Wine Code Breaker #402

2019 SC Pannell Aglianico, McLaren Vale South Australia Nebbiolo and Sangiovese are probably the two most oft Italian wine varieties mentioned in the Australian context. Others though are catching up. Aglianico is one and it is surprising to learn that, in Italy, it is considered the third greatest wine after the aforementioned Nebbiolo and Sangiovese.Continue reading “Wine Code Breaker #402”

Wine Code Breaker #401

2021 Coriole Sangiovese, McLaren Vale, South Australia Sangiovese is a grape that has its origins in Tuscany, Italy, but it was not until the 18th century in this region that it would gain widespread attention. Coriole is one of the first Australian vineyards to give this grape a go and has vines dating back toContinue reading “Wine Code Breaker #401”

Wine Code Breaker #384

2020 Ox Hardy Grenache, South Australia Grenache from McLaren Vale like other areas of Australia has evolved over the years into something that is very different from where it started. Amazing to discover that Grenache accounts for only 6% of the annual crush of this amazing region. From bush or trellised vines, there is somethingContinue reading “Wine Code Breaker #384”

Wine Code Breaker #379

2019 Yangarra Estate Old Vine Grenache, McLaren Vale, South Australia International Grenache Day is celebrated on the 17th September each year and it is an opportunity to celebrate all that is good about Grenache. It can be lightly crushed for a rose, blended with Shiraz and Mataro to create a GSM or vinified on itsContinue reading “Wine Code Breaker #379”

Wine Code Breaker #378

2017 RockBare Grenache, McLaren Vale, South Australia In the arts, a fine piece is one that is said to have light and shade. Simply put, light and shade can be a metaphor for things that evoke an emotional response. In wine, light and shade can be the colours as they are swirled, the aromas asContinue reading “Wine Code Breaker #378”

Wine Code Breaker #352

2016 Yagarra Estate Ovitelli Grenache, McLaren Vale, South Australia Counting crows is a pastime oft spent during the long dry Summer months. They argk and squawk as only they can awaiting a carcass to appear. Counting Crows is also an alternative rock music group from California. In “Mrs Potter’s Lullaby” they poetically proposition, “if dreamsContinue reading “Wine Code Breaker #352”

Wine Code Breaker #339

2018 Yangarra King’s Wood Shiraz, McLaren Vale, South Australia One of the tales of the Game of Thrones that is yet to be told is that of the bastard of Robert Baratheon who was conceived in the King’s Wood.  Ironically of course, our Robert was killed by a boar whilst hunting for white hart inContinue reading “Wine Code Breaker #339”

Wine Code Breaker #335

2018 S.C. Pannell Old McDonald Grenache, McLaren Vale, South Australia Grenache at one point was looking like forever being something you threw in with Shiraz and Mataro (or Mouvedre as it perhaps should be called). To this point, I was fascinated to hear that there had been no significant plantings of Grenache for the lastContinue reading “Wine Code Breaker #335”

Wine Code Breaker #333

2018 d’Arenberg The Thunderstep Shiraz, McLaren Vale, South Australia Australia’s National Shiraz Day has finally been declared.  July 23 is now a date for us to rejoice forever more.  All we need is a patron.  Sir Leslie Colin Patterson I hear has been suggested.  As a former cultural attaché and Chairman of the Australian CheeseContinue reading “Wine Code Breaker #333”

Wine Code Breaker #330

2019 Paralian Shiraz, McLaren Vale, South Australia 2019 Paralian Shiraz, McLaren Vale, South AustraliaThe oldest democracy by the sea is the land they call Greece.  The Paralians were the Greek people who lived on the Athenian coast in the 6th Century BC and today this is a term to describe someone who lives by theContinue reading “Wine Code Breaker #330”