western australia – Welcome to Wine Idealism…

April 17, 2015September 26, 2015

‘Of Place And Time’ – The Future of Australian Wine

In evolutionary biology, punctuated equilibrium theory states, ‘that most species once formed will exhibit little net evolutionary change for most of their geological history, remaining in an extended state of stasis.’ However, when a significant evolutionary change does occur, the theory proposes that it is generally restricted to a rare, but rapid event (on a geological time scale), … Continue reading ‘Of Place And Time’ – The Future of Australian Wine

February 27, 2015February 27, 2015

‘Beloved Adventures in Natural Wine’ – Amato Vino, WA

Brad Wehr is a West Australian winemaker/marketer, better known for his progressively off beat Wine By Brad label, which he established in 2003 as, “a bit of fun on the side to whatever else I was doing at the time,” he says. “(Wine By Brad) was a bit of a crazy, quirky label that was very unique for … Continue reading ‘Beloved Adventures in Natural Wine’ – Amato Vino, WA

December 12, 2014April 3, 2017

To Be, Or Not To Be… Certified Authenticity?

To be, or not to be… that is the question. Whether ’tis nobler in the mind to know that your vineyard is organic or biodynamic, and let it be thus, or to seek independent third party certification from one of the many certification organisations in Australia and New Zealand, and prove, once and for all, … Continue reading To Be, Or Not To Be… Certified Authenticity?

October 3, 2014December 11, 2014

Cheers Newcastle! – What’s In Your Glass? 2014

I bought a wall planner on Friday the 3rd of January, took it home and laid it out flat, on the living room floor. I started looking at dates over 6 months away which I thought would be suitable to host a wine event, which I’d created and co-organised last year called, “What’s In Your … Continue reading Cheers Newcastle! – What’s In Your Glass? 2014

September 26, 2014December 11, 2014

What’s In Your Glass? Salty Wine? – Newcastle, NSW

Six bottles of perfectly good wine have been sitting at the bottom of the ocean at a depth of about 8 metres, in order to find out what happens when you submerge wine under water and age it for three months. Will the increased pressure cause the bottles to explode? If not, will they make it … Continue reading What’s In Your Glass? Salty Wine? – Newcastle, NSW

September 19, 2014December 11, 2014

‘The Young Turks’ – The Future of Australian Winegrowing

Enthusiasm is one of those emotions usually reserved for children and young people, as they set out on their adventurous life journey. Poised with limitless possibilities and potential, bound up with excitement and energy that promises to take them as far as they dare to dream. As the years roll on, however, time has a … Continue reading ‘The Young Turks’ – The Future of Australian Winegrowing

August 29, 2014December 11, 2014

‘Organic Convictions’ – Harris Organic Wines, Swan Valley, W.A.

“Chemicals are expensive and not good for you, or the environment,” says Duncan Harris from Harris Organic Wines, in the Swan Valley, 30 minutes drive north-west of Perth, Western Australia, “so it’s safer to just leave them out.” Duncan Harris is a Swan Valley winegrower and was brought up on a mixed farm in Tasmania, … Continue reading ‘Organic Convictions’ – Harris Organic Wines, Swan Valley, W.A.

July 11, 2014November 13, 2015

‘Natural Wine, Defined’ – The Chicken Nugget Argument

Placing the word ‘natural’ in front of the word ‘wine’, without any apology, or fear of reprisal, the considered use of quotation marks, or adding the phrase ‘so-called’, in order to soften the divisive blow that strikes upon wine’s face whenever the words natural and wine meet one another, is finally a risk I’m willing to … Continue reading ‘Natural Wine, Defined’ – The Chicken Nugget Argument

June 27, 2014December 11, 2014

‘Giving Nature a Freehand’ – Freehand Wines, WA

On a north-east facing ridge, which slopes down towards the banks of the Hay River near Mount Barker, in Western Australia’s Great Southern wine region, there lies a biodynamically managed vineyard, flanked by Blue Gums and olive trees, set against a big sky, and comprised of shiraz, merlot, cabernet, semillon and sauvignon blanc wine grape varieties. … Continue reading ‘Giving Nature a Freehand’ – Freehand Wines, WA

June 13, 2014June 12, 2014

‘The Rising Tide of Organic Wine in Australia’ – The Wine Idealist

The idea of letting mother nature take care of things in the vineyard to make for healthier vines, and better tasting wines might seem a little crazy than conventional wisdom would suggest, but the zeitgeist is starting to change. Consumers are becoming more aware of the food and drink choices they make, which is reflected … Continue reading ‘The Rising Tide of Organic Wine in Australia’ – The Wine Idealist