Wine Code Breaker #405

2022 Tupelo Pinot Gris Riesling Pinot Blanc Gewurtztraminer Stargazer, Tasmania “Would you like some fruit salad”? “No thanks, I already have some” as I sniff and swirl a glass of wine. Does a wine with four or more varieties count as fruit salad? Blending multiple varieties together is to build on the synergies, ensure theContinue reading “Wine Code Breaker #405”

Wine Code Breaker #398

2021 Ghost Rock Pinot Gris, Tasmania The forbidden fruit can be many things. Your own forbidden fruit appears to depend upon your cultural leanings, educational curiosity and life experiences. Figs, apples, pears, pomegranates and grapes all get a mention. As an aside, it is highly amusing to discover that apple in Latin means apple, butContinue reading “Wine Code Breaker #398”

Wine Code Breaker #385

2017 Ghost Rock Vineyard Zoe Brut Rosé, Tasmania Walking into a French patisserie is one of life’s greatest pleasures. It can be a dreamy experience, particularly where there is une tarte aux pommes involved. The lightly crusted pastry, the apple and glazing…need I say more. Imagine if you could turn this into a sparkling drink.Continue reading “Wine Code Breaker #385”

Wine Code Breaker #382

2020 Ghost Rock Wines Oulton Pinot Noir, Tasmania The location; a series of paddocks woven into a tapestry of rolling hills abutting the Bass Strait. A small single vineyard paddock within this quilt hugging a hill is planted to Pinot Noir. The weave of the vines endure, survive and thrive as the seasons pass. TheContinue reading “Wine Code Breaker #382”

Wine Code Breaker #344

Non Vintage House of Arras Brut Elite Cuvée No. 1501 Methode Traditionelle, Tasmania October 19 is Champagne Day.  What a great day to recognise the euphoric elixir that is a sparkling white or pink shaded wine.  This day ignores the fact that the English invented the Methode Traditionelle of which, yes the French perfected.  ItContinue reading “Wine Code Breaker #344”

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 #328

Non-vintage Pirie Sparkling, Tasmania The first apple tree was planted by William Bligh in 1788.  This was also the first apple tree planted in Australia.  For Tasmania, apples became an important industry with exports these crisp and crunchy balls of joy being exported to countries far and wide.  It was at its peak that TasmaniaContinue reading “Wine Code Breaker #328”

Wine Code Breaker #317

2019 Meadowbank Gamay, Tasmania Gamay has an infamous record akin to the early colonisation of Australia.  One of the oldest varieties in France, Gamay became an outlaw in 1395 following a decree of the Duke of Burgundy, Philip the Bold.  Philip boldly claimed Gamay was an outlaw, a wine that was foul and harmful toContinue reading “Wine Code Breaker #317”

Wine Code Breaker #315

2019 Hughes & Hughes (by Mewstone) Dornfelder, Tasmania “I’ll have a Dornfelder thanks.”  What the?  Is that a beer? Is that a crisp? Or, is it some cocktail of some disrepute? Well, it is definitely not a character from the Game of Thrones. It is in fact a grape that was introduced to Germany aroundContinue reading “Wine Code Breaker #315”