot of what I think is new and exciting Vermentino, Savagnin, pale dry rose, Tempranillo and Gracianno.  Stories of innovation, entrepreneurship and experimentation, common sense and idealism.

To offer such a tasting to me is an indication of Australia’s proudly open minded approach to new varieties for changing climates and meeting the challenges of our times with more internationally literate consumers. It also reflects our deepening understanding of global viticultural assets and search for sustainable water use in grape growing in hot areas and the overall effect of recent climate changes.

Our guests gave me a huge shock when the tone (very politely) started to question the relevance of these wines and pointedly remarked that they would muddy Australia’s wine reputation.

As Ken Behan one of the guests commented “ There is nothing wrong with Ozzie Vermintino etc, if you can find it a proper "home" in the same manner Semillon = Hunter or Barossa, Cabernet = Coonawarra, Pinot = Yarra, Mornington or Tassie.” He asks where is the sense of home for Vermintino? “if its the Riverina that's great, but he suggest that winemakers must impart whatever they decide to grow with a sense of uniqueness rather than try to be adventourous just for adventures sake as winemakers are competing with worldwide producers for shelf space, not just with other ozzie wines.” Makes you think.

To a high end American sommelier, they could be of interest but in most markets Shiraz will be our shining star. In the high streets of Europe an Australian Tempranillo would be a source of confusion more than wonderment. It seems to me from this experience that both our best wines and our more interesting examples of new varietals will stay in the local market especially while our currency stays higher.

The refinement of our production of the new tougher varieties more suited to our diverse climates is going to need local consumers to come along for the ride and appreciate increasingly there are many layers to Australian wine: mainstream and alternate varietals, fine and everyday wine so raise a glass to the entrepreneurs and experiments.

Tempranillo or Vermentino anyone?

 Thank you to all AWV readers who voted for Prue Henschke in the Instyle Women of Style Awards, we look forward to hearing the winners to be announced this month.

 Click here for more information.

Australian Wine Vintages now on facebook

We are practising what we tweet (see April AWV) and have finally set up the Australian Wine Vintages facebook page. 

Please drop by and say hello, next time you are on facebook.

Sydney Wine Centre

Masterclasses:

15th June - SIFF Discover Italy Tasting

It's not too late to book in for the start of the next 4 week course starting at 7pm each Wednesday from 4th May 2011.  The cost is $250 including a copy of A Good Nose and Great Legs (worth $50).   

To enquire about any of these courses visit sydneywinecentre.com.au or call 02) 9572 3500.

The American Club

Rob is running a series of masterclasses at the newly refurbished club in Sydney. These classes will be open to both members and non-members.

• Thursday, 21st April 'Champagne Champagne'

For more details or to book any classes please contact The American Club on theamericanclub.com.au or call 02) 9241 2015.

Clare Valley Gourmet Weekend

14-15th May 2011 | Enjoy fine food prepared by leading chefs around the region throughout the weekend.

Want to know what vintage was like in the Clare this year, why not sample it yourself with some of the finest produce that the Clare has to offer. 

Lovedale Long Lunch

14-15th May 2011 | Lovedale's annual progressive-type lunch where visitors wine and dine their way around the seven participating wineries over the weekend enjoying a glass of wine, gourmet food, fabulous music and art.

This event is a must for all food and wine lovers. Come and see for yourself!