AAVWS Part One – How the show works

I was honoured to be named the 2016 Australian Alternative Varieties Wine Show Fellow, given an in-depth behind-the-scenes look at the show and the events run around it. Heading up several days early and offering to steward a few days, I took the opportunity to learn more about the show, and how it improves the quality of Australian wine made from emerging grape varieties. Here is the first video in a short series on the show, outlining how the show is run. Please let me know if you have any questions, feel free to make comments below!

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November 20, 2016 · 5:09 pm

Intrepid Winemaking 2016 Part Six – Bottling the wine

The final stage of the winemaking is the bottling (labelling and selling isn’t winemaking as far as I’m concerned), and I was so grateful to have extra pairs of hands to help and make things smoother. Let me know what you think in the comments below, and get in touch if you’d be keen to buy a bottle or 12 😉

 

 

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November 16, 2016 · 7:34 am

The Vincast with Ashley Ratcliff from Ricca Terra Farms

For the past fourteen years, Ashley Ratcliff has worked for arguably Australia’s most important family-owned wine business, Hill-Smith Family Vineyards. Over those years he worked in many different elements of the business, from viticulture to marketing, operations to running one of the wineries. More recently he has established a vineyard in the Riverland – considered one of the warm-hot irrigated regions known for large volume grape production – and has been planting more alternative varieties to show the potential for these grapes in the region, particularly for high quality fruit. He has now thrown himself 100% into Ricca Terra Farms, and even has other plans for the future.

Follow Ashley on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook

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Subscribe to the Intrepid Wino channel on YouTube and watch a few videos!

Follow The Vincast on Twitter and download all the previous episodes here

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Ashley Ratcliff from Ricca Terra Farms

Ashley Ratcliff from Ricca Terra Farms

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Let’s Taste – Pewsey Vale Rieslings 2016 releases

I’m always happy to receive samples from wineries, particularly from wineries in the Hill-Smith Family Vineyards portfolio. I’m also always thrilled to be re-acquainted with a producer from my past, extra special when they are as historic as Eden valley-based Pewsey Vale. With such an incredible pedigree for riesling wines, I opened all three rieslings from Pewsey Vale on this edition of Let’s Taste, let me know your thoughts in the comments below!

Pewsey Vale Eden Valley Rielings 2016 releases

Pewsey Vale Eden Valley Rielings 2016 releases

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November 12, 2016 · 9:58 am

Intrepid Winemaking 2016 Part Four – Blending the wine

The fifth part of the Intrepid Winemaking Project 2016 was not one that I necessarily planned on. I was however encouraged by a few people to consider blending Bin X and Bin Y, in an effort to get more of one wine rather than make people choose, and also to combine the positive attributes of each component. Let me know if you have any questions about this step in the winemaking story!

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November 9, 2016 · 9:15 pm

The Vincast with Ned Goodwin MW

Growing up in Sydney Ned Goodwin was really into skateboarding, surfing and listening to the band Kiss. Little did he know that an exchange year in Japan at the age of 15 would combine with a global journey in hospitality to him working for a large restaurant group and becoming the first Master of Wine in Japan. On this episode he joined me to talk about his journey, his influences, his love of authentic Australian wine and his recent role as Brand Ambassador for Champagne Charles Heidsieck.

Follow Ned on Twitter and Instagram

Follow James on TwitterInstagram and Facebook

Subscribe to the Intrepid Wino channel on YouTube and watch a few videos!

Follow The Vincast on Twitter and download all the previous episodes here

Subscribe to the podcast on iTunesStitcherPlayerFM or Podbean, and don’t forget to rate and review!

Ned Goodwin MW

Ned Goodwin MW

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Let’s Taste – Rogers & Rufus Rosé 2016

In this the final of three parts, I taste the Rogers & Rufus Rosé 2016 from the Hill-Smith Family Vineyards portfolio. This is a rosé made from Grenache from the Barossa region of South Australia. Let me know your thoughts in the comments below!

Rogers & Rufus Rosé 2016

Rogers & Rufus Rosé 2016

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Let’s Taste – La Maschera Rosé of Granaxia 2016

On part two of three, I taste another rosé wine from the Hill-Smith Family Vineyards portfolio, this time the La Maschera Rosé of Granaxia 2016. This is a blend of Grenache and a splash of Sangiovese, and came from the Barossa Valley. Let me know what you think in the comments below!

La Maschera Rosé of Granaxia 2016

La Maschera Rosé of Granaxia 2016

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November 2, 2016 · 9:04 am

Let’s Taste – Yalumba ‘The Y Series’ Sangiovese Rosé 2016

The wonderful Pippa from Hill-Smith Family Vineyards sent me a care package of samples, including three different rosé wines from the portfolio, so I decided to do a three-part series. This is part one, and is for the Yalumba ‘The Y Series’ Rosé 2016. The Y Series was always a great value option back when I worked in wine retail. Let me know what you think in the comments!

Yalumba 'The Y Series' Sangiovese Rosé 2016

Yalumba ‘The Y Series’ Sangiovese Rosé 2016

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November 2, 2016 · 8:54 am

The Vincast with Sarah Ahmed the Wine Detective

Sarah Ahmed left a career in law to pursue a passion for wine, particularly for investigating and reading clues in wine, hence the alias The Wine Detective. After working for many years with wine retailer Oddbins, she became an independent wine communicator and educator, and since 2005 has contributed to some of the worlds foremost publications and reference books, particularly in her renowned fields of Australian and Portuguese wines.

Follow Sarah on Twitter and Instagram

Follow James on TwitterInstagram and Facebook

Subscribe to the Intrepid Wino channel on YouTube and watch a few videos!

Follow The Vincast on Twitter and download all the previous episodes here

Subscribe to the podcast on iTunesStitcherPlayerFM or Podbean, and don’t forget to rate and review!

Sarah Ahmed

Sarah Ahmed

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