Category Archives: Other Reds

It gets pretty damn cold here in Hobart during the winter months, but temperatures can get even lower in Stanthorpe on the Granite Belt in Queensland.  Seriously!  As an example, about a month ago at 6.30 in the morning, it … Continue reading →

For ages I thought Durif and Petite Sirah were one and the same grape.  Well, I was wrong.  Don’t I feel like an idiot.  Durif is a cross between Syrah and a grape variety I’ve never heard of, Peloursin (apparently … Continue reading →

We have a lot to thank our forbears for when it comes to adages.  They came up with many a saying or two that are still used today.  One that I thought of straight away when I read the email … Continue reading →

Mataro is so Spanish isn’t it?  I can picture a Spaniard doing the dance of the matador, dressed in his flamboyant costume, saying the word while extending the ‘a’ and rolling the ‘r’, followed by stomping his feet, then placing … Continue reading →

This was quite, let’s say, interesting for me.  I cannot remember ever reviewing a fortified wine…ever!  I mean, I’ve tried plenty of them and I am, without a doubt, a fan so to put one in a glass for me … Continue reading →

How’s this for coincidence.  Very recently we went to a dinner with a group of wine appreciative friends and one of the group brought up the variety Tempranillo.  He gave us three different versions of the word in the space … Continue reading →

It’s less than a week since I last drank a rosé and the quality I’ve been seeing is outstanding.  I can definitely understand why it has made a huge comeback in the wine world.  Winemakers are taking the style very … Continue reading →

Gone are the days when Rosé sat forever and a day on the bottle shop shelf and there may have been one, possibly two, in the fridge.  From conversations with a few bottle shop managers I know, things have certainly … Continue reading →

When I was trying this wine, I got to thinking.  Back in the mid 1800’s when vines were starting to be planted in Mclaren Vale, I wonder if John Reynell and/or Thomas Hardy ever thought to plant Montepulciano vines?  I … Continue reading →

In the past, Pinot Noir rosé has not been my ‘go to’ rosé.  There you go, I said it.  The reason is, they have generally lacked body, been one dimensional, a little on the sweet side and a bit like … Continue reading →