Category Archives: Soap Box

Articles, Stories and Posts from the Wine Blokes themselves. Interesting opinions, thoughts, and information.

Pinot Gris on the rise in Cool Climate Aussie Regions

Posted on June 21, 2010 by Jono

We had lunch yesterday with a group of friends in Charleston in the Adelaide Hills, who are cool climate grapegrowers for some very well known South Australian winemakers. Initially when they developed the bare patch of land some 15 years … Continue reading →

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1 in 5 vine rows must go (Apparently)

Posted on November 24, 2008 by Jono

The current state of excess supply of grapes in Australia, and around the world for that matter, has certainly been amplified of late due to a panel discussion during the recent Wine Industry Outlook Conference held by the Winemakers Federation … Continue reading →

Posted in Blog, Soap Box | 1 Comment

Vin de Merde – Crap Wine or an ingenius marketing campaign

Posted on October 14, 2008 by Jono

When times are tough people can take desperate measures. I’m not sure weather this marketing campaign by vignerons in Languedoc is ingenius or plain stupid. Essentially they have labelled their wine “Vin De Merde” or “Crap Wine”. After years of … Continue reading →

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The Extremes of the Wine Industry – a synergy that can be a bumpy ride.

Posted on August 8, 2008 by Jono

The recent announcement by Constellation Wines (aka BRL Hardy for Aussie folk) that it is cutting it’s operations in Australia by shutting down 3 of it’s 10 production facilities hasn’t really come as a suprise for many industry watchers. The drought, … Continue reading →

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When wine is your Livelyhood, all hell can break loose!

Posted on July 10, 2008 by Jono

I read with amazement, and some humour the other day, of the rioting behaviour of vignerons in Montpellier late last month. It’s not the first time it’s happened. Indeed, disgruntled vignerons have descended to the streets with rocks and sticks … Continue reading →

Posted in Blog, News, Soap Box | 1 Comment

Claims of ageing wine in 30 minutes, ready to Drink – Really!

Posted on June 26, 2008 by Jono

I somehow found a link to a new product on the market that claims to age wine in 30 minutes, rather than years. According to the developers, it will evolve an astringent, bitter, acidic wine into a soft, easy drinking … Continue reading →

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If you believe the rest of the world, Australia will soon Spontaneously Combust

Posted on May 23, 2008 by Jono

Today I was going to whinge about the “band-aid” approach the Australian governement is adopting to control binge drinking. They’ve decided to raise the tax on AlcoPops or RTD (Ready To Drink) beverages such as pre-mixed bundy and coke and … Continue reading →

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Wine in Juice Boxes

Posted on May 19, 2008 by admin

I recently saw some wine which was contained in a 1 litre cardboard juice carton similar to those used for cranberry juice. I was therefore not surprised to learn that Cordier Mestrezat would be unveiling lunch-box sized cartons of wine … Continue reading →

Posted in Blog, Soap Box | 5 Comments

A new slant on the Screw Cap / Cork Debate

Posted on May 13, 2008 by Jono

I was having a discussion today with a well known former winemaker of a very well known Australian Wine Company, and we both agreed to disagree on the advantages and disadvantages of screw cap closures versus traditional cork. The wine … Continue reading →

Posted in Blog, News, Soap Box | 6 Comments

Will Someone Please Turn the Taps Off !!?? Irrigation in the Vineyard – Why Waste.

Posted on January 8, 2008 by Jono

By Jon F. On a recent trip to a large vineyard and cirtus region in South Australia, I was quite amazed and angry to drive past vineyard after vineyard on a near 40 degree C day, with over head irrigation … Continue reading →

Posted in Blog, Soap Box | 2 Comments