Author Archive
Take a shot of wines and winemakers – wine photography as a profession
Michael met Nardia Guillaumier from NEG Photography at the Kiama Wine Show a few days ago. They started talking about photography and how to deal with the wine business. Both decided to have an interview to understand a photographer’s view of the wine trade. Read here what Nardia thinks about taking shots of wine bottles. Enjoy responsibly.
Photography at a Wine Show
downunderwines: Nardia, thanks for your time, let us start with a question about when you started with photography?
Nardia: I have been taking photos since my husband bought a Canon 300D camera in 2002 for his birthday, just for fun. He has never had a chance to use the camera though. But I have taken some great shots for friends weddings, family portraits, landscapes and businesses. In 2009 I have completed my Diploma in Photography and decided to start NEG photography as a semi hobby and profession. I never realised it would take off so quickly. But I am loving every assignment and really enjoy meeting new and interesting people.
downunderwines: How did you come to making photos at wine shows?
Nardia: JAi Events, located in Kiama, gave me the opportunity to capture some images for the Kiama Regional Wine Show this year. It allowed me to start snapping photos straight away, in fact I think I took around 350 photos on the day.
downunderwines: Isn’t it boring to take photos of wine bottles?
Nardia: Photography is only what you make it, as is everything. Any subject can be made interesting, imagination is only limited by your mind not by the cost of film.
downunderwines: What is the most difficult when taking photos of wines?
Nardia: In photographing the Kiama Regional Wine show, the reflections were a little difficult to master and also keeping the shots modern and innovative.
Hunter Valley's Keith Tulloch
downunderwines: How do you cope with wine experts and their habits?
Nardia: I think their habits are to our advantage. As without their amazing palates and vivid descriptions of flavour, then as tasting novices we would have no idea what characteristics to look for. Everyone has their talent, which could be seen as habits for some.
downunderwines: So tell us, what is your favourite wine?
Nardia: At the moment Sauvignon Blanc.
downunderwines: If wine – red or white?
Nardia: Depending on what mood I am in. Party time – it’s white, relax and vege, its a red – normally Merlot.
downunderwines: What regions have you visited in Australia that produced wine?
Nardia: Southern Highlands, Shoalhaven, Barossa, Hunter Valley, Riverina, Coonawarra and Margaret River… is that too many?
downunderwines: Can you tell us of any anecdotes on wine people or wine drinkers?
Nardia: Well my husband, Brian and I love wine. Me more than him, I should say to be fair. On one of our adventures on the road (actually seeing the Solar Eclipse at Lyndhurst, SA, 2002) we visited the Coonawarra. After having drunk one too many with my sisters Marika and Sarsha, we all fell asleep, except for Brian who was the designated driver. Whilst driving Brian saw a wedged-tail eagle sitting right by the side of the road. Being my favourite bird, Brian did try to wake me (so he tells me). But due to the amount of tastings I had had, I didn’t wake up. When I did wake after 2.5 hours asleep, Brian told me about the magnificent eagle. My first response was…’Why didn’t you wake me?’ The look of dispare on his face was hilarious. Still to this day he tells this story. What can I say, just love wine …
downunderwines: So, how can people get in touch with you for their next shot?
Nardia: Either by emailing me on negphotography@bigpond.com or by visiting my website. I also have a facebook group, NEG photography, join up if you wish.
Nardia, thank you very much for your time and good luck with the next wine show.
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Nardia traf Michael auf der Kiama Wine Show und sprach mit ihm über die Schwierigkeiten Flaschen zu fotografieren, die Weinszene richtig ins Licht zu setzen und mit den diversen Eitelkeiten umzugehen. Gewinnen Sie einen originalen Einblick hinter die Kulissen der Weinszene hier in Australien.
The day Australia’s East Coast turned orange
I woke up this morning at about 5:30am and when I looked out of the window, I saw the world turned orange. My initial thoughts about an apocalypse happening over Sydney was quickly corrected by the coughing of my asthmatic son. There was dust in the air – the whole of Sydney had suddenly turned orange.
Bondi Beach in orange dust
This shot was taken by a friend of mine and it shows our famous Bondi Beach at about 7am. Get this.
And Michael sent me a photo of the roof of his car, which had turned brown-orange in front of the vineyard. The clouds in the sky had helped blow the dust away in the Highlands – much healthier for everyone living up there.
Green car turns orange
A quick phone call to a winemaker confirmed: no risk for the vines – there aren’t any grapes visible yet – it is still the beginning of spring here in Australia. That is the good news of the day.
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Wir haben heute einen unglaublichen Morgenhimmel über der Ostküste Australiens erlebt. Als ich um 5:30 heute morgen aus dem Fenster blickte, da war der gesamte Himmel in orange getaucht. Nicht die Apokalypse, sondern ein Wüstensturm aus dem Inneren des Landes hatte weite Teile von NSW orange überzogen.
Es besteht allerdings keine Gefahr für die Weinreben dieser Gebiete, zu früh sind wir noch in diesem Jahr für eine wirkliche Bedrohung. Zum Glück.
Tasting of 2009 Shiraz biodynamic wines – at the Lethbridge Winery in Victoria
These are great names in Australian winemaking: Jasper Hill, M. Chapoutier, Castagna, Sorrenberg and Lethbridge – and all of these have something in common: they are all growing biodynamic Shiraz.
Biodynamic Wines in Victoria
And they are all available in one tasting taking place at Lethbridge Wines on October the 4th.
This tasting follows the theme ‘Biodynamic Shiraz around the world’.
At this event you will have the opportunity to compare a range of biodynamic Shiraz including the wines listed above.
Best is to book your seat now as the places are strictly limited: more info here.
Details of this event
Where: Lethbridge Wines, 74 Burrows Rd Lethbridge
Date: 4th October
Time: 2:00 pm
Cost: $75/person
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Sollten Sie in der Naehe des viktorianischen Lethbridge an der Great Ocean Road sein, so schauen Sie am 4. Oktober ruhig einmal bei Lethbridge Wines vorbei.
Eien Verkostung diverser biodynamischer Shiraz Weine klingt sehr verlockend, vor allem wenn die Namen Lethbridge, Sorrenberg oder Jasper Hill im Spiel sind. Bitte zuvor anmelden, denn die Plaetze sind rar.
Spring time is Pinot Gris time
The weather here Down Under has changed: it is spring and we experienced temperatures in the late 20s the whole of last week. Time to check the latest whites, I started with a Pinot Gris from Southern Highland’s Cuttaway Hill Estate.
Cool climate Pinot Gris 
This cool climate producer has brought out the 2008 Pinot Gris a few days ago – the new labels promise a classy version of this subdued variety. The wine opens up in a slightly golden colour, an even vintage with cool nights and warm days during ripening helped the wines gain a strong varietal character and complexity.
I like its balance and longevity, my initial fears of a white with 14.5% – hence a super alcoholic – Pinot Gris are not confirmed. The alcohol level is finely balanced with a complex palate of citrus and pear. Its broad finish is balanced by crisp acidity – great style.
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Es wird Fruehling hier in Australien und damit Zeit, einen der cool climate Pinot Gris auszuprobieren.
Der 2008 Cuttaway Hill Estate Pinot Gris ist ein starker Vertreter dieser neuen Klasse, ich geniesse seine komplexe Struktur nach Zitrus und Birne schmeckend. Sein Saeuregehalt ist durchaus angenehm, die Laenge fuer einen cool climate Wein erstaunlich.
Ein wirklich gelungener Vertreter der australischen Pinot Gris Generation.
Happy 09/09/09 to all newly married couples
This is an important date as we have thousands of couples saying YES to each other today. Downunder Wines wishes them all the best – time to celebrate.
Cheers to al the newly weds
Einen herzlichen Glueckwunsch allen frisch Verheirateten in aller Welt wuenscht Ihr Downunder Wines Team.
Top Australian wine families fight back
What sounded as a new initiative for martial arts turned out to be a wine marketing act from twelve leading wine producers here down under. Twelve wine making families plan to launch a campaign in the UK early next year targeting key ‘influencers’ over there with the message: Australian wine is not cheap plonk with a kangaroo or koala on the label.
Road to Success
The decanter started the (initially until 31/08/09 embargoed) story with an article: “a powerful group of 12 family wineries are launching an attack to try to silence mounting international criticism that Australia only produces cheap, commercial wines.” A few hours later, winefront wrote “it may only be a marketing initiative but it’s a pretty strong one.” And to top these strong themes, the Australian launched their version with: “the families are fighting back.”
So what is all this strong stuff about: under its new combined brand ‘Australia’s First Families of Wine’ the following twelve wine labels plan to spread a more positive message about Australian wines:
• Brown Brothers (Victoria)
• Campbells (Victoria)
• D’Arenberg (South Australia)
• De Bortoli (NSW)
• Henschke (South Australia)
• Howard Park (Western Australia)
• Jim Barry (South Australia)
• McWilliam’s (NSW)
• Tahbilk (Victoria)
• Taylors (South Australia)
• Tyrrell’s (NSW)
• Yalumba (South Australia)
Now, these are some really big names here in Australia, carefully chosen from all top wine regions (sorry winemakers in Tasmania). These guys represent annual sales of almost $1bn, which equals about one fifth of Australia’s total sales. Their joined portfolio is a great collection of wines with a long history and a clear emphasis on how far Australian Boutique wine has come. These guys promise to use a combined brand on their bottles and marketing material and the press release mentions a combined yearly marketing budget for this initiative alone of between $500,000 -600,000. Wow.
So what is our view on this: firstly we clearly support this new initiative. Spread the news, get Australian wines out of this cheap and cheerful corner and establish credibility with excellent wines. The only downside to this story is, that again the focus is on marketing in the UK (first). No mentioning of targeting the German speaking wine enthusiast – it just shows how wineries generally target the European market. UK first and then – nothing.
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Die Neuigkeit dieser Woche hier in Australien ist eine Initiative von 12 familiengefuehrten Wineries, die am 31. August offiziell verkuendet werden sollte. Dieses Datum versuchte zumindest ein Embargo auf die versendete PR Mitteilung auszudruecken. Nachdem saemtliche Weinmedien hier Down Under allerdings die Geschichte schon bringen, so haben auch wir uns entschlossen, Ihnen davon zu berichten.
Die Nachricht ist so aufregend, wie auch wiederum enttaeuschend. Namen wie Henschke, D’Arenberg, de Bortoli oder das 160 Jahre alte Yalumba sind grossartige Vertreter australischer Weinkultur. Eine solche Initiative mit gemeinsamer Vermarktung ist fuer die internationalen Maerkte sehr sinnvoll.
Der Chairman der First Families Initiative und gleichzeitig CEO der Tahbilk Winery Alister Purbrick erklaert hierzu (uebersetzt): “Wir muessen dringend die Wahrnehmung australischer Weine in der Welt veraendern.” Nun das ist ein Thema, welches fuer uns bei Downunderwines zum Alltag gehoert, es ist genau der Grund, weshalb wir vor guten 2 Jahren diesen Blog begonnen haben.
Uns stoert einzig bei dieser Nachricht die Tatsache, dass der erste addressierte, internationale Markt eben wiederum England sein soll. Weitere Maerkte sollen dann in 2010 Australien selbst und danach die USA und China sein. Von Deutschland keine Rede, leider bezeichnend fuer die Marketingaktionen australischer Weinmacher.
Rockpool’s Bar and Grill wine list on top with 3,500 different wines in the cellar
Rockpool wins best wine list 2010
Australian Gourmet Traveller magazine has named the top honours for restaurants and bars at the 2010 Restaurant Awards here Down Under this week. Sydney’s Rockpool Bar and Grill has the top winelist in the country, a great and well deserved result.
Australia’s Star Chef Neil Perry and his business partners, Trish Richards and David Doyle were thrilled with these awards and commended the restaurant’s dedicated wine team, consisting of Nicole Reimers (Wine List Consultant) and Sophie Otton (Head Sommelier) who, with Doyle, were responsible for creating the list that features over 3,500 different wines.
Representing an investment of $9 million, Doyle has spent over 20 years amassing the core of the restaurant’s extraordinary wine list.“We believe that enjoyment of wine is a key aspect of the Rockpool Bar & Grill experience and in order to provide our diners with enough choice among the world’s best wines, we have assembled what they believe to be one of the best wine lists in the world,” says Doyle.
Let us reflect on these numbers: it would take me almost 10 years, if I would frequent Rockpool Bar and Grill daily and chose a different bottle of wine each time! My bank manager would most likely stop me doing that after the first couple of weeks, so there is a limited risk for me to drink this much in the years to come.
The oldest bottle stems from 1795 with 32 selections of Penfolds Grange as the major highlight of fine Australian wines. For those who can afford to dine out in Rockpool’s art deco skyscraper we can confirm: the list includes expensive rare and fine wines as well as less expensive and still drinkable reds and whites. Apparently about 10% of the wine on the list cost less than $100 – to be honest, we haven’t counted them (yet).
Congratulations to the Rockpool team for taking the prize this year, their first since opening in early 2009.
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Sydney’s hippest Restaurant in diesen Tagen ist das Rockpool Bar & Grill, seine Weinkarte erhielt dieser Tage die Auszeichnung: Best Australian Wine List. 3.500 Weine aus allen Teilen dieser Welt wurden von Star-Chef Neil Perry und seinen Geschaeftspartnern gesammelt und hier gelagert, ein Investment von ca. $9 Millionen.
Wir gratulieren dem Rockpool Bar & Grill und empfehlen Ihnen den Blick auf Weinkarte bei Ihrem naechsten Besuch in der pulsierenden Metropole Down Under. Sydney hat mit dieser Weinkarte einen klaren kulinarischen Vorteil im Staedteduell mit Melbourne – fuer dieses Jahr zumindest.
The spirit of Australia on Downunderwines
For us Australians Qantas has always been a strong favourite when traveling internationally. Michael did various tastings on his trips to India in the past years on board of Qantas planes to Mumbai or Delhi.
The Qantas wine list is reknown for outstanding quality. Here is another reason why Qantas represents the Australian spirit – or as they put it: “The Spirit of Australia”. Have a look at their latest ad, one of the best ads I have seen in the past months and it makes me clearly emotional:
You may excuse us for bringing an ad on downunderwines, though we are commercial free. This one is simply too good. Good on you guys.
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Wir haben in den vergangenen zwei Jahren Downunderwines frei von jeglicher Werbung gehalten – das soll so auch bleiben. Dennoch wollten wir insbesondere unseren internationalen Lesern das obige Video nicht vorenthalten – repraesentiert es doch den “true Aussie spirit”.
Was denken Sie? Macht das nicht Lust auf Australien?
