GrapeRadio – Wine Talk Show

Wines from Australia are no stranger to most of us, roaring into the U.S. market with high demand back in the mid-to-late ‘90s. At least part of this seemingly sudden demand was driven by the interest in wines with high scores tendered by the Wine Advocate and Wine Spectator publications. Add in the fascination for New World wines from non-domestic sources, an affection for the name Shiraz, and wine labels featuring lots of “critters,” and you had a recipe for success.

Fast forward about 10 years or so, and it became evident that the landscape had changed. Not only were there fewer Australian wines on the shelves, but the more exclusive (and higher priced) wines seemed absent from the marketplace. There were also fewer in-store tastings of Australian wines, and in general, demand seemed to have declined. So, what happened, and where is Australian wine now?

Join us as we talk with Angela Slade, Director of Wine Australia, North America. We’ll cover the last couple of decades in Australian wine, as well as the current market shifts the folks from Oz are making.

For more info:

Wine Australia: www.wineaustralia.com/

Sponsor: Best Wines Online: www.bestwinesonline.com

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Show #358
(44:01 min 42.3MB)

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Chester Osborn is a walking encyclopedia. The Australian wine producer manages to keep ALL of the data for 60 different wines he makes each year, in his head! The sheer number of vineyards would tax most people’s faculties. And, these are wines of no small breeding. Most of the vineyards are 60+ years old.

Chester comes by all of this naturally. He is the 4th generation of his family in the wine business, with d’Arenberg’s first vintage coming in 1928. Born in 1962, he was raised on the family property where father d’Arry Osborn had begun producing wines with the red stripe label in 1959. During Chester’s initial years of schooling he worked in the vineyards and the cellar floor during school holidays. In 1980 Chester commenced his Oenology degree at Roseworthy Agricultural College.

In 1983, Chester graduated with a Bachelor of Applied Sciences in Oenology and took over the reins as Chief Wine maker at d’Arenberg, rejuvenating the 70 year old cellars and 19th Century vineyards as well as overseeing all aspects of wine making, viticulture and marketing. In 1984 he took leave from the winery and spent most of the year undertaking a viticultural and oenological tour of France, Italy, Germany and Spain. Chester Osborn has received masses of critical acclaim for his wine making talents. Most recently he was recognized as The Red Wine maker of the Year at the 2007 Japan International Wine Competition.

Join us as we hear from indefatigable Chester Osborn, who relishes the d’Arenberg goal as the “Art of Being Different.”

For more info:
Hospice du Rhone: www.hospicedurhone.org/
d’Arenberg: www.darenberg.com.au

Sponsor: Pinpoint Technologies – Your Business List Source: www.pinpoint-tech.com

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Show #344
(1:16:23 min 73.3MB)

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Born and raised in Western Australia, Rob Mann followed in the family tradition – oenology. After receiving his degree from University of Adelaide, Rob worked for Hardy’s in McLaren Vale, before returning home to pickup the reins at Cape Mentelle Vineyards in 2005 in Australia’s Margaret River region. Cape Mentelle was one of the first vineyards established in the area. First planted in 1970, there are now over 180 hectares under vine. Founded by West Australian wine industry pioneer David Hohnen, Cape Mentelle is credited with pioneering many varietals and blends in the region, including Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Shiraz and Sauvignon Blanc Semillon.

The Margaret River region is located in the Southwest corner of the “land down under,” stretching about 100 km from north to south, and about 27 km in width. The climate here is Mediterranean, with mild wet winters and warm dry summers – approximating something like Bordeaux in a dry season. Although it contributes only 3% of the country’s total grape output, it commands over 20% of its wine market. With over 5,500 hectares under vine, there are over 120 producers in the region. Grape varieties grown include: Cabernet, Shiraz, Merlot, Chardonnay, Semilion and Sauvignon Blanc.

Join us as we talk with Rob Mann about Australia, the Margaret River region, to see if it really is different “down under.”

Sponsor- Pinpoint Technologies, Mailing List Source: www.pinpoint-tech.com

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