Fino - a masterpiece wine at rock bottom prices

Sherries of all types are much misunderstood wines. Although they are fortified, they are in fact quite low in alcohol, about 15% - close to the aclohol content of many of the reds and whites you are now drinking.

Fino sherry is represented by the ubiquitous Tio Pepe, but it seems that it is NEVER served correctly.

Try a Fino this way...

1. Put an onopened bottle in the fridge for at least an hour.
2. Meanwhile assemble a few tapas. A couple of slices of Spanish jamon (or proscuitto, and a few olives or salted nuts. Maybe some tapenade on a sliced bread stick, but don't go overboard - the focus is on the wine.
3. Open the wine and serve it with the tapas.
4. If you and your newly converted friends don't drink the whole bottle, recork it and put back in the fridge. Drink the rest in the next couple of days, just as you would any other white wine.

I promise, if you try a Fino this way you will change your mind about this wonderful drink. (The top end Aussie sherry styles are an astonishing bargain at $20-30 per bottle.)

My friend Steve De Long has written a beautiful informative article about fino. Follow this link, and click on NEWSLETTER.

Grape Grazing Festival 2007 | Yarra Valley Australia

This is a long running festival combining all of the familiar ingredients, wine, food, music and fun. Over the weekend of 17 and 18 of February, there is something for everyone. Lovers of vinodiversity should check out the list on this page to make sure they are not overwhelmed by the mainstream wines so prevalent in the Yarra Valley. There are some real gems there if you look.

Grape Grazing Festival 2007 in the Yarra Valley

Canberra Wine Region

The Canberra wine region is centred on the township of Murrumbateman to the north of the national capital. The cool continental climate is suitable for growing a range of varieties and a few wineries are now stepping outside the traditional range and developing some interesting wines. Look out for some exciting Viognier, Pinot Gris, Tempranillo, Barbera and Sangiovese in this region.

If you are planning a visit to Canberra you can research flights, accommodation and car hire at Expedia Australia They do the hard work for you!

Vinodiversity's page on Canberra Wine Region

Finding that Cellar Door

My friend Matt Hayward has launched an incredibly useful website that maps cellar doors in all of Australia's Wine Regions. The maps are powered by Google maps. You can see a map view, a satellite view or a hybrid. These maps, and the satellite pictures are amazing. You can zoom in see fine details, or you can get an overview of the region.

The data for the 2500 or so wineries in Australia is still being loaded, wineries are encouraged to register the details of their location.

The user interface is super simple. You just select a region, click and a zoomable map and list of wineries comes up. What better tool is there for you to plan your next wine trip?


Australian Wine Region Maps

Barossa Vintage Festival

The longest and oldest wine event in Australia. The program offers wine, fun, food, music, wine, church services, heritage, markets, scarecrows, an air show, golf, grape stomping and even more wine.

Join in the fun.

Plan your trip with Expedia.com.au!


More details @ Barossa Vintage Festival Web page

Shades of gris - Epicure - Entertainment - theage.com.au

There are probably still a few sceptics out there when it comes to pinot gris/grigio but there are now well over two hundred Australian wineries using the variety.

Any spare pinot G grapes left over are been mopped up by our friends at Casella, who can't get enough of it.

In todays Age Epicure there is a piece by Jenni Port which provides a great summary of the history of the grape thus far.

Shades of gris - Article in Epicure

Pot Roasted Lamb with Quinces

My friend Sue Thornton, winemaker at Amulet has made this excellent suggestion for a dish to serve with her Duck Label Barbera

Pot Roasted Lamb with Quinces

Geelong Wine Region

The Geelong Region is the next to be featured in Victorian Regional Wine Showcase Series held in Federation Square in Melbourne.

Pinot gris/grigio is certainly the leading alternative varietal wine in the Geelong region, reflecting the coolish climate and perhaps the influence of the Mornington Peninsula just across the bay.


*See the full 2007 program of Wine Showcases here

*Vinodiversity's page on the Geelong Wine Region

Macedon Ranges Wine Region

It's not all Pinot noir and Chardonnay in this cool climate region. There are quite a few wineries doing wonderful things with Gewurztraminer, and Pinot gris is starting to show promise here as well. Vinodiversity's view of the Macedon Ranges Wine Region