Tag: shiraz

This article follows my previous article where I covered the topics of the South Australian wine masterclass where we learned about a land where some of the oldest vines and soils on earth provide the foundation for modern innovation, collaborative energy, and a profound respect for the environment. As part of the masterclass we tasted seven wines from this region;…

When you think of Australian wine, what comes to mind? For many, it’s a vision of big, bold, Shiraz from a hot, dry country. But sitting down with a delegation of South Australian winemakers recently, I heard a story that is more complex, ancient, and innovative. It’s a story written in 760-million-year-old soils and told through some of the oldest…

In my last article on the IVSA trade tasting of wine, beer, and spirits, I concentrated on sparkling wines, but at the end of the tasting, I did take some time to taste a few red wines, and I was pleasantly surprised by all of them, so I am listing them here for you. My Red Wine Picks Ceci Antico…

January 29th, 2025 is the Chinese (Lunar) New Year of the Earth Snake. In the Chinese zodiac, the snake is associated with wisdom, charm, elegance, and transformation. Snakes represent the symbol of wisdom. They are intelligent and wise. They are good at communication but say little. Snakes are usually regarded as great thinkers. Some famous people born in the Year…

I have been watching and tasting Yalumba‘s organic tier of wines for a few years.  This year, I noticed “GEN” on the label. From the 2022 vintage, all Yalumba GEN wines will be Sustainable Winegrowing Australia (SWA) certified. Yalumba GEN is 100% certified organic (by Australian Certified Organic) meaning they use no chemical fertilizers, pesticides or herbicides in their vineyard…

Some regions of the world are iconic for specific varieties of grapes, like Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier in Champagne.  While we may think about Old World, European countries, having iconic wines made with specific grape varieties, New World regions, such as California and Australia, also can be iconic, with California’s Cabernet Sauvignon and Australia’s Shiraz wines.  Take this…

Australian wines have soared in popularity over the years, captivating the palates of wine enthusiasts worldwide. Renowned for their exceptional quality, distinct flavours, and diverse varieties, Australian wines have carved a formidable place in the global wine market. From a rich and robust Shiraz to an elegant and refreshing Chardonnay, the country’s vineyards boast a wide spectrum of exceptional offerings….

Do you like solving puzzles and deciphering secret codes?  If so, you should check out the labels from Michael David Winery, coming from Lodi, California.  Their labels have always been quirky and easy to spot on the BC Liquor Store shelves.  Plus you get big, juicy red wines.  Great for BBQ season.  I was fortunate to have a chance to…

Do you look for vegan wines? They are becoming more common. I have two vegan-friendly wines for you from Yalumba in Australia. I tasted their Yalumba Organic Shiraz 2019 and Yalumba The Y Series Viognier 2020. Both are single varietal wines, but sometimes you do see these grapes co-fermented. The Shiraz, besides being vegan-friendly, is also organic. A year ago…

No cute animal wine labels on these wines from Australia.  I attended the Cool-Climate Wave at Cornucopia featuring the wines of Yering Station and Xanadu by the Rathbone Wine Group. Rathbone’s Douglas Elliott leads this guided tasting of select wines from the family-owned wineries. There were five Chardonnay, two Cabernet Sauvignon, one Shiraz, and one Pinot Noir for us to…