Spätlese

Plural spätlesen. Literally “late harvest.” A level of ripeness indicating that the wine was just ripe according to the traditional German system. According to this traditional system, a spätlese could be dry, half dry, or semi sweet. In the distinctly different modern German system adopted by members of the VDP, spätlese is a level of sweetness above kabinett.

Where is Tumbarumba and what sort of grapes grow there?

A. South Africa; chenin blanc (aka steen)

B. South Island of New Zealand; pinot noir

C. Australia; chardonnay

D. Peru; criolla chica (aka pais) and cabernet sauvignon

Tumbarumba may not be as famous or as large as the Barossa, but it is indeed a wine region in Australia, specifically in the state of New South Wales. The nearby Snowy Mountains rise up 2100 feet. One of the cooler regions in Australia, Tumbarumba is now a source for cool-climate chardonnay grapes. Penfold’s “Bin 311” Chardonnay ($40), for example, is made in part from grapes from Tumbarumba and another cool region, Tasmania. Bin 311—unlike the stereotypical Aussie chardonnay—could easily be confused with French Chablis.

John Fox

John Fox, owner of once-leading wine retailer Premier Cru, admitted scamming at least $45 million dollars from his customers. As part of the massive Ponzi scheme, an estimated 4,500 customers paid some $45 million for… Continue reading

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