DAN'S WINE BLOG- WOULD YOU BELIEVE?

Friday, August 25, 2023

This week a few wine titbits from the Northern hemisphere.

ALSACE on TRIAL: The Alsace wine region of France where they currently grow, Riesling, Gewürztraminer, Pinot Blanc, Pinot Gris, Sylvaner, Muscat and Pinot Noir, has applied to the INAO (the French regulatory body), to be given permission to trial a number of non authorised varieties in order to stay on top of climate change and reduce the number of sprays required to control disease in the vineyard. The sixteen varieties include: Petit Manseng, Chenin Blanc, Vermentino, Souvignier Gris and Petit Courbu in the white varieties. Whilst the red varieties include: Malbec, Nero d’Avola, Nebbiolo and most importantly, Syrah (Shiraz).

 They are particularly excited/pushing for Syrah as they are well aware of its popularity around the world, especially Australian Shiraz. This variety could be used as the “lead wine” to signal and champion their first change in authorised varieties, thereby making the transition (if the resultant wines are approved) so much less challenging for the producers.

 As reported some time ago, Bordeaux has trialled several new varieties, some of which have now been approved to be used in very tightly restricted ways, such as not more than 5% of the blend and only in non AOC wines.

 INSANITY: We have always known that the Yanks are a bit OTT on pretty much everything, but this “takes the biscuit” for me. I just found out that the most expensive white wine in the USA, is also the most expensive Sauvignon Blanc in the world. The California Screaming Eagle (a winery renowned for its very, very expensive and rare Cabernet Sauvignon) are this vintage charging the equivalent of AU$4,421 a bottle for their Sauvignon Blanc. WOW! Not being a big fan of Sauvignon Blanc, I struggle to pay $40 a bottle, so imagine paying 88 times that much for a bottle of Savvy?

 I find many, if not most Australian and New Zealand Savvy’s have too much Thiols and Capsaicin that cause the passionfruit/tropical fruit aromas and flavours. European Sauvignon Blancs do not have such high levels and therefore produce a more stylish, complex and elegant wine. I am especially fond of the Sauvignon Blanc from the Rueda region in Spain and from across Austria – both of which make very sophisticated and classy Sav Blanc.

 AIRPORT NOTICE BOARD: What an absolutely brilliant flight notice board in Crete’s capital, Heraklion’s airport. It is particularly appropriate as most of the wines on Crete are produced from indigenous grape varieties – the ones listed on the board are shown in the image below.

 At the point of landing, tourists receive a quick, easy to comprehend snapshot of the local wines. Sure they won’t remember the varieties, but their minds/thoughts are directed towards the local wines as soon as they have landed in the country. The tourist is now much more likely to try one of these locals rather than just order an imported wine from Spain, Italy or France, because they are now aware of the existence of these native grape varieties.

 Well, on that note I will say Ciao for another week. Have a great week, stay safe and remember to always #chooseaustralianwines and when possible try #emergingvarieties. Cheers, Dan T.