February Hammer Highlights
With 13 auctions during February, there were plenty of highlights this month at auction. More
Friday, February 27, 2015
Yabby Lake Hat-Trick
Back in 2013, Yabby Lake Block 1 Pinot Noir 2012 was the first Pinot Noir ever in the trophy’s 52 year history to take out the prestigious Jimmy Watson Trophy at the Royal Melbourne Wine Show, beating out a huge number of top red wines from around the country. More
Friday, February 13, 2015
Spotlight on Shiraz
It’s difficult to believe, but there was a time before Australian wine was synonymous with Shiraz. It can be argued that if it wasn’t for the international fame surrounding Penfolds Grange, those outside of Australia may not have ever heard of Shiraz. In an era before Australian Shiraz became a global sensation, the grape was known primarily as Syrah and the wines of the Northern Rhone the sole international benchmark. More
Wednesday, February 4, 2015
Chardonnay Revival - The Return of the Great White
Fashion in wine is part and parcel of the fabric of the wine trade. From occasionally obscure beginnings, a trend will sweep through, fed enthusiastically by wholesalers, warmly embraced by sommeliers and retailers and fervently fanned by the broader wine press. More
Sunday, February 1, 2015
Prestige Cuvées - The Ultimate Champagne Experience
In the world of Champagne, Prestige Cuvées symbolize the ultimate in luxury. Made to the highest of standards, these precious bottles offer wine lovers the pinnacle Champagne experience. So what sets these cuvées apart from a Champagne House's regular offerings and does the experience match up with the luxury price tag? More
Wednesday, December 31, 2014
A Brief History of Penfolds
Penfolds is steeped in a unique culture handed down by generations of winemakers. It all began in 1844 with Dr Christopher and Mary Penfold, who established a vineyard at Magill Estate near Adelaide. More
Friday, November 28, 2014
The story of Penfolds Grange
The story of Penfolds Grange is an intriguing tale of one man's vision against almost insurmountable odds. Max Schubert was a winemaker who spent his war years fighting with Australian forces in North Africa. When he returned to Adelaide, South Australia's garden capital, he rejoined the family company Penfolds, a business managed like an army battalion. More
Friday, November 28, 2014
The Jimmy Watson Trophy - An Australian Institution
Famous, coveted and often controversial, the Jimmy Watson Trophy is the most celebrated award in Australian wine. Despite the proliferation of major wine shows and trophies, none have the power or market traction of the Jimmy Watson. So who was Jimmy Watson and why is the trophy now an Australian Institution? More
Tuesday, November 4, 2014
Grower Champagne - The New Artisans of Champagne
Has Champagne become the most dynamic winemaking region in France? If the wave of artisanal grower Champagnes entering the market is anything to go by, it certainly appears to be the case. For over two centuries, the wine region has been dominated by a small number of well-financed Champagne houses producing iconic brands including Moët & Chandon, Veuve Clicquot and Krug. More
Monday, November 3, 2014
Spotlight On Mount Mary
Mount Mary commands an almost mythical status among wine collectors. The property was first purchased by Dr.John and Marli Middleton in 1971, with the original vineyard planted in 1972. It was one of the first vineyards planted in the resurgence of the Yarra Valley as a wine region. More
Wednesday, October 22, 2014
A Short History of Château Margaux
The Margaux property has been occupied since at least the 12th Century, and known for its wines – under names such as Margou, Margous and Margose – since the 15th Century. One famous fan was Thomas Jefferson, the wine-loving diplomat and founding father of the American Republic, who in the 1780s rated Margaux at the top of the Bordeaux hierarchy, a status confirmed when it was officially designated one of just four ‘First Growths’ in the famous 1855 Bordeaux Classification. More
Thursday, October 9, 2014
Discover Piedmont
Italian wine is enjoying a fabulous renaissance and nowhere is this more evident than the spectacular region of Piedmont in northern Italy. More
Monday, September 22, 2014
Celebrating Grenache - International Grenache Day
Are you a Grenachista? If you love Grenache, Friday September 19th 2014 is a chance to celebrate this fantastic variety as it's International Grenache Day. Promoted by the non-profit grass roots International Grenache Association, International Grenache Day is all about elevating Grenache’s profile on the world stage. More
Thursday, September 18, 2014
The Pfalz - The home of dry Riesling
If you love dry Riesling, then the Pfalz in Germany should be on your list of wine regions to explore. One of Germany’s most important wine regions, the Pfalz has approximately 23 500 ha of land undervine with over 10 000 growers. While the region still produces a high volume of everyday Qualitätswein “Liebfraumilch” style wines, in recent years an increasing volume of Germany’s finest Riesling has also emerged from this region. More
Friday, September 12, 2014
Dom Pérignon Oenothèque - Champagne Perfection
In the rarefied world of prestige cuvée Champagne, Dom Pérignon Oenothèque is held with special reverence. Released only in the very best vintages, Dom Pérignon Oenothèque is released 15 to 20 years after harvest after extensive ageing on lees. But what impact does this long ageing actually have on the wine? More
Friday, September 12, 2014
