Blog Archives
Australian Chardonnay Comparative Tasting
I was invited to attend an Aussie wine seminar (thanks, Wine Australia!) and I didn’t know what the topic was until I sat down. I was delighted to see I’d be undertaking a comparative (blind) tasting of Australian Chardonnay. Since it was put on by Wine Australia, a bunch of the wines were going to [More]
Ashbrook Estate Verdelho: A Margaret River Discovery
When I think of Margaret River, a picturesque wine region in Western Australia, two white wines come to mind: Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc/Semillon (“SBS”) blends. But bumping into a grape I most associate with Portugal, Verdelho, in this neck of the wine world? Really? Cool. 2014 Ashbrook Estate Verdelho I first tasted this bottle at Vinyl Wine, [More]
Yalumba and Viognier: Food and Wine Pairing with Jane Ferrari
If you want a lively, memorable, and fascinating lesson about Australian wine, there’s no one I’d rather listen to than Jane Ferrari of Australia’s Yalumba. She’s a winemaker, communicator, and storyteller. I had the chance to sit down to dinner (the winery’s treat, BTW) with her on a bustling Friday night at Seattle’s Wild Ginger [More]
The Wines of South Australia Provide a Rich and Lingering Experience
When I say “wines of South Australia“, what’s the first thing that pops into your mind? Probably Shiraz, right? From legendary old-vine versions that garnish media accolades to mega-brands, it’s hard not to equate South Australia (and all of Australia, for that matter) with Shiraz. But Australia is a huge country, and even within the [More]
Cullen Sauvignon Blanc Semillon Sings With Seafood
I feel like you can almost just look at this seafood dish and know it would be great with a white wine like the Cullen Sauvignon Blanc Semillon. The winery is located in Australia’s Margaret River region. Though many people first think Shiraz when it comes to Aussie wine, there is an astonishing diversity of [More]
The Yard Redux
I had a chance to retry The Yard Shiraz again, and it is still a revelation. From the cool-climate of Western Australia, and with a modest 13.5% alcohol, The Yard has a core of rich Aussie Shiraz fruit, but with great complexity and nice acidity on the finish. I brought it home and it really [More]
The Yard: Top Aussie Shiraz in Years
I was floored tasting The Yard, from Western Australia. Coming in at a modest (for Australia) 13.5% alcohol, The Yard, while still having quintessential Aussie Shiraz character, also had astonishing acidity and some real complexity. Yes there was fruit and it was rich, but it was just one component in a BALANCED wine. It seemed [More]
