Wine and Wineries -- Random Notes

These notes are very fragmentary, and always 'under contruction'. They will also always echo my own preferences and biases.

France

• Regions

  • The Loire Valley

    An interesting region of France that produces top quality white wines from Sauvignon Blanc and Chenin Blanc, many of which improve with extended aging. Some regions (such as Savennières) are still under-appreciated, so prices (if you can find any!) tend to be more competitive.

• Producers

  • Eric Texier -- Interesting Rhône and Mâcon wines. I tried the 2001 Côtes du Rhône-Villages Chusclan -- excellent!
  • Josmeyer -- Interesting biodynamic wines from the Alsace.
  • Coulée de Serrant -- an interesting domaine producing unique biodynamic Chenin Blanc. I've not had a chance to try their wines yet, hopefully will sooner rather than later!
  • Domaine aux Moines -- a Savennières wine producer. The first Loire wine I tried was their 1995 Domaine Aux Moines Savennières Roche Aux Moines -- complex, fascinating and beautiful.

Italy

• I know surprisingly little about Italian wines, I'm afraid. Given that wine culture spread over much of Europe thanks to the Romans, I probably should try more Italian wines. It's an adventure I certainly look forward to!

• Producers

  • Avignonesi, Tuscany.
  • Castello di Poggio, Tuscany -- I've tried and enjoyed their Barbera d'Alba and their Dolcetto Monferrato.

New Zealand

• Regions

  • Gimblett Gravels

    The Gimblett Gravels is a relatively new sub-region of Hawkes Bay on the North Island of New Zealand. Their Cabernet sauvignon-based blends are now being compared favourably with top Bordeaux, and their Syrah is gaining a lot of accolades too. They also produce what I think is one of the nicest 'New World' Chardonnays I've tried -- the 2006 Craggy Range Gimblett Gravels Chardonnay.

• Producers

  • Wild Rock Wines -- I've tried their 2005 Gravel Pit Red from the Gimblett Gravels, which was a very good wine for the price. As far as I know, this is the same company and winemakers as Craggy Range, but they produce multi-vineyard blends as opposed to Craggy Range's focussed single-vineyard wines. I talk about their 2004 The Underarm Syrah on my Syrah tasting page.
  • Two Paddocks -- Excellent Pinot Noir from Central Otago.
  • Craggy Range -- top quality single vineyard wines from around NZ.

Australia

• Producers

  • BK Wines -- a small Adelaide Hills winery founded in 2007 "with love not money". I talk about their 2008 Jean Bernard Syrah on my Syrah tasting page.
  • Heritage Estate -- Some really nice wines from the Granite Belt, southern Queensland!