Queensland is one of six states and two "territories" that make up the Commonwealth of Australia. It covers approximately 1. 85 million square kilometres (715,300 square miles) in the north-eastern quarter of the "island continent".
Although far from being renowned for its wine, Queensland has a growing wine industry, responding to a growing global demand and the happy combination of tourism and wine.
The generally hot and humid Climate, with its high humidity and resulting prevalence of fungal diseases, presents a challenge to winemakers. However, the number of Vineyards is increasing and some cooler areas show promise.
Initially, wine production was limited to fortified wines and strong red table wines, but this portfolio is expanding. A typical modern Queensland vineyard might be planted with Shiraz, cabernet Sauvignon, Grenache and a handful of less common varieties (such as Durif, Chambourcin and various Italian reds), alongside Australia's most popular white wines, Chardonnay and semillon.
The state even has two officially recognised wine regions: the Granite Belt and South Burnett.
In 1932, the Italian government expanded the boundaries of Chianti to incorporate neighbouring territories where grapes and chianti-style wines had long been produced. And in 1967, four years after the enactment of the Italian DOC system (Denominazione di Origine Controllata), the first official Chianti DOC was created, including seven sub-zones: Colli Fiorentini, Colli Senesi, Rùfina, Colli Aretini, Colline Pisane and Montalbano, plus the original Chianti Classico. The entire area was elevated ...
As a wine critic, witnessing a relatively unknown estate rise up and receive the recognition it deserves can be a bittersweet feeling. From a purely selfish point of view, you watch the prices rise inexorably so you can no longer afford to drink wines from that estate as often as you once did. But primarily you’re delighted for the owners and for those who have discovered their wines. Scroll down for Matt Walls’ tasting notes and scores for five vintages of Domaine Gonon St-Joseph {"c ...
The Gérard Basset Foundation has partnered with Artémis Domaines to offer The Golden Vines Victims of Conflict Scholarships. Artémis Domaines is the owner of famed estates Château Latour (Bordeaux), Clos de Tart (Burgundy), Domaine d’Eugénie (Burgundy), Château Grillet (Rhône) and Eisele Vineyard (California). The scholarships will ‘support qualified wine industry professionals who are victims of war and geopolitical conflict’, said the group. Successful scholars will be offered six months of vi ...
