2018 Ravensworth Shiraz Viognier, Murrumbateman, New South Wales Cote-Rotie is a sub-region in the northern area of Cote du Rhone. This region thrives on a continental climate that is famous for its blend of Shiraz, a red grape, and Viognier, a white grape. A cool climate region that experiences cool to cold wet winters, theContinue reading “Wine Code Breaker #338”
Category Archives: Region
Wine Code Breaker #337
2019 Tonic Grenache, Clare Valley / McLaren Vale, South Australia Tonic can be defined in its adjectival form as “giving a feeling of vigour and well-being.” As a noun, tonic is defined as “a medicinal substance taken to give a feeling of vigour or well-being.” Calling a winery Tonic therefore comes with some seriousContinue reading “Wine Code Breaker #337”
Wine Code Breaker #336
2018 Bangor Vineyard Shed Captain Spotswood Pinot Noir, Tasmania Captain Spotswood was granted land in 1831 as a retired army office and thus became the area’s first settler. This land became known as Bangor in Tasmania. His house was regarded as a respectable building, sited perfectly for the views of Norfolk Bay. During his toiling,Continue reading “Wine Code Breaker #336”
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 #334
2019 Jim Barry Assyrtiko, Clare Valley, South Australia Santorini Island in the middle of the Mediterranean and Clare Valley in South Australia don’t have a lot in common at first glance. One is an island of volcanic rock that experiences about 370 mm rainfall in any one year, while the other is a valley inContinue reading “Wine Code Breaker #334”
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 #26
2009 Tyrrells Rufus Stone Shiraz, Heathcote, Victoria One from the archives of 2012…While watching the London Olympics in full swing it seemed appropriate that a wine with ties to Great Britain and an Olympic sport be honoured as a “Wine Code Breaker” (originally published as “Wine of the Week”). On the 2nd August 1100, SirContinue reading “Wine Code Breaker #26”
Wine Code Breaker #332
2016 Blue Poles Allouran Merlot Cabernet Franc, Margaret River, Western Australia Blue Poles is an abstract painting by Jackson Pollock that was purchased by the National Gallery of Australia in 1973 for a lazy $1.3 million. A controversial purchase it was and today, this painting, originally titled Number 11, is valued at over $350 million. This controversy inspiredContinue reading “Wine Code Breaker #332”
Wine Code Breaker #331
2015 Rockford Basket Press, Barossa Valley, South Australia It would be fair to say that the history of the wine press is as old as wine itself. The original was no doubt the humble human foot. The most notable evolution was the development of the basket press during Medieval times (or thereabouts). Essentially, this wasContinue reading “Wine Code Breaker #331”
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”
The Unexpurgated Wine Code 