Tag Archives: Australian Wine

Let’s Taste – Konpira Maru Gymkata 2015

Konpira Maru is a new brand based out of Melbourne, producing low-intervention wines from fruit purchased around the state. I bought a bottle of their Gymkata 2015 as I was intrigued by the brand and also the fact that it was a red wine under a crown seal. Let me know what you think in the comments below, don’t forget to like and subscribe!

 

Konpira Maru Gymkata 2015

Konpira Maru Gymkata 2015

 

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Intrepid Winemaking 2016 Part Four – Racking the wine

Part Four of the Intrepid Winemaking Sangiovese Project 2016 is racking the two component wines. Racking is the traditional filtration process of separating the wine from the solids in the vessel. The solids are sediment, essentially dead yeast lees and tannins, and as they are heavier than the wine, will settle at the bottom of the barrel or tank. The completely natural way to perform this is through gravity, but the vast majority of wines are racked using a mechanical pump, being far more efficient.

Bin X had completely finished both the primary fermentation and the malolactic fermentation. It looks more mellow, round and savoury. The wine was racked, the seven-year old barrel was cleaned, and the then the wine was returned to the barrel.

Bin Y had completed the primary fermentation in tank, but had not completely finished the malolactic fermentation. This made the wine look a bit crunchier, brighter and intense. The wine was racked from the 300L stainless steel tank into a 500L tank, but it was not returned as it was consolidated with 30+ litres that was in a demijohn. Hopefully the introduction of some air through the racking process, as well as warmer Spring temperatures, will help it complete the malolactic fermentation before the wine is blended and bottled in the next month.

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October 5, 2016 · 8:38 am

The Vincast with Joe Holyman from Stoney Rise Wine Company

Joe Holyman is an incredibly well-respected winemaker based in Tasmania, producing outstanding pinot noir and chardonnay under his Holyman and Stoney Rise labels. The respect he has garnered has not only come from his years of varied experience in many facets of the industry, but also from the fact that he is one of the loveliest guys you’re likely to meet. Joe joined me on this episode of Australia’s only podcast dedicated to wine, to share his journey and his passion for Tasmania.

Follow Joe on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook

To win one of these gorgeous Wines and Makers Yarra Valley Maps, simply leave a review on the iTunes page, letting me know which was your favourite episode of the podcast. Make sure to email me to let me know which is your review! The first ten reviews will receive this lovely map (only in Australia please).

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!

Joe Holyman from Stoney Rise Wine Company

Joe Holyman from Stoney Rise Wine Company

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Let’s Taste – Yeringberg Chardonnay 2004

A bottle from the cellar, in celebration for my beloved Western Bulldogs being in the Grand Final (recorded before the game), my bottle of the Yeringberg Chardonnay 2004. As mentioned on this and other episodes, Guill de Pury from Yeringberg was my very special guest on Episode 100 of The Vincast wine podcast. Unfortunately this bottle had experienced premature oxidation (cork fault that lets air into the bottle and rapidly increases the ageing), so it wasn’t in the best shape. But I hope to taste some more recent releases of Yeringberg here very soon!

Please visit the Yeringberg website to find out more about this historic producer, and follow me on social media!

Yeringberg Chardonnay 2004

Yeringberg Chardonnay 2004

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October 3, 2016 · 10:15 pm

Let’s Taste – Glenguin Estate 2014 Shiraz Wines

On part two of my tasting expedition through Glenguin Estate wines, I look at their three shiraz wines from 2014. The Hunter Valley is synonymous with the shiraz variety, and vigneron Robin Tedder MW is extremely proud of his, having received outstanding reviews this year from the likes of James Halliday. Here are my impressions of the following wines;

Glenguin Stonybroke Shiraz 2014 – RRP $27.50
Glenguin Schoolhouse Block Shiraz 2014 – RRP $45.00
Glenguin Aristea Shiraz 2014 – RRP $80.00 (not $60.00)

Let me know what you think in the comments below, visit the Glenguin website to find out more!

Glenguin Estate 2014 Shiraz Wines

Glenguin Estate 2014 Shiraz Wines

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October 3, 2016 · 7:28 pm

Let’s Taste – Glenguin Estate wines

Phil Jones is the Cellar Door Manager at Glenguin Estate in the Hunter Valley, and is also a listener of my podcast The Vincast. He generously sent me some samples from the winery, which is based in the area of Broke Forwich, and are made by vigneron Robin Tedder MW. On part one of two, I tasted the following wines (apologies for not getting bottle shots);
Glenguin Estate Semillon 2015 – RRP $27.50
Glenguin Estate ‘Ironbark’ Tannat 2013 – RRP $30.00
Glenguin Estate ‘The Sticky’ Botrytised Semillon 2014 – RRP $27.50 (375ml)

Let me know what you thought in the comments below, and be sure to visit the Glenguin Estate website to find out more. Please follow me on social media and head to my website to get in touch!

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October 3, 2016 · 11:22 am

Let’s Taste – Scotchmans Hill Chardonnay 2014 & Shiraz 2013

Some more samples hit the tasting table on this edition of Let’s Taste, this time two wines from one of the biggest producers on the Bellarine Peninsula, Scotchmans Hill. The Bellarine Peninsula is on the cusp of cool and moderate in terms of climate, so a range of varieties can produce wine. Here I’m tasting the 2014 Chardonnay and the 2013 Shiraz, let me know what you think in the comments below!

Scotchmans Hill Chardonnay 2014 & Shiraz 2013

Scotchmans Hill Chardonnay 2014 & Shiraz 2013

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September 26, 2016 · 11:02 am

Let’s Taste – Bird On A Wire 2013 Wines

My most recent guest on my wine podcast – The Vincast – was Caroline Mooney, a celebrated Yarra Valley winemaker who worked for many years at Yering Station. She spoke about her journey and her particular love of the Marsanne grape. When we spoke she generously gave me a bottle of each of her Bird On A Wire wines from the 2013 vintage, which I was more than happy to taste on this edition of Let’s Taste.

Bird On A Wire 2013 Wines

Bird On A Wire 2013 Wines

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September 15, 2016 · 6:15 pm

The Vincast with Caroline Mooney from Bird On A Wire Wines

Caroline Mooney grew up in the Yarra Valley, very influenced by the wines and other agricultural products of the region. Her family has been farmers for decades and still run the Yarra Valley Dairy. Although inspired by art in her teens, she became more influenced by wine as a young adult, working in a cellar door. This began her journey in winemaking, which has included vintages outside the region and study at Charles Sturt. After working for Yering Station for many years she now has her own brand of Yarra Valley wine, Bird On A Wire.

Follow Caroline on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook

To win one of these gorgeous Wines and Makers Yarra Valley Maps, simply leave a review on the iTunes page, letting me know which was your favourite episode of the podcast. Make sure to email me to let me know which is your review! The first ten reviews will receive this lovely map (only in Australia please).

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!

Carol Mooney from Bird On A Wire Wines

Carol Mooney from Bird On A Wire Wines

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Let’s Taste – Tahbilk Spring 2016 Releases

I’m no stranger to Tahbilk Wines, having not only tasted a number of releases over the last 12 months on Let’s Taste, but also having chatted with owner Alister Purbrick on my wine podcast The Vincast about one year ago. They sent me some new releases for Spring, and I opened them up to have a look. The four wines were;
Marsanne 2016
Riesling 2016
Viognier 2016
Cane Cut Marsanne 2012 (500ml)

Tahbilk Marsanne, Riesling & Viognier 2016 and Cane Cut Marsanne 2012

Tahbilk Marsanne, Riesling & Viognier 2016 and Cane Cut Marsanne 2012

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