Amateurwinebuff

Selling wine by cold calling

Let me start by saying I hate being cold called. Usually within 30 seconds of the overly familiar dulcet tones of a complete stranger I hang up and wonder how the hell they got my number. I consider myself a champion of free choice and the last thing I want is someone trying to sell me something I don’t want on my mobile phone in the middle of a busy day. Stocks, charitable donations and real…

Lovely Weekend in Hunter Valley, Over 35 degrees, Lovely Food and Wine, well worth a visit.

I’m in the Hunter Valley, two hours north of Sydney and one of Australia’s best known wine regions. It is well known for Shiraz and Semillon grapes so I was not only intrigued to taste them but also see what else the region had to offer.

The first thing that struck me about the region was how well spaced out the vineyards were and how incredibly hot it was. Okay we went mid January and some of…

Mellow, creamy, under tones of vanilla and raspberries and ice cream. What a lovely wine.

Mellow, creamy, under tones of vanilla and raspberries and ice cream. What a lovely wine. It’s a Cabernets/ Merlot blend so right in the middle of my perfect sweet spot and comes from Hawkes Bay in New Zealand.

The vintage is 2015 and I think I paid about $34.99 NZD ($38.99 AUD in Dan Murphy’s) for it in a very nice food emporium called Moore Wilsons in Wellington. The wine slides down on its own…

Nice Article by hukev.in on the use of data analytics to predict wine quality.

I loved this recent blog from hukev.in on Understanding Wine through Natural Language Processing

It was a really interested take on wine reviews and predicting quality with the use of data analytics on the subject which really appealed to my own background and interest in both subjects. Good work Kevin.

New Zealand Red’s – They really are rather good!

I am in New Zealand at the moment for Christmas and New Year and I have to say I am enjoying a number of very nice Pinot Noirs from Central Otago. It has to be one of my favourite regions of New Zealand and I find them much nicer than their cousins in various parts of Australia. This may be slightly controversial and to be fair I have not tasted that many Pinot Noirs from Australia yet but I have…

If you like Bordeaux style wines this is the closest I have found so far in Australia...

I’ve nearly finished my course and will be disappointed when its finished. That said I am still working my way around the regions and States and the course tutor has come up with some cracking wines to try at a range of prices to suit every pocket.

Today I was excited to learn all about the Margaret River With its coastal location it is not surprising that the climate has a strong maritime…

I don’t know about you but in the past I’ve been a bit snobbish about buying my wine from places like ALDI and supermarkets in general. BUT.....

I don’t know about you but in the past I’ve been a bit snobbish about buying my wine from places like ALDI and supermarkets in general. I have to say that since my virtual trip around Australia started I’m starting to become a convert and have already discovered some very drinkable bottles that have been a delight on their own or great with food.

Tudor 2015 Shiraz is one such wine, a lovely wine…

On my wine journey around Australia I came across this Cabernet Sauvignon/Merlot blend.

On my journey around Australia, courtesy of the Sydney Wine Academy, I came across this Cabernet Sauvignon/Merlot blend. I’m sorry I don’t know in what proportion but going by the taste I would predict about 35% Merlot, its smooth and not as tannic as a higher proportion Cabernet so hang me if I am way out. The merlot certainly gives it a highly drinkable quality in such a young wine.

The…

Australian Wine and a Great Discovery

I’ve been thoroughly enjoying my time at the Sydney Wine Academy learning all about wines from Australia. It was a gap in my knowledge and to be honest I was not expecting much. My perception of Australian wines is still stuck in the 90’s, massive overpowering fruit reds, high in alcohol and no finesse or aging properties and over oaked Chardonnays with the subtly of a brick, coarse and loud…

How is this for a wine label? A very mice bottle of Grenache from South Australia. Thin red colour and fruity tinder box nose. Quite young and no tannins but very drinkable for a grape variety that’s usually mixed with others in this neck of the woods. Very nice! 

Henscke Wines- Fine Wine Making Since 6 Generations

Nice article on Henschke Wines following recent appearance of Hill of Grace on the Wine Show. I have yet to try but looking forward to it!