After a Morning in the Barossa on Tuesday, John McDonnell of Wine Australia kindly donated this ultimate guide to the valley and its people and we promptly threw it up as a prize on Wednesday morning.

Ebenezer is the increasingly famous sub-region of the northern Barossa where Ben Glaetzer sources the grapes for the increasingly infamous Amon-Ra.

There were a modest five correct answers, one of whom was disqualified for having already scooped a book from the tasting himself. (Well, actually Lar Veale was disqualified for bringing The Shamen and Ebeneezer Goode into things, which we would all rather forget!)

So, from four, Damian Bannon was drawn from the hat this lunchtime.

Congratulations Damian, we’ll be in touch for your address and get that out to you. Enjoy what is a beautiful book.

Yesterday I had the great pleasure of attending the morning Trade tasting of the previously posted Evening in the Barossa, hosted by Wine Australia and Toby Barlow of St. Hallett Wines.

Six whites and seven reds were laid out in front of us, as Toby took us on a verbal and visual tour of the Barossa, around ten different wineries and a breadth of styles that would dispel in an instant any myth that Australia doesn’t “do” terroir.

The Barossa “region” encompasses both the Barossa Valley, famous for it’s Shirazes, and the Eden Valley, with it’s trademark Rieslings. However, both regions are about so much more, with Viognier, Pinot Gris and Semillon featured in the whites on show, and a range of stunning old vines from Grenache to Touriga Nacional (!) contributing to the series of red blends.

Now here’s the geeky (but fascinating) low-down on the land: the whole region in no more than 30km north to south and 25km east to west, encompassing both of the famous valleys. Barossa Valley itself follows a classic topography, with the valley floor varying by a maximum of 100 metres and averaging 274 metres above sea level. The Eden Valley, meanwhile, right next door to the east, has elevations ranging from 380 to over 600 metres, with most of the wine-growing located in the higher sections - this would explain how you can get crisp, steely Rieslings from vineyards only a literal stone’s throw from the powerhouse, deep red Shirazes we’re more familiar with from the Barossa Valley.

More than that, both valleys benefit from hugely diverse soil and rock structures, meaning even grapes grown in the same vineyard can add different attributes to a final wine. Combined with pockets of priceless and jealously guarded old vine plots, many over 100 years old, you can see why the Barossa is capable of stunningly complex, long-lived wines, and a range of diverse styles within.

Now, giveaway time!

John McDonnell of Wine Australia has very kindly donated a copy of “Barossa Wine Traveller” to the Curious Blog, a personal tour guide to the places, characters and flavours of the Barossa, written by Aussie wine authorities Tyson Stelzer and Grant Dodd. It’s a beautifully descriptive and pictoral tour of this fabulous region, bursting with a passion and deep love of this fantastic region. (It’s the next best thing to tasting the wines themselves, and I guarantee will have you reaching for Barossa on your next visit to a wine store!)

To win, simply answer the following question in the comment box below (hint: the answer’s in the question!):

From which sub-region of the northern Barossa Valley does Ben Glaetzer source his Shiraz for the iconic Amon-Ra?

A winner will be pulled from the hat on Friday of this week from the correct answers below.

Final and sincerest thanks to John McDonnell of Wine Australia and Toby Barlow of St. Hallett’s. If you missed the tasting last night, get yourself to the next Wine Australia event, John always puts on a great show.

The busy 2010 schedule for Wine Australia is about to get under way.

“An Evening in the Barossa” is a tutored wine tasting taking place in Dublin, all details below.

I’ve said it before, but if you manage it to make it to these events, it really will be worth your while. Not only are they great fun, but the sessions are incredibly interesting and you’ll learn loads.

When: Tuesday 26th January 2010, 6.30 – 8.00pm, followed by a 4 course dinner.

Where: The Function Room at Fallon and Byrne, 11 - 17 Exchequer Street, Dublin 2.

Booking: Cost is €65 per person and places can be booked directly with Fallon & Byrne (tel. 01 472 1000)

“With over 160 years of winemaking history, and home to some of the great names of the Australian wine world, is an evening enough time to tell the full story of the Barossa? We are delighted to welcome Toby Barlow, Winemaker at St Hallett Wines to take up that challenge and be our guide for this evening.”

If you require any further information:
Tel: +353 65 7077264   Fax: +353 65 7077264
Email: ireland@wineaustralia.com

Looks like the winter is going to be seriously busy for Wine Australia, and if nothing else, there are some great Christmas gift ideas here.

1) Barossa Tasting and Dinner

Tuesday 26th January 2010, Fallon and Byrne, Exchequer Street, Dublin 2.

Join us to celebrate Australia Day 2010 at our Evening in the Barossa. With over 160 years of wine making history, and home to some of the great names of the Australian wine world, is one evening enough time to tell the full story of the Barossa? Toby Barlow from St Hallett Wines takes up the challenge Toby will host a tasting of Barossa wines followed by a delicious 4 course meal accompanied by some of his own St Hallett wines.

The Cost; 65 Euro per person. To Book; Direct with the Restaurant at Fallon and Byrne 01 4721000

2) Australian Wine Course

February/March, Fallon and Byrne, Exchequer Street, Dublin 2.

Wine Australia, in conjunction with Fallon and Byrne, is delighted to offer a 4 week Australian wine course. Want to learn more about Australian wine, or wine in general, this could be just for you. The plan for the 4 weeks is as follows:

February Thursday 11th - Regional Heroes. Classic styles from unique locations.
February Thursday 18th - Generation Next. New regions, different styles, unusual varieties.
February Thursday 25th - Mystery Night. Let’s have some fun.
March Thursday 4th - Landmark Australia. Australia’s finest.

Presented by John Mc Donnell from Wine Australia, with fun, enjoyment and lots of delicious wines to taste (and no exam), this is an ideal wine lovers course. Tasty bites served each evening.

The Cost; 100 Euro. To Book; Direct with Dave Gallagher at Fallon and Byrne on 01 4721012

3) Wine Australia goes to the rugby - Ireland vs Italy

Saturday 6th February.

After the huge success of our outing to the Australian match last month, we’re off to the rugby again.
Join us for a delicious lunch at The Exchequer on Exchequer Street served with some tasty Italian themed Australian wines (Australian Pinot Grigio, Sangiovese or Nebbiolo anyone?). Then off to see the opening match in the Ireland’s defence of their 6 Nations crown.

The Cost; 100 euro per person (to cover the lunch, yummy wines and your match ticket). To Book; Contact our office to reserve your place as soon as possible. (065) 7077264 or ireland@wineaustralia.com

We can accommodate only 40 people so it’s a case of first in, best dressed. Places and tickets can only be confirmed on receipt of full payment, which is due by the end of December.

Click here to go to Wine Australia.