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When Johann Gramp planted his vines along the banks of Jacob's Creek in 1847, he was less preoccupied with the making of history but more concerned with the selection of rootstock and fruit, his choice was Shiraz. Jacobs Creek still retain access to some of the oldest vines in Australia and can call on harvests of the finest Barossa Shiraz every year. Jacobs Creek» |
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Stella Bella have won resounding critical acclaim and a reputation for producing artisanly crafted Margaret River wines of great expression, personality and quality. Stella Bella have established an almost peerless reputation after receiving numerous accolades at significant competitions, including coveted Gold and Mission Hill Trophy at the London International, the only southern hemisphere Chardonnay to win such a prestigious award.. Stella Bella» |
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The uncompromising pursuit of excellence brings the Yealands team to the extreme viticultural climes of Gibbston Valley in Central Otago. It is here under the frigid cloudless night skies that Pinot Noir vines, planted to undulating granite schist soils, struggle to yield harvests of parched grapes, redolent with cherry berry perfumes, bursting with an intensity of flavour and wrapped in a muslin of seamless, velvet tannins. Yealands Estate» |
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Named for a rare grasshopper Sigaus childi, found only at Central Otago within the Earnscleugh gold mine tailings, just across the road from Grasshopper Rock vineyard. The site is fortuitously harsh and sufficiently challenging to make the vines work their hardest. Grasshopper Rock» |
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Leasingham have remained at the fore of Clare Valley viticulture, making great wine since 1895. They have since established an endowment of the region's most auspicious vineyards. Leasingham» |
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Streicker's Bridgeland property yields harvests of the finest Shiraz. Crafted to traditional winemaking techniques, a regimen of old fashioned plungings and open ferments, into a pure, single vineyard Rhone style Syrah. Streicker» |
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Of particular importance to Shadowfax are the very close relationships with a select group of growers who provide harvests of the most intensely flavoured fruit. A prolific trophy winner, Shadowfax are a refreshing new wave, vigorously fruit driven, livelier than her Victorian siblings, characterised by slatey, flavoursome acidity, a touch of lees complexity and judicious dryness. Shadowfax» |
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Steeped in history, the original Baileys store was situated next door to the Glenrowan Inn where widow Jones hosted Ned Kelly's siege. Following the gold rush, the Baileys turned to farming and settled on a property which they named Bundarra. Baileys Glenrowan» |
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The seemingly countless, memorable vintages of Delatite have claimed a litany of trophies, accolades and rave reviews throughout the world of wine. Her first vines were planted in 1968 on a picturesque rise overlooking the vistas of Mt Buller. Delatite» |
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Grove Estate became the go to vineyard for esteemed national brands on the hunt for stellar quality Hilltops Shiraz, some very choice parcels of Grove Estate found their way into the winner of the Finest Australian Shiraz Trophy. Immediately identified by early settlers who planted vineyards and made great wine, the Hilltops are renowned for a unique confluence of superior winegrowing aspects. Grove Estate» |
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Earnscleugh Valley was the site of a gold rush in the 1860s, the industrious miners dug a watercourse through the valley which today serves to nourish the world's southernmost appellation of Pinot Noir. The Last Chance is a small scenic terrace, planted to a special Burgundy clone of Pinot Noir which yields a magnificently structured, generously proportioned wine. Two Paddocks» |
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Gold Medal Winner at the highly prestigious London International Wine Challenge! The taste is very sweet, smooth, pronounced and delicous, just like dried raisins or rich tawny grape juice. Serve at cool room temperature with fine desserts, pastries and cake, pour liberally over the best quality ice creams. Lustau» |
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About Louis Roederer - the Winery
Louis Roederer
Louis Roederer is one of the largest remaining independent Champagne Houses, owned by the same family since it was founded in 1776
In the period 1832 to 1870, under the direction of Louis Roederer, the house gained top ranking worldwide with sales of 2,500,000 bottles, including 390,000 in the United States and 660,000 in Russia where Louis Roederer champagne was an outstanding success. In 1876, Louis Roederer II who had succeeded his father created the Cristal Cuvée for Tsar Alexander II. Louis Roederer identified Russia as his special priority, and sales there quickly grew to as much as 60 per cent of total shipments.
Louis Roederer champagnes became renowned at the Imperial Court and among the Russian aristocracy, who had been passionate about French culture and the art of living since the 18th century. Tsar Alexander II, was a champagne connoisseur who made it his personal mission to acquire the very best wines for himself. It did not please him to find that the champagne served at his table was indistinguishable from the champagne served at the homes of his courtiers.
On hearing of Tsar Alexander's displeasure, Louis Roederer commissioned a master Flemish glassmaker to design a new and unique crystal glass bottle, so solidly constructed that it could be made with a flat bottom. Thus was born Cristal, the first prestige vintage in the world of Champagne. From that time forward, the wines reserved for the Tsar were delivered in these precious bottles, bearing the imperial coat of arms.
Louis Roederer policy is driven by a commitment to quality and consistent style that always takes precedence over quantity. The volume of wine produced each year depends on expert vineyard management, a rigid set of qualitative criteria and nature's willingness to comply with these requirements. Every year at least two-thirds of the grapes must come from the House's own vineyards, a strictly enforced policy that is modelled on the methods applying to the Bordeaux Grands Crus Classes. The number of bottles that can be produced and sold each year is therefore inevitably limited.
Control of the quality of the grapes remains the key factor for Louis Roederer. Meticulous care is taken to conserve the character of the individual wines whose infinite distinctions will enrich the composition of the Cuvée. Yields from each individual parcel, village or cru are always vinified separately, partly in small tanks partly in wooden vats. Minimal use of malolactic fermentation conserves the fruitiness and freshness of the wines. The period of maturation on lees is twice as long as that traditionally applied in Champagne.
Then there are the finishing touches: the addition of the superb reserve wines that only the House of Louis Roederer ages in oak vats; the meticulous selection of a remarkable range of dosage liqueurs; and the ever-longer ageing of the wines in the cellar after disgorgement. The size, diversity and quality of the Louis Roederer vineyard is a major asset on which House policy depends, because it protects the independence of the House and guarantees control over the style of its wines. The 200 ha area under vine (494 acres) is entirely located in the Grands and Premiers Crus of the three Champagne regions; 65 ha (185 acres) in the Cote des Blancs, where Chardonnay is in its element providing champagnes with their finesse and elegance;. 60 ha (160 acres) in the Montagne de Reims, planted with Pinot Noir that gives champagnes their strength and body; 75 ha (149 acres) in the Vallee de la Marne, where the Pinot Noir adds distinctive fragrance and roundness.
Throughout the year, the Louis Roederer vineyards are tended by nearly 50 vineyard workers who carry out the seasonal tasks required to protect the vines against frosts and disease. Winter is a time for pruning and tying-back; spring a time for training, disbudding and topping. Through summer until harvest time, the grapes swell with sugar and develop their final colour. In July, if the yield threatens to be excessive, the vineyard workers will carry out a green harvest, sacrificing several grape clusters per vine plant so as to encourage the even maturation of the remaining grapes.
The Roederer style is built on precision, patience and attention to detail, reflecting the spirit of perfectionism that is the mark of the House. That perfectionism is apparent in every Cuvée, every nuance and subtle variation that conspires to give each champagne its pleasurable taste: the outstanding smoothness of the bubbles; a taste that balances fruitiness and freshness; a smooth and subtle structure, marked by a delicate vinosity that finishes on a sensation of fullness.
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