The eyes of wine lovers world-wide will turn to a single grape for a day.

International Grenache Day will be held next Friday, September 24, for the first time ever.  The advent of G Day comes after over 250 Grenache experts last year joined forces (after much vino-debate I’m sure), agreeing that the global profile of Grenache should be raised.

While that was the global take, Grenache is all too often overlooked in Australia as well.  This is such a shame because this variety produces beautiful wines in our own backyard – South Australia’s Barossa Valley and McLaren Vale.

Not one to shirk the joy of promoting good Barossan wines, Bar Barossa will set up a system online allowing live conversations between you (while sipping a glass of, say, Cirillo 1850s Grenache at the Bar) and the much awarded makers of Australian Grenache.

Just come on down to Purple Palate at 545 Queen St in the City around 4pm and take part – there’s no ticket price.

Additionally, plans are underway to tie-in the folks at Hospice du Rhone (an American group that promotes the spirit of all Rhone grape varieties) and VIP members at the World Grenache Symposium (Languedoc, France).

“Tasting fantastic Grenache, talking to Grenache winemakers, being surrounded by Grenache.  That’s what this day is all about,” Purple Palate director Darren Davis said.

Grenache wines to sample include: Charles Melton ‘Nine Popes’ 08, Kalleske Old Vine 08, La Curio Bush Vine 08, Henschke Johann’s Garden 08, John Hongell Old Vine 08, Yalumba Single Site – Vine Vale 08, Petagna Family Dio 06, Langmeil The Fifth Wave 08, Rockford Moppa Springs 06, Kaesler The Fave 08, Cirillo 1850′s Old Vine 07, Teusner Joshua 09, Rusden Christine’s Vineyard 09, Massena The Moonlight Run 05 and La Curio The Nubile 08.

Grenache is a wine of comfort and from the Barossa it can be very juicy, rich and friendly.  Grenache tends to be more inclusive to a broad range of drinkers compared to Pinot Noir and with age, Grenache can develop subdued, mellow caramel, mandarin and toasty flavours.  Grenache is a wine destined for food and is a great match to southern Alpine (Rhone) dishes like those made with the local Emmenthaler cheese or fresh green herbs.

On the day, we’ll be talking to top Barossan winemakers like Peter Lehmann, Marco Cirillo, Ben Chipman and Chester Osborne from McLaren Vale. – Daniel Jess

Click here for more information about International Grenache Day in your capital city

One of our favourite Eden Valley wineries, Poonawatta Estate, has been honoured with two of its wines being selected in the Top 100 for the Australian Wine Vintages Gold Book.

More than 3500 wines were tasted for the 2011 edition of the Gold Book, compiled by Master of Wine Rob Geddes.
The wines selected were the Poonawatta Estate The Eden Riesling 2009 and the pinnacle Poonawatta Estate The 1880 Shiraz 2008, which is yet to be released.
Andrew Holt and his family are the custodians of the unique Poonawatta vineyard, home to 1.8 hectares of vines planted in 1880.

When Andrew’s parents purchased the sadly neglected property in the 1960s, they set about restoring these treasures while the strongest canes were replanted by hand in the stony soil. Fruit from these vines go into The Cuttings label.
Both The 1880 and The Cuttings, along with The Eden Riesling, continue to score points in the mid to high 90s. View Poonawatta Wines

A whirl of excitement surrounds Margaret River winery Stella Bella, after a series of rave reviews in recent weeks. Stella Bella has been making wine for just 10 years, under three labels – the easy drinking fun of Skuttlebutt, the middle tier range Stella Bella  and the premium (and curiously named) Suckfizzle.

Two books released in the past month have created much of the hubbub around Stella Bella.
The Big Red Wine book, written by Campbell Mattinson and Gary Walsh, named the Stella Bella Cabernet Merlot 2007 as Australia’s “best red blend” and bestowed the honour of “winemaker of the year” on Janice McDonald.

James Halliday’s newly released Australian Wine Companion 2011 gave his laudatory red five stars to Stella Bella and handed out 96 points to three of its wines – the Suckfizzle Sauvignon Blanc Semillon 2007, the Stella Bella Chardonnay 2008 and the Stella Bella Cabernet Merlot 2007.  “It’s hard to imagine the wines getting better,’’ Halliday wrote.