Friday 9 November 2007
Friday 2 November 2007
Monday 29 October 2007
Wednesday 17 October 2007
Shiraz
Shiraz is harvested from late February to early April.
McLaren Vale Shiraz displays pronounced berry and spice characters with some dark chocolate and liquorice, while Shiraz from cooler sub-regions exhibits defined ripe raspberry characters. McLaren Vale Shiraz is renowned for its great softness and rolling palate. Many winemakers in McLaren Vale choose to blend their final Shiraz from a variety of sub-regions to add complexity.
McLaren Vale naturally produces Shiraz that has very small berries. Smaller berries have a higher skin to pulp ratio. Berry skin contains flavanols (Anti-sunburn in grapes, 'flavour' in wine), Anthocyanins (colour) and other complex molecules that add to wine complexity. Grape pulp contains sugar and water. Therefore the more skin to less pulp the more complex the finished wine. Small berries make more intense Shiraz wine.
Within McLaren Vale and its subregions there is a diversity of soil types, clones and winemaking philosophies, which has led to a huge range of Shiraz wine styles being produced. Most winemakers produce at least one Shiraz wine
McLaren Vale Shiraz displays pronounced berry and spice characters with some dark chocolate and liquorice, while Shiraz from cooler sub-regions exhibits defined ripe raspberry characters. McLaren Vale Shiraz is renowned for its great softness and rolling palate. Many winemakers in McLaren Vale choose to blend their final Shiraz from a variety of sub-regions to add complexity.
McLaren Vale naturally produces Shiraz that has very small berries. Smaller berries have a higher skin to pulp ratio. Berry skin contains flavanols (Anti-sunburn in grapes, 'flavour' in wine), Anthocyanins (colour) and other complex molecules that add to wine complexity. Grape pulp contains sugar and water. Therefore the more skin to less pulp the more complex the finished wine. Small berries make more intense Shiraz wine.
Within McLaren Vale and its subregions there is a diversity of soil types, clones and winemaking philosophies, which has led to a huge range of Shiraz wine styles being produced. Most winemakers produce at least one Shiraz wine
Wines
Famous for producing some of the best Shiraz Australia has to offer, McLaren Vale is arguably one of the premier Shiraz-growing regions of the world. Shiraz is by far the most important variety for the region, accounting for about 50% of the total crush. The area's thin soils, limited water, and warm summers harness Shiraz’s natural vigour and produce intense flavoured fruit, and wine with a deep purple colour that can last decades in the bottle.
McLaren Vale wines are distinguished by their ripeness, elegance, structure, power and complexity. McLaren Vale has 3,218 hectares of Shiraz under vine. Other major varieties include Cabernet Sauvignon with 1,288 ha planted, Chardonnay with 722 ha planted and Grenache with 402 ha- much of this dry-grown (non-irrigated) bush vines. (Statistics taken from the Phylloxera and Grape Industry Board’s vineyard register as of May 2005.)
McLaren Vale wines are distinguished by their ripeness, elegance, structure, power and complexity. McLaren Vale has 3,218 hectares of Shiraz under vine. Other major varieties include Cabernet Sauvignon with 1,288 ha planted, Chardonnay with 722 ha planted and Grenache with 402 ha- much of this dry-grown (non-irrigated) bush vines. (Statistics taken from the Phylloxera and Grape Industry Board’s vineyard register as of May 2005.)
Saturday 15 September 2007
Fleurieu Fiesta
October is when the Fleurieu Peninsula’s Fiesta! serves you a gastronomic journey of ...
new tastes
personal encounters
delectable meals
perfect picnics
top quality product
competitions and awards, and
food and wine prepared and served with passion
Throughout October the Fleurieu Peninsula throws open its doors to the world and invites food lovers and culinary explorers in to share the secrets of its kitchens, barrels, groves and markets.
How do you make cheese?
Pickle Olives?
What is Extra Virgin Olive Oil?
How do you taste wines?
What is the perfect food and wine match?
Come join our talented chefs, winemakers and food producers who will be happy to share their trade secrets.
2008 Tour Down Under
Next year's Tour Down Under will be a special 10th Anniversary celebration. As part of the celebrations team presentations will now be free to the public.
The celebrations will start on Friday, 25 January followed by Saturday 26 January with an Australia Day breakfast. The race will start at 11am and then in the evening an Australia Day Concert will be held at Rotary Park, Christies Beach. There will be more activities held on Sunday, 27 January.
The race will be visiting the City of Onkaparinga twice in Stage 3 on Thursday, 24 January 2008 and in Stage 5 on Saturday, 26 January 2008.
SA Writers' Festival - 6 – 16 September
The South Australian Writers' Festival is a joint initiative of the City of Onkaparinga and the SA Writers Centre.
Join with us for a week of sharing the delight of the written word and the splendour of a good story. Let the river of inspiration flow both ways, from reader to writer, from new hand to old. Raise a glass of Wirra Wirra wine to the sparkle of wordplay and the turn of a good phrase. Take a look at the festival program for details of the events.
Festival highlights
Poets & Pizza at Coriole Vineyards
SOLD OUT!
Combining the Ingredients - taste the creations of SA chefs, Cheong Leiw, Salvatore Pepe and hear food reviewers David Sly and Howard Twelfetree at Willunga Farmers' Market
Saturday 15 September 11am
Free entry
Writers at Wirra Wirra
Gourmet foods, words, wine and music
Writers include - David Williamson, Ashley Mallett, Kirsty Brooks and Rory Barnes
Sun 16 Sept 11am - 4pm Free entry
Join with us for a week of sharing the delight of the written word and the splendour of a good story. Let the river of inspiration flow both ways, from reader to writer, from new hand to old. Raise a glass of Wirra Wirra wine to the sparkle of wordplay and the turn of a good phrase. Take a look at the festival program for details of the events.
Festival highlights
Poets & Pizza at Coriole Vineyards
SOLD OUT!
Combining the Ingredients - taste the creations of SA chefs, Cheong Leiw, Salvatore Pepe and hear food reviewers David Sly and Howard Twelfetree at Willunga Farmers' Market
Saturday 15 September 11am
Free entry
Writers at Wirra Wirra
Gourmet foods, words, wine and music
Writers include - David Williamson, Ashley Mallett, Kirsty Brooks and Rory Barnes
Sun 16 Sept 11am - 4pm Free entry
Sunday 5 August 2007
Ground Water use in McLaren Vale
Ground water use is lower in the McLaren Vale region, as vines mature and land use changes.
A report says the use of ground water in the McLaren Vale area, south of Adelaide, has declined by more than two-thirds in just over a decade.
The figures from the Adelaide and Mount Lofty Natural Resources Management Board show 2,900 megalitres of water were used in the 2005-06 season.
In 1994-95, the figure had been 9,100 megalitres.
A trend of wetter spring months is credited for the decline, along with changing land use and irrigation practices, maturing vines and greater use of reclaimed water.
A report says the use of ground water in the McLaren Vale area, south of Adelaide, has declined by more than two-thirds in just over a decade.
The figures from the Adelaide and Mount Lofty Natural Resources Management Board show 2,900 megalitres of water were used in the 2005-06 season.
In 1994-95, the figure had been 9,100 megalitres.
A trend of wetter spring months is credited for the decline, along with changing land use and irrigation practices, maturing vines and greater use of reclaimed water.
Thursday 12 July 2007
The Weather in McLaren Vale
The Fleurieu enjoys an idyllic Mediterranean-style climate and because it is bounded on both sides by the coast this region enjoys wonderful sea breezes. Half of the area's rainfall occurs during the four winter months April - July but the temperatures remain mild during this time, rarely lower than 15 degrees celsius.
Summer temperatures can occasionally reach 40 + degrees celsius but the hot season is tempered by magnificent cool mornings and balmy evenings .
With such a reliably temperate climate, the beach, swimming and virtually all of the outdoor pursuits are available year round.
Summer temperatures can occasionally reach 40 + degrees celsius but the hot season is tempered by magnificent cool mornings and balmy evenings .
With such a reliably temperate climate, the beach, swimming and virtually all of the outdoor pursuits are available year round.
Wine Making
The main winemaking asset of the region is the excellent quality fruit produced by the region's grape-growers. It is this great fruit that allows the skilled winemakers of the region to produce such outstanding wines.
The vineyards and the grape-growers are the most important factors in ensuring superior quality fruit. With its favourable climate and geographical factors, McLaren Vale is recognised as one of the safest places in the world to grow grapes. The grape-growers of the region are experienced and committed to working with the winemakers to produce the best fruit, and thus the best wine, possible.
While there are many small wineries, the large producers are also represented. Both the large and small wineries utilise technology to ensure quality and maintain the distinctive characters that the various micro-climates within the region brings to the wine.
The careful control of water and increasing the use of in-ground moisture monitoring ensure that grapes are fully ripened and provide the winemakers with fruit of great flavour. The introduction of drip irrigation has enabled the restoration of old Shiraz vines. These old vines are now producing the truly great Shiraz that is taking out the top wine awards around the world.
On the winemaking side there has been considerable investment in new oak barrels and improved temperature control equipment.
This has had a strong impact on the quality of the white wines of the region as well as adding tremendous character to the reds.
The vineyards and the grape-growers are the most important factors in ensuring superior quality fruit. With its favourable climate and geographical factors, McLaren Vale is recognised as one of the safest places in the world to grow grapes. The grape-growers of the region are experienced and committed to working with the winemakers to produce the best fruit, and thus the best wine, possible.
While there are many small wineries, the large producers are also represented. Both the large and small wineries utilise technology to ensure quality and maintain the distinctive characters that the various micro-climates within the region brings to the wine.
The careful control of water and increasing the use of in-ground moisture monitoring ensure that grapes are fully ripened and provide the winemakers with fruit of great flavour. The introduction of drip irrigation has enabled the restoration of old Shiraz vines. These old vines are now producing the truly great Shiraz that is taking out the top wine awards around the world.
On the winemaking side there has been considerable investment in new oak barrels and improved temperature control equipment.
This has had a strong impact on the quality of the white wines of the region as well as adding tremendous character to the reds.
Saturday 19 May 2007
Thursday 1 February 2007
McLaren Vale Vintage and Classic Day
Following the success of the inaugural event in April 2006 McLaren Vale will stage a Vintage and Classic Day.
The Vintage and Classic Day involves a celebration at vintage time with McLaren Vale Wineries hosting some of South Australia's finest Vintage and Classic cars on the last Sunday in April each year.
Considerable interest in the event is being received from both special interest car clubs and McLaren Vale wineries with 21 clubs and 12 wineries already participating.
The Vintage and Classic Day will commence with an initial gathering of vehicles at McLarens on the Lake. At approximately 11:30am all vehicles will proceed in convoy, via the Main Street taking a pre-determined route to their designated winery.
Participating wineries will host their designated car club(s) and the visiting public from 12noon with car clubs putting their vehicles on show to the public until 3:30pm.
This event will appeal to all motoring enthusiasts and the general public, provide an opportunity to visit some of McLaren Vale's outstanding wineries, meet with fellow enthusiasts and enjoy the spectacle of some of South Australia's finest vehicles.
McLaren Vale - short history
McLaren Vale is an attractive and historic town in the heart of one of South Australia's premier grape growing areas.
Located 39 km from Adelaide, McLaren Vale is a charming and substantial township surrounded by more than 40 vineyards and wineries. On every side there are fields of grapes and the signposts at various points are thick with invitations to visit cellar doors to sample the vintages and purchase the locally made wines.
It is now accepted that the town was named after David McLaren, the Colonial Manager of the South Australia Company, who arrived in the colony in 1837 and departed three years later. There is some dispute because some sources claim that town was named after a John McLaren who surveyed the area in 1839.
Until as recently as the 1920s McLaren Vale was applied to the region more than to the particular town and even today there is a feeling that the surrounding vineyards are really McLaren Vale vineyards even if they are some kilometres outside the town.
This is an area which has always been about grape growing. As early as 1850 the historic Hardy and Seaview wineries were in operation. It is widely accepted that Thomas Hardy's purchase of the Tintara vineyard in 1853 is the symbolic beginning of the town. Today the fundamental raison d'etre of the district has not changed.
Saturday 20 January 2007
Highlights
Walking Trails
20 conservation parks on the Fleurieu Peninsula offer untouched scrubland, a home to kangaroos, koalas, emus and reptiles. The Heysen Trail (Australia's longest footpath) and Kuitpo Forest are great for walking. There are several trails with graded bushwalks to explore the gorge. This park is full of native trees, birds and reptiles.
Restaurants
Throughout the area there is an enticing variety of restaurants producing gourmet meals using the area's local produce; The Salopian Inn, The Barn, Limeburners , Star of Greece and d'Arrys Verandah, among others.
Arts & Crafts
There are plenty of art and craft shops, plant nurseries, a chocolate factory and local produce..
Coast & Beaches
The region boasts kilometers of white, clean uncrowded beaches, such as Christies, Sellicks and Maslins (Australia's first nudist beach). These are found along the coast of Gulf St Vincent. A short drive away is Port Noarlunga, with an underwater trail for snorkeling and scuba diving.
Walking Trails
20 conservation parks on the Fleurieu Peninsula offer untouched scrubland, a home to kangaroos, koalas, emus and reptiles. The Heysen Trail (Australia's longest footpath) and Kuitpo Forest are great for walking. There are several trails with graded bushwalks to explore the gorge. This park is full of native trees, birds and reptiles.
Restaurants
Throughout the area there is an enticing variety of restaurants producing gourmet meals using the area's local produce; The Salopian Inn, The Barn, Limeburners , Star of Greece and d'Arrys Verandah, among others.
Arts & Crafts
There are plenty of art and craft shops, plant nurseries, a chocolate factory and local produce..
Coast & Beaches
The region boasts kilometers of white, clean uncrowded beaches, such as Christies, Sellicks and Maslins (Australia's first nudist beach). These are found along the coast of Gulf St Vincent. A short drive away is Port Noarlunga, with an underwater trail for snorkeling and scuba diving.
Welcome to Bellevue Bed & Breakfast in McLaren Vale. Contemporary in style, Bellevue B&B accommodation offers you the best the McLaren Vale wine region has to offer.
Two guest bedrooms both elegant and spacious, with private en-suite bathrooms and queen-size beds.
Enjoy gourmet three course breakfast Relax with a glass or two of local wine in the courtyard while enjoying the views over our garden towards local vineyards.
There is a selection of games, books and magazines for your perusal, along with tea and coffee making facilities in your lounge. After a day of visiting the many winery cellar doors, food outlets and cafes, what could be better for you, than walking to one the many stunning restaurants McLaren Vale has to offer?
Our B&B is located in the compact wine region of McLaren Vale less than an hour's drive south of Adelaide.....
McLaren Vale wine region…
There is so much for you to see and do when you come to stay.
McLaren Vale is less than an hour's drive from Adelaide. It is a charming township surrounded by more than 50 vineyards and wineries. The vast majority have their own cellar door, where tastings and sales are available.
On every side there are fields of grapes and signposts at various points with invitations to visit cellar doors. Olive trees dot the landscape.
McLaren Vale has a maritime climate: warm to hot dry summers and moderate winters.
The McLaren Vale Wine Region is bounded to the south by the Sellicks Hill Range, extends to the eastern side of Clarendon and includes the area around the Mount Bold Reserve, extends just to the north of Reynella (all but a few vineyards are south of the Onkaparinga River), and is bounded to the west by the waters of Gulf St Vincent.
Two guest bedrooms both elegant and spacious, with private en-suite bathrooms and queen-size beds.
Enjoy gourmet three course breakfast Relax with a glass or two of local wine in the courtyard while enjoying the views over our garden towards local vineyards.
There is a selection of games, books and magazines for your perusal, along with tea and coffee making facilities in your lounge. After a day of visiting the many winery cellar doors, food outlets and cafes, what could be better for you, than walking to one the many stunning restaurants McLaren Vale has to offer?
Our B&B is located in the compact wine region of McLaren Vale less than an hour's drive south of Adelaide.....
McLaren Vale wine region…
There is so much for you to see and do when you come to stay.
McLaren Vale is less than an hour's drive from Adelaide. It is a charming township surrounded by more than 50 vineyards and wineries. The vast majority have their own cellar door, where tastings and sales are available.
On every side there are fields of grapes and signposts at various points with invitations to visit cellar doors. Olive trees dot the landscape.
McLaren Vale has a maritime climate: warm to hot dry summers and moderate winters.
The McLaren Vale Wine Region is bounded to the south by the Sellicks Hill Range, extends to the eastern side of Clarendon and includes the area around the Mount Bold Reserve, extends just to the north of Reynella (all but a few vineyards are south of the Onkaparinga River), and is bounded to the west by the waters of Gulf St Vincent.
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