Waipara wine region avoids worst of the quake
The death toll is continuing to rise from last weeks devastating earthquake in Christchurch, New Zealand. The official number is over 100 confirmed dead, with more than 200 people still missing.
Curious Wine Blog
Calling all to-be-weds: Wedding Wine Survey 2011
It's almost two years since we did our first (and last) wedding wine survey so we thought it about time we gauged the views of prospective to-be-weds again to see how views have changed. This time we've teamed up with the fabulous and gorgeous Weddingdates.
Decarbonising becoming a matter of economic survival
More and more wineries are now taking action over climate change, and it's not just because they're seeking little Greenpeace stickers on their bottles.
Ecova lightening the load
We got a news shot a few months back to say our 2010 South African wines under the Paarl Heights label would be packaged in new Burgundy-shaped Ecova bottles (pictured). First I'd heard of it, but apparently they use 25% less glass than the traditional bottle.
Amarone or Chianti with your beef lasagne?
An all time classic I've been meaning to nail for a while now. Prepare your bolognese sauce beforehand. I think it actually gets better after being in the freezer for a while, so do a few batches sometime you feel like spaghetti bolognese.
Cortese: What art thou?
It sounds like a girls name, but in fact Cortese is another addition to your vast vocabulary of obscure Italian grape varieties. This is never going to be your next Sauvignon Blanc or Chardonnay. It's not a crowd pleaser in the way these noble grape varieties usually are.
Mechanical harvesting the way to go?
It's one of the great advances in the modern wine industry.
Wine analysis machine could help airport security
Chemistry professor Matthew Augustine could hold the key to reforming airport security procedures should his wine analysis technology be appropriately tailored for the United States Homeland Security.
Sweet Potato Soup
I think Matt should have spoken to victims of my cooking before asking me to roll up my sleeves and put on my pinny this week, but then you can't really go wrong with soup.
Wine Australia launches apluswines.com
The recent launch of apluswines. com is a very welcome addition to Wine Australia's armoury, providing a much more approachable, consumer-friendly website, supported by a social media presence through Twitter and Facebook.
Counterfeit wine causing headaches
They may not cause a worse headache than what you'll get from your average wine, but they're certainly causing a different kind of headache for the government authorities attempting to crack down on wine fraud involving fake, counterfeits, which is currently at an all time high.
Ricotta & Spinach Cannelloni
With our headline promotion on Italian wines continuing until the end of this month, I think it appropriate to match classic Italian food with classic Italian wine. So here we go.
A little learning: beginners’ wine course returns to Curious
By now, the more ambitious New Year! New You! projects may be losing their charm, in which case there'll be room in your diary for a gentle blend of education and socialising as Jack Barrett's informal and extremely useful wine appreciation course returns to Curious Wines at 7. 30pm on Tuesday 1st March.
A little learning: beginners' wine course returns to Curious
By now, the more ambitious New Year! New You! projects may be losing their charm, in which case there'll be room in your diary for a gentle blend of education and socialising as Jack Barrett's informal and extremely useful wine appreciation course returns to Curious Wines at 7. 30pm on Tuesday 1st March.
February specials: Malbec, McLaren Vale and old favourites
Anyone taking the pledge for January it's time to get over it! February's here and we've another barrel-full of tasty temptations to whisk you around the wonderful world of wine. First up is a new look and new blend for the great value Tesoro de los Andes from Argentina.
The scores are in & Stelvin wins (for the whites anyway)
Had I had the motivation I would have done it myself, but I'm not the one bottling over 10,000 cases next month.
Rachel's slow-roast shoulder of pork & chocolate crème brûlée
Following on from Thursday's interview with Rachel Allen, we include two sumptuous recipes showing exactly why she is one of Ireland's most popular chefs.
Rachel Allen talks to Curious Wines
A native of Dublin, Rachel left home at the age of eighteen to study at the world famous Ballymaloe Cookery School. To date, she has released five best selling cookery books (click here to view) and her very own cookery programme has been broadcast on RTE and BBC.
No recession in wine market for Lloyd Webber
Imaging not having enough room to store your grand wine collection and having to flog it off to China. What a pain. That's what Lord Lloyd Webber had to do this month, except it wasn't quite as painful as you might think, fetching a tidy £3.
Rediscovering Lombardy during après-ski
There's nothing better to blow away the post Christmas winter blues than a good skiing holiday. And I mean nothing!I spent last week in Livigno in Northern Italy, a picturesque town in the Alps, almost 2,000 metres above sea level bordering Switzerland.
Bleasdale: The awesome Australian Malbec & more (3/3)
This month we're celebrating over 160 years of unbroken winemaking history. Direct from Langhorne Creek, every Irish wine drinker now has access to one of the most exciting range of wines Australia has to offer. Our range from Bleasdale is on offer until the end of January.
Bleasdale: The vineyards & the winemaking at Langhorne Creek (2/3)
This month we're celebrating over 160 years of unbroken winemaking history. Direct from Langhorne Creek, every Irish wine drinker now has access to one of the most exciting range of wines Australia has to offer. Our range from Bleasdale is on offer until the end of January.
Lemongrass soy chicken skewers
This is a handy recipe passed to my mother many years ago, perhaps it was even a little ahead of its time in Ireland it was that long ago. Although I love satay chicken skewers, this is a nice change with the lemongrass giving its signature Asian-style flavour.
Bleasdale: There's a story in every glass (1/3)
This month we're celebrating over 160 years of unbroken winemaking history. Direct from Langhorne Creek, every Irish wine drinker now has access to one of the most exciting range of wines Australia has to offer. Our range from Bleasdale is on offer until the end of January.