Primo Estate La Biondina 2006
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There are numerous special features like a 50 metre drying rack area, visible from the driveway entry and used for making the JOSEPH 'La Magia' botrytis wine.
At the core of the winery, suspended above head height, are five ten tonne open concrete red fermenters. These are more labour intensive but there is no doubt that the subtle aeration and warmer temperatures that they give during the fermentation phase results in wine with more soul.
Another rare sight are the three large oak casks which perpetually contain wine for the JOSEPH Sparkling Red. Shiraz going back to the mid 1980s is in this mother of all base wines.
These co-exist with the more usual temperature controlled stainless steel tanks and barrel storage.
The winery is operated by a dedicated cellar crew of four people (three of them fully trained winemakers). But if you were to ask them what is the single most important piece of equipment for producing quality wine, they would all say "the coffee espresso machine".
Sometimes light and crisp, other times rich and creamy, Bordeaux White Blends typically consist of Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon. Often, a small amount of Muscadelle or Sauvignon Gris is included for added intrigue. Popularized in Bordeaux, the blend is often mimicked throughout the New World. Somm Secret—Sauternes and Barsac are usually reserved for dessert, but they can be served before, during or after a meal. Try these sweet wines as an aperitif with jamón ibérico, oysters with a spicy mignonette or during dinner alongside hearty Alsatian sausage.
A large, climatically diverse country with incredibly diverse terrain, producing just about every wine style imaginable, Australia has a grand winemaking history and some of the oldest vines on the planet. Both red wine and white wine from Australian are wildly popular and beloved. Most of Australia's wine regions are concentrated in the south of the country with those inland experiencing warm, dry conditions and those in coastal areas receiving tropical, maritime or Mediterranean weather patterns. Australia has for several decades been at the forefront of winemaking technology and has widely adopted the use of screwcaps, even for some premium and ultra-premium bottles. Thanks to the country’s relatively agreeable climate throughout and the openness of its people, experimentation is common and ongoing.
Shiraz is indeed Australia’s most celebrated and widely planted variety; Barossa Valley leads the way, producing exceptionally bold and supple versions. Cabernet Sauvignon, Australia's second most planted variety, can be blended with Shiraz but also shines on its own particularly in Coonawarra and Margaret River. Grenache and Mourvèdre are also popular, both on their own and alongside Shiraz in Rhône Blends. Chardonnay is common throughout the country and made in a wide range of styles. Sauvignon Blanc has recently surged in popularity to compete with New Zealand’s distinctive version and Semillon is often blended in Margaret River or shines on its own in the Hunter Valley. Riesling thrives in the cool-climate Clare and Eden Valleys. Sticky-sweet fortified wine Rutherglen is a beloved regional specialty of Victoria.