Feature Stories
Sydney Time
Copyright © Ric Einstein 2009
The First Bookend
(19 June 2008)
This, the first in a series of two bookends that frame the May 2008 South
Australian Tour Diary is a unique interview with one of Australia's most
respected winemakers. This wineries wines are highly sought after. Their mailing
list has been closed for years. The winemaker shies away from publicity and
rarely speaks to the wine press, yet he was happy to have a noholds barred
interview so I could present his personal story. And its a fascinating one. He
is a unique individual that marches to the beat of his own drum and chooses not
to listen to the music from other bands that surround him. The interview
with Drew Noon of Noon Winery will give you a real insight into
what makes this unique human tick. It can be found
here.
The Second Bookend
(14 August 2008)
This, the second in the series of 2008 South Australia Tour Diary Bookends. Mention
their name and it will ignite passions
and opinions like no other winery. Everyone has an opinion about their wines.
Some love them and think they are great value; with Robert Parker being one of
their greatest fans. On the other side of the divide, there are those that think
their wines are the greatest abominations ever to be called wine. Such is the
passion this winery generates. They have been
interview before and bits of their story have been told, but this is the most
complete and in-depth account of their enchanted path through the wine business,
although as the story shows, it has not always been an easy journey. I asked the hard questions, the
personal ones, and got frank and honest answers. The questions that had never
been asked before. The story also includes the reasons behind the way they make
their wine, and those methods are both unique and controversial. Will history
show these winemakers to be revolutionary visionaries or heretics? I don't know,
but getting their story was fascinating.
The Quest Continues
(12 Dec 2007)
When I started doing the research for this story, never in a thousand years did
I think I would wind up coming to the conclusions I came to, because at first
site they defy conventional logic. If you think that screwcaps are the best
solution for red wine that is to be consumed young, think again. If you think
that screwcaps are the best closure for c-through wines that will be drunk
young, think again. If you think that corks are best seal for all red wines that
require long term ageing, think again. However, when you look at the facts
clinically and objectively, "conventional wisdom" may be conventional but it
from many perspectives, it is certainly not wisdom. There is no such thing as
the perfect closure for any one group of wines. Now that screwcaps have been
around for sometime, far more is known about them than was previously the case,
and this new knowledge turns many of the existing "truths" upside-down. Although
this information won't stop "progress" and the direction in which we are
heading, hopefully once theses facts are better understood by all winemakers,
not just some winemakers, better wines will be the result. This Feature Article
throws completely new light on the cork versus screwcap debate and will
challenge your thoughts on the subject, no matter what side of the fence you sit
on. It can be found here.
‘A True Story’ – Australia’s most Decorated Winemaker
Can you even guess who this may be? My bet is that few people
outside of the wine industry will know, as this character, and
he is a real character, generally maintains a low public profile. Since his
departure from one of the largest wine companies in Australia, to "take things
easy and do a bit of consulting," this beer-swilling smoker has a maintained a
pace that made me tired just hearing about it. Articles about this guy have been
written before but they just tend to be the usual boring bio, so I decided to
tell his story in a no holds barred fashion that truly shows what
this unique man is all about, and what makes him tick. I guarantee
you will chuckle and be fascinated when you read 'A True Story', and if
you don't enjoy reading it half as much as I did interviewing him, you can get
your money back. Grab a glass of good red and
click here.
Plonk Oz 2006
(9 August 2006)
Also known as Wine Australia, a huge biannual event specifically aimed at
serious wine lovers who are looking to try wines from their favourite small
producers as well as offering them the opportunity to try wines from a large
number of new producers. The event was open to the public for for two days with
an additional day for trade only. Brian and I attended for two and half days.
Tasting notes were made on over 100 wines, as well as commentary on the wineries
and the meals consumed. The side commentary is no where near as extensive as the
Tour Diaries so please don't expect a light read; its more a reference work with
a bit of light banter thrown in. The easiest way to read it would be to print it
out. Part
One (of the two part story) is about fifteen pages.
Part Two
is about 50% longer than part one. My overview
of Plonk Oz can be found
here.
“A Dummies Guide to the Most Important Wine Thingy”
One
of the expressions you will most frequently hear is that “good wine is made in
the vineyard” but why is it so; what makes those grapes good? This story
will answer those questions and a lot more. To set the scene, it starts off with
one respected growers personal experience; then we get right down into the dirt
before soaring off with the eagles to get the answers. This s not some boring
technical document about viticulture, it simply explains why viticulture has
such a huge impact on wine quality; some of the differences between good and bad
viticulture; and (in detail) how two very successful organisations approach the
same problem from two completely different directions to achieve the same
result. An absolutely must read, but its long so don't expect to read it in five
minutes.
Southcorp, the inside story
in this exclusive story TORB
interviews Brian Finn AO Chairman of
Southcorp and acting Managing Director. In a very
frank and forthright taped interview Brian sets
the record straight and provides the real inside story. As a successful businessman, Brian
does not pull his punches in describing how the wheel fell off, how they
plan to fix it, the things they do well, what the future holds for Southcorp,
as well as his views on the industry. Its long, but
it’s worth reading because it provides a unique and honest insight into
Southcorp.
Plonk Oz 2002
– which many people will know as Wine
Australia was held in Sydney over three days and naturally I attended and
sampled a glass or two or the latest releases. A couple of special dinners were
also attended and but as Plonk Oz was restricted to three days (bastards) this
story is only a junior epic.
Cork Problems: What you need to know
– exposes the
truth behind the severity of cork taint (and other wine faults) in Australia
today. The major wine companies were asked for their official positions on all
things cork and the results have been complied into this story. Not as long as
the trip reports but a must read for anyone who wonders why some of their wines
taste like crap and the next bottle of the same time tastes great.
South of the Border
– in
2000 Plonk OZ (aka Wine Australia) was held in Melbourne Victoria. In a two part story, I meet up
with my mate Murray (who need no other name) and Robin Garr of WLDG fame and we
spend a few days Touring the Wine Regions Around Melbourne.
After warming up the kidney and liver it was on
the main event, fours days of eating and drinking activities at Plonk Oz 2000.