The Pyramid in the square

We had a coffe and a beer in a cafe on the balcony of the Louvre. This is the view.

 

Vintage reports 2009

The 2009 vintage in Australia looked to be going along well in mid January, but then came a scorching heatwave that has had a dramatic effect on the expected yield and fruit quality in many vineyards

The Victorian bushfires of February 7 caused the loss of over 200 lives and damage to vineyards and wineries as well as further heat damage over Southern Australia. Smoke damage is still being assessed.

Winemakers have been invited to submit stories about their experiences this vintage. You can read what is happening around he country, and add you own report or comments on Vinodiversity's Vintage 2009 report

Best wines of 2008

My Best wines of the year, all alternative varieties of course, were

Centennial Vineyards Tempranillo
Mount Majura Graciano, and their Tempranillo
Pikes Sangiovese Rose
Eldrege Estate Sangiovese Rose
Crittenden's Geppetto Arneis
Tahbilk's Roussanne and Marsanne
Brown Brothers Vermentino, also Di Lusso's
Just about anyone's Barbera (start with Boggy Creek!)
Rewine Durif at the Queen Vic Market for value!
Irvine's Albarino

Leave a comment if you agree, disagree. Add or subtract from my list. See what others think. Just don't rabbit on about kiwi sav blank!

Penfolds grange specialist

There is an active secondary market for Australia's iconic Grange.

This wine is sought after by collectors and winelovers alike.

See the online store of reputable online store at this Penfolds Grange reseller

You can see the comments of previous customers, and be assured of straight dealing as the store is hosted by eBay, a company that values its reputation.

Wine Auction Recommendations

I've just updated my Wine Auction Page.

There's more information about why I think buying wine this way is safe and fun.

I have had a try with Ebay recently and discovered their eBay Stores service. Wine merchants (and other sellers) set up an online Store and sell their wine, either as fixed price "Buy it Now", or as a traditional auction.

There is a huge advantage to buying wine online this way. eBay maintains a massive feedback program. Buyers can check out the credentials of sellers. The scammers and rip-off merchants don't stand a chance.

I found one standout store in Australia, Tassie in fact, but they will send your wine for a very reasonable rate. They get feedback from about 70 customers each week! And it is 100%.

Visit this highly rated eBay Store.

Wine maps

Announcing a new service for Vinodiversity readers.

Wine maps are essential for planning your wine trip. So Vinodiversity is launching a new service to help you find some maps.

Publishers of maps, in hard or soft copy, are invited to submit details of their maps to this page

You can help out by submitting a map, or you can comment on the descriptions of the maps, or maybe just browse.

You can also see some recomended maps from around the world at Vinodiversity's map index

Aussie Ingredients to go with Aussie wines

These guys really know how use the best Australian ingredients. Their cookbook shows you how to use the treasures of Australian Bush Tucker, things like wattleseed, macadamia nut oil and other flavourings, spices and seasonings.

Their online store allows to buy everything you need to make some modern Authentic Australian dishes... to go with some of our great wines.