Catering Melbourne Blog

Wine front

When the 2004 vintage of Penfolds Grange Shiraz is released on Friday, expect it to fly out the door—even when priced from $549 per bottle (from major liquor outlets). It isn’t the most expensive new release (Chris Ringland Shiraz is almost twice the price) and Grange wines aren’t quite the profitable investment they once were but, when it comes to big-price Aussie bottles, nothing matches the label’s pulling power. It has immense flavour and character, and manages to blend ultra-smoothness with a distinct sturdiness. Wine lovers will be marvelling at it in 50 years. Of course, Australia is lucky Grange exists at all. A few years after winemaker Max Schubert created the first vintage (in the early 1950s), Penfolds management ordered him to stop. They thought its flavour was so concentrated, no one would want to drink it. Incredibly, Schubert and his team disobeyed the order, hiding its production behind fake walls in the cellars. Schubert knew what he was doing—creating a wine that needed to be aged to become magnificent. It’s a fair guess he’d have loved the 2004. Sunday Telegraph magazine, April 26

Winery deal falls over as Indian company stalls

After more than a year’s delay, the $60m sale of Australian Vintage’s Loxton winery to Indian company Indage Holdings appears to have gone off the rails. Australian Vintage has refused to re-extend the sale’s completion date set for April 30 after repeated extensions to the earlier September 2008 deadline announced in March last year. Indage agreed to pay Australian Vintage $3 million in November to defer settlement on the Winery until April 30. The agreement for the sale of the 90,000-tonne capacity Loxton Winery and Austflavour Business received Foreign Investment Review Board approval in June last year. In February this year, Australian Vintage said it had plunged $127.8 million into the red in the December half as it booked a $174.5 million pre-tax writedown on the value of its wineries, vineyards, branded wine labels, wine stocks and grower contracts. - The Advertiser, April 25

On the grapevine

Wolf Blass has had no formal association with the label bearing his name for the past decade, but as its global ambassador, he remains larger than life. Blass originally migrated to Australia from Germany to make sparkling wine for Kaiser Stuhl, but this charismatic self-promoter soon identified opportunities offering far greater reward. So, with a $2000 bank overdraft, Wolfie launched his eponymous label in 1973, convinced that table wines - especially big-flavoured reds - would provide him with a stepping stone to fame and fortune. How right he was! For the next three years, Blass, with sidekick John Glaetzer tweaking the wine-making controls, claimed Australia’s premier wine prize, the Jimmy Watson Trophy - awarded annually to the best one-year-old red at the Royal Melbourne Wine Show. That feat has never been matched. The Wolf Blass phenomenon was suddenly in overdrive, going on to become one of Australia’s best-known brands. Blass sold his interest in the newly merged Mildara Blass in 1991, but continues to enthusiastically promote the brand globally. Wolf Blass Wines, part of the Foster’s empire, boasts sales of more than five million cases annually, three-quarters of them heading overseas. And Blass, who celebrates his 75th birthday in September, is in the thick of the action. Sunday Telegraph, April 26

Woolworths is to pool the resources of newly acquired online wine auction business Langton’s and big-box liquor chain Dan Murphy’s to tighten its hold on the premium end of the drinks market. Woolies is understood to have paid about $13 million for Langton’s, Australia’s biggest mover of top-shelf and past-vintage wines. Steve Greentree, Woolworths’ director of liquor, said the Langton’s purchase would allow the 96-store Dan Murphy’s chain to access corners of the market that were previously closed to it. “They are the experts when it comes to super-premium wines, and Dan Murphy’s is always looking at how to advance in that area and try to find more stock and build relationships,” he said. The Australian, February 16.

One of the Barossa region’s leading advocates for new grape varieties, Joanne Irvine, left, was yesterday named the Barossa Winemaker of the Year at the Declaration of the Vintage ceremony in Tanunda. After winning many awards with traditional varieties, Ms Irvine, daughter of industry veteran Jim Irvine, has forged a strong reputation with lesser-known Zinfandel and Alborino wines. The traditional Barons of Barossa ceremony named grower Mick Koch Vigneron of the Year for his pioneering sustainable vineyard practices. The Advertiser, February 16.

Winegrape farmers burnt as harvest withers

A record 10 consecutive days of temperatures above 40C have left winegrape growers in the Victorian town of Mildura facing huge financial losses, with much of the region’s crop destroyed by the heat. The heatwave could not have come at a worse time for winegrape growers, who are harvesting their grapes. Mike Stone, chief executive of Murray Valley Winegrowers, estimated the crop would be reduced by 15 to 20 per cent, because of heat damage. He said others thought tomorrow’s weather could put the loss as high as 30 per cent. Mr Stone noted that the Murray Valley, around Mildura, was the second-biggest wine region in Australia. “In 2008, we grew 365,000 tonnes,” he said. “It is marginally smaller than the Riverland.” Dennis Mills, who grows 30ha of winegrapes with his wife, Margot, and son Richard at Gol Gol, across the Murray River from Mildura, mechanically harvest their grapes at night, when it is cooler. `”You can’t harvest when it is too hot,” he said. “Your bins are boiling so you would cook the fruit.” The Australian, February 6.

On the grapevine

John Fordham

Margaret River perfectionist Vanya Cullen heads a growing list of female winemakers who have a defining influence on what we drink. The first woman to win a major individual wine award in Australia, Cullen not only enjoys acclaim for her super premium flagships Diana Madeline Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot and Kevin John Chardonnay (named in honour of her late parents who established the brand in 1974), but for her skilful blending of sauvignon blanc and semillon. The 2008 Cullen Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc Semillon and 2008 Cullen Mangan Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc Semillon (both $35) provide consummate proof of her ability to achieve stunning results from these renowned Bordeaux varieties. Cullen was at the leading edge of fashioning this captivating amalgam of flavours at Margaret River. The significant difference in the two is sauvignon blanc’s level of influence: it fills 81 per cent of the Cullen Vineyard blend and 70 per cent of the Cullen Mangan. “Accordingly, the Cullen Vineyard wine is the more opulent of the two,” explains Cullen, who this year celebrates her 20th anniversary as senior winemaker at the Cowaramup winery, which she owns with her three brothers and two sisters. Sunday Telegraph, February 8.

When it comes to Zinfandel, Americans are just plain crazy about both the red and white versions, making it the third most crushed grape varietal in the U.S., right behind Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay. When it comes to growing and bottling zins, California is king, so whether you love a nice refreshing glass of slightly sweet White Zinfandel on a hot summer day, or you prefer the intensely fruity, spicy red versions there’s something for everyone in California. With good weather all year long, anytime of the year is a good time to tour some of the best places in the world for growing this American favorite.

Originally an obscure Croatian grape varietal, Zinfandel came to America early in the 19th century. It’s grown in many of California’s grape growing regions from the Cucamonga Valley in the far south to the northern border with Oregon. From any major California city, you can be enjoying a Zinfandel experience in wine country in no time.

Although the Zinfandel grape has been around for a long time, White Zinfandel didn’t come into existence until the 1970s. Sutter Home Family Vineyard in Napa Valley is widely credited with creating what became known as “blush wine” when they made a rosé of Zinfandel but stopped fermentation a bit early to ensure it had a touch of residual sugar. Today, inexpensive white zin far outsells its pricier red counterparts and tends to be produced by large wineries like Beringer and Sutter Home.

When it comes to red zins, there are a wide range of styles, quality and price. They tend to have high alcohol content and when very ripe, make good desert wines with a flavor profile somewhat like Port. Three of the top California regions for red zins are Amador County in the Sierra Foothills, Sonoma County and Paso Robles.

Amador County is the ideal spot to spend a few days checking out California Gold Rush country and sipping hearty red zins, while still only an hour away from the city of Sacramento. Tasting rooms here are mostly small family businesses where you can often talk to the winemaker, pet the family dog and enjoy a picnic lunch. And yes, you can still pan for gold and see traces of the rustic Wild West atmosphere that inspired writers like Mark Twain.

In Sonoma County there are many good micro-climates for Zinfandel including the Dry Creek Valley and Rockpile areas. Make the town of Healdsburg your starting point for a driving tour of numerous outstanding zin producers. If fine-dining is on your agenda this is also the perfect destination to experience some of northern California’s best cuisine.

If your California vacation plans take you to the Central Coast region, be sure to stop in Paso Robles to taste Zinfandels and Zinfandel-based red blends that will knock your socks off. Although wine has been made in the area for a long time, the winemaking focus began to shift away from inexpensive wines to high-quality boutique wines in the 1980’s and today some of the most exciting wines in California are made in Paso Robles.

When you head for sunny California, a good Zinfandel wine tasting tour is never very far away. Sample a few on your next visit and you’ll know why the American love affair with Zinfandel is likely to remain a lasting one.

PACKAGE 1 – Beer, Wine & Sparkling

$15 per head for 2 hours drinking (min 30 people)

Includes - Trestle Bar with Black Table Cloth
- Bar Staff x 2
- Glassware
- Equipment

Sparkling Wine – Stony Peak Brut
Red & White Wine – Lindemans Cawarra Shiraz Cab, Stony Peak Chardonnay 2007 & Lindemans Cawarra Sauv Blanc
Heavy Tap Beer & Light Bottled Beer
Coke, Diet Coke, Orange Juice, Lemon Squash, Lemonade, Still & Sparkling Water

3 Hours Service at $17 per person (min 30 people)
Additional hours of service after 3 hours will incur an extra $4 per person, per hour

PACKAGE 2 – Beer, Wine, Sparkling & Spirits

$19 per head for 2 hours drinking (min 30 people)

Includes - Trestle Bar with Black Table Cloth
- Bar Staff x 2
- Glassware
- Equipment

Your choice of 4 Basic Spirits
Sparkling Wine – Stony Peak Brut
Red & White Wine – Lindemans Cawarra Shiraz Cab, Stony Peak Chardonnay 2007 & Lindemans Cawarra Sauv Blanc
Heavy Tap Beer & Light Bottled Beer
Coke, Diet Coke, Orange Juice, Lemon Squash, Lemonade, Still & Sparkling Water

3 Hours Service at $24 per person (min 30 people)
Additional hours of service after 3 hours will incur an extra $5 per person, per hour

PACKAGE 3 – Beer, Wine, Sparkling, Spirits & Cocktails on arrival

$28 per head for 2 hours drinking (min 30 people)

Includes - Trestle Bar with Black Table Cloth
- Bar Staff x 2
- Glassware
- Equipment

Your choice of 2 Cocktails on arrival
Your choice of 5 Basic Spirits
Sparkling Wine – Stony Peak Brut
Red & White Wine – Lindemans Cawarra Shiraz Cab, Stony Peak Chardonnay 2007 & Lindemans Cawarra Sauv Blanc
Heavy Tap Beer & Light Bottled Beer
Coke, Diet Coke, Orange Juice, Lemon Squash, Lemonade, Still & Sparkling Water

3 Hours Service at $33 per person (min 30 people)
Additional hours of service after 3 hours will incur an extra $5 per person, per hour

PACKAGE 4 – Cocktails Package

$38 per head for 2 hours drinking (min 30 people)

Includes - Professional Cocktail Bar (Stainless Steel)
- Bar Staff x 2 *
- Glassware
- Equipment

Your choice of any 5 Cocktails & 2 Mocktails (Non-Alcoholic Cocktails)

3 Hours Service at $33 per person (min 30 people)
Additional hours of service after 3 hours will incur an extra $5 per person, per hour

*Cocktail Mixologist’s and Flair Bartenders available.

Victoria’s Tourism and Major Events Minister Tim Holding has launched the 2008-2009 Wine Regions of Victoria Touring Guide, an initiative hoped to attract more visitors to regional Victoria.

“The Brumby Government is continuing to promote the wonderful food and wine regional Victoria has to offer and boost local, interstate and overseas visitors,” Mr Holding suggested. “With 2900 vineyards and 850 wineries across 21 wine regions, Victoria has the most diverse wine industry in the country. The new Guide is reliable, accessible and comprehensive and will lead tourists to our cellar doors.”

“On the doorstep of a sophisticated and cosmopolitan city, Victoria’s wine regions are a magnet for day-tripping Melburnians, interstate wine lovers and international visitors alike,” he added. “Wineries across regional Victoria attract hundreds of thousands of local, interstate and international tourists every year contributing $493 million to Victoria’s economy.”

Also launched in Bendigo today was the ‘Life’s a Dish - The Next Course’ program which sees the signature dishes of 12 leading restaurants in the region served on limited edition Bendigo Pottery plates, which diners may buy and take home.

“Life’s a Dish is a fantastic idea showcasing local artists, Bendigo Pottery and the best local produce matched to the region’s award winning wines,” Mr Holding said. “It is through initiatives such as Life’s a Dish that Victoria’s tourism industry can continue to grow in these difficult economic times.”