Chardonnay on its own as a grape variety is quite neutral and highly influenced by its terroir and the nurturing of the wine maker. It responds to a far wider range of wine making techniques than most varietals, making it a true expression of the collaboration of nature’s elements and man’s creativity… it’s Art!
Tobin, 72, runs his boutique Granite Belt winery at a loss because he refuses to compromise on quality for quantity. Imperfect fruit is ruthlessly cut from the vines and left to rot on the ground. This encourages a concentration of flavours in the remaining berries.
Wine glasses will be raised across the Granite Belt for CEO of the Queensland College of Wine Tourism John Neville as he prepares to step down after eight years in the top job.
Queensland’s Granite Belt is one of Australia’s most interesting regions, on the face of it much too far north to produce high-quality grapes. That it is able to do so is explained by its altitude, over 800m.
The southern Queensland grape producers might have missed out on the smoke taint damaging grapes in the southern states, but they have had a tough season this year, with hail and frost damaging many of the region’s crops.
Sirromet Wines began its 2014 vintage harvest this week and expect to crush 500 tonnes of grapes from its Queensland vineyards over the next three months.
A special presentation of the Samuel Bassett Award by the Queensland Wine Industry Association was made to Calvin Winks and Preben Jacobsen at the ASWS Presentation Dinner.
Challenge in Vienna for products in its Le Sauvage ‘wild yeast’ range made from Granite Belt fruit. The Queensland company’s gold medal-winning wines were a newly-released 2010 Le Sauvage Shiraz Viognier, and a 2009 Le Sauvage Chardonnay.
The Ballandean Estate 2012 Saperavi was awarded the Trophy for the Champion Alternative Variety Red White and went on to be awarded the Champion Wine of the Show. View all 2013 QLD Wine Awards results here!