Winestate Magazine March - April 2022

To paraphrase this quote, we could add “be careful what you wish for”. At the time of writing this editorial (early February 2022) it seems that boundaries have opened up around the world. This to save economies, hospitality, tourism and freedoms, not necessarily to save lives. No judgement is made on this either way, it’s a difficult balancing act. How will this affect the wine industry and wine consumer? There is no doubt that times have been very tough for wineries and grape growers alike with normal wine outlets shut down or reduced to survival mode. The opening up will certainly help to bring back a “new normal” but what that looks like is hard to predict. On a positive note, Australian and New Zealand drinkers have never had it so…

CALABRIA’S A LEGEND BILL Calabria AM has been recognised as the 2021 Riverina Legend at the Riverina Wine Show. Second-generation winemaker Calabria, who once fought as a professional boxer, has been a notable figure in the Riverina since first working for the family’s winery (formerly known as Westend) at the age of 14. In 2013, he was made a Member of the Order of Australia for his significant service to the industry. NSW Wine Industry Association president Mark Bourne said: “This deserved recognition of Bill’s accomplishments is borne from his passion, innovation and commitment to the Riverina, New South Wales and Australian wine industry over many years. “We look forward to the exciting future for Bill and the entire Calabria family as they continue to play a significant role in the prosperity and growth of…

CALLING ALL NEGRONI LOVERS HAWKE’S Bay-based Kate Galloway and David Ramonteu are a talented duo. Galloway, formerly chief winemaker at Alpha Domus, and her husband, winemaker and Juracon-native Ramonteu, were not content simply with the creation of their Alluviale brand (since sold) or the strikingly labelled Dada Wines. Instead distilling captured their hearts; as Hastings Distillers, their award-winning certified organic gins and aperitifs have quickly became cult favourites, while their stylish shop and tasting room is a great place for a bite to eat and a cocktail or three in Hastings. They have just added an aromatic sweet vermouth called ‘Rubis’. Galloway says her and Ramonteu’s “backgrounds in winemaking and distilling enabled us to combine both disciplines to create something unique that speaks of Hawke’s Bay”. They begin with organic Gimblett…

HOW did Europe fare with its 2021 vintage (September-October-ish in the northern hemisphere)? Covid-19 had some contenders for size of issue. It is estimated, by the OIV (the International Organisation of Vine and Wine, a scientific and technical inter-governmental body working with vine-based products, including wine, table grapes, raisins, vinegar) that global wine production for 2021 is around 250 million hectolitres (mhl), which makes it the third year in a row that global wine production is below average. And this is despite bigger than average production in the Americas, South Africa and Australia. For example, Australia’s 2021 crop was up by 30% on 2020, to just over 14mhl. In the July/August 2021 issue I wrote about the devastating spring (March, April, May in the northern hemisphere) frosts in Europe. Climate change is…

FOLLOWING on from my last article in the annual edition where I summarised some of the regional styles of shiraz, this time out, I scratch the surface into what makes a cool climate shiraz and explore rotundone. Rotundone, the compound responsible for the aroma of pepper in wine, is highly aromatic and can be detected in as little as 16 ng/l of wine. That is equivalent to a few drops in a swimming pool. What is equally amazing is that roughly 20% of the population is anosmic to the smell, or to put it simply, they have a blind spot for the aroma. So, if you are at cellar door and the staff are carrying on about the aromas of pepper in their prize wine, it might well be you who…

ONE of the most exciting international travel options this year are Qantas’ new flights to Rome. Starting in the third week of June, there will be three return flights - Sydney - Perth - Rome - per week during the Northern Hemisphere summer until October. The route will allow travellers to combine the Rome flights with the airline’s double-daily direct flights between Australia and London and also access 16 other destinations in Europe and 15 in Italy, including Milan and Venice. From Milan, it’s only a 144-kilometre drive to Genoa, the port city that gave birth to pesto, focaccia and Christopher Columbus. Often by-passed in favour of the Cinque Terre, the rugged Italian Riviera coastline, and Portofino, this year marks the 530th anniversary of Columbus’ voyage to the Americas. You can…