News

Presented by Sommeliers Australia, as part of the Melbourne Food & Wine Festival

Venue: Ormond Hall, Prahran

Date: Sunday 6th March 2011 12:30pm until 5pm

The afternoon was destined to be a success: the sun was shining, not a rain cloud in site and Ormond Hall a perfect historical backdrop for what ended up being a delightful long lunch! Arriving with a good friend we were greeted in the courtyard with a glass of Mumm ‘Cordon Rouge’ Brut, NV poured from magnums - thank you very much!

Another trophy for one of our wineries, this time Warner Glen Estate, from Margaret River takes the Trophy for Best Still Rosé for their Frog Belly Rosé of Syrah, 2010 vintage.

Selador Wines are thrilled to announce that Lamont Pinot Noir 2007 was awarded Trophy for ‘Best Pinot Noir’ at the Sydney International Wine Competition 2011. We are thrilled for the owners Jude Coleman and Lindsay McLachlan. Their brand has been strongly supported by some of New Zealand’s best restaurants and fine wine outlets and in just 18 months has done the same in Melbourne.

In somewhat of an upset result, progressive new producer, Soumah of Yarra Valley has seen its 2010 Savarro (100% Savagnin Blanc) head off a large array of Chardonnay and Pinot Gris, to pick up the People’s Choice of Best White Wine at this month’s Yarra Valley and Gippsland regional showcase at Melbourne’s Federation Square.

One doesn’t have to be in the wine industry to know there is a current oversupply in the market. Wine has never been more available and at such keen prices. Cleanskin products and ‘buyers own brand’ wines (think home brand in supermarket terms) can be found everywhere, and established known brands can be purchased at prices well below their value.

Following the launch of Australia’s First Families of Wine (AFFW) in August 2009, members Brown Brothers, Campbell’s, d’Arenberg, De Bortoli, Henschke, Howard Park, Jim Barry, McWilliam’s, Tahbilk, Taylors, Tyrrells, and Yalumba have been educating, travelling and promoting not only their history, regionality but genuine quality of wine to both trade and consumers alike. They have targeted both a domestic and international audience, drawing upon close to $1,000,000 of their own funds with the welcome addition of $430,000 from the ‘Promoting Australian Produce grant.

Over the Christmas break I had the time to catch up on several wine industry publications that had been gathering dust on my desk. Of interest was an article in Wine Business Monthly (November issue) by Nathan Gogoll, discussing how many ‘private labels’ and ‘supermarket labels’ existed. The number is so extensive that Sarah Collingwood has launched a website to address the issue.

It was with great interest that I not only read the article but visited the website.

Growing up many of us have heard the phrase ‘think before you speak’ well the concept of ‘Drink Australian’ coming from McLaren Vale winemaker Stephen Pannell is all about ‘think before you drink’. Wine consumers in Australia have everything going for them at the moment as the ‘over-supply’ of wine continues, the choice of brands is endless and prices are keen.

Selador Wines will be closed from midday on the 24th December 2010, reopening on the 4th January 2011.

A quick reminder of our trading hours for the festive season:

Last orders for 2010, must be received by midday on Thursday 23rd December - for delivery on Friday 24th December 2010 in the morning, there will be no afternoon deliveries.

First orders for 2011, must be received by 1pm on Tuesday 4th January 2011 for delivery on Wednesday 5th January 2010.

After that it's business as usual.

Wondering what you will select to drink on Christmas day? Or perhaps you still need to purchase a gift or two and were thinking about wine? We can assist with our selection of Christmas Packs, a six pack of wine that includes the essential sparkling, dessert wine, Liqueur Shiraz (think Port) and 3 other wines in each pack.