2015

Monday, December 7, 2015

4 Reasons to Try Organic Wine from Now On

There is no shame in saying that as Australians, we love to relax with a drink or two. Beer is an old favorite of ours and we consistently rank in the top 10 internationally in beer consumption per person. But we also love a drop of wine and Australia has some of the best vineyards in the world.

Studies show that moderate consumption of wine provides numerous health benefits, however many are reported to be contaminated with pesticides and in the majority of vineyards areas chemicals are relied upon to bolster the number and quality of grapes.

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This has given rise to a market for organic wines and they are becoming more prevalent and popular. In Australia, organic wine production has risen 120% in the past 3 years. Below we’ve listed some of the benefits that come with drinking organic wine and advantages of choosing it over the alternative.

1. Chemical Free

Organic wine is made with grapes that have grown naturally without the use of pesticides, herbicides and other synthetic chemicals. The grapes are grown in vineyards that could aptly be describes as natural ecosystems, where winemakers use natural methods to deter bugs and pest from having their way with the grapes. This lessens the number of potentially toxic chemicals in your wine.

2. Less Brutal Hangovers

Sulfur dioxide is a preservative present in wine due to the fact that it tends to kill bacteria in the wine. However, it is also responsible for giving you those terrible hangovers that the day after you have a few drinks.

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Organic wine contains significantly less sulfur dioxide than the average bottle of wine and half the legal maximum amount. There are a large number of reports that drinking organic wine makes the morning-after much more bearable. However, this depends largely on your sensitivity to sulfur dioxide.

3. Environmentally Friendly

By its very definition, organic wine is created in a completely natural way - using many of the same methods that people of the land used to make wine centuries ago.

Photo by Stefano Lubiana via Flickr

Zero chemicals ultimately means the eco-system can go without being significantly altered. For example, organic winemakers will provide alternatives that pests can feed on, meaning they don’t have to find other means, move to a different area or potentially introduce themselves to another foreign ecosystem out of necessity. There are a number of reason why organic food is the greener method of food production. Read more here.

4. Original Taste

Generally speaking, naturally produced goods taste better across the board. Whether its vegetables, meat, eggs or even wine, there’s something pure, earthy and authentic about these foods when they’re produced in a natural way.

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Many people that have turned to organic over conventions have done so purely for this reason, though there are those that prefer what they are used to. Each to their own.

If you haven’t tried organic wine, we’d highly suggest you do! You should be able to find it at most bottle shops and wine sellers. Remember to always look for the label of certification.

Thursday, October 29, 2015

Australian Wine Regions and Their Trademark Varieties

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In recent times Australia’s wine production had grown exponentially, expanding in both volume and variety. There are currently over 60 designated wine regions throughout the country and as Australia’s reputation for one of the best wine producing countries in the world grows, so too does the demand for fine labelled regional wine.

The Hunter Valley – NSW

The hunter Valley is known for its exceptional galleries, health spas, fine dining and most importantly its wine. As Australia’s oldest wine growing region the hunter valley boasts a rich history in wine making, the first vines having been planted in the 1820s. Producing Cabernet Sauvignon, Verdelho, Chardonnay and Shiraz grapes, the hunter valley is a fertile and versatile wine producing area. This New South Wales wine region is most famous for its Semillon grapes, which produce wine that has won awards all over the world.

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Barossa Valley – SA

This winemaking region is one of the world’s finest, with history dating back to first settlement in 1842. The Barossa is known for its delicious fresh seasonal produce, with specialised food and wine trails for visitors to follow along with its famous Shiraz and Eden Valley Riesling and many other varieties that contribute to the Barossa’s stellar reputation. With over 150 wineries and more than 70 cellar doors, half of which are open to the public so you can see for yourself the process of fine wine production, the Barossa is a wine lover’s dream destination.

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Mornington Peninsular – VIC

In the cool climate of southern Victoria, the Mornington Peninsular is an ideal area for growing and producing wine. The focus for the Mornington Peninsular are their award winning Pinot Noir wines but many producers have found success with Tempranillo, Pinot Gris and Chardonnay. With the seaside surrounds and the luxurious seasonal food on offer, the Mornington Peninsular is a popular holiday spot for foodies and wine lovers both.

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Margaret River – WA

Award winning restaurants and world renowned wineries make Margaret River a very popular spot to take in the beautiful Australian landscape and lifestyle. Producing some of the finest Cabernet Sauvignons, Chardonnays and Sauvignon Blancs Australia has on offer, the Margaret River region is home to over 215 grape growers and wine producers and produces over 20 percent of wine in Australia’s premium wine market. Margaret River has become a destination for people passionate about wine, and with its beautiful surrounds and stunning cuisine it’s no surprise.

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Along with these hubs of wine-making, there are smaller areas scattered throughout the south of Australia, with the cool climate of the south being perfect for growing all kinds of grape varieties. From Trentham and Heathcote to the Bellarine Peninsular in Victoria to Orange, Warriwood and Canowindra in NSW all the way over to the Swan District and the Great Southern wine regions of Western Australia and the Clare Valley, Adelaide Hills and the famous Coonawarra area of South Australia, this country has an incredible variety of high quality regional wines and a bright future in this ever expanding industry.

Monday, September 14, 2015

Interesting Wine Facts You Probably Didn’t Know

When it comes to wine, everyone knows someone who thinks of themselves as a connoisseur on the subject, or that they know the perfect wine to pair with a particular meal. Whilst some facts about wine can help point you in the right direction when it comes to choosing a great pairing for your meal, there are other interesting facts about wine that will may make you reconsider your first choice. Let’s look at some of these weird wine facts and see if you are a connoisseur or not.

It’s all about the Label – Or Not!

According to many psychologists, many people’s choice of wine is often based on the appearance of the bottle that it is served in, as the appealing nature of the brand or the label may persuade you to choose one over another. In 2001, a panel of wine experts tested average priced Bordeaux that was served in a cheap looking bottle, which gained it the lowest possible score in all its tests. The same bottle was then presented to the panel in an expensive bottle, wherein the panel of experts gave it one of the highest possible scores in all tests.

Many doctors and physicians have noted recent studies that show there are high levels of anti-oxidants in wine, especially red wines and that drinking within moderation may have a positive effect on heart health. Alternatively, Soy Sauce contains up to ten times the amount of anti-oxidants than that of wine, but I think we all know which goes better with the cheese course.

Chateaux-Neuf-Du…

In a recent experiment within the wine industry, it was found that people paid more for a bottle of wine with a hard to pronounce name. Maybe the names of these wines sounded more exotic to those who do not know much about them, but considering the findings also showed that those who knew more about wine would vouch for the higher price of difficult to pronounce varieties making it one of the many weird wine facts available.

The oldest known wine in the world is the Speyer wine bottle found in Germany at an old Roman tomb. This bottle of wine which was found in 1872 is estimated to be over 1,700 years old, was found within a tomb containing six other bottles. Only this single bottle still contained wine, and is thought to have lost its alcohol by the time it was found, but was still well-sealed and preserved ready to be popped.

Wine Vernacular

When it comes to the culture and history of wine, it tends to have its own language that exemplifies the culture even more. When young wine is prepared for tasting, the odour, or ‘nose’ of the wine is called the ‘aroma’, whilst matured wine is said to have a ‘bouquet’. When talking to other wine lovers, you may hear the word ‘brilliant’ when they describe a wine. This term is used to describe the brightness of the colour, and not the quality of the wine.

The same goes for when describing a wine as ‘dumb’ – this simply means that the wine is a young wine that may not have a chance to mature to taste any better, as opposed to a ‘closed’ wine that may mature better than other wines.

Keeping these interesting facts about wine in mind Taste Canowindra's vast range of collection may give you a little hard time before choosing your desired one for your special occasion but then again, will always ensure the uncompromising ‘brilliance’ and unmatched ‘aroma’ to keep you satisfied, ever.