The Wine Blokes

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2008 was extremely difficult for many wine grape growers in Australia. A vintage of two halves.  Some of the hottest and driest conditions on record came mid vintage in many parts of southern Australia. Any grower who still had fruit left on the vine must have had their heart in their mouth, and for good reason. Many […]

I love seeing boutique wineries that really understand how quality in the vineyard is fundamental to the wine. You see a plethora of labels that inisist they let nature take its course, use a minimilast approach, and spruke that the wines are the essence of the vineyard. In many cases it may be true, but […]

Life’s tough….. We arrived home from a very successful weekend pursuing my other passion of equestrian sport (See AlliedEquine.com), and the winning owner of one of the competition horses I ride wanted to celebrate. What better way than with a bottle of 1998 Veuve Clicquot La Grande Dame.  I have tried numerous vintages over the years, […]

One thing I’ve always enjoyed about being in the wine industry is the ability to taste new wines before anybody else, and I’m not just talking about the wine you make yourself.  Quite often we have the priveledge of being some of the first to taste new vintages and, even new brands. Sometimes, right off […]

By The Casual Observer
Penfolds Grange has always illuminated the imagination of many avid wine consumers in Australia, and indeed around the world, especially in the US. Year after year it’s still considerd the icon Aussie wine that epitomises what Australia is all about, and continues to build on the legacy left by Max Shubert way […]

Have you ever woken up with Rose coloured glasses?
I did this morning, after tasting a number of bright, fresh, inspiring Rose wines from both Australia and abroad. The perception of Rose has always been of a poor second cousin to other stable varieties such Shiraz, Chardonnay, Cabernet, and Pinot Noir. Rose was always considered, […]

The Wine Blokes have just discovered a great gift for a UK based wine lover in your life (or, for that matter, even if that’s you - treat yourself!!) - a day of tasting and learning on a “Know Your Classic Grapes” experience.
This wine tasting experience lasts a couple of hours, and is run by […]

Region: New Zealand - Kumeu - 20km north west of Auckland
Alcohol: 13%
Blokes Notes: We had heard alot about Kumeu River but never had the chance to have a look at it. Ryan (my partners brother), while studying winemaking at Adelaide University, is also working at Melbourne Stree cellars, one of Adelaides most famous independent wine […]

Last night was another where a couple of friends turned up unexpected with a few bottles of wine to taste, along with some great bread and cheese. One of the wines they had was a label I had been wanting to try for a while. I ordered it the other night when out for […]

Robert Mondavi of Napa Valley, the founder of the modern US fine wine industry and a global symbol of American wine and food, passed away the morning of May 16, 2008. He was 94. The Mondavi family stated that the legendary vintner died peacefully at his home in Napa Valley. In tribute to this colossus […]