The Passionate Ones

Nothing can spark fluid interesting conversation more rapidly then when a passionate person meets a keen ear. This is most certainly true of those passionate about wine, especially the ones who have dedicated a life to working with the drink of the gods.


Sommeliers get a bad wrap though. The gap between the regular bottleshop drinker and a so called wine expert is vast. It is like the difference between the very poor and the very rich in a country like Russia. There is no rising middle class or a Robin Hood character stealing from the rich and giving to the poor. Sadly it is not possible to steal knowledge and those are the riches of which we speak when classifying the difference between the wine rich and the wine poor.


Most of the time the poor are intimidated by the fancy words and practiced customs of the upper class. The swirling of the glass, the sniffing of an array of aromas that would be more suited to a fruit salad and the taste of great length which would mean to any normal person the distance from Bondi Junction to Bondi Beach when one can not find a bus. It is almost like another language and the secret, well guarded manners of behaviour is what prevents those at the bottom of the ladder rising into the middle class. 


There is a sub culture emerging though, a rumbling under the pace of the city where those who are passionate about wine are teaching those who are keen to explore without the fear of being ridiculed while they learn the dance. You have probably seen them popping up around town. They are small cafe sized bars that offer wine from here to kingdom come. In these little havens if you are keen to learn, you are most likely to find a teacher more than willing to spend a little time with you and impart some of their wisdom.


I recently met one such tutor at the Wine Library in Paddington. He was tall and handsome, (which didn't hurt) but it was his 20 years in the industry and willingness to share with two simple wine enthusiasts that made for a great evening. When approaching the wine list with wines from every region of the globe we were at a loss. With more words that we could not pronounce than could, some inside help was required.


My friend Stephanie and I were looking for something within the realm of Pinot Gris. I remembered that I had tasted the most divine Pinot Blanc from Bar H in Surry Hills, and was looking for something similar. Within 2 minutes there were four glasses on our table and four distinctly different bottles of wine that were along the same lines as what we had requested. The first one we tried was the Luis Pato from Portugal. Quite a dry wine somewhat like a sauvignon blanc, it wasn't particularly to my taste however it was interesting to taste a wine from Portugal which was a first for me.


The traditional Pinot Grigio from Italy was next, again a nice wine but was missing that extra something that we were looking for. The third wine was an Austrian named Gobelsburger which turned out to be the hero of the night with a medium build and floral essence. Finally we finished with a taste of a South Australian viognier. Steph noticed that the fruit in this wine could be tasted at the front of the mouth. After something I had read recently I concurred agreeing that the wine had upfront fruit characteristics, to which I got a sideways glance and a half smile from Gavin who responded 'hmm... you sound like a right wanker'. Note to self, ridiculous words to which I really do not now the meaning are not cool.


Our little tasting worked a treat. We were shown a progression of wines made in the same style from around the world and could identify some differences. We settled on a nice wine which we enjoyed over some delicious foie gras and good conversation. The perfect evening really.


The point of the story is simple. The people who generally work in these quaint little bars do so because they have a passion for wine. Do not be intimidated to ask for their opinion or for them to show you a few different wines to taste. More than likely they will be so thrilled to share their passion with you that you will be asking them to leave your table to enjoy your wine in peace.


Until next time, have a glass for me. Love Alex Mac

Everyone Has a Type

Without being controversial... I would like to classify all the delights that I have encountered throughout my life into three broad categories. Now before anyone gets upset let me please precede my analysis with a small disclaimer that I learnt along the way somewhere.
When you begin with a stereotype then you have nothing of substance; but when you begin with a person you can identify cultural elements that enable you to categorise and thereby make a stereotype.

It is between the 30th and 50th parallel on both the northern and southern hemispheres that generally suitors are known to come from. Further north than the northern most parts of France is simply far too cold to nurture development; below Tasmania there is nothing other then Eskimos and Polar Bears, and near the equator is simply far to hot. During a period known as the growing season the little buds blossom into full grown version we love. It is the stark difference in the growing season that sets the end result apart.


The Mediterraneans

These sun kissed sweeties are the type that any woman would fall head over heels for. During the rite of passage known as the growing season they are known to lay for days on end in the moderate to warm temperatures. In summer time they frolic in the sun with little change in the temperature during the winter. Perhaps a light cardigan is required but only when enforced by their nagging mothers. Seldom do they worry about taking an umbrella as there is little chance of rain. The rainfall is often less than required and mothers ensure their boys water intake is supplemented. These types are generally found in Tuscany and most other regions in Italy, Southern France, Catalonia in Spain, California and South & Western Australia.


The Continentals
It is possible to tell a continental simply by looking in their wardrobe. There will be light cotton tops for the hot summer and then by extreme contrast thick coats and gloves for very cold winters. They are not particularly good swimmers as they generally come from places that are inland and far from the ocean. If visiting during the growing season it is important to remember to take light clothing for the day and something very warm for the evening as the temperature differs quite drastically. The vast difference in temperatures means that even four brothers from the same family will actually turn our quite differently due to the rain, hail or sun through their sensitive development time. It has often even been noted that the graduating class from one year is very different from the next. From experience, you have most likely picked up a continental if he is from Northern France (a particular favourite), a Spaniard from Rioja, an Austrian or Argentinean.


The Maritimes

Kissing the war goodbye

As the name suggests these fellows are water loving lads. Often perceived as the perfect combination of the sun loving mediterraneans and the turtleneck wearing continentals. Like their continental cousins the Maritimes have short sleeved summers and winters by the fire, however the seasons are not as drastically different therefore you won't have to pack everything you own for a visit. These sailor types are known to come from Bordeaux in France, Rias Baixas in Spain, Oregon in the USA and all throughout the land of the All Blacks, New Zealand.


And for those who like it plain and simple. There are three common climates that wine is produced Mediterranean, Continental and Maritime. The changes in the weather during the grape growing season determines the types of grapes that can be produced and the flavours that develop within them. Just a little something to drop at your next dinner party. 


Until next time, have a glass for me Alex Mac.

Wine & Cycling - Mendoza's Risky Business

Steph and I in Mendoza

It is in the eastern foothills of the Andes that our tale begins today. In an area of lush green abundance, set in the shadow of Mount Aconcagua two McGuigan sisters took upon a great feat that many would have never believed would come to pass.

The two sisters found themselves in the town of Mendoza Argentina, after having partied their way through South America looking for a place to unwind. They sought sun and relaxation by the pool to soothe their weary dancing feet. Considering that Mendoza accounts for two thirds of the wine produced in Argentina, this was perhaps not the wisest destination for those looking for a brief sabbatical from alcohol, but as they say hindsight is a wonderful thing.

The girls arrived to their hostel on the main street of the town looking a little dishevelled and in need of a rest. Beads of perspiration formed on their foreheads from a climate that resembled semi-arid desert conditions. Hoping that the heat would settle down Alexandra (the older and wiser of the sisters) asked the girl at the front desk what the weather was normally like, to which she replied with a Spanish accent:

“It is a continental climate. We have very hot temperatures in the summer and very cold temperatures in the winter. During the spring and summer there are wide variations of temperature being very hot during the day and very cold in the evening.”

Stephanie and Alexandra looked at each other a little puzzled by the detail of her answer but politely thanked her and went to their room to plan their time in the wine capital of Argentina.

The bikes

Much to the dismay of Alexandra, it seemed that the most important tourist activity to do in Mendoza was the famous winery bike tour. Now to the average capable person this might sound like a delightful way to spend a day, however if you are anything like the bicycly challenged Alex McGuigan you will understand that this was frightening… very frightening. To say that this poor soul was challenged is an understatement. Two near fatal accidents had seen the end of her cycling career nearly 20 years earlier. One nearly saw her sucking her food through a straw and the other, with a knocked out front tooth and lip reconstruction. It was not so much that she couldn’t ride a bike; it was just that she couldn’t stop which is actually a crucial element in the whole bike riding experience.

Stephanie had a small battle on her hands convincing the retired athlete to get back on her bike but not wanting to let the team down Alex agreed. With beading perspiration once again on their faces they made their way to the bike hire shop. Confidence waning a little Alex placed her helmet sturdy on her head and lifted her leg to straddle the bike. As she lifted the leg it caught on a stray piece of metal that sliced straight through the skin of her right knee. Before they had even left the hire store, blood was pouring profusely from the knee. Despite the set back they continued to greener pastures.

The first winery that they came to was a lovely little family vineyard which produced Malbec, a type of red wine which has become the widest planted grape in the Mendoza region as it thrives in the conditions with an average annual temperature of 15° C. The sisters tasted a few different vintages and tended to the wound before heading off to the next winery on the map.

 

After what seemed like an eternity in the 40°C  they turned up at a cellar door that had the familiar presence and stainless steel design of Tempus Two in Australia’s Hunter Valley. Sure enough when they entered the winery and looked at the logo, labels and design the label was named ‘Tempus Alba’. Suspicious of its origin they questioned the waitress who claimed that the winery had been there for eight years, which as it turns out is less than the existence of Tempus Two.

Notice a similarity?

The Argentinean version

Delighted with the possibility of the scandal, the two sisters relaxed on the balcony of the divine setting enjoying a delicious Malbec Rose and cheese platter, whilst stealthily collecting photographic evidence of the mimic brand.

 Nothing was ever done about the suspected copyright infringement. The importance of the scandal seemed to   diminish whilst they sipped on Mendoza’s into the afternoon. The outing ended without any further injuries and was a lovely experience, even if we only made it to two wineries. The footage below is a snippet from the day. Until next time, have a glass for me. Alex Mac