Archive for October, 2009
Australian wine maker dumps cork for German exports – der Schraubverschluss auf allen Flaschen des Rosemount Estate
Und so argumentiert Rosemount für den in Australien üblichen Schraubverschluss:
“Ab sofort füllt Rosemount Estate alle Weine in Flaschen mit Schraubverschluss ab. Denn der Schraubverschluss
- schaltet das Risiko eines Korkfehlers aus,
- garantiert auch langfristig einen zuverlässigen Verschluss,
- lässt Weine gleichmässig reifen und verhindert Qualitäts-Schwankungen,
- erlaubt die stehende Lagerung und ein müheloses Verschliessen bereits geöffneter Flaschen,
- ist unsere Garantie fuer Qualität, Frucht und Frische!”
Rosemount Winery in McLaren Vale
So die Worte der Rosemount Estate als Beilage zu jeder verkauften Flasche. Im Bild sehen Sie die Cellar Door des Rosemount Estate in McLaren Vale.
Ich kann diese Einstellung der Rosemounts nur unterstützen. Erst letzte Woche habe ich einen Wein Jahrgang 2004 aus dem Yarra Valley aus meinem Keller hervor geholt und der Wein hatte schlimmsten Korken. Je nachdem welchen Statistiker man fragt sind zwischen 5% und 9% aller Flaschen mit Korken fehlerhaft – machen Sie sich doch einmal die Mühe und sortieren Sie jede 10. Flasche aus Ihrem Weinregal aus: so und diese aussortierten Flaschen jetzt ‘virtuell’ wegschütten – eine schreckliche Erfahrung.
Die Lösung ist der Schraubverschluss ich habe ja bereits mehrfach davon auf diesem Blog berichtet. Auch die emotional behafteten Korkenfans werden sich an diese Fakten noch gewöhnen.
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Rosemount Estate ist currently educating European wine drinkers to become open minded about the use of screwcaps. They have scrapped the usage of corks completely over here in Germany – good on them.
Michael Brecht
Scenic place for visitors – Doyles restaurant in Sydney’s Watsons Bay
Is this a great restaurant, or is it only a scenic place to take visitors?
I am torn between these two opinions when I walk into Doyles Restaurant in Watsons Bay in Sydney’s chique Eastern suburbs. Watson’s Bay, that is the last place in Sydney’s East, just before the ocean hits the rugged shore; no question – the restau is located at a marvelous place.
Doyles Restaurant in Watsons Bay
In almost Italian style, it is positioned right on a small beach with crystal clear water no more than 10m away from your dinner table. And a few miles towards the west, there is the skyline of Sydney’s CBD with a glimpse of the upper half of the mighty Harbour Bridge. Come here late afternoon and you are able to see one of the most amazing sunsets, Australia has on offer.
The restaurant is the flagship of a series of outlets from one of Sydney’s reknown families, the Doyles. Signs at the doors and a well written menu explain the history of family and its restaurants. The fish is great, the wine menu extensive, though in the past years, the Doyles family has made sure, that many of the wines are now branded in their own name. A nice add-on to the bottom line in today’s difficult high-end foodie marketplace.
I have to admit: we have taken most of the overseas visitors to this place, it is simply ideal for the grown-ups to dine out and our kids to have a play at the beach. Too easy mate.
The fish is usually excellent, the kids menu helps keep the young ones come from the beach for a quick bite.
But what I don’t like about Doyles are two things: most fish meals start at $35 upwards and the portions are more ‘french cuisine’ than aussie style. On top of that, we have been very disappointed with staff, usually slack, mostly talking between themselves and not particularly helpful.
Refreshments
If you are after a spectacular view with some nice fish and a few big wine names on the list, this is the place to dine out – if you are looking for a restaurant with perfection in service and value for money, you better chose somewhere else.
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Das Doyles Restaurant in Watsons Bay ist ein herrlicher Platz für einen ausgiebigen Blick auf den Sonnenuntergang. Sydney’s Zentrum und die obere Hälfte der Bögen der Sydney Harbour Bridge liegen umgeben von rotem Sonnenlicht in der Ferne, das Wasser umspielt den kleinen, feinsandigen Strand direkt vor ihrem Tisch.
Ihr Michael Brecht
My Drink Today is …
The series about ‘my drink today‘ has started well, we received many requests for entry and were also asked frequently what we are actually drinking ourselves on the night.
08 Sorrenberg Gamay: my drink today
This is the reason why I am posting my own photo with a great drink today. My wine today is a 2008 Sorrenberg Gamay from Beechworth – a fantastic drop with only a handful of bottles made every year. This style of Gamay is a combination of Burgundian and Beaujolais techniques and what I really like about it is that 10% Pinot Noir are used in the blend.
I bought the wine in Orange at Union Bank, a wonderful wine shop with an amazing variety of wines from all regions across Australia.
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Ich selbst trinke heute abend einen Sorrenberg Gamay aus dem Jahr 2008, gekauft habe ich die Flasche bei meinem Besuch in Orange letzte Woche. Seine Farbe ist eine Mischung aus Magenta und sehr dunklem Violet, seine Nase verspricht Kirsche und dunkle Beeren und seine wunderbare Struktur umschmeichelt meine Geschmacksknospen. Ein sehr runder Wein auch wenn 1-2 Jahre im Keller ihn noch verbessern werden. Zu schade, diese Flasche wird das nicht mehr erleben.
Ihr Michael Brecht
Foster’s forms Joint Venture to get rid of smaller wine brands
If you can’t sell them, you have to find a different solution. And this is what Australian beer and wine giant Foster’s has just done with the smaller end of its wine business.
Foster's Headoffice in Melbourne
David Dearie, Managing Director, Wine Australia and New Zealand today announced Foster’s intention to transfer 13 Australian wine brands to a joint venture with Vok Beverages Pty Ltd (Vok Beverages). Foster’s will hold a 50% interest in the joint venture company.
But who is Vok Beverages? They claim to be the exclusive Australian distributor for a number of Diageo brands which include Ruski, Bullet Bourbon, J&B Whisky, Dimple or Pimms. The company also distributes a range of proprietary brands such as Three Oaks Cider, Infused Rush, HI NRG, VOK Liqueurs and Bickford’s non alcoholic cordials.
So, in the future, these guys will assume responsibility for the marketing, sales and management of the thirteen former Foster’s wine brands as early as from the 1st of December 2009.
The brands to be transferred to the joint venture are Queen Adelaide, Half Mile Creek, Minchinbury, Matthew Lang, Andrew Garrett, Maglieri of McLaren Vale, Rouge Homme, Great Western, Cartwheel, Fishers Circle, Galway Pipe, Boronia and Yarra Ridge. Foster’s intends to continue to produce wine for the joint venture and celebrates this strategic move by stating: “this joint venture allows Foster’s to focus on wine making, distribution and marketing of its core portfolio.” The thirteen brands above now know at least, that they are not considered ‘core’ any more.
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Der australische Bier und Weingigant Foster’s hat heute bekannt gegeben, dass er 13 seiner kleineren Marken in ein neues Joint Venture mit Vok Beverages ausgliedern moechte. Dieses ist ein weiterer Schritt auf dem langen Weg, das Weingeschäft fuer Foster’s wieder in profitablere Bahnen zu lenken.
In seinem letzten Geschäftsjahr hat Foster’s bereits mehr als $278 Millionen im Weinsegment abgeschrieben. Das Biergeschäft hingegen läuft weiterhin vorzüglich für Foster’s.
Der 2006er Cool Climate Pinot Noir von Brangayne aus Orange
Brangayne of Orange is a winery which claims a highly famous prize within their trophies won over the past years: their 2008 Sauvignon Blanc won a Gold Medal of the New Zealand International Wine Show this year – a prize that is as difficult to achieve as a win for the Wallabies at the All Blacks in Rugby Union.
The Brangayne Driveway in Orange
I met Marianne Brown on a cold, rainy and windy spring day while visiting the cellar door, no one else around and while looking at the photos with snowy poplar trees on the walls of the shed, I was clearly reminded that this part of their winery lies above 1,000 metres in altitude.
Quickly I begin to understand that this boutique winery emphasises on the cool climate traditions – the wines include the regional ‘hero’ Sauvignon Blanc, an unwooded as well as a Reserve Chardonnay. Asked for her personal favourites Marianne tells me that due to the cold weather she really likes the reds at the moment, the 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon recently won a Gold medal at the Australian Cool Climate Wine Show and the newly released 2006 Shiraz was outstanding when I tried it at the cellar door on the day.
The cool climate wine selection
I chose the 2006 Pinot Noir for the night – cherry red in colour – and though still young already displaying strong wild berry characteristics. The palate shows ripe plums with a well balanced acidity – a real highlight of a finely crafted cool climate Pinot Noir. I enjoy its long finish and finish the bottle on the same night in front of a warm fire – Orange in October can be a bit chilly.
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Der Held der Region Orange ist die Sauvignon Blanc Traube – sie gewinnt sogar im Sav Blanc Heimatland Neuseeland Goldmedaillien – so geschehen dieses Jahr in Form des 2008er Sav Blanc von Brangayne.
Die Winery besetzt zwei verschiedene Hügel um Orange auf 1000 und 850 Meter Hoehe, hier wachsen die Trauben für vorzügliche cool climate Weine heran. Das Sortiment umfasst neben den Sav Blancs zwei Chardonnays, einen Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz und Pinot Noir.
Wir geniessen einen noch recht jungen und doch grossartigen Pinot Noir aus dem Jahrgang 2006 zum Dinner und bei offenem Feuer – draussen tobt der Regen bei gerade einmal 5 Grad Celsius – Orange im Frühling kann doch recht kalt sein.
Ihr Michael Brecht
Happy Diwali to our Indian subscribers
Downunder Wines has gained a significant subscriber base in India over the past years. And today it is time to wish all of you a happy Diwali.
According to the Hindu calendar, ‘No Moon Day’ is considered best day for celebrating Diwali. Diwali falls either in the month of October or November according to the English calendar. The festival holds an imperative meaning since the festival is reckoned with Lord Ram’s return to Ayodha after spending 14 years exile. Diwas, or small oil lights or candles are lit as a symbol of the victory of light over darkness, and fireworks are also set off in celebration. The Diwali starts this Thursday by celebrating Dhanteras – a day on which the business community perform rituals to get blessings from the goddess of wealth Lakshmi, followed by Kalichaudas and then by Diwali.
The next day of Diwali marks the commencement of the New Year.
Though a bit sad for us at Downunder Wines that the various regional groups celebrate Diwali in different ways such as abstaining from alcohol, we really love the idea of this peaceful highlight. Diwali is a time of the year when families, friends and communities come together in a spirit of celebration and joy.
In Australia, at least SBS Television appreciates our many Indian immigrants by showing ‘Om Shanti Om’ tonight, I am watching it right now while writing this post. My colleagues at ZaaBiz know ‘Om Shanti Om’ very well, this is the first CD I ever bought in India on one of my many trips there.
Kingfisher Beer in Mumbai
I also brought with me from these trips the knowlegde that in Mumbai, a good Kingfisher beer beats most of the Indian wines I tasted. Time for India to awake to the taste of Australian wines – this vast country is ready for it – I am sure. Happy Diwali.
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Happy Diwali für alle unsere indischen subscriber – davon haben wir bereits mehrere Hundert an Bord. Auch wenn Diwali in Indien ohne Alkohol gefeiert wird, so sind wir dennoch davon überzeugt, dass australische Weine bald diesen grossen Markt erobert haben.
Ihr Michael Brecht
Lunch at Orange’s most famous bank
The old and heritage listed building of Union bank in Orange is the place to be while heading for lunch or dinner. Light meals garned with local produce help you concentrate on the major reason why being there: the wines.
Union Bank in Orange
Unionbank’s wine list is outstanding. It includes both – the local top drops and some of my favourite wines from all over Australia.
The owners of Unionbank are well known for hosting wine dinners with celebrity winemakers from various other regions. This week Clonakilla’s own Tim Kirk from Murrumbateman in the Canberra District hosts a 5 star dinner with his wines on trial.
The wine store next door is home to many wonderful wines from across the country, from Sorrenberg Gamay to Ben Glaetzer’s Godolphin, from D’Arenberg’s Dead Arm to Moss Woods finest wines, you’ll find them here. Rarely have I seen a bottleshop that well equipped in the midst of a wine region itself.
So give this restaurant a try – and help yourself to a few wines on the glass, this is a great opportunity to get to know the local stars of the Orange wine district or even beyond.
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Wine store and Wine Bar
Mitten im Zentrum der 30,000 Einwohner zählenden Weinmetropole Orange liegt das alte Gebäude der Union Bank. Darin befindet sich ein gut gestyltes Restaurant mit gleichem Namen und einem kleinen Biergarten direkt hinter dem Haus. In der Remise nebenan ist ein Bottleshop – gefüllt mit den Top-Weinen aus der Region und aus ganz Australien.
Ich habe hier Down Under sehr selten einen solch gut sortierten Weinhandel gesehen, der inmitten einer der Weinregionen liegend den Fokus auch auf die hochklassigen (und -preisigen) Weine anderer Regionen Australiens und Neuseelandes gelegt hat. Der Grund: “die Weine aus unserer Region hier in Orange müssen sich auch im Laden gegen die besten Weine aus ganz Australien beweisen koennen – deshalb führen wir ein solch breites exklusives Sortiment,” erklärt mir Nick Butler, Sales Manager im Wine Store in unserem Gespräch.
Keine Frage – der Besuch lohnt sich.
Ihr Michael Brecht
Orange Wine Week – you’re only in it when you are based on 600m plus altitude
From the 16th to 25th of October 2009 Orange wine enthusiasts celebrate their wine week consisting of 10 days with close to 100 events showcasing the district. Whether wine, food, music, sport or arts, there is a lot to do in this time.
Wine week in Orange
Orange winemakers claim to make wine that people like to drink, this is at least the comment I get most when travelling through the region and visiting its many cellar doors.
Orange is considered cool climate with an altitude from 600m to about 1,000 metres and the night temperatures dropping to quite pleasant levels even in the sometimes extremely warm summer months.
Don’t even try to call your wines from ‘Orange’ if your grapes grow under 600m altitude. The ‘climbing’ and ‘rolling hills’ story of Cumulus wines confirms this story nicely, we’ll report on this in a separate post.
Rain closing in
But the local winemakers also claim that the soil plays a major role too: there is the volcanic basalt of the old volcano on Canobolas (the views frrom there are the more impressive when rain is in sight) or the red-brown clay in some other parts, the Orange region provides very rich and fertile grounds for the vines to thrive on.
Winemakers such as Philip Shaw with his Koomooloo Vineyard, the famous Printhie Wines with winemaker Drew Tuckwell or Stephen and Rhonda Doyle as two of the pioneers of the Orange wine region: they all came to produce outstanding wines and their highlights so far have been their whites: Riesling and Sauvignon Blanc. The latter is claimed in Orange’s prospectus for the wine week as ‘the hero variety with international recognition’.
I will check out on this in the coming days, as our spring family holiday leads us to this wine region – so far pretty undiscovered by myself. I am also told to watch out for the cool climate stars Pinot Noir and Shiraz – well it will be a pleasure to start the discovery.
The time is ripe, as James Halliday’s guide descibes the 2009 vintage from Orange as ‘a memorable vintage for some, especially reds: whites good with volumes down 10%’. Let’s see what the next days bring.
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Ich befinde mich in Orange – einer Region im westlichen NSW – keine 5 Stunden von Sydney entfernt. Hier haben sich grosse Namen wie Philip Shaw, Drew Tuckwell oder das Doyle Ehepaar angesiedelt, um hier ihre Weine anzubauen. Sie werden ergaenzt um eine ganze Serie an kleineren Wineries, die zwischen 1,000 und 5,000 Dutzend im Jahr abfuellen und meist komplett vermarkten.
Ich freue mich auf diesen Besuch, denn die hiesigen cool climate Weissen und inzwischen auch Pinot Noirs und Shiraz gelten als Geheimtips Australiens in diesem Jahr. Begleiten Sie mich auf dieser Reise durch eine der jungen Weingegenden Australiens.
Ihr Michael Brecht
