One-two punch for grape harvest (US)
Posted by Daily Wine News | Filed under Wine Reviews
The 2010 grape harvest that started last week is one for the history books — and for all the wrong reasons. The economy has decimated grape prices and stalled sales, and Mother Nature continues to deliver one nasty blow after another. About 20% of Sonoma County’s grapes are still unsold, with only a few weeks to go. (External link)
Brown Brothers wine list of the year - Rockpool Bar & Grill
Posted by Daily Wine News | Filed under Wine Reviews
The opening page of Rockpool’s wine list offers a glimpse of what lies within by declaring a wine philosophy highlighting “the integrity of varietal and regional expressions”. But this is the focus: “Relationships with our suppliers, our staff and our guests help to achieve a more complete level of understanding and application to use this list to provide an exceptional vinous experience.” (External link)
Jacob’s Creek ups marketing drive
Posted by Daily Wine News | Filed under Wine Reviews
Iconic Australian wine brand Jacob’s Creek has announced a massive new $1.5 million marketing campaign, which includes sponsorships, TVCs and a partnership with celebrity chef, Pete Evans. (External link)
European ruling closes door on Aussie port
Posted by Daily Wine News | Filed under Wine Reviews
Peter Dennis was thinking ahead 10 years ago when he took “Port” off his fortified wine labels and renamed the sweet red drop “Old Tawny”. All Australian winemakers who export to the European Union will soon be forced to follow likewise, if they haven’t already, as a new bilateral agreement takes effect this week with strict deadlines for abandoning names such as Sherry, Port and Tokay. (External link)
Are Syrah and Shiraz the same? (NZ)
Posted by Daily Wine News | Filed under Wine Reviews
Don’t laugh too loudly when people tell you they prefer Shiraz to Syrah which are, essentially, the same thing, writes Warren Barton for The Southland Times. Well they must be. They’re made from the same red grape. Yes. Indeed they are. (External link)
Are syrah and shiraz the same? (NZ)
Posted by Daily Wine News | Filed under Wine Reviews
Don’t laugh too loudly when people tell you they prefer Shiraz to Syrah which are, essentially, the same thing, writes Warren Barton for The Southland Times. Well they must be. They’re made from the same red grape. Yes. Indeed they are. (External link)
Winemakers see red over bogus bottles
Posted by Daily Wine News | Filed under Wine Reviews
Winemakers have called for diplomatic action after it emerged Chinese counterfeiters are passing off fake Australian wine as the real deal. Australia’s wine exports are worth almost $2.5 billion per year and China is the nation’s fastest growing market. (External link)
McGovern withdraws vineyard from sale (NZ)
Posted by Daily Wine News | Filed under Wine Reviews
Award-winning winemaker Ian McGovern has withdrawn his Masterton vineyard from sale and is vowing to battle through the downturn savaging the wine industry. Mr McGovern, speaking from the Romeo Bragato conference in Blenheim, decided this week to withdraw from the market his 2.48 hectare Waipipi Road vineyard, which carried a price tag of NZ$420,000. (External link)
The women behind the famous brands (NZ)
Posted by Daily Wine News | Filed under Wine Reviews
The women behind two of New Zealand’s entrepreneurial success stories will speak at a business forum next week about how to take homegrown brands to international markets. (External link)
Barossa Valley: swills in the hills
Posted by Daily Wine News | Filed under Wine Reviews
Good food and good wine overflow in the Barossa Valley, writes Joelle Thomson for the New Zealand Herald. The tiny lopsided sign that greets us at one of Australia’s biggest wineries is so well known as a brand we are surprised to find it’s the name of a real place. Jacob’s Creek is the place and, yes, there’s even a trickle of water flowing through the little “creek” we drive over to get here. (External link)