Tag Archives: Winemaking

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

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.

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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).

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

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Joe Holyman from Stoney Rise Wine Company

Joe Holyman from Stoney Rise Wine Company

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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

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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The Vincast with Sierra Reed Milne from Reed Wines

Growing up in Southern California presented an incredible opportunity to Sierra Reed Milne when she was scouted for a modelling career at a young age, which in turn gave her the chance to travel and experience other cultures. After gaining a following on the 18th season of Survivor, she dreamed of becoming a television travel program host, but couldn’t have imagined that it would be realised in New Zealand. It was here that she began her wine journey after working closely with the Family of Twelve, a journey that has led to her marrying an Australian, and making her own wine based in Victoria. Check out my Let’s Taste video of one of her wines here!

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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!

Sierra Reed Milne from Reed Wines

Sierra Reed Milne from Reed Wines

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The Vincast with Sam Connew from Stargazer Wines

Would you believe it if I told you that in spite of being born in New Zealand and having extensive winemaking experience, Sam Connew has never had a vintage across the Tasman Sea! She has however worked in some of Australia’s most famous and historic regions, including the McLaren Vale and the Hunter Valley. More recently it has been in Tasmania where she has started carving out her own identity under the Stargazer brand, and she joined me on this episode of The Vincast to talk about how her journey informed her passion for cool-climate expressions.

Follow Sam on Twitter, Facebook 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 iTunesStitcher or PlayerFM and don’t forget to rate and review!

Sam Connew from Stargazer Wines

Sam Connew from Stargazer Wines

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The Vincast with Lance Redgwell from Cambridge Road Vineyard

Lance Redgwell learned an appreciation for quality produce from his grandmother, who grew many of her own vegetables that she used in her kitchen. Once an adult he discovered wine and liked how it made him think, and decided to embark on a wine career. His policy was to learn by doing, and over his career he has gained experienced in a number of elements of the industry and in many locations. After much searching he decided to create his own wine in the Martinborough region of New Zealand, and the vineyard he purchased happened to be on Cambridge Road.

Follow Lance on Instagram and Facebook

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 iTunesStitcher or PlayerFM and don’t forget to rate and review!

Lance Redgwell from Cambridge Road Vineyard

Lance Redgwell from Cambridge Road Vineyard

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The Vincast with Ben Haines from Mount Langi Ghiran

Ben Haines wasn’t sure what he wanted to do as a career, but his father sensed that the wine industry would be a great option. After studies and experience in viticulture, he discovered that quality doesn’t stop once the grapes are harvested, it continues all the way through to bottling. Postgraduate studies in winemaking lead him on a career path that would include vintage experiences overseas, and eventually led he was appointed chief winemaker at famed Grampians estate, Mount Langi Ghiran. Ben spoke about his journey on this episode of The Vincast.

Follow Ben on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook

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 iTunesStitcher or PlayerFM and don’t forget to rate and review!

Ben Haines from Mount Langi Ghiran

Ben Haines from Mount Langi Ghiran

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