Sirromet Wines begins 2012 Vintage grape harvest  

04/02/2012

Sirromet Wines began its 2012 Vintage harvest this week, picking 16-tonnes of Chambourcin red fruit from vineyards at the company's headquarters at Mount Cotton near Brisbane.

Fruit from 10-hectares of vines was picked on Monday and Tuesday, mostly by a diesel grape harvester, and then crushed and stored in tanks for eventual use in Sirromet's sweet-style 'Love My' range.

Chief winemaker Adam Chapman said Sirromet would begin harvesting its 100-hectares of vineyards at Ballandean on the Granite Belt in February, starting with Verdelho, Chardonnay, Pinot Gris and Viognier white fruit, while red fruit would be picked from March to May, as in past years.

Chapman said Sirromet's vineyards had been largely unaffected by almost 500ml of rainfall on its Mount Cotton property and 45ml at Ballandean in the past week.

"There was no damage at Mount Cotton because our vineyards are on slopes and there was a 90-percent (water) run-off, while the rain at Ballandean was minimal and topped up growth on the vines," he said.

"Overall we have had excellent growing conditions at our vineyards since September (2011)."

"Temperatures on the Granite Belt have been considerably cooler than the same period of the previous vintage. There has been good moisture and water in the ground which helps vine growth and leaf/fruit ratio."

Chapman said Sirromet expected to crush a total of 400-tonnes of fruit from the 2012 Vintage, the bulk of it from the company's cool-climate vineyards at Ballandean, located at 820-metres altitude..

Varieties being harvested from Sirromet's four vineyards in the 2012 vintage are:

MOUNT COTTON (10-ha): Chambourcin

SEVEN SCENES, BALLANDEAN (52-ha): Chardonnay, Shiraz, Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot

ST JUDE'S, BALLANDEAN (25-ha): Pinot Gris, Viognier, Chardonnay, Verdelho, Nebbiolo, Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon

NIGHT SKY, BALLANDEAN (23-ha): Chardonnay, Verdelho, Pinot Gris, Viognier

Chapman said Sirromet's preparation for the 2012 Vintage included collecting fruit samples from its vineyards for laboratory testing at the Mount Cotton winery to pinpoint the best time for harvesting.

The laboratory analysis tests fruit for sugar, pH and acid levels, and taste and flavour. These procedures are undertaken by Chapman, and on-site staff chemist Jessica Ferguson.

"Our fruit at Ballandean is still in the early stages of ripening, but right now the Verdelho is looking very good," said Chapman. "It has nice tropical flavours, citrus and apple tones, and the analysis is promising."

As in past years, fruit harvested from Sirromet's vineyards at Ballandean will be transported by a fleet of refrigerated trucks in a 220km/three-hour drive to the winery's production centre at Mount Cotton. The grapes will then be crushed and stored in tanks.

Sirromet has 97 wine tanks on-site at Mount Cotton with a total capacity of 2.16-million litres. The largest tanks hold 120,000-litres each

Sirromet has won a total of 27 gold medals since opening in 2000, eight of them in overseas wine competitions in 2011. The winery is owned and was founded by Gold Coast businessman Terry Morris. In addition to vineyards, Sirromet's winery headquarters at Mount Cotton includes production, bottling, and packaging facilities, barrel rooms, cellar door, Restaurant Lurleen's, administration centre, worm farm and waste recycling plant.

The essence of Central Otago Pinot Noir  

04/02/2012

Central Otago is one of the premier regions in the world for growing Pinot Noir.  Within this renowned wine region is the sub region of Bendigo, and it is from here that the latest release Mud House wines originate.

The new Central Otago wines include the 2010 Mud House Estate ‘Golden Terraces Vineyard’ Central Otago Pinot Noir ($36.00) and the 2010 Mud House Central Otago Pinot Noir ($29.00).

The 2010 Mud House Estate ‘Golden Terraces Vineyard’ Central Otago Pinot Noir is part of the new Estate range of wines which includes ‘The Woolshed Vineyard’ Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc, ‘The Mound’ Waipara Valley Riesling and ‘The Home Block’ Waipara Valley Pinot Gris.  These are single vineyard wines made to reflect the terroir of the particular vineyard. 

“Our new Estate Pinot Noir replaces the Mud House Swan range,” explained Mud House Winemaker, Nadine Worley.  “It’s made from grapes from three different clones on the Home Block of the Golden Terraces Vineyard.  These are 114, 667 and Abel, a New Zealand selected clone.  The parcels of fruit were chosen for their consistent quality, depth of flavour and structure.  These vines are cropped quiet low in order to ensure this quality.”

Its stable mate is the 2010 Mud House Central Otago Pinot Noir which is made from a blend of clones and blocks from The Golden Terraces Vineyard, and focuses on the varietal specialisation of its region.  Other wines within the Mud House Premium range include the Sauvignon Blanc from Marlborough and aromatic varieties from Waipara Valley.

The 2010 vintage started with a relatively dry November that lead to late flowering with naturally lighter crops. With a ‘warm’ February (eight days over 30oC), some frosts and a touch of rain, harvest commenced on the 6th of April.

“This was a stellar vintage,” described Nadine. “The cool start to the season ensured lovely structure and natural acidity while the consistent warmer weather leading up to vintage enhanced the concentration of fruit flavours.”

“Central Otago is one of the most picturesque places in the world, with its patchwork of vineyards cradled within New Zealand’s Southern Alps. Every time I have a bottle of ‘Central’ Pinot Noir it transports me to its unique terroir.”

Central Otago is framed by ancient dry hills and fanned by westerly winds. The soils are characterised by their smaller gravel and fine particles, a result of glaciers grinding the schist rock.  These soils are high in mineral content, high draining and offer the vines little in the way of vigour.

These soils, along with the vast diurnal temperatures and high sunshine hours, instill their distinctive terroir into the region’s Pinot Noir.  The region is the only true continental wine region in the country, with the vineyards (situated around 350 metres elevation) protected by mountains that reach 3700 metres above sea level.  The wines are bold, whilst showing finesse and elegance.

Pricing & Distribution: 

Mud House Wines are distributed throughout Australia by The Wine Company Pty Ltd.
2010 Mud House Estate Golden Terraces Vineyard Central Otago Pinot Noir   $36.00
2010 Mud House Central Otago Pinot Noir     $29.00

Waiheke Island Vineyards  

22/04/2011

FirstPress recently had the opportunity to travel to Waiheke Island, a short 30 minute ferry ride from Auckland. And what awaited was a very enjoyable wine tasting experience at four of the island’s vineyard cellar doors.

Goldwater Estate (www.thegoldieroom.co.nz)

Waiheke Island Goldie Chardonnay 2010 – pale yellow in colour, green apples and cream bouquet giving way to light buttery mid-palate displaying good fruit, leading to a dry finish. A fine example of New Zealand chardonnay. NZ$32

Waiheke weeping Sands Syrah 2009 – light red in colour, perfumed nose of blackberry and red currant, hint of spice and pepper on mid-palate with vanilla tannins, and long finish. A softer very drinkable style. NZ$32

Te Whau Vineyard (www.tehau.com )
These wines showed the impact of minimal intervention by the winemaker on the fruit harvested from very steep, north-facing slopes sheltered from the prevailing wind, but enjoying a maritime climate. No pumps are used in the gravity fed winery, and the winemaker used no finings.

Te Whau “The Point” 2006 (14.0% alcohol)
Cabernet Sauvignon 50%, Merlot 30%, Cabernet Franc 15%, Malbec 5%.
– “Claret” red colour, a concentrated nose with hints of liquorice, clove and cherry. Rich, dense, ripe fruit with cigar-box notes and a long finish with abundant tannins.

Te Whau “The Point” 2007 (14.0% alcohol)
Cabernet Sauvignon 54%, Merlot 31%, Cabernet Franc 10%, Malbec 4%
– Dark venous red colour, a concentrated black fruit driven nose. Round and full palate with good fruit, soft tannins and a savoury, cedary, beautifully integrated finish. Delicious. NZ$70

Te Whau “The Point” 2008 (14.0% alcohol)
Cabernet Sauvignon 57%, Merlot 30%, Cabernet Franc 9%, Malbec 4%
– Dark venous red colour, a concentrated black currant and damson plum nose. Round and full palate with excellent fruit extending throughout, soft tannins and a savoury, cigar-box, well structured integrated finish. Delicious. NZ$70

Man O’ War Vineyards (www.manowarvineyards.co.nz )

At the far eastern end of the island, Man O’ War have a number of small vineyards, all contributing their individual terroir to the wines. The idyllically located tasting room is situated just metres from the thin strip of white sand that rims Man O’ War Bay. The views and situation are not the only spectacular things on display at Man O’ War.

Valkyrie Viognier 2010 (14.5% alcohol)
Medium yellow colour, intense stone fruit bouquet, very lifted and framed with sweet vanilla. The mid palate has lovely apricot intensity with good acid structure in the mid to back, and is well balanced for a wine of such high alcohol. Excellent. NZ$30

Ironclad Merlot Cabernet Franc 2008 (14.5% alcohol)
Merlot 52%, Cabernet Franc 27.0%, Malbec 10.5%, Petit Verdot  9.1%  and Cabernet Sauvignon 1.4%

This medium red-coloured wine has a complex aroma of cassis and red summer berries, earthy undertones with a touch of floral fragrance, tarmac and leather reminiscent of Bordeaux style. A delicious wine that will re-frame your expectations of southern hemisphere merlot blends. NZ$ 39.95

Dreadnought Syrah 2008 (14.0% alcohol)
This dark red wine has aromas of white pepper, star anise and blueberries with hints of charcuterie and a subtle floral fragrance. The mid palate is vibrant, with ripe layers of complex characters that unfold as the wine opens up in the glass revealing subtle hints of spice and meaty game, a rich supple palate with the graphite-like tannins. Superb. NZ$ 39.95

Cable Bay Vineyards (www.cablebay.co.nz )

In a short period of time Cable Bay has forged a reputation for elegantly crafted wines, well matched to food. FirstPress dined at their acclaimed restaurant and sampled just three of their white wines.

Cable Bay Gewurztraminer 2008
Pale yellow in colour, with lifted passionfruit and tropical fruit salad nose, giving way to mouth-filling wine with a dry finish. Very good. Excellent match with the Pork Rillons. NZ$ 10 per glass.

Cable Bay Viognier  2010
Medium yellow in colour, with bouquet of apricots and yellow peaches, and a mouth filling textured mid-palate, the wine was well matched with the Venison Carpaccio. NZ$ 11 per glass.

Cable Bay Waiheke Island Chardonnay 2008 (14.0% alcohol)
Medium yellow in colour, with a nose of tropical and stonefruit characters, moving to a creamy, biscuity mid-palate, with a lingering finish including nutty complexity, good fruit and traces of minerality. Excellent. NZ$ 12 per glass.

So next time you find yourself with half a day to spare in Auckland, take some time to visit the vineyards of Waiheke Island.

Featured Winery - Catherine Vale Vineyard (Hunter Valley)

Catherine Vale is a small family owned operation. 5 grape varieties are grown on the property. The vineyard was planted with Semillon and Chardonnay in 1993.  In 1998 the red varieties Dolcetto and Barbera were planted and in 2002 Verdelho was grafted on a third of the Semillon, an additional 200 verdelho vines are used for making our Madeira. Present release is 7 years old. [... more]

Featured Wine - 2005 Catherine Vale Dolcetto

The pioneering plantings of Dolcetto at Catherine Vale are unique in the Hunter Valley of New South Wales.  The initial cuttings were sourced from Bests at Great Western. The delicate smoky almond and earthy aromas have undertones of berry and white peach and some clove and oriental spice is the result of fermentation and maturation in American oak. Soft mouth entry and acidity herald rich mid palate fruit flavours of anise and fine tannin.  The finish is dry and oaky with subtle cherry flavours and the wine is excellent with Asian and Mediterranean cuisine. [... more]

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