2009/10 Wine Communicators Australia Journalism ‘Young Gun’ winner Andrew Graham has noted that the 65 gold medals given to Australian
wines entered in the prestigous 2010 International Wine Challenge constitutes a “33% increase on the 2009 result.” Check out the big winners and Andrew’s comments here and remember, if Purple Palate doesn’t have a wine in stock we’re happy to get it in especially for you.
Archive for May, 2010
Record Medal Haul for Australia at 2010 International Wine Challenge
Monday, May 24th, 2010Don’t Believe the Hype; 2008 and 2009 in Review
Monday, May 24th, 2010On his new site, “Glass: Clear About Wine”, wine writer Tyson Stelzer offers some advice on choosing red wines from th
e less heralded 2008 and 2009 vintages in the Barossa Valley. Whilst it can be of worth looking at how a region performed as a whole during the course of a year, it pays to remember that each patch of soil is different, as is the way in which it is treated.
“Don’t listen to premature reports that the heatwave of 2008 wrote off the vintage. Those winemakers who harvested before it have made some of their best reds in years. What of the heatwave of 2009? It’s still early days, but this could be one of the best seasons for Grenache and Mourvèdre in a very long time,” Stelzer says. Our helpful Purple Palate staff are also on hand with the knowledge to guide you through some of the best wines these vintages have produced. Read More
Bar Barossa Featured in Qantas “In the Air” Magazine
Thursday, May 20th, 2010Courier Mail food writer Fiona Donnelly has reviewed Bar Barossa in Qantas’ recent inflight magazine, saying that ” the fit-out – contemporary clean lines, undraped tables and funky light fittings – belies the rustic fare. The dishes are as confident as the regions famous reds and the menu glories in promoting South Australian produce”. Read More
Arete: Wines of Virtue and Excellence
Friday, May 14th, 2010Purple Palate are proud to be the first in Queensland to stock the highly rated Arete wines from the Barossa Valley. Rich
ard Bate’s boutique wines share their name with a word that dates back to ancient Greek times; Arete-The aggregate of qualities, such as valor and virtue, making up good character. These qualities are clearly evident in Richard’s work and we are proud to support his endeavours. Check out the wines and what other experts are saying about them.
Brisbane Turned on to a New Breed of Wine
Friday, May 7th, 2010Over 200 people of all ages descended on the Marriott Hotel last night to taste their way through some of the most exciting new brands in the world of wine. Another “sold out” success in Purple Palate’s Paint the Town Purple series, the Gen Y Wine Fest showcased over 20 producers committed to exploring new trends and introducing wine to a new generation of enthusiasts.
The wonderfully diverse array ran the gamut from Colin McBryde’s pulp fiction inspired, retro Some Young Punks range through to the super stylish and elegant wines of Heemskerk from Tasmania. It was also the first time most had received a chance to try the cult Mollydooker reds which have excited the US market. A great night was had by all, especially Kristie Jones who won a Dom Perignon tasting worth $900!
Did Purple Palate’s cameras capture you on the night? Check out our Gen Y gallery!
The next Paint the Town Purple event will be held on July 15th.
2010 Vintage in the Barossa Continues to Generate Excitement
Wednesday, May 5th, 2010Robert O’Callaghan, Barossa guru and the esteemed winemaker at Rockford Wines, has been the latest to give his stamp of approval to the 2010 vintage in the Valley. Last week O’Callaghan commented that this year’s fruit looks as good as any vintage he has seen in his 40 odd years in the industry. This year’s flagship Rockford Basket Press Shiraz will be one to put in the diary for its release a few years down the track.
The younger brigade of winemakers in the Valley are similarly excited by how things are progressing in 2010. “The jovial young wines from 2010 appear beautifully concentrated, well poised and wonderfully energetic after a mild yet sun-kissed summer. To sketch an early picture; they flaunt the depth and substance of the 2004s with the delicacy and ballerina type weight of the 2006s. If you find yourself in the Barossa over the next couple of years they’ll make for a great barrel tasting!” said Fraser McKinlay, the man behind one of the region’s hottest new labels; Sami Odi.
By all accounts, the 2010 vintage will help launch the Barossa into the new decade in style, helping it to cement its reputation as one of the finest wine producing regions in the world. -Jeremy Pringle