Red, White and Orange

Here is a little item in the local rag at Orange which sums up the attitude of some of the growers in the inland NSW regions. They are looking to a big future for some alternative varieties in the region. Sangiovese and Tempranillo are popular choices for the reds and viognier and verdelho are leading the charge for alternative white varieties.
orange.yourguide

Vintage Report for John Gehrig Wines

The latest winery to supply a vintage report is John Gehrig Wines from Oxley in the King Valley. Winemaker Ross Gehrig goes through what he was looking for and what he got in the 2005 vintage for his Chenin blanc, Durif and Gamay. He also has a few comments about why these varieties should be getting more attention at wine shows, in the press and in your shopping basket.

Vintage Report for John Gehrig Wines

James Halliday's Australian Wine Companion 2006

THE book to have if you want or need to know anything about Aussie wine! Bigger and better than ever. Chuck out your old editions this one has 400 NEW wineries listed.

(Actually keep the old ones they still have valuable info!)

Pre orders now being taken for publication date of 27/07/05

In previous years it has not been available overseas for some months so getyour copy pronto via the link below.

James Halliday's Australian Wine Companion 2006

Emerging varieties being sought and found

Vinodiversity is currently compiling a guide to wine produced from new and renewed grape varieties in Australia. The guide will take the form of a paperback book, and as a downloadable electronic book (ebook). It will be distributed widely both in Australia and internationally through a number of channels including the leading online bookseller Amazon.com

Emerging Varietal Wines of Australia will cover about a thousand wineries who are producing wine from about 100 different 'alternative' grape varieties. The aim of the book is to provide a guide for the growing number of wine consumers who are looking for information about innovative wines.

As part of the project I have turned up some interesting new wines, including one without a name.


Rimfire Winery in Queensland are producing wine from a block of old vines which are defying all attempts to identify the variety. So they've called the wine 1893 after the year the block was planted.

You can see more about the forthcoming book here

Australian Wine Society of Toronto

The AWS of Toronto are a group of enthusiasts who love to educate themsleves while enjoying Aussie wines. All Canadians, and visitors to Canada Should check them out.
Australian Wine Society of Toronto

Jancis Robinson - Dr Sherlock Smart unravels a grape mystery

I am currently researching a book on Emerging Varieties and have been harassing winemakers for interesting facts and snippets. Ian Adams of Bago Vineyards alerted me to the existence of a variety called Moschata Paradisa or 'Saints vine" which has a very colourful history. Bago Wines are growing the variety in the Hastings River region of Northern New South Wales.

Dr Richard Smart was responsible for sorting out the identity of the wine using a potent blend of historical research, ampelography and some luck. Despite the efforts of fierce dog in a Chilean backyard Richard finally got his answer. You can read a full account of this ripping yarn in an article by Jancis Robinson.


Jancis Robinson - Dr Sherlock Smart unravels a grape mystery: "Moschata Paradisa"