International Grenache Day in South Australia

Grenache is the worlds most widely-planted red grape variety, and deserves to be celebrated.
The First Grenache Symposium in June 2010 was inspired by wine legend Stephen Spurrier. His suggestion to two Rhone producers, Domaine de Mour-chon and Chene Bleu, was to hold a Grenache think-tank in the Southern Rhone. Over 250 top Grenache producers, journalists, and retailers from 23 countries came together to celebrate Grenache, which many people consider an un-sung hero of the grape world. Versatile, velvety and voluptuous, it enhances blends, yet is capable of independently pro-ducing great wines that age beautifully. The idea was born for an International celebration of this variety - the 24th of September 2010 marked the first festivity.

This year, the International Grenache Day celebration will be held on Friday 23rd of September.

Below are a few of the GreanacheDay events around South Australia.  Let us know if we have missed any.

Kay Bros
Kay Brothers Cellar Door
57 Kays Road, McLaren Vale

Their winemaking team will be hosting 3 Master Classes on the day at 1:00pm, 3:00pm and 4:00pm (each for approx 12 participants). The focus of the tasting will include two back vintages as well as the 2010 new release and a preview of the 2011 straight from the barrel. In addition they will serve delicious finger food including cured meats, cheeses, olives and wood oven bread to test the Basket Pressed Grenache‘s compatibility with food.

Reservations for the masterclasses re essential as they have limited space available - first in best dressed! Please call Cellar Door on 8323 8201 to make a booking

Turkey Flat


Grenache Vine in Barossa



Join them for a special tasting to celebrate International Grenache Day.  Available for tasting are three vintages of Grenache selected from their museum cellar. Taste 2003, 2007 & 2009 Grenache all sourced from their ancient 100 year old bush vines.

Please contact their Tasting Room for more details.
TURKEY FLAT VINEYARDS
Bethany Rd ,TANUNDA SA 5352
PH: +61 8 85632851
http://www.turkeyflat.com.au/

Henschke
Henschke are offering a vertical tasting of three vintages of Johann’s Garden in their cellar door!  This is a blend of Grenache, Mourvèdre and Shiraz.  Johannes Garden is produced from low-yielding, old, gnarled, dry-grown bush and trellised vines from selected vineyards. 

The cellar door can be found at;
Henschke Road, Keyneton SA 5353
9am - 4.30pm

http://henschke.com.au/profile/news/read/id/19/

Cadenzia
Is a group of independent wine makers across McLaren Vale who have got together to show of this great variety in the region. The Cadenzia group have Grenache as the dominant component in blends or as straight Grenache. The term is a musical term referring to a soloist improvised performance. And so winemakers have the creative freedom and individual expression to showcase Grenache solely from McLaren Vale.

These producers include; d’Arenberg, Olivers Taranga, Dog Ridge, Yangarra, Samuels Gorge, and Maximus. There are a number of event being held with the Cadenzia group around Adelaide.

Cadenzia Dinner at Lenzerheider
6 course degustation with matching Cadenzia wines.
Tuesday 20 September, 6pm
Lenzerheider, 146 Belair Rd, Hawthorn SA 5062 Bookings on 8373 3711

National Wine Centre
Friday 23 September
5-8pm free entre

More in depth sessions are available with two masterclasses lasting 45 minutes. Meet the makers and discuss the wines.
5:30pm & 7:00pm
$15
Further information call 08 8303 7462

The Grenache Cup
The title fight between McLaren Vale & Barossa!
Grenache was among the first varieties planted in Australia. Many of the plantings remain around Barossa and McLaren Vale. Originally used for fortified wines, they have emerged as one of Australia’s greatest fine wine assets. Come and taste Grenache wines and cast your vote in the ongoing battle of Barossa v McLaren Vale.

The Edinburgh Hotel
Saturday 24 September
12:00 to 4:00

Turkey Flat 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon

Ok I admit it.... I forgot. Well not forgot, just didn’t remember – not top of mind.

When you are surrounded by some great Shiraz in Barossa, I find sometimes Cabernet Sauvignon flies under the radar a little, I’m ashamed to say.

And Turkey Flat haven’t helped any either. The last time they produced a Cabernet was in 2006, which I fondly remember. But with International Cabernet Day on 1 September it was an opportunity to indulge in some great juice and their latest Cabernet release.

The 2009 show typical restrained elegant style which I love across Turkey Flat’s portfolio. Not an overripe, super extracted style much to my relief. You can tell its Cabernet with just a hint of herbaceous/tomato leaf on the nose. Sometimes I find this not that attractive in the variety but here it’s well balanced by juicy red fruit, and an intriguing savoury earthiness. Pretty violets add to the mix.

The palate shows nice acid balanced with rich dark fruit, which makes me think it could be a 10-15 year proposition. Even though it’s a new release the tannins are fine and soft. Again the same aroma characters are present on the palate; spicy cinnamon and liquorice, rich cocoa powder, with that savoury edge that lingers unremittingly.

With Barossa Cabernet this good I could almost forget about Shiraz. Well almost.

RRP: $40
Only 500 cases produced
Alcohol: 14.5%
Scores: James Halliday 94pts Tyson Stelzer 93pts
Sample provided by producer