Alzheimers and Wine

Good news on the health front yet again, with red wine proven to reduce the risk of Alzheimers for those over 75.

Full article here

A second straight year of decline for wine exports

It's hard going out there for Australian wineries, particularly those reliant on exports (as so many of our medium to large wineries are).

New data in from the Australian Wine and Brandy Corporation (AWBC) shows that Australian wine exports are down both in volume but also, more worryingly, down in value.

Read more here The Australian

Your favourite wineries days could be numbered...

We like to concentrate on the wine here at Winemakers Choice HQ, but sometimes, sadly, politics gets in the way... The excerpt below comes from last Wednesday's WA Today.

"More controversial — but far more lucrative for federal coffers — would be ending the wine equalisation tax rebate for producers, which is forecast to cost $1.13 billion over the next four years. The WET rebate, introduced by the Howard government in 2004 in response to heated criticism of the goods and services tax impact on small to medium wineries, entitles producers to a rebate of 29 per cent of the wholesale value of domestic sales." WA Today, 1st April

It doesn't sound like much (and it is merely a proposal at this stage), but that simple sentence will drive a stake of fear through the hearts of Australia's 2300 (mostly small to medium sized) wineries.

The WET rebate system was first setup as a method of softening the blow of the ridiculous 39% tax regime that is leveraged upon all wine products, allowing the smaller 'Mum and Dad' style family operations a 29% tax rebate (which is calculated on the wholesale cost) up to the value of $500,000.

Again, it could be argued that a tax rebate is simply a nice cheque from the government and that the cost is passed on to the end customer anyway. However, what that ignores is the absolutely perilous state that wineries in this nation are faced with already. Beside the ubiquituous GEC, domestic wine consumption is down 5%, exports down 10% and the market swamped with cheap wines from large producers. Couple this with drought, bushfires (especially in the Yarra valley) and the devastating 2009 heatwave and its not much fun being a wine producer at present.

So what we are suggesting is to spare a thought for the small to medium sized Australian wineries out there & direct more of your drinking dollars their way. Admittedly, we still like a great deal from our large producers, but it is the 'little guys' that are the source of much of the most innovating and unique wines out there that deserve more attention.

In the meantime, we will keep you updated on what happens with the endangered WET rebate as more information comes to hand...

What we've been drinking

Gramps Shiraz 2006: There are few Barossan reds that can match this one for both consistency and flavour. Rich, medium bodied Shiraz that shows no excess of oak or alcohol, just generous, upfront fruit and integrated tannins. Already drinking well. Highly recommended.

Pepper Tree Reserve Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon 2003 A forgotten brand in the scheme of things, this now mature Cabernet has tomato leaf cool climate aromatics and a cedary, slightly meaty palate. Drinking near its peak.

Bushfire Wine Raffle brings in $250k

I'm going to quote Max Allen directly here as he puts it particularly succinctly.

"AUSTRALIAN WINE TRADE BUSHFIRE RAFFLE RAISES $245,450

Four weeks ago I sent an email to subscribers of Red, White and Green describing the scene in the Yarra Valley after the bushfires of February 7. I also told you about the Australian Wine Trade Bushfire Raffle, initiated by Bert Werden from WineStar.com.au and enthusiastically supported by winemakers, importers, distributers and online retailers across the country.

Well the lucky winners of that raffle were drawn this afternoon.

Steve Webber from De Bortoli, whose Yarra Valley vineyards were surrounded by flame on Black Saturday, drew the 33 winning numbers from the hat (well, actually, it was an ice bucket).

The winners of the first prize - a cool $25,000 worth of top-shelf booze - were a couple who had bought their raffle tickets from VisitVineyards.com. The winning ticket numbers for all 33 prizes will be posted on WineStar.com.au soon (as soon as Bert gets back from a well-earned long lunch).

Bert told me he was overwhelmed by the response to his passionate plea for help during the week after the tragic fires - and even more moved by the extraordinary amount of money raised.

‘Within 24 hours of me sending out an email calling for donations we had received offers of about $70,000 worth of wine,’ he said. ‘I had to stop accepting any more after a couple of days because I thought we would never be able to raise enough money to match it, and we were going to look silly. But people have been fantastic: some of the online retailers had people coming in and buying 100 tickets at a time - at $25 each!’

The money raised will go to the Australian Red Cross Victorian Bushfire Appeal.

--------

(Please feel free to use this information, reproduce it, pass it on, tell your friends ... whatever you do, though, please also open a bottle of something really, really good - Victorian, preferably - and drink a toast to Bert and all the other generous souls in the wine trade who made this happen.)"

Max Allen
www.redwhiteandgreen.com.au

2009 Yields - Down 20% on last year?

A report out today, published on Winebiz.com.au (here), has suggested that the 2009 Australian vintage crush will be 20% down on last year, with estimates of 1.48 MT. Without sounding like the ultimate pessimists, we read a very similar report produced around this point last year which pointed at a very similar amount in last years crush.

History will show instead that we ended up with an enormous 1.8MT+ crush that only served to fuel the oversupply crisis. So the question on the tips of everyones lips then is - how much juice will we produce in 2009?.......

Australian Bushfire Raffle

Australian Wine Trade Bushfire Raffle

The events of the past week have touched all Australians and hit home hard for the wine industry with the tragic death of Rob Davey (of Rob Davey Wine Merchants) his wife and two young daughters. A number of wineries in Victoria have also suffered significant property and stock losses. The Australian Wine Trade responded with generous donations from wineries big and small, including many affected as well as a number of key online retailers that have supported the cause. All that remains is for people to buy tickets and spread the word. I appreciate many of you have already given to the cause, but if you can find it in your heart to give a little more, and maybe even win some great wines, please do.

There are numerous retailers selling tickets, with full details and ticket sales to be found here:

The prizes:

Raffle Prizes

1st Prize - ($25,000 approximate retail value)
1 dozen Mt Billy Antiquity 2004 - (Retail Value $600) - Mt Billy Wines
1 dozen Meerea Park Hell Hole Shiraz - (Retail Value $600) - Meerea Park Wines
1 six pack Dalwhinnie Eagle Series Shiraz 2004 - (Retail Value $1200) - Dalwhinnie Wines
1 dozen Mixed Burgundy Wines - (Retail Value $1000) - Lester Jesberg
1 six pack Salon 1997 - (Retail Value $3600) - JHL Wines
1 double magnum 2006 Yarra Yering Dry Red No.1 - (Retail Value $500) - Wine-Ark
1 dozen Woodlands Reserve Cabernet Merlot “Margaret” 2006 - (Retail Value $540) - Woodlands Wines
1 three pack of Teusner Astral Series Moppa Mataro 2006 (Retail Value $300) - Teusner Wines
1 three pack of Teusner Astral Series FG Shiraz 2006 (Retail Value $390) - Teusner Wines
1 dozen Brook Eden Pinot Noir (Retail Value $408) - Brook Eden Vineyard, Tasmania
1 dozen Elio Altare Barolo La Morra 2003 - (Retail Value $1500) - Arquilla Bulk Trading
1 dozen Castello Banfi Sant’Antimo Rosso Excelsus 2003 - (Retail Value $1000) - Arquilla Bulk Trading
1 dozen Petaluma Coonawarra - (Retail Value $800) - Petaluma
1 dozen Saveterre Wines - (Retail Value $840) - Saveterre
1 x 6000ml Peter Lehmann Stonewell Shiraz Imperial 1996 (Retail value $1000+) - Peter Lehmann Wines
1 dozen Cullen Mangan 2007 (Retail value $486) - Cullen Wines
1 six pack (in wood) Domaine A 1999 Cabernet Sauvignon - (Retail value $600) - Domaine A
1 six pack Two Hands Ares 2007 - (Retail value $1080) - Two Hands Wines
1 dozen Von Buhl Dry Riesling 2007 (Retail value $330) - Bibendum Wines
1 dozen Mac Forbes Hugh Cabernet Sauvignon 2006 (Retail value $480) - Mac Forbes Wines
1 bottle Penfolds Grange 2001 - (Retail Value $500) - Murray Almond
1 dozen Hillcrest Premium Pinot Noir - (Retail Value $660) - Hillcrest Vineyards
1 six pack of Premium Imported Wines - Negociants Australia
1 bottle Wild Duck Creek, Duck Muck 2000 - (Retail Value $400) - Jane Quick, MARC Fine Wines London
1 dozen Wonga Estate The Fugue 2006 - (Retail value $900) - Wonga Estate Wines
2 dozen Mixed Mollydooker (Boxer, Two Left, Blue Eyed Boy, Enchanted Path, Carnival of Love - (Retail value $1170) - Mollydooker
1 dozen Tatiarra Cambrian Shiraz - (Retail Value $480) - Domaines Tatiarra
1 dozen Tatiarra Culled Barrel Shiraz - (Retail Value $300) - Domaines Tatiarra
1 dozen Billecart-Salmon Brut Non Vintage - (Retail Value $1000+) - Domaine Wine Shippers
1 dozen Fox Gordon Eight Uncles Shiraz 2005 - (Retail Value $300) - Fox Gordon
The New James Halliday Wine Atlas (Retail Value $80) - Hardie Grant Books
1 double Memberships to VisitVineyards.com (Retail Value $168) - VisitVineyards.com
An Annual Subscriptions to The Wine Front - The Wine Front
1 copy Taste Food and Wine 2009 - Matthew Jukes and Tyson Stelzer

2nd Prize - (Over $10,000 approximate retail value)
1 dozen Mt Billy Antiquity 2004 - (Retail Value $600) - Mt Billy Wines
1 dozen Hoddles Creek Chardonnay 2008 (Retail Value $240) - Hoddles Creek
1 dozen JaJa Barossa Shiraz 2004 - (Retail Value $360) - JaJa Wine Co
1 dozen Meerea Park Hell Hole Shiraz - (Retail Value $600) - Meerea Park Wines
1 dozen Woodlands Reserve Cabernet Merlot “Margaret” 2006 - (Retail Value $540) - Woodlands Wines
1 three pack of Teusner Astral Series Moppa Mataro 2006 (Retail Value $300) - Teusner Wines
1 three pack of Teusner Astral Series FG Shiraz 2006 (Retail Value $390) - Teusner Wines
1 dozen Brook Eden Pinot Noir (Retail Value $408) - Brook Eden Vineyard, Tasmania
1 dozen Burge Family Drycott Shiraz 2005 - (Retail Value $600) - Burge Family and Arquilla Bulk Trading
1 dozen Marchesi de’ Frescobaldi Pomino Benefizio 2006 - (Retail Value $800) - Arquilla Bulk Trading
1 dozen De Bortoli Noble One 375ml (Retail Value $360 ) - De Bortoli Wines
1 six pack De Bortoli Melba - (Retail Value $360 ) - De Bortoli Wines
3 magnums Peter Lehmann Stonewell Shiraz 1500ml 2002 (Retail value $500+) - Peter Lehmann Wines
1 dozen Cullen Mangan 2007 (Retail value $486) - Cullen Wines
1 dozen Mac Forbes Hugh Cabernet Sauvignon 2006 (Retail value $480) - Mac Forbes Wines
1 dozen Spinifex 'Esprit' 2007 (Retail value $360) - Spinifex Wines
1 dozen Hillcrest Premium Pinot Noir - (Retail Value $660) - Hillcrest Vineyards
1 dozen Mixed Pinot Noir - Steven Naughton, Pinot NOW
1 dozen Petaluma Chardonnay - (Retail Value $480) - Petaluma
1 dozen Wonga Estate Heathcote Shiraz 2006 - (Retail value $720) - Wonga Estate Wines
1 dozen Chateau du Gaby Fronsac 1999 (Retail value $420) - Ce Soir Wine
1 dozen Robert Weil QBA Dry Riesling 2007 (Retail value $620) - Bibendum Wines
1 double Memberships to VisitVineyards.com (Retail Value $168) - VisitVineyards.com
The New James Halliday Wine Atlas (Retail Value $80) - Hardie Grant Books
An Annual Subscriptions to The Wine Front - The Wine Front
1 copy Taste Food and Wine 2009 - Matthew Jukes and Tyson Stelzer

3rd Prize - (Over $5,000 approximate retail value)
1 dozen Mt Billy Antiquity 2004 - (Retail Value $600) - Mt Billy Wines
1 dozen Fonthill Silk McLaren Vale Shiraz 2004 - (Retail Value $300) - Fonthill Wines
1 dozen Hoddles Pinot Noir 2007 - (Retail Value $240) - Boccaccio Cellars
1 dozen Fonthill Clare Valley Riesling 2008 - (Retail Value $240) - Fonthill Wines
1 dozen Galli Estate Artigiano block 2 Heathcote Shiraz 2006 - (Retail Value $330) - Galli Estate
4 magnums 1500ml Wither Hills Chardonnay 2005 - (Retail Value $160) - Wither Hills, NZ
1 dozen Galli Estate Artigiano 07 Sunbury Chardonnay - (Retail Value $330) - Galli Estate
1 Methuselah 6000ml Terra Felix Shiraz 2003 - Terra Felix and RW&S Wine
1 dozen Hay Shed Hill Sauvignon Blanc Semillon 2008 - (Retail Value $240) - Hay Shed Hill
3 magnums Peter Lehmann Eight Songs Shiraz 1500ml 2002 - (Retail value $200+) - Peter Lehmann Wines
1 dozen Wonga Estate Yarra Valley Chardonnay 2008 - (Retail value $420) - Wonga Estate Wines
1 dozen Wonga Estate Yarra Valley Pinot Noir 2006 - (Retail value $420) - Wonga Estate Wines
1 dozen Mac Forbes Hugh Cabernet Sauvignon 2006 (Retail value $480) - Mac Forbes Wines
1 dozen Spinifex 'Papillon' 2008 (Retail value $ 270) - Spinifex Wines
1 dozen Mixed Pinot Noir - Steven Naughton, Pinot NOW
1 double Memberships to VisitVineyards.com (Retail Value $168) - VisitVineyards.com
The New James Halliday Wine Atlas (Retail Value $80) - Hardie Grant Books
An Annual Subscriptions to The Wine Front - The Wine Front
1 copy Taste Food and Wine 2009 - Matthew Jukes and Tyson Stelzer

4th Prize - (Over $2,500 approximate retail value)
1 dozen Mt Billy Antiquity 2004 - (Retail Value $600) - Mt Billy Wines
1 dozen Whitsend Cabernet Sauvignon 2004 - (Retail Value $300) - Whitsend Estate
1 dozen Wickhams Pinot Noir 2008 - (Retail Value $180) - Boccaccio Cellars
1 dozen Premium Wine - (Retail Value $300) - Strathmore Cellars
1 dozen Hay Shed Hill Shiraz Tempranillo 2007 - (Retail Value $240) - Hay Shed Hill
1 dozen Elderton Barossa Shiraz 2006- (Retail Value $330) - Elderton Wines
1 six pack Woodlands Reserve Cabernet Merlot “Margaret” 2006 - (Retail Value $270) - Woodlands Wines
1 dozen Mike Press Shiraz 2009 - when released in July) (Retail Value $150) - Mike Press Wines
1 dozen Fonthill Clare Valley Riesling 2008 - (Retail Value $240) - Fonthill Wines
1 double Memberships to VisitVineyards.com (Retail Value $168) - VisitVineyards.com
An Annual Subscriptions to The Wine Front - The Wine Front
1 copy Taste Food and Wine 2009 - Matthew Jukes and Tyson Stelzer

5th Prize - (Over $2,000 approximate retail value)
1 magnum Domaine A Cabernet Sauvignon 1998 - (Retail value $180) - Domaine A
1 six pack Domaine A Merlot 2004 - (Retail value $480) - Domaine A
1 dozen Von Buhl Dry Riesling 2007 (Retail value $330) - Bibendum Wines
1 dozen Robert Weil QBA Dry Riesling 2007 (Retail value $625) - Bibendum Wines
1 dozen Greenstone Shiraz 2007 (Retail value $360) - Bibendum Wines
1 dozen Cigale GMS 2007 (Retail value $ 270) - Spinifex Wines
1 double Memberships to VisitVineyards.com (Retail Value $168) - VisitVineyards.com
An Annual Subscriptions to The Wine Front - The Wine Front
1 copy Taste Food and Wine 2009 - Matthew Jukes and Tyson Stelzer

6th Prize - (Over $1,800 approximate retail value)
1 dozen Premium Wine - (Retail Value $300) - WineStar
1 dozen Mike Press Mixed Trophy Winning 2005 Reds - (Retail Value $150) - Mike Press Wines
1 dozen Whitsend Cabernet Sauvignon 2005 - (Retail Value $300) - Whitsend Estate
1 dozen Mike Press Shiraz 2009 - when released in July) (Retail Value $150) - Mike Press Wines
1 dozen Kaesler Bogan Shiraz 2006 - (Retail Value $720) - Kaesler Wines
1 dozen Illalangi Wines (Retail value $120) - Illalangi
1 dozen NZ Sauvignon Blanc - (Retail Value $120 ) - John Travaglini & Tony Weir, Prospect Wines
1 double Memberships to VisitVineyards.com (Retail Value $168) - VisitVineyards.com
An Annual Subscriptions to The Wine Front - The Wine Front
1 copy Taste Food and Wine 2009 - Matthew Jukes and Tyson Stelzer

7th Prize - (Over $1,500 approximate retail value)
1 dozen Whitsend Shiraz Viognier 2006 - (Retail Value $300) - Whitsend Estate
1 dozen Mike Press Shiraz 2009 - when released in July) (Retail Value $150) - Mike Press Wines
1 dozen Kaesler Bogan Shiraz 2006 - (Retail Value $720) - Kaesler Wines
1 dozen Premium Wine - (Retail Value $300) - Frontier Wines
1 dozen NZ Sauvignon Blanc - (Retail Value $120 ) - John Travaglini & Tony Weir, Prospect Wines
An Annual Subscriptions to The Wine Front - The Wine Front
1 copy Taste Food and Wine 2009 - Matthew Jukes and Tyson Stelzer

8th Prize - (Over $1,000 approximate retail value)
1 dozen Mike Press Shiraz 2009 - when released in July) (Retail Value $150) - Mike Press Wines
1 dozen NZ Sauvignon Blanc - (Retail Value $120 ) - John Travaglini & Tony Weir, Prospect Wines
1 six pack Mt Toolleen Barossa & Heathcote Shiraz - (Retail Value $190) - Mt Toolleen
1 dozen Wine by Brad Cabernet Merlot (Retail value $220) - Wine by Brad Wines
1 dozen Swings & Roundabouts Chardonnay 2008 (Retail value $228) - Swings & Roundabouts Wines
1 dozen Illalangi Wines (Retail value $120) - Illalangi
An Annual Subscriptions to The Wine Front - The Wine Front
1 copy Taste Food and Wine 2009 - Matthew Jukes and Tyson Stelzer

9th Prize - (Over $1,000 approximate retail value)
1 dozen NZ Sauvignon Blanc - (Retail Value $120 ) - John Travaglini & Tony Weir, Prospect Wines
1 dozen Pyren Block E Shiraz (Retail value $340) - Pyren Vineyard
1 dozen St Johns Road Blood & Courage - (Retail value $300) - St Johns Road Wines
1 dozen Clockwork Margaret River Cab Merlot (Retail value $180) - Oakover Wines
1 dozen Ceravolo Estate Wine (Retail value $200+) - Ceravolo Estate
An Annual Subscriptions to The Wine Front - The Wine Front
1 copy Taste Food and Wine 2009 - Matthew Jukes and Tyson Stelzer

10th Prize - (Over $1,000 approximate retail value)
1 dozen Mike Press Shiraz 2009 - when released in July) (Retail Value $150) - Mike Press Wines
1 dozen NZ Sauvignon Blanc - (Retail Value $120 ) - John Travaglini & Tony Weir, Prospect Wines
1 dozen Flametree Margaret River - (Retail Value $300 ) - Flametree Wines
1 six pack Swings & Roundabouts Single Vineyard Creekview Shiraz Viognier 2004 (Retail value $174) - Swings & Roundabouts Wines
1 dozen Wine by Brad Semillon Sauvignon Blanc (Retail value $220) - Wine by Brad Wines
An Annual Subscriptions to The Wine Front - The Wine Front
1 copy Taste Food and Wine 2009 - Matthew Jukes and Tyson Stelzer

11th Prize - ($1,000 approximate retail value)
1 dozen St Hallett Faith Shiraz - (Retail Value $210) - Fine Wine Partners/St Hallett
1 dozen Winter Creek The Old Barossa Blend Grenache Shiraz 2005 - (Retail Value $300) - Winter Creek Wines
1 dozen Spinifex 'Lola' 2008 (Retail value $240) - Spinifex Wines
1 dozen Delatite Riesling 2006 (Retail value $ 300+) - Delatite Winery
An Annual Subscription to Winewise Magazine - Winewise
1 copy Taste Food and Wine 2009 - Matthew Jukes and Tyson Stelzer

12th Prize - ($1,000 approximate retail value)
1 dozen Winter Creek Barossa Shiraz 2004 - (Retail Value $360) - Winter Creek Wines
1 dozen Opo Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2008 (Retail Value $141) - Nicks Wine Merchants
1 dozen Los Vascos Cabernet Sauvignon 2006 (Retail Value $150) - Nicks Wine Merchants
1 dozen Journeys End Ascent Shiraz 2004 (Retail Value $330) - Nicks Wine Merchants
An Annual Subscription to Winewise Magazine - Winewise
1 copy Taste Food and Wine 2009 - Matthew Jukes and Tyson Stelzer

13th Prize - ($1,000 approximate retail value)
1 dozen Astrolabe Sauvignon Blanc (Retail value $275) - Twelve Bottles Wine Distributors
1 dozen Astrolabe Pinot Gris (Retail value $275) - Twelve Bottles Wine Distributors
1 dozen Stumpy Gully Merlot 2006 (Retail Value $300) - Stumpy Gully Vineyard
1 dozen Stumpy Gully Sauvignon Blanc 2008 (Retail Value $240) - Stumpy Gully Vineyard
An Annual Subscription to Winewise Magazine - Winewise
1 copy Taste Food and Wine 2009 - Matthew Jukes and Tyson Stelzer

14th Prize - ($1,000 approximate retail value)
1 case Rolling Chardonnay Magnums (Retail Value $240) from Cumulus Wines & Platinum Liquor
1 dozen Coates Organically Grown McLaren Vale Shiraz 2004 - (Retail Value $420) - Coates Wines
1 dozen Winter Creek The Old Barossa Blend Grenache Shiraz 2005 - (Retail Value $300) - Winter Creek Wines
An Annual Subscription to Winewise Magazine - Winewise
1 copy Taste Food and Wine 2009 - Matthew Jukes and Tyson Stelzer

15th Prize - ($1,000 approximate retail value)
1 dozen Mac Forbes Hugh Cabernet Sauvignon 2006 (Retail value $480) - Mac Forbes Wines
1 dozen St Hallett Faith Shiraz - (Retail Value $210) - Fine Wine Partners/St Hallett
1 dozen Kanta Riesling (Retail value $300) - East End Cellars
An Annual Subscription to Winewise Magazine - Winewise
1 copy Taste Food and Wine 2009 - Matthew Jukes and Tyson Stelzer

16th Prize - ($1,000 approximate retail value)
1 dozen Greenstone Shiraz 2007 (Retail value $360) - Bibendum Wines
1 dozen Reillys Wines - (Retail Value $300) - Reillys Wines
3 magnums Peter Lehmann Mentor 2002 1500ml (Retail value $200+) - Peter Lehmann Wines
1 copy Taste Food and Wine 2009 - Matthew Jukes and Tyson Stelzer

17th Prize - ($1,000 approximate retail value)
1 dozen Radford Riesling 2008 (Retail value $300) - Radford Wines
1 dozen Mixed Ralph Fowler Wines - (Retail value $280) -Ralph Fowler
1 dozen Pyren Block E Shiraz (Retail value $340) - Pyren Vineyard
1 copy Taste Food and Wine 2009 - Matthew Jukes and Tyson Stelzer

18th Prize - ($1,000 approximate retail value)
1 dozen david Franz NV Larrikin II (2005 bottling) (Retail Value $480) - David Franz Lehmann Wines
1 dozen david Franz POP wine: episode 1 (06 Cab Sauv Shiraz Grenache) - (Retail Value $550) - David Franz Lehmann Wines
1 copy Taste Food and Wine 2009 - Matthew Jukes and Tyson Stelzer

19th Prize - ($1,000 approximate retail value)
1 dozen david Franz nicole sparkling cabernet shiraz nv- 2008 disgorge (Retail Value $575) - David Franz Lehmann Wines
1 dozen Marius Symphony 2005 - (Retail Value $420) - Marius Wines
1 copy Taste Food and Wine 2009 - Matthew Jukes and Tyson Stelzer

20th Prize - ($900 approximate retail value)
1 x Spiegelau Vino Grande 24 pce boxed set (Retail Value $280) - Spiegelau Glassware
1 x Spiegelau Vino Grande 5 pce boxed set (Retail Value $110) - Spiegelau Glassware
1 X Spiegelau Chateau Magnum decanter (Retail Value $150) - Spiegelau Glassware
Lunch for 2 at De Bortoli Yarra Valley Restaurant (Retail Value $360 ) - De Bortoli Wines
1 copy Taste Food and Wine 2009 - Matthew Jukes and Tyson Stelzer

21st Prize - ($400 approximate retail value)
1 dozen Kurtz Family Boundary Row GSM 2005 - (Retail value $200) - Kurtz Family Vineyards
1 dozen Kurtz Family Boundary Row GSM 2005 - (Retail value $200) - Kurtz Family Vineyards
1 copy Taste Food and Wine 2009 - Matthew Jukes and Tyson Stelzer

22nd Prize - ($400 approximate retail value)
1 dozen Kurtz Family Boundary Row GSM 2005 - (Retail value $200) - Kurtz Family Vineyards
1 dozen Kurtz Family Boundary Row GSM 2005 - (Retail value $200) - Kurtz Family Vineyards
1 copy Taste Food and Wine 2009 - Matthew Jukes and Tyson Stelzer

23rd Prize - ($400 approximate retail value)
1 dozen Kurtz Family Boundary Row GSM 2005 - (Retail value $200) - Kurtz Family Vineyards
1 dozen Kurtz Family Boundary Row GSM 2005 - (Retail value $200) - Kurtz Family Vineyards
1 copy Taste Food and Wine 2009 - Matthew Jukes and Tyson Stelzer

24th Prize - ($400 approximate retail value)
1 dozen Kurtz Family Boundary Row GSM 2005 - (Retail value $200) - Kurtz Family Vineyards
1 dozen Kurtz Family Boundary Row GSM 2005 - (Retail value $200) - Kurtz Family Vineyards
1 copy Taste Food and Wine 2009 - Matthew Jukes and Tyson Stelzer

25th Prize - ($400 approximate retail value)
1 dozen Kurtz Family Boundary Row GSM 2005 - (Retail value $200) - Kurtz Family Vineyards
1 dozen Kurtz Family Boundary Row GSM 2005 - (Retail value $200) - Kurtz Family Vineyards
1 copy Taste Food and Wine 2009 - Matthew Jukes and Tyson Stelzer

26th Prize - ($400 approximate retail value)
1 dozen Kurtz Family Boundary Row GSM 2005 - (Retail value $200) - Kurtz Family Vineyards
1 dozen Kurtz Family Boundary Row GSM 2005 - (Retail value $200) - Kurtz Family Vineyards
1 copy Taste Food and Wine 2009 - Matthew Jukes and Tyson Stelzer

27th Prize - ($400 approximate retail value)
1 dozen Kurtz Family Boundary Row GSM 2005 - (Retail value $200) - Kurtz Family Vineyards
1 dozen Kurtz Family Boundary Row GSM 2005 - (Retail value $200) - Kurtz Family Vineyards
1 copy Taste Food and Wine 2009 - Matthew Jukes and Tyson Stelzer

28th Prize - ($400 approximate retail value)
1 dozen Kurtz Family Boundary Row GSM 2005 - (Retail value $200) - Kurtz Family Vineyards
1 dozen Kurtz Family Boundary Row GSM 2005 - (Retail value $200) - Kurtz Family Vineyards
1 copy Taste Food and Wine 2009 - Matthew Jukes and Tyson Stelzer

29th Prize - ($400 approximate retail value)
1 dozen Kurtz Family Boundary Row GSM 2005 - (Retail value $200) - Kurtz Family Vineyards
1 dozen Kurtz Family Boundary Row GSM 2005 - (Retail value $200) - Kurtz Family Vineyards
1 copy Taste Food and Wine 2009 - Matthew Jukes and Tyson Stelzer

30th Prize - ($400 approximate retail value)
1 dozen Kurtz Family Boundary Row GSM 2005 - (Retail value $200) - Kurtz Family Vineyards
1 dozen Kurtz Family Boundary Row GSM 2005 - (Retail value $200) - Kurtz Family Vineyards
1 copy Taste Food and Wine 2009 - Matthew Jukes and Tyson Stelzer

31st Prize - ($400 approximate retail value)
1 dozen Kurtz Family Boundary Row GSM 2005 - (Retail value $200) - Kurtz Family Vineyards
1 dozen Kurtz Family Boundary Row GSM 2005 - (Retail value $200) - Kurtz Family Vineyards
1 copy Taste Food and Wine 2009 - Matthew Jukes and Tyson Stelzer

32nd Prize - ($400 approximate retail value)
1 dozen Kurtz Family Boundary Row GSM 2005 - (Retail value $200) - Kurtz Family Vineyards
1 dozen Kurtz Family Boundary Row GSM 2005 - (Retail value $200) - Kurtz Family Vineyards
1 copy Taste Food and Wine 2009 - Matthew Jukes and Tyson Stelzer

33rd Prize - ($400 approximate retail value)
1 dozen Kurtz Family Boundary Row GSM 2005 - (Retail value $200) - Kurtz Family Vineyards
1 dozen Kurtz Family Boundary Row GSM 2005 - (Retail value $200) - Kurtz Family Vineyards
1 copy Taste Food and Wine 2009 - Matthew Jukes and Tyson Stelzer

Wine Doctor Question: Storing wines under Screwcaps

Q:Do wines sealed with screwcaps still have to be stored on their side or should they be stored upright?

A: Technically you can store your screwcapped wine anyway you like. The reason why wine was traditionally stored on its side or inverted was to keep the cork 'moist' - with the porous cork absorbing a little wine on the contact side, thus expanding the cork volume and allowing for a more airtight seal.

Screwcapped bottles don't require this and so can be stored in any position. A word of warning though, be careful when handling screwcapped bottles and avoid stacking them too high - they may look sturdy, but a well placed knock on the side or top can dent the cap and break the perfect seal! (It's happened at Winemakers Choice HQ only recently - I dropped a bottle and dinged it, thought nothing of it, then opened it a couple of weeks later and the wine was oxidised).

What we've been drinking

Luigi Bosca La Linda Malbec 2006
From a vineyard 15km South of Mendoza in the heart of Argentinian Malbec country. This has a nice purple maroon colour, the nose shows wild berries and spice with hints of licorice & some meaty overtones. On the palate it is meaty, spicy with some vanillan oak influences in a medium weight style. Its an interesting wine for a Summer BBQ.

Wine Doctor Question: What is Dosage?

Q: What is dosage in Champagne/Sparkling Wine?

A: Dosage in a sparkling wine refers to the liquid that is added to a bubbly before bottling - A small amount of liquid is lost during the final steps of the sparkling wine production process and the dosage serves as the top up liquid. In French this addition is called the liqueur d'expédition and, in traditional method wines, usually comprises a mixture of wine and sugar syrup. Dosage thus determines the sweetness, or residual sugar, of the finished wine and is thus used as a finishing touch to ruond out the palate.

Champagne is naturally so high in acidity that even wines with relatively high residual sugar can taste bone dry. Bottle age or extended autolysis are excellent substitutes for dosage, however, and, in general, the older the wine, the lower the necessary dosage to produce a balanced wine, and vice versa. Some champagnes are made with no, or zero, dosage in an attempt to showcase the skill of the winemaker and the clarity of the fruit.

Nearly all sparkling wines will have some sore of dosage added to them, depending on what sort of style is desired - more commercial, softer, early drinking styles usually require a higher dosage than super fine French Champagnes, however it is often surprising how much dosage even the finest bubblies receive - a judicious hand is required to come up with the perfect balance of sweetness.

What we've been drinking

Yalumba Y Sauvignon Blanc 2008
Sauvignon Blanc has recently overtaken Chardonnay as Australia's white wine of choice and with bargains like this available its not hard to see why - available for under $10 around the place, this light, crisp and very well made Savvy couples the Herbaceous early picked Sauvignon Blanc aromatics with some riper notes of passionfruit & melon. The dry palate closely follows this, with the acidity closely matched by a dollop of residual sugar.

Impeccably well made, this reminds us once again that the our medium sized, family owned wine companies (Yalumba, Brown Brothers, De Bortoli, Mcwilliams, Tyrrells, Angoves etc) make Australia's best value wines.

Redbank Emily Brut NV
These days the Redbank label is also owned by Yalumba, with the Robb family selling the Redbank label to them some years back (even though, confusingly, the family retained the Redbank winery, which is still called the Redbank winery, yet make wines under their own label).

A light green colour, this soft and slightly sherbety sparkling white has clear lemon, pink grapefruit & candied lime fruit with a tinge of creamy softness. Light & simple this very easy drinking quaffer is only let down by some excessive sweetness, leaving a mildly confected finish. Still, its a good quality sparkles that would be perfect at a Summer picnic.