The rigid rules for making Brunello di Montalcino – 100 % Sangiovese, minimum ageing for at least 48 months, of which 24 of them in barrels, before release – has been the prime motivation for officials to create the Rosso di Montalcino designation in the 1980s. The press soon coined these – also pure Sangiovese butContinue reading “The rolling hills are made for great wine”
Author Archives: kwachtv
Fun times in Waipara, New Zealand
Suppose most Riesling lovers on their way to becoming fanatics are those who have figured out the structured Alsatian from the finessed German and the fruit intense wines from Austria. Along the way they will also have tasted some Australian Riesling from the Clare and Eden Valley – you gotta love lime here – andContinue reading “Fun times in Waipara, New Zealand”
Vineyard with a view – Cantine Nervi
There comes a moment in any oenophile’s life, where the meaning of wine is understood. I mean the deep meaning, where a wine touches one’s soul, not just the gustatory pleasures. It could be a Bordeaux, or Burgundy, but certainly a mature wine. For me it has been a 1985 Gaja in 1999. Enjoyed inContinue reading “Vineyard with a view – Cantine Nervi”
Clos Cibonne, the crown jewel of Provence
The property of Clos Cibonne dates back to 1797 when the Roux Family purchased it from Jean Baptiste de Cibon, captain of the royal marines of Louis XVI. In 1930, André Roux modernized the winery in order to pursue his goal of producing top quality wines at the estate. This revival ignited an era ofContinue reading “Clos Cibonne, the crown jewel of Provence”
Vini Pra, a Soave specialist excelling in reds too
The Soave Classico region with its volcanic soil is one of the areas making some of the best Italian white wines that are mineral laden, and often gently fruited, while remaining stimulating. One of the top 5 names to remember would certainly include that of Graziano Pra, who helped re-energize the Soave DOCG through hisContinue reading “Vini Pra, a Soave specialist excelling in reds too”
Contino, the first single vineyard estate in Rioja
Contino is a single-estate bodega (62 ha of vineyards) based in a 200-year-old farmhouse just outside the town of Laguardia in the Alavesa region. The estate’s name comes from the royal guard of 100 soldiers who guarded the monarch. The label is emblazoned with the bust of San Gregorio, the patron saint and protector ofContinue reading “Contino, the first single vineyard estate in Rioja”
Freebird 1st Anniversary Menu, Oct 12th 2017
On Common Ground at Quince-Eatery & Bar, Oct 8th
Domaine de la Cote, Santa Rita Hills
The International Guild of Sommelier explains that wines coming from marginal or cool climate sites tend to get a lot of “wind exposure generally lead to grapes with thicker skins, thereby changing the skin-to-juice ratio of the fruit. Grapes with thicker skins tend to produce more concentrated wines even without excess purposeful extraction in theContinue reading “Domaine de la Cote, Santa Rita Hills”
Wine dinners this September!
We are pleased to be co-hosting two exciting dinners later this month at Tables Grill (Grand Hyatt) and Il Fumo. The beauty of these wines with equally matched by the creativity and input of both culinary teams, who know Australia and Portugal very well. Leading wineries from Victoria, Australia at Tables Grill on Sep 22ndContinue reading “Wine dinners this September!”