Reviewed in the Epicure

OBP2009 received a rather nice review in The Age's Epicure, on Tuesday the 14th!

Thanks to Michele Round at Launceston's Pinot Shop for organising it!

OBP2009

A friend recently pointed out to me that I didn't properly clarify how much help our winemaker, Guy Wagner, was to us in getting our label off the ground. Not only did he source fruit for us for cover our lost 2010 vintage, he gave us an allocation of his own 2009 Pinot Noir to sell under our label.

It is important that I acknowledge this, as it finally got us off the ground and moving to the next stage in our wine business.

A great video on glassware

The guys at Spitbucket have posted a fantastic video on the impact of glassware on your wine:

How Does Your Glass Affect the Taste and Smell of Your Wine Episode

This video uses Riedel glasses to demonstrate the impact of quality wine glasses. I would also endorse Plumm glassware to do the job.

Check out the Eve decanter by Riedel at the end...what a stunner! If you want one, I promise I won't ask full retail for it!

Confirmed for 2011!

It's now confirmed - Gryphonwood will be offering a Chardonnay from the 2011 vintage. Guy Wagner at Bass Fine Wines has secured some good fruit for us, and it is now fermenting! Of course, we will also have 2011 Pinot Noir.

I am looking forward to expanding our range...now we have to think of white wine labels!

Sombre signs for 2011

Indicators around Northern Tasmania are pointing to a rough end to the 2011 vintage. Many producers are facing yield losses and the possibility of not picking at all! The cool season has pushed back ripening into dangerous waters, as canopies begin to senesce and leaves fall. Add to that cooler temperatures and the ever present threat of further rain.

Looking in the winery, there are numbers of producers having to sacrifice ideal sugar levels to secure a crop. Some are hoping that berry shrivel will help them get to the necessary level of sugar to make a wine. Others still have decided that they will achieve neither the sugar level or the quality of fruit to warrant harvesting their crop.

A hard year for all, it seems....