Sydney Royal Wine Show 2011

Peter Lehman, Kultwinzer aus dem Süd-Australischen Tanunda im Barossa Valley gewann die Wertung des ‘Standort Performers des Jahres 2011′. Die Macquarie Group Perpetual Trophy erhielt er für seinen 2005 Margaret Semillon, den Royal Agricultural Society of NSW (RAS) Annual Prize für den besten Semillon und den lbert Chan Memorial Prize für den besten Weißwein der Show. Peter Lehman überzeugte die Juroren in diesem Jahr besonders, denn mit drei Trophies, vier Gold, drei Silber und sechs Bronzemedaillen machte er vor allem für den Semillon aus dem Barossa beste Werbung.

Ein weiteres Highlight der Show war die Tiefe an hochklassigen Chardonnay Weinen aus Australien, von Tasmanien bis hin zu Western Australia arbeiten Winzer erster Güte mit dieser Rebsorte. Ein Trend, der sich ja auf Downunder Wines seit Jahren nachhaltig bestätigt, unsere vielen Berichte über die hervorragenden Chardonnays, insbesondere aus cool climate Regionen, zeigen das.

Eine Aufstellung der Gewinner der Sydney Royal finden Sie hier, viel Spaß bei der weiteren Lektüre.

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After tasting and critiquing their way through 2283 entries, the judges at the 2011 Macquarie Group Sydney Royal Wine Show have awarded top honours to the best wine and brandy on offer from the Australian wine industry, with chardonnay the stand-out favourite. Thirty six trophies and 982 medals were awarded to entries representing Australia’s top wine regions.



Peter Lehmann Wines from Tanunda, South Australia was the standout performer of this year’s Show, taking out the coveted Macquarie Group Perpetual Trophy for its 2005 Margaret Semillon, the Royal Agricultural Society of NSW (RAS) Annual Prize for Best Semillon and the Albert Chan Memorial Prize for Best White Wine of Show.



The winning entry from Peter Lehmann Wines greatly impressed the expert panel of 31 judges, led by Chairman of Judges Iain Riggs.

 “Peter Lehmann Wines was exceptional this year, picking up three trophies, four Gold, three Silver and six Bronze medals in total and in the process made a bold claim for Barossa semillon,” Mr Riggs said.

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At the other end of the production scale, Chapman Grove Wines from the Margaret River region also had an outstanding Show with two trophies from its four Gold medals across four different varieties.”



The 2283 entries from 405 exhibitors judged at this year’s Wine Show in Sydney covered red and white table wines, sparkling, fortified wines and brandy, with an impressive 43 per cent of entries receiving a medal.



2011 saw the Sydney Royal Wine Show become the first capital city wine show to implement a regional grouping judging system, based on the geographical indicators (GI) set out by the Australian Wine and Brandy Corporation. 

”This innovation was trialed to assess its suitability in the judging process,” Mr Riggs said. 

”It allows smaller entry numbers per class and importantly less palate fatigue among the judges, but the main purpose is to judge like with like. The six judges involved in the class judged by GI were positive in their comments,” Mr Riggs said.

Wine Show Committee Chair Lyndey Milan said the standard of Australia’s chardonnay was exceptional this year. 



“It was pleasing to see the depth of quality of Australia’s chardonnay with Gold medals being awarded to wineries stretching from Tasmania to Western Australia. However, the ever-reliable shiraz topped the medal tally,” Ms Milan said. 

The 2011 Show saw the introduction of a new trophy. Formally the RAS of NSW Annual Prize for Chardonnay, the AP John Coopers Perennial Trophy for Best Varietal Wine Chardonnay was awarded to Wolf Blass’ 2009 White Label Chardonnay.



Michael Brecht

Hier werden neben den klassischen Rebsorten wie Pinot oder Chardonnay in den kühleren Hügeln um Adelaide auch innovativ Reben wie Grüner Veltliner oder Blaufränkisch angebaut. Sehr erfolgreich, wie die Ergebnisse bei den ersten Weinshows Down Under zeigen und die Kunden sind begeistert.

Dass die beiden Inhaber Larry und Marc ebenso ihr Marketing verstehen zeigt ihr alljährliches Video zum Thema Crush. Crush 2011 – Hahndorf Hill Winery – Bad Girls + Good Wine, so der Titel in diesem Jahr:

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Hahndorf Hill Winery is one of the most innovative producers when it comes to utilising new varieties such as Grüner Veltliner or Blaukränkisch in winemaking. Above is the video of owner’s Larry and Marc – known to be different when it comes to marketing wine from cool climate Adelaide Hills.

Michael Brecht

Glass of Chardonnay from Galafrey

Der Wein ist ein atypischer Chardonnay für Western Australia, denn er ist zurückhaltend und ohne das sonst so überbetonte Geschmacksmuster der Chardonnays. Der unoaked von Galafrey zeigt sehr schöne Aromen von Grapefruit und hat eine schöne Länge. Mit 13% ist er sehr angenehm alkoholisiert.

“Wie schön ist es einen solchen Wein an einem herrlichen Spätsommerabend in Bayern zu trinken,” so Pete an diesem Abend. Leider zieht es ihn schon Morgen nach Italien – in Rom wird er ein Motorrad mieten und bis nach ganz unten in Sizilien fahren. Too easy mate.
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Today’s post comes from Peter, who is currently traveling Europe. We took this photo ourselves and publish it in our series my drink today on Downunder Wines. “This Galafrey Chardonnay is particularly pleasant on a gorgeous September evening, sitting here in Bavaria in the late evening sun,” he says.

Australien steckt fest in einem Patt. 72:72 steht es derzeit zwischen den (noch) regierenden Labours um Julia Gillard und ihrem Herausforderer Tony Abbott von den Liberals.

Beide haben die vergangene Woche genutzt, um mit den inzwischen fest stehenden Freien (Independents) Gespräche zu führen. Und für jene ist diese Zeit so schwierig, denn sie haben zwar den charmanten Vorteil, derzeit von zwei potentiellen Regierenden umgarnt zu werden, doch müssen sie gleichzeitig ihrer bisherigen freien Linie treu bleiben, denn sonst ist diese Regierungszeit womöglich ein One Term Stand.

Ninth Island Sparkling aus Tasmanien

Für Australien ist dieses Hin- und Her Geschacher neu: ‘are these guys blessed or burdened by a hung parliament’ so fragen die australischen Wähler und Politikbeobachter. Klar ist heute nur, dass dieses Land, welches so gut aus der ‘global financial crisis’ heraus gekommen ist, schnell eine Lösung braucht, denn Australiens Wirtschaft wächst, die Immigrationsfrage ist stets akut und die Australier selbst sind Hängepartien einfach nicht gewöhnt – ‘get on with it’ – so die Meinung des Menschen auf der Strasse.

Und was hat dieser Report mit Wein zu tun? Nun, ich wollte Ihnen zumindest diese Flasche Australian Sparkling aus Tasmanien kurz vorstellen, denn wir haben auch ohne Wahlsieger damit angestoßen. Das Ninth Island Label, welches heute zum Haus Kreglinger gehört, war einmal eine der absoluten Topadressen der kleinen Insel, südlich von Melbourne gelegen. Ich erinnere mich gerne an die Pinot Noirs von Ninth Island, welche vor 6 Jahren noch vom tasmanischen Weinmaker Pirrie produziert wurden.

Der Sparkling ist non vintage, für den sofortigen Verzehr gemacht, aus Chardonnay, Pinot Noir und Pinot Meunier kreiert und erhält eben durch die Meunier Traube sein fruchtiges Gewicht. Seine Nase verspricht Zitrus und Honigdüfte, insgesamt ist er allerdings ein wenig flach, von der angekündigten Komplexität spüre ich nicht so sehr viel. Vielleicht liegt das aber auch daran, dass ich bei meinem letzten Versuch dieses australischen Sparklings tasmanische Austern vor mir stehen hatte und die haben wir hier in Deutschland leider nicht. Too bad.

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The Australian election ist still not over – and we are surprised to see, how these few independents still haven’t made up their minds. Most Australians prefer to have this decision dealt with quickly. Nevertheless: we have opened our bottle of Australian sparkling last weekend – a Ninth Island Sparkling – unfortunately a long way away from Tasmanian oysters, that went so well with this drink the last time we had it.

Michael Brecht

Sauvignon Blanc Wein

downunderwines:What are the top selling wines this year Mark? Was sind die Spitzenweine wenn es nach den Verkaufszahlen geht, Mark:
Mark Bourne: The new release Cuttaway wines in, 2010 Sauvignon Blanc, 2010 Semillion Sauvignon Blanc and the new 2009 Chardonnay and Pinot Noir as they seem to be in high demand.

downunderwines: And let us know, why these wines from Cuttaway Hill are selling so well despite a wine glut in Australia / und lassen Sie uns wissen, weshalb gerade die Cuttaway Hill Weine sich so gut verkaufen, trotz diverser Horrornachrichten zu Massen an Weinen, die auf dem Markt seien:
Mark Bourne: I suppose the only Cuttaway news, is in spite of the constant media stories about the Australian and World oversupply of wine, it proves that if you are making good wine there is always a demand for it. Against the trend across Australia, in June we are releasing 2010 Sauvignon Blanc, 2010 Semillon Sauvignon Blanc, 2009 Chardonnay, 2009 Pinot Noir all ahead of schedule due to the high demand for our wines. We are simply sold out with the older vintages and need to release the wine ahead of schedule.

downunderwines: We know that one of your big favourites is your Sauvignon Blanc – what is the background to this love story? Wir wissen, dass einer ihrer aboluten Favoriten der Sauvignon Blanc ist, was macht jenen so gut und wie vergleichen Sie ihn im internationalen Vergleich?
Mark Bourne: As far as we can see, we are probably one of the first to release a 2010 unwooded white wine in Australia this year, and the leading white wine by volume last year, at our small family owned estate, is the Sauvignon Blanc. In Australia, where we are constantly flooded with cheap New Zealand Sauvignon blanc, this is indeed a surprising outcome. I think we maybe be able to put it down to offering a different style of Sauvignon Blanc to a market that is looking for something besides the same New Zealand style product vintage after vintage.

Our Sauvignon Blanc has a vibrant green tint colour with gooseberry and herbaceaous aromas combined with a ripe citrus and tropical palate and with a very nicely balanced long crisp finish – that makes this wine an outstanding sample for real Australian Sav Blancs – much less acidic than the SBs from across the Tasman.

Mark Bourne, wir danke Ihnen für dieses Interview, we thank you for your open comments.

Ihr Michael Brecht

Im Rahmen unserer Serie ‘how do we store our wines’ besuchen wir einen guten Freund von mir und entdecken eine gut sortierte Auswahl an Weinen aus alter und neuer Welt. Neben den Klassikern aus Frankreich, Italien und auch diversen deutschen Regionen, finden sich in seinem Keller zwei australische Weine.

Der 2008 Belgravia Shiraz Viognier ist ein sehr schöner Wein aus ‘cool climate’ Orange und direkt daneben stehen diverse Kisten an d’Arenberg’s The Stump Jump Chardonnay. Letzterer ist ein prima Einstiegs-Quoffa, so wie die Australier einen Weissen nennen, den man quasi täglich bei wärmeren Temperaturen geniessen kann.

Da fehlt jetzt eigentlich nur noch das warme Wetter hier in Deutschland im Mai.

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I am here to take my small video camera to a friends place to see how he stores his wines.

Next to a nice collection of French, Italian and German wines I stumble across a few dozen of 08 Belgravia Shiraz Viognier from Orange and d’Arenberg’s Stump Jump Chardonnay. A summer quoffa in this wine cellar in Germany – nice one – we just need the sunshine, please.

Michael Brecht

The views on the Mornington Peninsula

Hi Scott, thanks for joining us, we really would like to get some good insight into the merger between Victorian Red Hill Estate and Arrowfield Estate from the famous Hunter Valley.

downunderwines: How did the merger between Arrowfield and Red Hill work?
Scott: Prior to the merger, Arrowfield operated a fully owned subsidiary distribution business, Inwine, which featured additional wines from premium Australian wine growing regions. The initial discussion with Red Hill Estate was on a distribution basis but it was soon discovered that there were synergies between the two companies. Discussion then headed in that direction with the final merger in late 2006.

downunderwines: How do you work together being in two very different wine regions in Australia?
Scott: One of the strengths of the working relationship is that we have maintained the independence of both production facilities. As both wineries have remained independent they continue to focus on producing the best wines possible from their respective regions. From a portfolio point of view the wines are complimentary to each other with little conflict.

downunderwines: What were the surprises after the merger when making wines?
Scott: I think the greatest surprise to us was the way the wineries did not impact on each other. If we separate production and trade, the merger has more impact on trading than production per se.

downunderwines: Exporting into Europe: any major differences between the two?
Scott: Both entities have had experiences in trading in Europe prior to the merger. We now approach the EU as a blank canvas with one combined portfolio.

downunderwines: Current releases: 06 Arrowfield Estate Shiraz: what do you like specifically about this wine?
Scott: What I like about the 06 AE Shiraz: It is a great food wine, has nice savoury characters with good tannin and acid structure. The wine is subtle and elegant so it doesn’t overpower the food.

downunderwines: 08 Pinot Noir from Red Hill: any special news?
Scott: The 2008 vintage was characterised by favorable growing conditions, an early start and above average yields. A mild February enhanced aromatic characters and a hot week in March increased sugar levels but did not seem to be deleterious to primary fruit flavours. These conditions resulted in opulent wines with distinctive aromatics.

downunderwines: Exporting into Europe: what are the risks, why do you do it?
Scott: Our global strategy has been market by market or “bite sized pieces”. We have recently completed our successful market roll-outs in the USA, Ireland and Northern Ireland and the time has come to focus on the EU. Naturally with all export there are risks associated and it is the role of the exporter to minimize those risks where possible. Distance is a major setback exporting Australian wine to Europe as we do not have the luxury of easily “eyeballing” our prospective importer, nor they “eyeballing” us. We can not hop on a short flight to Germany to meet with an importer, this takes a full day’s travel at significant expense. Why do it? Sometimes I ask myself that, then I remember whose job it is and I know why! In all honesty our domestic market is so competitive and dominated by the major wine companies that international expansion is essential for the survival of all wine producers over 20,000 cases.

downunderwines: The German wine drinker: what do you know, expect, what would be different?
Scott: My understanding of the German wine drinker is that they are a lot more adventurous than their more conservative Italian or French cousins. It is this spirit of adventure that makes the German wine drinker more likely to approach a new world wine and historically Australian wines have performed well in Germany.

downunderwines: And finally, please let us know what your favourite wine in your portfolio is?
Scott: As a Hunter Valley lad born and bred, I like the wines from the Hunter Valley. The Arrowfield Estate Show Reserve Chardonnay, Semillon and Shiraz appeal most to my palate. Having said that; if I were to be eating my favourite food, duck, then the wines from the Hunter would not be the best match and I would need to drink a lovely Red Hill Estate Pinot Noir of which I am also fond.

downunderwines: And what is your favourite wine overall?
Scott: I tend to lean more towards fuller bodied red wines that reflect the characteristics of their regions. I am also influenced by occasion, company and cuisine. That being said it is certainly a matter of the right wine with the right food according to my guidelines or “rules of engagement”. Once that match is made correctly some wines take on a new personality and I immediately enjoy them.

downunderwines: Any German wine you like?
Scott: I really enjoy the Mosel Riesling, especially those made by JJ Prum from the Sonnenuhr vineyard: purity, focus and precision.

Scott, thank you very much for your time and we wish you the best of luck on your European endeavours.

Michael Brecht

So geschehen am vergangenen Freitag, als eine Lieferung von Testweinen der Galafrey Wines von Mount Barker in Western Australia eintraf. Auch hier gilt wieder: erst müssen die Weine für ein paar Tage zur ‘Beruhigung’ in den Weinkeller, erst dann werden sie zwecks Test geöffnet.

Dieser Job ist ein wirklich harter – auch wenn mich meine Bekannten in dieser Hinsicht nicht richtig verstehen wollen …

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This Video shows the unwrapping of six bottles of wine from Western Australian producer Galafrey Wines.

Galafrey is situated at Mount Barker, right on the southern coastline of Western Australia. Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay are the standouts, though I am looking forward to taste the 2004 Shiraz as well.

Thanks Kim for sending us these samples, they will get their deserved rest for a few days before being tasted.

It is a tough job to keep up with all these wines, let me tell you!

Michael Brecht

Mit 887 Weinen aus 37 Ländern nahm in diesem Jahr eine Rekordanzahl an Chardonnays aus aller Welt teil. Und die 300 Preisrichter verteilten 296 Medaillen. So gab es zwar in diesem Jahr keine australischen Goldmedaillen, dafür eroberten die Chardonnays aus Down Under sechs Silberne.

Stunning views @ Red Hill Estate vineyards

Darunter ein Wein von einer Winery von der Mornington Peninsula in Viktoria. Dieses Weingut beobachten wir seit einiger Zeit besonders, denn die Weine, die wir testeten machen uns grossen Spass.

Die Red Hill Winery aus Victoria erzielte in diesem schwierigen internationalen contest mit Silber ein grossartiges Ergebnis –

congratulations an das ganze Team.

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We have just got news that the Red Hill Estate Chardonnay 2008 has won a Silver Medal at the recent Chardonnay du Monde 2010.

The 17th annual Chardonnay du Monde international wine competition was held between March 10-13th 2010 at Château des Ravatys, the wine estate of the Pasteur Institute at Saint-Lager in the Burgundy wine region (France). A serious place to hold these contests, very prestigious for all wines from France but all other worldwide competitors too.

Chardonnay du Monde is the strongest concentration of chardonnay wine ever realized with 37 countries and 887 wines entered. Chardonnay du Monde occupies a special place amongst international competitions thanks to its worldwide scope and its rigorous method. Strict quality standards and optimal tasting conditions enabled the 300 expert international judges to award a total of 296 medals this year.

There were only 6 wineries from Australia that were awarded Silver Medals, and no Gold Medals were given to Australian Chardonnays. The Mornington Peninsula producer Red Hill managed to score a silver medal in this very tough contest.

Red Hill Estate winemaker Luke Curry notes: “This is a great global recognition of our pursuit for consistency in the Red Hill Estate wines. This wine has been amongst the medals on every occasion that we have entered this prestigious competition and certainly vindicates our decision to adopt an uncompromising approach to quality and maintenance of the cool climate style that we strive for.”

Well done Red Hill Estate Team – one of the top Australian Chardonnays in such an international context – this is great news for wine producers from Down Under.

Michael Brecht

Cool Climate Chardonnays score top in international Wine Shows

Hier war die absolute Top-Traube die Chardonnay Traube. Ja Sie haben richtig gelesen, Chardonnay. Jenes Gewächs, dass vor wenigen Jahren noch einzig für die alkoholreichen, opulenten Weine aus den heissen Gegenden wie etwa dem Margaret River bekannt war, wurde jüngst bei der Sydney Royal als Top-Traube geehrt.

Woran liegt es denn tatsächlich? Die australischen Winzer haben es verstanden, sowohl in den heissen, als auch in den ‘cool climate’ Gegenden Chardonnay Trauben anzubauen, die in ihrer Vielfalt den Weintester von heute begeistern können.

Egal aus welcher Region: ob Tasmanien, Viktoria, South Australia, Western Australia oder NSW, jede Region Australiens bringt heute interessante Chardonnays hervor. Und so erstaunt es nicht, dass bei der Royal in Sydney sowohl kleinere, als auch grössere Winzer mit Chardonnays Top-Ergebnisse erzielten. Mit insgesamt 122 Goldmedaillen verteilt auf 77 verschiedene Winzer ist die Breite an Qualität in Down Under durchaus beachtlich.

Auch die englische Weinkritikerin Jancis Robinson schrieb vor wenigen Tagen in einem Beitrag “Hooray for Australian Chardonnay”! Sie testete 50 Chardonnays auf der Londoner ‘Wine Australia World Class’ – 40 dieser Chardonnays stammten aus Australien, 10 waren nicht aus Down Under.

Sie vergab die vier Top-Plätze an australische Chardonnays mit dem Kommentar: ‘a fascinating experience’. Wer Jancis Robinson kennt, der weiss sehr wohl, dass das ein echtes Lob bedeutet. Die vier Chardonnays kamen aus allen Teilen Australiens: der Mornington Peninsula, dem Margaret River und South Australia.

Der australische Chardonnay hat als Wein tatsächlich eine unglaubliche Entwicklung hinter sich. Zu seinem besten, so unsere englische Kollegin, denn die traditionellen australischen Marken seien in einer besseren Qualität erhältlich, als je zuvor.

Da können wir uns nur anschliessen.

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Looking at the results of the Macquarie Group Sydney Royal Wine Show there is a standout wine grape making the news: Australian chardonnay. The stand-out variety was the 2008 Chardonnay from around the country – Tasmania, Victoria, South Australia, Western Australia or NSW – every region in the southern states really performed well.

Australian Chardonnay’s top form at Sydney was also confirmed by noted wine writer, Jancis Robinson MW , in a recent article she wrote titled “Hooray for Australian Chardonnay”. Jancis participated in a blind tasting of 50 Chardonnays – 40 Australian, 10 non-Australian, at Wine Australia’s World Class trade day in London in February. In what she described as “a fascinating exercise”, her top four honours overall went to Australian wines, including one from Margaret River and another from Mornington Peninsula and South Australia.

Michael Brecht