I enjoy delicate, mature wines exponentially more than their youthful, exuberant versions, and online retailers tend to have a wider selection of older wine, while most brick- and-mortar shops only have enough room to carry the latest vintages.

I enjoy browsing the nerdier ones, like North Berkeley Wine and the Rare Wine Co., which provide their own blogs or even photos of staffers’ tasting trips, essentially offering a wider experience of what it means to engage with a wine.

I’m admittedly a difficult customer, being a slightly delusional wine lover/collector, someone without deep pockets but who favors older, mostly European wines. My favorite online retailer is Mission Fine Wines, which is based in Staten Island, New York. As it turned out, that wine ultimately repaved the course of Palmiotti’s professional life. Joe was, of course, hugely enthusiastic about the wine, holding forth without an atom of snobbery or pretentiousness, his comments smart and comprehensive and nuanced, convincing me that I should try this richly fragrant, silken wine despite its “poor” vintage, promising me, too, that I could return the rest for full credit if I didn’t absolutely love it. I’ve found that most of the online retailers I regularly patronize are similarly accommodating, standing by their wines by offering credit for corked bottles (counter to what the usual stipulated “conditions of purchase” read). They want you to trust them, for it’s the only way someone will become a regular buyer, especially of more expensive, older wines; some even indicate on their websites, as Mission Fine Wines does, that they welcome visitors.

I’ve never seen such a collection of rare and valuable wine in so workaday a place. The organization is clearly a reflection of Joe’s mad-wine-genius brain, the bottles and cases arrayed in an idiosyncratic house of memory: There’s an open box of ’79 Krug Clos du Mesnil here, some ’96 Mouton there, ancient ports and Madeiras perched precariously on a narrow shelf.

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Below are a few suggestions for your first wine storage.

The proper temperature for wine is between fifty and sixty degrees. If the temp is too high, it’ll ruin swiftly. If it’s too low, it is not going toage adequately.

If the temperature changes frequently, the cork is going to grow and contract. This may lead to air getting into the wine.

Humidity might also harm wine. If the humidity is too low, the cork can dry out.

Additionally, ensure that the wine will be held in a dark spot, clear of vibrations. Wine needs to keep in touch with the cork so it won’t dry up and crack, so restrict the movements the bottles are subject to.

When considering a wine cellar – make sure the unit will fit in size. This appears apparent, but many times standalonewine storage are much larger than a regular entrance.

Another thing to think about is weight. Consider not just the load of the storage device system, but make sure you calculate Three lbs for each typical bottle of wine.

You will possibly not wish to keep your wines upstairs. This can be another reason why wine is normally kept in a cellar.

Without having a substantial amount space, you can purchase a free standing wine cellar.

Although it is not actually a cellar in the conventional perception, these are big systems that can be placed in your house or apartment.

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Cremant de Loire is one of the great-tasting sparklers that only cost about $20. This wine is inexpensive because any variety of grapes can be used to manufacture this wine. Some of the grape varieties include Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc, and Cabernet Franc, among others. Although this sparkling wine is relatively cheap, the taste is as exquisite as the next best sparkler. Cremant de Loire is sold in rose and regular variations, so you can choose the variation that suits you best. Langlois, a popular brand of this sparkler, is actually exported to other countries.

Another sparkler that is less than $20 is Blanquette de Limoux. This wine has existed long before Champagne was produced. Monks from the Abbey of Saint Hilaire were the first ones to manufacture this flavorsome sparkler. Actually, the taste of this wine is like a combination of apples and its peelings. In fact, it is said that the former US President, Thomas Jefferson, loved the taste of this wine. Among the most popular brands of Blanquette de Limoux are Brut and Saint-Hilaire. These brands also come in sweet and extra-dry variations.

Many different types of this particular wine are produced in the United States. Perhaps this is because several French champagne producers are now based in the US, like Roederer in Mendocino, Tattinger in Napa Valley, and also Domaine Chandon. The most commonly used grapes for such wines are Pinot Blanc, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier, as well as Chardonnay. The less expensive of these wines in the US are the ones made by Totts, Cooks, and Andre.

These are only some of the popular countries that are known to manufacture one of the best fizzy and bubbly champagne in the world. As you can see, this particular wine is called a lot of names, depending on the country that manufactures it. Because different countries grow and cultivate several varieties of grapes, the taste of this bubbly wine may vary, but the mood it may create during an occasion remains the same.

There are many online wine companies that offer inexpensive but fine quality sparkling wine. Look for websites that are known for selling authentic wines at a reasonable price. Celebrate any special event with an exquisite beverage that everybody can enjoy.

Aside from serving as an elegant drink with your ordered food, you can also appreciate the white wine for its versatility. It is not just limited to the wine glass this time. You can even add flavor to any dish that you want by putting in a bit of the sweet white wine. This works best for your choice of seafood or white meat that you wish to cook. This adds a totally different aspect to the purpose of wines.

It is not only known as perfect for cooking seafood and white meat but also great to cap off an excellently cooked meal during the day. A bottle of white wine would also be perfect for other kinds of meals that are heavy on the belly. It enhances the different flavors of the food and puts in a burst of tang into it. The sweet white wine may just be the push that you need to add some zest to your day.

It is the same flavor and light effect that makes white wines highly recommended during the spring and summer seasons. The refreshing taste of a good bottle of spirit is what your taste buds will need on such days when you need to unwind. Wouldn’t you appreciate drinking a cool glass of sparkling white wine beside the pool? It can always be your best partner to cool down on days when you especially need it.

More importantly, you, as a consumer, are the one who will be able to attest to the true uniqueness of white wines. Your first-hand account of how its flavor creates a difference to your meals would be all that matters. As you do, you can, then, ponder on keeping a bottle of the white spirit in your cellar. This will ensure that you will be able to enjoy sweet white wine anytime you wish. You simply have to make use of the internet to be able to find an affordable one in online stores. By then, you can make other people appreciate the same things you have learned to enjoy about white wines. You just have to be creative enough to determine its uniqueness, so you can enjoy your bottle to the last drop.

If you are on the road towards discovering the secrets and potentials of the sweet white wine online, you may just be on the right page. The perfect website should be able to give you an affordable one, so you can enjoy the spirits for as long as you want.

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.)

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

Cabernet Sauvignon is harvested in late March. Less famous than McLaren Vale Shiraz, but equally enchanting, Cabernet Sauvignon from McLaren Vale continues to display the rich ripe characters that typify wines from this region. Violet and blackcurrant flavours, vibrant plum, mint and edges of liquorice and a touch of McLaren Vale’s trademark dark chocolate character are common.

Grenache is harvested in late April. It is the ancient type of vine widely planted in France and Spain. It is the backbone of many of the worlds red and fortified wines. Grenache vines were removed from McLaren Vale in the 1980s when demand for fortified wines fell. Since the late 1990s Grenache has been enjoying a resurgence of popularity as table wine. The soils of McLaren Vale are particularly suited to this variety. However in wet years it can be difficult to grow well as it can produce big bunches of grapes which make a less concentrated wine. In the best vintages Grenache displays nuances of plum, mulberry and tobacco leaf, spice and mint characters with earthy overtones.

Chardonnay is harvested in mid March. This is the major white variety of McLaren Vale. The most pronounced and distinctive feature is ripe peaches, with the wine from cooler sites displaying white peach. These wines maintain elegance and generally have long cellaring potential. Some McLaren Vale Chardonnay also features ripe melon, banana, fig and cashew nut flavours – rich and generous with pure elegance.

Sauvignon Blanc is harvested in early March. Sauvignon Blanc from McLaren Vale has distinctive varietal characters of tropical fruit, green olives and asparagus, and a full-flavoured palate with a clean, fresh acid finish. Sauvignon Blanc grown in McLaren Vale reaches relatively high sugar levels compared with other wine regions growing this variety. The variety shows herbaceous, gooseberry, passionfruit and lychee aromas.

Petit Verdot is one of Bordeaux’s classic red grape varieties. It is a very thick-skinned grape that produces a wine of considerable depth, peppery, spicy and fragrant. Geoff Johnston of Pirramimma planted the first Australian plot at McLaren Vale in 1983 and it is only now that this wine is being recognised elsewhere. Demand for cuttings of this variety has expanded rapidly and more wines will be presented to the market in the future. Petit Verdot grapes produce wine that has the colour intensity and spice of Shiraz, but with added fragrance of violets, which makes the nose very attractive.

Sangiovese is an Italian variety that does well in low fertility soils and a warm dry climate. It is slow to ripen and produces wine high in acid and tannin. The wine is deep in colour and aroma, and good for long cellaring. Sangiovese is harvested in McLaren Vale in late March early April.

Tempranillo is a Spanish variety that produces a red wine that matures quickly and can be ready for drinking in the year of vintage. In Spain Tempranillo is one of the most popular reds and when blended with Carignan it makes the best red wine of the Rioja region.

Verdelho is a Portuguese white wine variety that likes low vigour soils and a warm dry climate, Verdelho has been around for some time and is enjoying an increase in popularity. It produces wines that are vivacious, fruit salad-like, dry, and best when drunk young and fresh.

Viognier is an exotic variety introduced from France where the best wines are produced in the Condrieu region. This variety exhibits exotic aromas of apricot and musk, and light oak and malolactic character; with rose, nectarine and white peach, McLaren Vale Viognier is spicy and complex with a huge spectrum of flavours.

Zinfandel is a thin-skinned grape that needs dry conditions to avoid rotting. Bunches ripen unevenly, requiring careful picking to ensure the true character is available to be further developed by the winemaker. Zinfandel is spicy in character without being particularly heavy.

The McLaren district has many different soil types and this contributes to the wines from the area having different terroir. The vineyards are planted on soils including fertile red-brown earths, terra rossa, rendzina, soft sands and dark cracking clays. Each of these soil types contributes to the rich diversity of wine produced by the winemakers of the region. Overall our soils have one common trait; they are free draining which means they hold very little water. This is, in fact, an advantage, as it allows the accurate control of moisture to the vines through the use of state-of-the-art drip irrigation. Because of reliable winter rain, irrigation can be kept to low levels and manipulated to achieve the production of superior fruit.

Some soil types allow grapes to be dry-grown. Approximately 20% of the total crop is dry-grown. These dry-grown vines are renowned for small fruit size, which is sought after for the intensity of its flavour. Most vineyards are found on gently undulating land at about 100 m above sea level. In the foothills of the Mt Lofty Ranges to the east, where there is a scattering of vineyards, elevation rises to 320 m. In the north around Blewitt Springs elevation is around 200 m. These variations in elevation have a significant impact on the terroir and fruit produced in the vineyards.

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A first attempt failed, but with determination, other settlers managed to successfully cultivate vines. As a result, Australian wine was available for sale domestically by the 1820s, and began to be exported from 1822. The production and quality of Australian wine was much improved by the arrival of free settlers from various parts of Europe, who used their skills and knowledge to establish some of Australia’s premier wine regions. Cleanskin wines were introduced into Australia during the early 2000s. Intake of wine in Australia has greatly increased since the introduction of cleanskins and many cleanskin varieties are now sold as cheaply as beer. In recent years organic and biodynamic wines have been increasing in popularity, following a worldwide trend.The beginnings of the Australian wine industry go as far back 1788 when vine cuttings from South Africa were brought to Australia by Governor Phillip. A first attempt failed, but with determination, other settlers managed to successfully cultivate vines.

Being one of the top wine producers in the world, Australia’s wine industry has become a massive help to country’s economy. Because of the trend, Australian wines are no longer confined to bars and wineries in the country. These wines have made its way to the European market and can even be found in famous restaurants across Europe and other parts of the world. With this, the Australian wine trend will surely continue in years to come. www.curtisfamilyvineyards.com

The main grape varieties in Australia are Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Smillon, and Riesling. Vitis vinifera varieties came from Europe and South Africa in the late 18th and early 19th century. Some varieties like Cienna and Tarrango have been cultivated by Australian viticulturalists. Commercial winemakers in Australia use about 130 different grape varieties. Of late many winemakers have begun using varieties from France, Italy and Spain like Petit Verdot, Pinot Grigio, Sangiovese, Tempranillo and Viognier. Australians have innovated in canopy management and other viticultural techniques for wine-making.

Producer Groups: The top 5 wine making groups according to the latest surveys include: The Foster’s Group, Hardy Wine Company, Casella Wines, Orlando Wines & McGuigan Simoen Wines. A list of the major wine companies in Australia and their associated wineries with ranking can be found below:

1. Foster’s Wine Estates: Wolf Blass, Wynns, Penfolds,

2. Constellation Brands: Hardy Wine Company,

3. Pernod Ricard Pacific

4. Casella Wines

Taylors Wines

5. McGuigan Simeon Wines

6. De Bortoli Winery

7. The Yalumba Wine Company

Lion Nathan

winery

1. Penfolds Grange has become Australia’s most famous wine .Wine critic Hugh Johnson has called Grange the ‘only first growth of the southern hemisphere’. The influential Robert M. Parker, Jr., wine critic, well known for his love of Bordeaux wines, has declared that Grange “has replaced Bordeaux’s Ptrus as the world’s most exotic and concentrated wine”. Penfolds have produced wines of remarkable quality for over a century and a half. They are recognized leaders in the development of modern Australian fine wine. Penfolds Grange Hermitage in 1951 brought changes in the scene of Australian fine wine. Since then, Penfolds have come out with a series of standout wines; both red and white. Two versions of Grange came out in 1953, one 87% Shiraz and 13% Cabernet Sauvignon, the other 100% Cabernet Sauvignon. The quantity of Penfolds Grange produced is a carefully guarded secret. The first vintage of Penfolds Grange was made by winemaker Max Schubert in 1951 after learning wine-making techniques in Bordeaux. He then created a red wine equal to the finest Bordeaux wines in quality and ageing potential. Bottles of the 1951 vintage are sold at auctions as much as A$ 50,000. Australia’s 850 or so wineries produce only a third of what is produced in California. The reasonably priced, excellent wines are appreciated across the whole world. Chardonnay is now the third most popular wine after Shiraz. Cabernet Shiraz the Australian counterpart of the French Syrah grape from the northern Rhne Valley has also received good reviews.

2. Wolf Blass , established in 1966 , is a leading winemaker of the Foster’s group .They are , based in South Australia’s Barossa Valley. Their winery, the largest winery in the Barossa Valley ,has won many awards and it has substantial exports to the United Kingdom.

3. Lindemans, also from The Foster’s Group was founded in 1843 by Henry Lindeman, who planted its first vines in New South Wales. This winery now has vineyards in Padthawayand at Karadoc ,South Australia. Bin 65 chardonnay of Lindemans is Australia’s top white-wine export .Its five consecutive vintages have been named “best buys” by The Wine Spectator, a consumer magazine.In his newsletter The Wine Advocate.Robert M. Parker, Jr. has called it “one of the three or four finest chardonnay values in the world”

4. Rosemount is based in Hunter Valley and South Australia. Started in 1969 by Bob Oatley , it was Australia’s largest family owned winery. In 2005 it was bought out by the Foster’s Group. Rosemount’s first product was a Chardonnay-Smillon labeled as Pinot Riesling.

5. Hardy Wine Co is the world’s largest individual wine making firm. It was founded by Thomas Hardy in 1850s South Australia. Wine making became so successful for him, that he was selling wines both locally and in England, and so was able to purchase the Tintara Vineyard Company in 1876. In 1992 Thomas Hardy & Sons and Berri Renmano Limited merged to become Australia’s second largest wine group, BRL Hardy Limited. In 2003, the brands of BRL Hardy and those of Constellation Brands were merged to create the world’s largest international wine business, and BRL Hardy Limited became the Hardy Wine Company.

6. Jacob’s Creek is exported to over 60 countries. It is owned and produced by Orlando Wines in the Barossa Valley. In 1847 Johann Gramp, the founder of Orlando Wines, planted some of the first grape vines in the Barossa Valley along the banks of Jacob’s Creek. The 1973 vintage Shiraz Cabernet Malbec was the first wine released with the Jacob’s Creek label in 1976. Its high quality is very popular in Australia, and around the world. Jacob’s Creek fruit is sourced from different regions within South East Australia, to avoid seasonal variations and improve the quality of the wine.

7. De Bortoli Wines is one of the larger privately owned companies in Australia. De Bortoli makes a wide range of wines including the world acclaimed sweet white Noble One. De Bortoli Wines was established in 1928 by Vittorio and Giuseppina De Bortoli and rapidly expanded under the direction of their son, the late Deen De Bortoli. Today the company is in the hands of the third generation. De Bortoli Wines owns three wineries in three diverse wine growing regions: Bilbul near Griffith in the Riverina region of New South Wales, Near Cessnock in the Hunter Valley region of New South Wales, and Dixons Creek near Yarra Glen in the Yarra Valley in Victoria. The company has vineyards in the same regions as its wineries, as well as in King Valley in Victoria.

8. Yalumba is Australia’s oldest family owned winery, and is located near Angaston, South Australia in the Barossa Valley. It was founded by British brewer, Samuel Smith, who immigrated to Australia with his family from Wareham, Dorset in August 1847. Six generations and more than 150 years later Yalumba, has grown in size and stature, embodying all that has made the Australian wine success story the envy of winemakers the world over.

9. Yellowglen is Australia’s #1 sparkling wine brand, or as they say down-under, “champers”. Yellow was launched in 1996, and Pink splashed on the scene in 2003. Today they are Australia’s favorite sparkling wines. They are loved as they look fabulous and they taste delicious.

10. Berri Estates Winery was established in 1924, when a group of grape growers formed a Co-operative Distillery to manage surplus grape production. Berri Estates Winery is situated at Glossop in the heart of South Australia’s Riverland between Berri and Barmera.The majestic River Murray nourishes premium grapes for the wine, together with the Mediterranean climate. The Berri Estates winery is Australia’s largest single winery and distillery complex, processing 70,000 tons of grapes annually. It is well equipped with modern drainage, pressing, clarifying and chilling facilities to guarantee the quality of all its products.

Australian Wine Regions:

The highest production of wine comes from grapes grown in the warm Murray-Darling Basin zones of Lower Murray, North Western Victoria , Big Rivers Fleurieu, and Limestone Coast. The higher-value premium wines are often made in cooler regions.

Australian wines often win gold medals against French, Spanish, and Italian wineries. Australian wine history is rich as and exciting as the millions of people who populate the country today.

Australian Grape Varieties:

The Riesling class of wines has a tremendous fan following. The Clare and Eden valleys are famous for this variety. They have zippy acidity, fresh lime and lemon flavours, and a re often laden with blossom fragrance which makes them a perfect choice for the hot summer twilights .As of 2004, Riesling is the world’s 20th most grown variety at 48,700 hectares (120,000 acres), with an increasing trend. Importantly for a quality wine, it is in the “top three” white wine varieties together with Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc

Called “crisp, elegant, and fresh” by wine experts, the Sauvignon blanc and blends are vibrant, full of tropical and citrus fruit flavours, and sometimes with a faint dash of a herbal and grassy character. They are mostly Adelaide Hills labels. Sauvignon blanc is a green-skinned grape variety originally from the Bordeaux region of France, now widely cultivated in Australia. The flavor ranges from aggressively grassy to sweetly tropical depending on climate.

Semillon grapes whose aged styles are popular the world over are grown in the Hunter Valley.It is a popular varietal wine of Australia. Its flavors can range from honey to flowers to spice. As it ages it becomes more full-bodied and opulent. Semillion originates from Bordeaux, where it is blended with Sauvignon Blanc to make the dry white wine of the region.

It is said that Viognier was introduced, along with Syrah, to the Rhone Valley during the Roman occupation. The white grape variety faced near extinction just a few decades ago .It was discovered in a small area in Rhone and some enthusiasts using modern viticulture techniques made it one of the most popular varieties especially for those who don’t like the aggressive characters in Sauvignon blanc. Viognier is now planted in France, Italy, California and Australia and goes well with aromatic or mildly spiced dishes.

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Whatever path you adopt, such as signing up for a wine of month club or a number of other wine clubs, there are some things that you should consider in advance. First of all, take some time to look around, as you will discover that every club may offer their own unique benefits. One more aspect you need to check into is the prices you will be paying to become listed on one of these clubs. Your best approach is to locate a club that allows you various packages, like a month-to-month deal, three-month, six-month or even twelve month package.

The reason for this is because it lets you test the club out by only joining a monthly package, hence not squandering cash in the event that you aren’t satisfied with the overall service you’ll be getting. If on the other hand you sense that it must be definitely worth the cash you have been paying out, then you can certainly simply change your deal to a twelve month package so that you obtain a good rate.

A number of the benefits that you will harvest from these clubs could be very interesting. As an example, you could see yourself obtaining two bottles of hand-picked wines from wine experts sent to you on a monthly period, and this may likewise cover the shipping charges. Several clubs will include an additional bottle of red wine, while some might be concentrating more about the instructive facet of this remarkable drink.

Therefore, to ensure that you find the best club for your needs, it is crucial that you do intensive study on each of them till you are content with the information you could have collected. It’s also in your greatest interest to communicate with other wine lovers, because they can provide you with their feel on what they believe is an excellent quality club for wine lovers. One way to discover individuals that are enthusiastic about wine just like you is as simple as checking out a lot of the discussion boards that are focused on this subject, since this will allow you to effortlessly communicate with others who have parallel tastes to you.

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The Christmas meal is the time to serve rich and flavourful wines. When the meal host wants to buy wine, and when they consider the type of wine to purchase, it would be best for them to select a few bottles of white wines, a few of red wines, and maybe a few bottles of champagne. If the Christmas meal host is feeling financially overwhelmed, then it would be best for them to go online to find wine deals. Guest will quickly drink through bottles of wine, and it would be best for a host to be able to find good deals in order to not run out of wine to serve.

Christmas meals usually include a nice roast turkey, a roast chicken, or some other large roast meat. Red wines go well with nice winter meals. A dinner host should buy wine that has a smooth finish, with rich berry notes. These flavours go well with roast meat, and with side dishes such as vegetables and potatoes. However, there are rich white wines that should be considered for the holiday dinner host who wants to buy wine for their guests, a Sauterne to go with foie gras for example.

The dinner host should buy wine, particularly white wine with rich fruit notes such as apples or pears. These are perfect white wines to drink with white meat roast. These wines pair well with turkey, with chicken, or even with pork. Some people have seafood dishes as their Christmas meals, so these types of wine are appropriate in this case as well. Of course, seafood dishes traditionally go well with white wines. In any case, there will always be guest that either want red wine, white wine, or a little bit of both. Good deals on wine will help any Christmas meal host to make sure that they have enough wine on hand to satisfy everyone’s tastes and needs.

This time of year, many online wine retailers will be featuring attractive offers, in order to entice others to buy wine in higher volumes than usual. It would be best for a Christmas meal host to contact the online retailer, and ask them if they would offer special wine deals for customers who would like to make a high volume purchases of wine.

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The new faces behind the Curtis Family Vineyards are Mark, Thomas & Jenna Curtis, with the guidance of their father, Claudio Curtis who lives on the vineyard just outside McLaren Vale. The name Curtis is thought to derive from Curtius, a noble and wealthy family of the First and Second Centuries AD, the Roman Empire era originating from the Latinium people.

Records show that the Curtis Family name first appeared in Cervaro in 1471, a town established by the Latinium tribe in Central Italy around the Second Century AD. Cervaro is situated approximately 10klms south of the monastery town of Monte Cassino, the site of some of the bitterest fighting between the Allied and German forces in Italy during World war II. Winemaking – Red grapes are harvested at optimum flavour levels, after testing and monitoring of the maturity development, in the cool of the day and then destemmer crushed into fermentation tanks.

Records show that the Curtis Family name first appeared in Cervaro in 1471, a town established by the Latinium tribe in Central Italy around the Second Century AD. Cervaro is situated approximately 10klms south of the monastery town of Monte Cassino, the site of some of the bitterest fighting between the Allied and German forces in Italy during World war II. Winemaking – Red grapes are harvested at optimum flavour levels, after testing and monitoring of the maturity development, in the cool of the day and then destemmer crushed into fermentation tanks.

The first owner of what is now Curtis Family Vineyard was Mr Phillip Hollins, purchased in 1849 from the SA Land Company having been surveyed in 1839 by Mr John McLaren. Mr Hollins had large land holdings in Noarlunga through to McLaren Vale and was also owner of the famous Horseshoe Inn on the banks of the Onkaparinga River in Noarlunga, a necessity for horse drawn carriages travelling south from Adelaide.

Mr Hollins died in 1876 and willed his land to Alexander Birrell, formerly of Norwood. Both owners employed farmers to work the land in the district.

On this section prior to 1876, a small house with a cellar was built for the workmen consisting of a kitchen (slate floor), dining and bedroom, these rooms form the nucleus of the house today, which is now on another title.

The property south of the original house was planted with vines. The varieties were Shiraz, Grenache and Mataro. The working of the vineyard was with horse drawn implements. Five horses were bought with the property and had been trained by Mr Stock. Bill Rivers can remember one horse called Roger, which was particularly good at his job. He was trained to pull the finishing off plough (which is still on the property today). If by chance the plough hit a vine, the horse would stop until all was righted. The vines were removed in the mid 1950\’s and the land used for cropping and dairying.

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Dureza is a dark-skinned grape variety from the Ardche region in France that has all but disappeared from the vineyards, and the preservation of such varieties is a speciality of Montpellier. Mondeuse Blanche is a white grape variety cultivated in the Savoy region, and is still found in very small amounts in that region’s vineyards today. Both varieties are somewhat obscure today and have never achieved anything near Syrah’s fame or popularity, and there is no record of them ever having been cultivated at long distances from their present home. Thus, both Syrah’s parents come from a limited area in southeastern France, very close to northern Rhne. Based on these findings, the researchers have concluded that Syrah originated from northern Rhne.

The DNA typing leaves no room for doubt in this matter, and the numerous other hypotheses of the grape’s origin which have been forwarded during the years all completely lack support in form of documentary evidence or ampelographic investigations, be it by methods of classical botany or DNA.

Instead, they seem to have been based primarily or solely on the name or synonyms of the variety. Because of varying orthography for grape names, especially for old varieties, this is in general very thin evidence. Despite this, origins such as Syracuse or the Iranian city of Shiraz have been proposed.[6]

The parentage information does however not reveal how old the grape variety is, i.e., when the pollination of a Mondeuse Blanche vine by Dureza took place, leading to the original Syrah seed plant. In the year AD 77, Pliny the Elder wrote in his Naturalis Historia about the wines of Vienne (which today would be called Cte-Rtie), where the Allobroges made famous and prized wine from a dark-skinned grape variety that had not existed some 50 years earlier, in Virgil’s age.[7] Pliny called the vines of this wine Allobrogica, and it has been speculated that it could be today’s Syrah. However, the description of the wine would also fit, for example, Dureza[2] and Pliny’s observation that the vines of Allobrogica was resistant to cold is not entirely consistent with Syrah.

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