Wine Type Information Blog: Jun 25, 2008

11:42 PM

June 26, 2008 - Australian Wine

Australian Wine For Your Reading Pleasure

Australian Wine Clubs

Have you ever come across a wine bottle bearing the insignia of an Australian wine club? Then it must be top quality wine. Australian wine clubs are among the most respected in the world and only first class wines are allowed to carry that emblem.

Wine drinking as a lifestyle in Australia is relatively new compared to the wine cultures in such countries as Italy and France. The wine boom in Australia is actually attributed to the high influx of European settlers back in the late 1700s. Naturally, these settlers influenced Australian society with their dining habits, and soon local Australians started drinking wine along with their meals.

The efforts of viticulturist James Busby in bringing the wine culture to Australia are also widely recognized. Busby immigrated to Australia in the early 1800s and made wine there. He brought back this wine to Europe, where it was highly appraised.

Soon, Busby and others found that certain areas in Australia were perfect for growing grapes for winemaking. Busby started the first source blocks of wines in Sydney, Victoria and South Australia in the 1830s. Large vineyards soon followed, and serious importation was started several years after.

Groups of people who bought their wine in bulk soon started forming their own clubs. The Australian Wines Consumers Cooperative Society Limited was the first ever Australian wine club. The group started in the 1950s and now boasts fifty thousand members.

A lot of Australian wine clubs have emerged in the past few decades. These clubs started making and selling their own wine. Today, there are about twelve wine clubs in Australia in full operation.

Most of these clubs send its members a case of wine every three months. The cases contain a dozen bottles chosen by wine experts. If you are already a member, then Australian wine clubs save you the hassle of purchasing wines yourself. In case of dissatisfaction, Australian wine clubs offer a money back guarantee. If the corks are damaged, a full refund or replacement is made with no questions asked.

Wine Clubs provides detailed information on Wine Clubs, Wine Of The Month Clubs, California Wine Clubs, Wine Making Clubs and more. Wine Clubs is affiliated with Wine Tasting Tours.

Thoughts about Australian Wine

Australian Wine Clubs

Have you ever come across a wine bottle bearing the insignia of an Australian wine club? Then it must be top quality wine. Australian wine clubs are a...

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Featured Australian Wine Items

Brunello di Montalcino

Brunello di Montalcino "Il Pogione" is the result of a careful selection of Sangiovese grapes grown in the wineries best vineyards, which are over twenty years old. After 3 years of aging in French Allier oak barrels, it continues to mature and develop for about 12 months in the bottle. It is a ruby red Italian wine with garnet hues and a very intense, lingering and stylish bouquet with small dark berry fruit notes. The palate is dry, warm, quite smooth and tannic with the after aroma being long lasting. Very limited and rare, this is one of our "Series of Great Wines from Italy." Online delivery. IRBMS798 IRBMS798

Price: 105.95 USD

Australian Wine in the news

Deluxe Jesus Action Figure

Tue, 31 Jul 2007 22:39:15 PDT
There is no action figure more deserving of a deluxe edition than the Son of God. This 5-1/4" tall, hard vinyl figure comes with eight amazing plastic accessories: five loaves of bread, two fish and a jug for turning water into wine (not guaranteed to work for real). Also features "glow-in-the-dark miracle hands!"

The Wino Club: Cork, Screw Top or Zork?

Mon, 20 Aug 2007 22:24:10 PDT
Read about the latest rage in Australian wine accessories.

Wine, Wine Accessories and Anything Wine Related.

Thu, 30 Aug 2007 15:35:21 PDT
Meeting your needs for Wine, Wine Accessories, Wine Related Gifts, Gift Baskets, Glassware, Wine Storage, Wine Vinegar, anything Wine related.

Wine Cubes - New Wine Storage for the Home

Mon, 24 Sep 2007 11:43:26 PDT
A new wave in wine storage has just been launched. Vigilant announced the release of its new wine cubes for the holidays. The wine cubes are wave shaped with both concave and convex figures. Each comes with multiple insert options and a host of accessories to help people create their own wine cube creations.

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Labels: Kiona Wine | Kosher Wine

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4:12 PM

June 25, 2008 - Home Wine

Another Great Home Wine Article

Frost Bite - Ice Wine is More Than Just Frozen Grapes

One of the most rapidly growing trends in the world of wine seems to be with the rise in popularity of ice wines (or eiswein in German). This is interesting because these wines have been around for almost 200 years yet have not had much time in the spotlight until recent history. The most famous ice wines are from Germany, however many other countries such as Canada, Austria, and even Australia have been known to produce ice wines of their own. Because Canada is much colder and is capable of more consistent freezing temperatures has actually surpassed Germany in the production of ice wine.

Ice wine is a dessert wine that is made from frozen grapes. Only the water freezes in the grapes, so when they are pressed frozen, the juice that is extracted is very concentrated and very sweet. This freezing must happen before fermentation, and the grapes need to be pressed frozen, otherwise the water will melt in the grapes and you will not have the concentrated juice required for ice wines.

Natural ice wines require a hard freeze to occur after the grapes have ripened. In Canada, this temperature is a minimum of 17 degrees Fahrenheit while in Germany this temperature is 19 degrees. This means that the grapes must remain on the vines for several months after a normal harvest and risk being lost to rot if there is no freeze. At the other extreme, if the freeze is too severe the grapes can not be harvested and pressed. Because the fruit must be pressed while it is still frozen, pickers must work late in the night or early in the morning and work while the cellar workers must work in unheated spaces to ensure the grapes do not thaw.

Sometimes wine makers prefer to use cryoextraction. Cryoextraction is a mechanical freezing that is used to simulate the effect of the natural frost that occurs so that grapes can be picked sooner and made into wine. In Germany and Canada, wine created this way can not be called ice wine, only wines which have been frozen naturally are allowed to be called as such.

Whereas regular wines might take days or weeks to ferment, ice wines can take months due to the higher sugar content. Even though it is normal for the sugar content in ice wine to run from 180 g/L up to as high as 320 g/L ice wine remains very refreshing because of the high acidity. Ice wine usually has a medium to full body, with a lingering finish while the nose is oftentimes reminiscent of peach, pear, honey, caramel, and green apples depending on the varietal grape. Pineapple, mango, and even lychee are quite common aromas with white varietals however this list is by far not exhaustive.

Because the juice from the grapes is more concentrated than regular wine, there is a much smaller yield. It is for this reason as well as the methods used that make ice wines more expensive than table wines. Ice wines can cost as much as $300 a bottle, which is why it is often sold in half bottles for as little as $50. Grapes that have insufficient brix (sugar) content can not be made into ice wine and are therefore usually sold under the label "special select late harvest" or "select late harvest" at a fraction of the price of true ice wines.

When to drink ice wine is a matter of personal taste. Some people believe that ice wine improve with age and supporters claim that the very high sugar level and high acidity preserve the content for years after bottling. There are then others who believe that with age the wine loses its distinctive acidity, fruitiness, aroma, and freshness. Being that ice wines are very versatile in this, when you decide to drink your ice wine depends on when you feel it tastes best.

Ice wines are becoming the latest trend in the wine world and it is easy to see why. Delicious and refreshing, ice wines are a delicacy and a testament to the skills of the wineries. More expensive than a traditional wine, it is not something that the average person can afford to purchase on a regular basis, but are an essential addition to a special occasion or meal.

Finest Wine Racks is a major supplier of a variety of wine racks including wood wine racks, metal wine racks, counter top wine racks, floor standing wine racks and wine storage systems.

Ken Finnigan - CEO

Finest Wine Racks

Thoughts about Home Wine

Frost Bite - Ice Wine is More Than Just Frozen Grapes

One of the most rapidly growing trends in the world of wine seems to be with the rise in popularity of ice wines (or eiswein in German). This is inte...

Click Here to Read More About Wine ...

Home Wine Products we recommend

Amphora Riesling Auslese

A strikingly beautiful bottle with a most outstanding German Riesling wine on the inside. A great presentation as a gift for any wine drinker. Our late harvest, select wine is one of the finest you will ever enjoy. Very Mosel, with that wonderful Granny Smith apple finish. Very complex, smooth, caressing and teasing your taste buds with a multitude of wonderful taste sensations. Serve chilled. This sweet Auslese wine is a great gift to buy online! GWARW703 GWARW703

Price: 32.95 USD

Current Home Wine News

One Cockeyed Cake and Festive Fruit Compotes

Sat, 19 Apr 2008 19:12:51 PDT
If you need something easy and delicious but different, to serve for a party or a get together, these desserts are certainly different and absolutely delicious "Cockeyed Cake", "Watermelon wine compote", and "Coupe Royale".

How To Hold A Wine Glass

Sat, 19 Apr 2008 21:06:33 PDT
It may seem a bit unnecessary to discuss how you should hold a wine glass, but there is a right way and a wrong way and it does make a difference.Wine is served in stemware because the temperature at which wine is served can have a profound impact on the tastes and the enjoyment it yields. Wine glasses should always be held by the stem.

Cheesecake Factory almost complete at The Americana at Brand

Mon, 21 Apr 2008 15:35:43 PDT
The Cheesecake Factory is nearly ready to wine and dine you as the staff puts the finishing touches around everyone's favorite eatery. The bar is stocked, the waiters are dressed and ready to serve... all that's missing here is you!

Amazing Portland Restaurants Now Serving Cathedral Ridge Win

Tue, 22 Apr 2008 12:42:08 PDT
Great Hood River wines now being served at top Portland restaurants.

Red Wine – A Classic Taste For Any Time - TimesPR NewsWire |

Wed, 23 Apr 2008 16:13:23 PDT
To optimize the experience, red wines need time to age, then a minute of time to breathe once opened before serving. They do not need to be chilled, and they go well with strong flavours and dark meats

Vicar applying for drinks licence to sell wine at church

Wed, 23 Apr 2008 18:19:25 PDT
"We have plans to serve lager and red and white wine - that is what the average punter wants."

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Labels: Chianti Classico