Posts Tagged Fine wine
Australia’s fine wine must lead on international stage
The future of Australia’s wine industry rests on its ability to promote its fine wine credentials to the world, according to one of the country’s most respected commentators.
Speaking at the conclusion of the 2010 Landmark Australia Tutorial in the Yarra Valley, James Halliday, AM, said the industry to date had not relied on “fine wine” to promote itself internationally and this was crucial to its success going forward.
Wine Australia’s 2010 Landmark Australia Tutorial brought together 14 of the world’s most influential wine experts and educators, who undertook a week of tasting and masterclasses with a view to prompting a new sense of international recognition and acclaim for Australian wine.
The event showcased more than 230 wines from across the country in 16 themed sessions presented by leading figures in the industry, with the aim of changing international perceptions of Australian fine wine.
“The Australian wine industry has worked hard to get where it is today, but we all know it is currently facing a range of issues,” Mr Halliday, AM, said.
“We must not give up on those export markets we have cultivated and it is also of vital importance that events such as the Landmark Australia Tutorial continues. Promoting our fine wine segment is the way to go.”
The participants at this year’s Landmark Australia Tutorial hailed from a range of key markets, including the UK, Canada, United States, Denmark, Germany, China, Hong Kong, Singapore, Japan and - for the first time - Australia.
During the event, participants tasted approximately 268 years’ of vintage, more than $40,000* worth of Australian wine and were educated by 22 winemakers and presenters.
UK participant and international wine judge, Sarah Ahmed, said Landmark provided an exciting opportunity to review the varied landscape that is Australian wine “in all its glory”.
“The bold classics upon which Australia forged its reputation and which have been, and remain, very effective ambassadors for Australia, but also an emerging generation of “quiet” wines. We listened, we tasted and we savoured the diversity, the individuality and boldness of vision which mark out the wines of its finest regions and makers,” she concluded.
Thomas Woolrych, from Direct Wines in the United Kingdom, echoed the view that the Landmark Australia Tutorial captured the imagination of 14 individuals from around the world.
“The Australian wine industry is still working its way through its fine wine proposition, and this event is an ideal way to promote the best of the best,” he said.
Wine Australia General Manager Market Development Paul Henry said the objective of the Landmark Australia Tutorial was to create new insights and opportunities for Australia’s fine wine segment, thereby creating positive momentum for the whole of the category’s positioning and reputation.
“The aim of the Landmark Australia Tutorial is to positively engage a new generation of international wine influencers, and provoke new opinions about Australia wine,” he said.
“This event is a substantial and vital investment by Wine Australia and the broader wine industry towards reshaping the way the world views Australia’s fine wines.
“We have had tremendous support from industry representatives who gave their time to attend the event, as well as selecting some of Australia’s most historic and best wines for tasting. For an exercise dedicated to fine wine and excellence, it has still displayed the Australian hallmarks of collegiate endeavour and camaraderie.”
The Landmark Australia Tutorial 2010 has been made possible by the generous support of Wine Australia’s Export Partners – OI, Amcor Australasia, JFHillebrand, Collotype Labels and Qantas, as well as additional support from Riedel, the State Government of Victoria, Yarra Valley Australia and Daylesford and Hepburn Mineral Springs Company.
*retail value of wine as sourced by Langton’s
Please click here to download an overview of the Landmark Australia Tutorial 2010.
Masterclass: Single Vineyards, Sacred Sites and Regional Blends
An extraordinary and rare tasting experience
If the participants thought yesterday’s Historic Tasting was a privilege, Brian Walsh from Yalumba guided everyone through 17 wines, including an extraordinary and extremely rare 1942 Mt Pleasant YT Light Dry Red Shiraz from the Hunter Valley, made by Australian winemaking legend Maurice O’Shea.
The masterclass explored the question of single vineyards, sacred sites and regional or multi-regional blends as wine making choices in Australia.
Brian Walsh opened with a somewhat philosophical proposition: “This is not a religion and accordingly there is no one truth. I am not going to defend or support single vineyards, sacred sites or blending as the “appropriate” approach to fine wine. My point is that anyone attempting to make a fine wine shares a single commonality: the pursuit of excellence. Ultimately, fine wine doesn’t start in the vineyard, it starts in the brain.”
Not usually a blog with tasting notes, Paul Henry offered the following note on the 1942 Mount Pleasant ‘Maurice O’Shea’ Dry Red Shiraz: “Slight camphor, cedar and menthol notes; earthy tones and ox blood meatiness. Fine, long and ‘jus’ reduction finish. Still slippery and viscous. Epiphany - a wine to stand in the presence of!”
The Wines: Single Vineyards, Sacred Sites and Regional Blends
1. 2004 Peter Lehmann Wigan Riesling, Eden Valley
2. 2004 Pewsey Vale The Contours Riesling, Eden Valley
3. 2004 Grosset / Hill Smith Mesh Riesling, Eden Valley
4. 2006 Hardy Wine Co. Eileen Hardy Chardonnay, Tasmania, Victoria & New South Wales
5. 2008 Seville Estate Chardonnay, Yarra Valley
6. 2008 Giaconda Estate Vineyard Chardonnay, Beechworth
7. 2007 Thomas Wines KISS Shiraz, Hunter Valley
8. 2006 Wynns Alex 88 Cabernet Sauvignon, Coonawarra
9. 2006 Wynns John Riddoch Coonawarra Estate Cabernet Sauvignon
10. 2001 Voyager Estate Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon/Merlot, Margaret River
11. 2002 Yalumba The Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon/Shiraz , Barossa Valley
12. 1992 Yalumba The Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon/Shiraz, Barossa Valley & Coonawarra
13. 1991 Penfolds St Henri Shiraz/Cabernet Sauvignon, South Australia
14. 1991 Henschke Hill of Grace Shiraz, Eden Valley
15. 1975 Wolf Blass Black Label Cabernet Sauvignon/Shiraz, South Australia
16. 1955 Hardy Wine Co. St Thomas Burgundy Shiraz, South Australia/Victoria
17. 1942 Mount Pleasant TY Light Dry Red Shiraz, Hunter Valley
Masterclass: Cabernet Sauvignon
Cabernet and Friends
Brian Croser AO poses some intellectual challenges to Australian Cabernet and Blends, such as where and why it is blended; what are the ideal partners… Australia has two distinctive advantages that we should reflect on:
1) the proximity of the Great Southern Ocean, which is a very effective heat buffer,
2) the innate ‘improvisational’ skills of Australian winemakers and viticulturalists.
A blind tasting was conducted for which there was one over-riding question: “Which of these wines are winemaker driven; which of these wines are regional or terroir driven?” Our participants tasted fine wines from across Australia, with the session providing an introduction to a range of outstanding estate and regional expressions of Australian Cabernet Sauvignon. Debate was intense among all participants, with shared perceptions of Australia’s place among the great Cabernet terroirs of the world.
The Wines: Cabernet Sauvignon & Blends (tasted blind)
1. 2008 Balnaves of Coonawarra The Tally Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, Coonawarra
2. 2006 Zema Estate Saluti Cabernet Sauvignon/Shiraz, Coonawarra
3. 2004 Wynns John Riddoch Coonawarra Estate Cabernet Sauvignon
4. 2005 Ridge Monte Bello Cabernet Sauvignon/Merlot/Petit Verdot/Cabernet Franc, Santa Cruz Mountains (California)
5. 2008 Moss Wood Amy’s Cabernet Sauvignon/Petiti Verdot/Malbec/Merlot, Margaret River
6. 2007 Cullen Diana Madeline Cabernet Sauvignon/Merlot/Cabernet Franc/Petit Verdot, Margaret River
7. 2007 Vasse Felix Heytesbury Cabernet Sauvignon/Malbec/Petit Verdot, Margaret River
8. 2004 Hardy Wine Co. Thomas Hardy Cabernet Sauvignon, Margaret River
9. 2005 Chateau Pichon Lalande Cabernet Sauvignon/Merlot/Cabernet Franc/Petit Verdot, Pauillac (Bordeaux)
10. 2004 Wirra Wirra Angelus Cabernet Sauvignon, McLaren Vale
11. 2007 Henschke Cyril Henschke Cabernet Sauvignon/Merlot/Cabernet Franc, Eden Valley
12. 2006 Lake Breeze Arthur’s Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon/Petit Verdot/Malbec, Langhorne Creek
13. 2006 Wendouree Cabernet Sauvignon/Malbec, Clare Valley
14. 2007 Penfolds Bin 707 Cabernet Sauvignon, South Australia
15. 2007 Yarra Yering Carrodous Cabernet Sauvignon/Merlot, Yarra Valley
Masterclass: Semillon
Australia’s unique contribution to the world of wine
Hunter Valley Semillon is often cited as Australia’s unique contribution to the world of white wine styles, and this masterclass, hosted by Andrew Thomas, winemaker at Thomas Wines, focused on Semillon spanning a decade.
The tasting of 15 wines faithfully uncovered the idiosyncrasies of this variety, as well as demonstrating how other Australian wine regions are now joining the Hunter in an exploration of complementary styles.
Thomas, originally hailing from McLaren Vale in South Australia, said “The last thing I would have expected when I started making wines 20 years ago, was to be adressing the Landmark Australia Tutorial on the merits of Hunter Valley Semillon.” But as Andrew confesses, once you get a hold on Hunter Valley Semillon, it gets a hold on you! While unapologetically a fierce advocate for this unique style, Andrew wanted to use this opportunity to address the ‘big picture’ issue: “Is Semillon a treasure for the converted only, or is it a relevant oppportunity for the post-Sauvignon Blanc consumer?”
The Wines: Semillon
1. 2010 Hart & Hunter Single Vineyard Oakey Creek Semillon, Hunter Valley
2. 2009 Thomas Wines Braemore Semillon, Hunter Valley
3. 2009 Tim Adams Semillon, Clare Valley
4. 2009 Vasse Felix Semillon, Margaret River
5. 2009 Brokenwood Semillon, Hunter Valley
6. 2008 Peter Lehmann Art Series Semillon, Barossa Valley
7. 2005 Tyrrell’s Belford Semillon, Hunter Valley
8. 2005 Peter Lehmann Margaret Semillon, Barossa Valley
9. 2005 McWilliams Mount Pleasant Lovedale Semillon, Hunter Valley
10. 2010 Tyrrell’s Vat 1 Semillon, Hunter Valley
11. 2006 Tyrrell’s Vat 1 Semillon, Hunter Valley
12. 2005 Tyrrell’s Vat 1 Semillon, Hunter Valley
13. 2003 Tyrrell’s Winemaker’s Selection Vat 1 Semillon, Hunter Valley
14. 2003 Tyrrell’s Winemaker’s Selection Vat 1 Semillon, Hunter Valley
15. 1998 Tyrrell’s Winemaker’s Selection Vat 1 Semillon, Hunter Valley
A Landmark Return!
The 2010 Landmark Australia Tutorial will be held in the Yarra Valley from Monday September 20 – Friday September 24, 2010, and will build on the success of last year’s inaugural event, with an expanded group of participants invited to experience our finest regional wines. The 14 participants are renowned wine educators and media from the UK, Canada, the United States, Denmark, Germany, China, Hong Kong, Singapore, and Japan and Australia.
The tutorial will run over five days and will provide participants with the opportunity to taste more than 200 wines from across the county in 16 themed sessions, presented by leading winemakers from regions as diverse as Tasmania, Barossa Valley, Hunter Valley, Margaret River, Coonawarra, Adelaide Hills, Yarra Valley, Clare Valley, Canberra, Mornington Peninsula and Rutherglen.
Wine Australia’s General Manager Market Development, Paul Henry, said the focus of the Landmark Australia Tutorial was to capture the interest and support of the next wave of international wine opinion leaders, and to become the most extensive exploration of Australia’s fine wine story yet undertaken.
“The importance of addressing the image of Australian wine as a whole is well served by this program, and it is a critical part of Australia determining its own voice in the world of fine wine endeavour,” he said.
One of the selected 2010 Landmark Scholars, Lisa Perrotti-Brown said the Landmark Australia Tutorial was one of the best educational tools ever to be developed by any wine organisation in the world and she was very excited to be accepted to participate.
“Ever a wine student as much as a wine educator and commentator myself, I’m looking forward to this valuable opportunity to better understand the development of traditional versus new wine styles from Australia’s wide range of regions, and the levels of quality and ageability that have been and are now being achieved,” she said.
The Landmark Australia Tutorial 2010 has been made possible by the generous support of Wine Australia’s Export Partners – OI, Amcor Australasia, JFHillebrand, Collotype Labels and Qantas, as well as additional support from Riedel, the State Government of Victoria and Yarra Valley Australia.
For details, including the full-program of tastings and presenters, please visit www.wineaustralia.com/landmark, and please use #LAT10 when tweeting.
Final Masterclasses of the Landmark Australia Tutorial
The final masterclasses presented at the Landmark Australia Tutorial next week include:
Day Four: Pinot Noir presented by Tom Carson, Winemaker, Yabby Lake
A compelling masterclass demonstrating that Australian Pinot Noir can rival the very best in the world. Tasted blind, this is your chance to discover
the new benchmarks from regions such as Mornington Peninsula, Yarra Valley and Tasmania.
Day Four: Single Vineyards and Sacred Sites vs Blending presented by Brian Walsh, Director of Winemaking, Yalumba
The search for consistency or the pursuit of excellence? Single vineyard, regional and multiregional as winemaking choices in Australia. A
discussion about Australia’s finest wines and the philosophy that surrounds its production.
Day Five: Chardonnay presented by Steve Webber, Winemaker, De Bortoli
A tasting and discussion about how the influence of new clones, improved understanding of sites and winemaking
practices are now producing Australian Chardonnay’s that are among the best in the world.
Day Five: Fortified presented by Colin Campbell, Winemaker, Campbell Wines & Stephen Chambers, Winemaker, Chambers Rosewood Wines
From Rutherglen’s unique Muscat and Tokay,through to aged Tawnies and other classic styles from historic cellars. This inspiring tasting
will conclude the week in an authentic Australian fashion.
Masterclasses from day three and four of the Landmark Australia Tutorial
Each week we are unveiling a selection of the masterclasses presented at the Landmark Australia Tutorial. Day Three and Day Four highlights:
Day Three: Semillon presented by Andrew Thomas, Winemaker, Thomas Wines
Hunter Valley Semillon is often cited as Australia’s endearing contribution to the world of white wine styles. A vertical of Semillon spanning a decade will uncover the idiosyncrasies of this unique expression joined by other regions in an exploration of complementary Australian styles.
Day Three: Cabernet Sauvignon and blends presented by Brian Croser, AO, Winemaker, Tapanappa Wines
A great wine is not just made; first it is conceived. An introduction to a range of outstanding estate and regional expressions of Australian Cabernet Sauvignon (and blends), inviting contrasts and comparison with the great Cabernet terroirs of the world.
Day Three: An Historic Perspective presented by James Halliday and Andrew Caillard, MW, Fine Wine Principal Langton’s
Australia has been making fine wine for almost a century. This masterclass will showcase the great wines of Australia, drawing together an extraordinary and historical line-up of Australia’s best, across a range of vintages and releases.
Day Four: Riesling presented by Jeffrey Grosset, Winemaker, Grosset Wines
A peerless Australian classic that is also finding some stylistic dimension with a new generation of winemakers and drinkers. This masterclass will showcase a myriad of styles, from dry through to off-dry, and all with a unique Australian signature.
2010 Landmark Australia Tutorial in the Yarra Valley
Each week we will be unveiling a selection of the masterclasses presented at the Landmark Australia Tutorial. The first highlights are:
Day One: Australia’s Regional Classics presented by Michael Hill-Smith AM MW, winemaker Shaw & Smith
A context-setting narrative that explains the historic origin as well as the contemporary evolution of Australia’s finest wines. Introducing bench-mark expressions of regional definition and excellence.
Day Two: Sparkling Wine presented by Ed Carr, Sparkling Winemaker and Dr Tony Jordan, Oenologist, Oenotech Pty. Ltd.
Some of the coolest sites on the Mainland and in Tasmania are defining the landscape for Australia’s premium sparking wines. A tasting of exceptional wines across many styles and regions will demonstrate the potential of this category to add to the acclaim for Australian fine wine.
Day Two: Shiraz presented by Tim Kirk
A variety that deserves greater recognition for its many accents and styles. An exciting line-up of the country’s best, exploring varietal expression by region, as well as the added dimension of Shiraz-based blends.
Day Two: The Great Australian Blend presented by Charlie Melton
A sum greater than its parts. The well-known synergies that can come from blending different varieties are explored in this masterclass – from the classic expression of Australian Cabernet/Shiraz through to the ongoing evolution of Grenache/Shiraz/Mourvedre and beyond.
Landmark Tutorial Reflects Eastern Promise
This year’s Landmark Australia Tutorial in the Yarra Valley will build on the inaugural success with an expanded group of 14 participants.
The applications for the September 2010 experience were as keenly contested as the previous year, and reflected an increased awareness and interest from North and South-East Asia. China provides two participants from the mainland, plus one from Hong Kong, and there are two from Singapore and one from Japan. Add to these two Australians, and just over half the participants are representative of the Asia-Pacific region.
New and emerging markets are not the only benefactors, however, with exciting representation from the US, UK, Germany and Denmark. The successful applicants are:
• Ms Sarah Ahmed, freelance wine writer and educator, United Kingdom
• Ms Kim Bickley, sommelier, Hilton Hotel, Australia
• Ms Jessica Harnois, wine buyer/sommelier, SAQ (Société des alcools du Québec), Canada
• Mr Tony Love, wine writer, News Ltd. metropolitan newspapers, Australia
• Ms Karen MacNeil, chairman, Rudd Center for Professional Wine Studies at the Culinary Institute of America, United States
• Mr Kenichi Ohashi, president, Yamajin Co. Ltd., Utsunomiya, Japan
• Ms Lisa Perrotti-Brown MW, Asian wine correspondent and reviewer, eRobertParker.com and The Wine Advocate, Singapore
• Ms Diwen Qiu, managing editor, “Wine in China” magazine, Singapore
• Dr Edward Ragg, wine writer, educator and consultant, Dragon Phoenix Fine Wine Consulting, China
• Mr Thomas Rydberg, wine writer and editor, Ekstra Bladet, Denmark
• Mr Joerg Sievers, editor, Weinwirtschaft, Meininger Publications, Germany
• Mr Simon Tam, wine journalist, educator and consultant, Independent Wine Centre, Hong Kong
• Ms Fongyee Walker, wine writer, educator and consultant, Dragon Phoenix Fine Wine Consulting, China
• Mr Thomas Woolrych, buying manager, Direct Wines, United Kingdom
Lisa Perrotti-Brown MW, on discovering she had been selected, said: “The Landmark Australia Tutorial is one of the best educational tools ever to be developed by any wine organisation in the world and I’m very excited to be accepted to participate. Ever a wine student as much as a wine educator and commentator myself, I’m looking forward to this valuable opportunity to better understand the development of traditional versus new wine styles from Australia’s wide range of regions and the levels of quality and ageability that have been and are now being achieved.”
Wine Australia’s general manager market development, Paul Henry added: “The focus of the Tutorial remains to capture the interest and support of the next wave of international wine opinion leaders. The importance of addressing the image of Australian wine as a whole is well served by this program, and while it is delivered with a relatively small number of carefully selected wines (around 250), it capably displays the depth and range of Australia’s quality winemaking. Once again, a collaborative but uncompromised approach will demonstrate that Australia produces some of the best wines in the world.”
The Landmark Australia Tutorial 2010 will take place in the Yarra Valley from the 20 - 24 September. Click here to download the Landmark Australia Tutorial 2010 Schedule.
Landmark Australia Tutorial 2010
A Landmark return for the Australian wine industry
Following the internationally acclaimed, inaugural 2009 Landmark Australia Tutorial, Wine Australia is today announcing the 2010 Landmark Australia Tutorial will take place in the Yarra Valley in September next year.
For the first time, Wine Australia is inviting applications from Australia’s leading wine professionals to join the best and brightest opinion leaders from around the world in the five-day tutorial.
The intensive course consists of a series of tastings and themed master classes charting the development of Australia’s fine wine credentials.
“We are searching for the next wave of leading wine professionals who will help shape an informed awareness and opportunity for Australia’s regionally distinct and fine wines in their respective markets,” Mr Henry says.
The first Landmark Australia Tutorial was held over five days in the Barossa Valley in June this year. More than 1,000 initial enquiries were received with 12 participants chosen from Australia’s key export markets including the UK, US, Canada, Germany, Japan and China.
Julia Harding MW, one of the UK participants from the first tutorial said, “The 2009 Landmark Australian Tutorial gave me more information to back up my belief that Australian wine is much more varied than most people think and also can be a lot more subtle than its stereotype.”
Some of the leading figures in the Australian wine industry have again confirmed their commitment and involvement in the tutorial such as Peter Gago, chief winemaker at Penfolds and Robert Hill Smith, proprietor and vigneron, the Yalumba Wine Company.
Next year’s tutorial will take place in the Yarra Valley which, like the Barossa Valley, is a renowned tourism destination and one of the key wine regions in Australia allowing Wine Australia to yet again showcase the regional diversity and ‘terroir’ of its wines to an international audience.
“Developing a shared understanding of Australian excellence in the fields of wine, food and tourism is critical to the evolution of our future success on the world stage,” Mr Henry said.
Landmark Australia TutorialLatest News
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