DEFINE WINE

Bloodwood’s compromise to avoid economic disaster

When Stephen and Rhonda Doyle planted the first Riesling vines in Orange in 1984, it was clearly a leap of faith.  Chardonnay was firmly established as the flavour of the decade in white varietals and their counterparts in South Australia were busy attracting the subsidy that attended the destruction of too many quality, low yielding old vines in South Australia.

Because of the structure of payments under the vine-pull scheme, a hectare of meanly yielding ancient Riesling attracted as much subsidy as a fat paddock of, say, Shiraz.  And as growers were generally paid by the ton for their grapes, when chainsaws fired up, they were pointed at varieties like Riesling.

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Slow Summer Festival: The Year of the Dragon

The 2012 Slow Summer Festival got underway over the weekend with a very successful ‘Night Market’ staged in Post Office Lane and ‘A Day @ The Beach’ at Lake Canobolas.

Both events were well attended with the Lake Canobolas event attended by both the local community and visitors to the region, with great enthusiasm for the inaugural Slow Summer Dragon Boat Challenge.

Although the final two heats and the final of the Dragon Boat Challenge were unfortunately called off due to the storm, the 14 teams who had battled it out in the previous 6 heats had a fantastic day out at the lake, with team ‘Orange Apples’ announced as the winners based on times.

The final placings comprised:

1^st Place: Orange Apples (Multiple Sclerosis Society)
2^nd Place: Daring Dragons (Rural Fire Service)
3^rd Place: Oar-some Molong (One Health Molong)
4^th Place: 2GZ FM Dragon Slayers (Children’s Ward, Orange Hospital

 

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The essence of Central Otago Pinot Noir

Central Otago is one of the premier regions in the world for growing Pinot Noir.  Within this renowned wine region is the sub region of Bendigo, and it is from here that the latest release Mud House wines originate. 

The new Central Otago wines include the 2010 Mud House Estate ‘Golden Terraces Vineyard’ Central Otago Pinot Noir ($36.00) and the 2010 Mud House Central Otago Pinot Noir ($29.00).

 

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The Pretender stakes its claim

On-going innovation in the vineyard has continued to pay dividends for Angullong with the release of the 2011 Angullong ‘The Pretender’ Savagnin ($25). 

Angullong is situated on the southern border of the Orange wine region and, over the past few years has added to its already diverse range of varieties by planting and grafting a range of new alternative varieties.  These trials include plantings Savagnin, Tempranillo and more recently, Vermentino, Sagrantino and some newer imported clones of Sangiovese. 

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Slow Summer Festival: Post office lane night markets

The 2012 Slow Summer Festival kicks off on Friday the 20^th of January with the inaugural Post Office Lane Night Markets.  

This is the first time that the markets are to be held in the centre of Orange, utilising the unique central business district to create a buzz of excitement for the launch of the Slow Summer Festival week. 

The Night Markets promises to be filled with a bustle of activity and an appealing range of stalls offering food, wine, gifts, music and children’s entertainment.   There is a well-lit dining area to relax in while the children enjoy the face painting, jumping castle and craft. 

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Mudgee Winemaker set to be Future Leader

Lowe Winemaker Liam Heslop has recently been named one of 15 wine industry professionals to join the 2012 Future Leaders Program hosted by Wine Australia.

Future Leaders is an innovative program jointly initiated by ‘Wine Australia’, the ‘Winemakers’ Federation of Australia’ (WFA), the ‘Grape and Wine Research and Development Corporation’ and ‘Wine Grape Growers’ Australia’.

The initiative is designed to provide a valuable conduit for the wine industry veterans to pass on their industry knowledge and wisdom, as well as provide opportunities to develop leadership, networking and collaboration.

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Slow Summer Festival: Race & Taste Orange at the Picnic Races

Orange Picnic Races is one of the region’s most popular race meets and the upcoming 2012 event promise to offer race-goers a thrilling day of pounding hooves, flashing silks, fashion, food and entertainment.

Taste Orange and Racing Orange have joined forces through the Slow Summer Festival to offer a fabulous VIP Area in the recently refurbished Thoroughbred Shed at Towac Park.

“This is an exciting new partnership for the two organisations,” said Ellie Brown of Racing Orange.  “Taste Orange has a rich history of promoting local food, wine and all things that make this a great region to live in.  The collaboration of the newly formed Racing Orange with Taste Orange will add further diversity to the mix of the region’s offerings.”

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New whites showcase Mudgee’s cool heights

Mudgee’s Lowe Wines has recently released two new 2011 vintage wines, the 2011 Louee Chardonnay ($25) and 2011 Louee Riesling ($25).  Both these wines are from Mudgee’s highest vineyard, Nullo Mountain that sits at an impressive elevation of 1100 metres.

The new vintage wines form part of Lowe’s single vineyard Louee Range.  The Louee vineyard is located at Rylstone, on the south eastern boundary of the Mudgee GI, a genuine sub region of Mudgee.

“No where in Mudgee can produce wines of this style,” explained Lowe Winemaker and owner David Lowe.  “The elevation of the vineyard and its subsequent high sunshine hours offers the vines increased ultra-violet light which can increase the levels of phenolics that build flavour and mouth feel.”

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Slow Summer Festival: Dragon Boats paddling for Charity

With the weather continuing to improve and the holidays looming, Orange’s Slow Summer Festival offers residents and visitors the chance to relax and enjoy a day of healthy outdoor entertainment at Lake Canobolas with ‘A Day @ the Beach’.

‘A Day @ the Beach’ is one of the major events of the 2012 Slow Summer Festival and features a raft of family amusement including the inaugural Dragon Boat Challenge, Orange Bush Nippers, the Great Lilo Race and the Amazing Mystery Quest.

The Dragon Boat Challenge is being organised by Orange’s ‘Colour City Dragons’ with funds raised from team sponsorship and donations supporting a range of local charities.

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