Australia
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Asda Extra Special Barossa Shiraz
I often revisit wines I’ve enjoyed at press tastings. Spending days with a bottle rather than seconds gives a fuller picture of its character, especially when comparing with similar wines. This applies to the Asda Extra Special Barossa Shiraz 2022 (£9, 14.5%) that caught my attention at a recent Asda press tasting and I promised…
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UK is Australia’s Largest Wine Market By Volume
Wine Australia has a new report on the period 12 months to 30 September 2024. The report on Australian wine exports highlights a 34% growth in export value to AUD 2.39 billion in the 12 months ending September 2024, reaching its highest levels since 2021. Exports surged particularly due to the lifting of tariffs on…
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Hancock & Hancock Tempranillo
I decided to try Hancock & Hancock’s 2021 Tempranillo because Tempranillo is more commonly associated with Spain’s Rioja region, not Australia in this case. However, the grape is increasingly thriving in Australia’s warm climates, including McLaren Vale. The Hancock brothers, Chris and John, established this label in 2015, with Chris bringing decades of experience from…
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Australian Wine Industry Faces New Challenges
The Financial Times newspaper is reporting (might have gone behind paywall by the time you read this) how, in the 1980s, the Australian wine industry faced severe challenges, with some family businesses, like the Calabria family, resorting to washing bottles for others to stay afloat. Today, the industry faces even greater difficulties, particularly as global…
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Rosemount Estate Cabernet Sauvignon
Having initially enjoyed the Rosemount Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2021 during a press tasting at the Asda Spring Summer Showcase, I decided to purchase a bottle to, spend more time with it and see how it fares in a different setting. To test it further, I paired it with beef and compared it side by side…
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Australia’s Battle Against Overproduction
The Independent Newspaper is reporting that Australia’s wine industry is facing severe challenges due to a significant oversupply of wine, driven by declining global demand, especially for lower-priced red wines which are a major product of the country. Australia, the world’s fifth largest wine exporter, found itself with over two billion litres of wine in…
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Albacore Longfin Shiraz 2021
The Albacore Longfin Shiraz 2021 is blend crafted by the Fuse Winemaking Team from grapes from McLaren Vale, Australia. Marketed as the ‘top drawer Aussie Shiraz’ that promises to surpass expectations for enthusiasts of the Albacore Shiraz, this wine certainly set a high bar for itself. It enjoys a high 4.1 rating on Vivino, indicating…
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Australia Trade Tasting 2024
On 30th January 2024, the Australia Trade Tasting event showcased an impressive array of over 700 wines from 200 producers. Australia has a strong position in the UK off-trade (not consumed on premises) market, where it leads as the number one country of origin, having nearly double the market share of its closest competitor, Italy….
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Greasy Fingers Luscious Red
The 2022 vintage of the new Greasy Fingers range from Pernod Ricard UK is a new addition to a portfolio that includes familiar names such as Campo Viejo, Brancott Estate and Stoneleigh. This wine is shy about its origins and the offering is more about branding – the country, Australia, is written very small on…
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Sparkling Wines From Three Continents
The 2023 holiday season gave me the opportunity to try a few affordable Champagne and sparkling wines from three different continents: Les Pionniers Non Vintage Champagne Les Pionniers Non Vintage Champagne is a great example of how quality and affordability can come together. Despite the Co-op’s discretion about its origins, it’s an open secret that…
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Skipper’s Cove Sauvignon Blanc
Skipper’s Cove Sauvignon Blanc, a 2022 vintage created winemaker Andrea Maxwell, is an example of her expertise gained from a Viticulture & Oenology degree at the University of Stellenbosch, South Africa. The decision to harvest this particular parcel earlier than usual has paid dividends, imbuing the wine with vibrant, fresh herbaceous notes, complemented by a…
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Borrowdale Shiraz Cabernet
The Borrowdale Shiraz Cabernet 2021, from Australia and crafted by winemaker David King, presents a interesting blend that marries the distinct characteristics of Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz. This wine, a part of the 2023 Virgin Wines advent calendar and also featured in the mini bottle red case, offers a unique experience that sits comfortably between…
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Grant Burge Barossa Ink Cabernet Sauvignon
The Barossa Ink Cabernet Sauvignon 2021 is made by Grant Burge in Australia. This 2021 vintage, with a blend of Cinsault and Petit Verdot, offers a unique twist to the traditional Cabernet Sauvignon. It has been rated 4.0 on Vivino, reflecting its quality and popularity among wine lovers. The 2020 vintage of this wine was…
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16 Little Black Pigs Shiraz
16 Little Black Pigs Shiraz 2022, created by winemaker Steve Grimley from McLaren Vale in Australia, is a wine that has earned some accolades, including the LWA 2022 Gold and the Customer Poll 2019 People’s Choice award. It also has a rating of 3.8 on Vivino which reflects its popularity. This Shiraz starts with cherry…
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Pepperjack Shiraz
Pepperjack Shiraz 2021 from Barossa, Australia is a robust offering that is reflected in its strong 14.5% ABV. Pepperjack, since its inception in 1998 with Barossa Shiraz, has evolved, originally catering to an exclusive clientele in bars and restaurants before broadening its reach and acclaim. The 2020 vintage received favourable reviews, with James Button of…
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Reviving the Riches of Australian Shiraz
Fiona Beckett from the Guardian Newspaper has an article on Australian Shiraz. In the 1990s, her favourite red wine was Australian shiraz, admired for its voluptuous, ripe and smooth qualities. However, tastes evolved and these wines became known as too sweet and jammy. However, recently, at a wine tasting, Fiona was impressed with the quality…
