Latest news with #Chardonnays
New York Post
08-08-2025
- General
- New York Post
Boxed wine isn't just swill anymore, experts say — here's how to get the most bang for very few bucks
Not all boxes are made equally, some sparing sommeliers seem to think. Though boxed wines are often regarded as repulsive to bacchants beyond the age of 20, leading wine experts say they actually have some merit — if the consumer is choosy about the candidate in question. 'Whites and rosés can be enjoyed very young, so those are good choices for boxed wine. If you are going for a red, choose a young red and not a type of wine where you want some age on it,' sommelier Grace Hood told HuffPost. Less expensive boxed alternatives can also be ideal ways to test out trendy variants or labels for the first time. Ole – Of course, this doesn't mean all of the cardboard-cased Chardonnays, Cabernets and Concords are the creme de la creme. Hood also advised picking a product that's not manufactured by a colossal corporation. This is where harmful — and hangover-inducing — additives like sugar and food coloring typically come into the mix. As cocktail costs seem to continue soaring with no end in sight — NYC beverage baselines are often beyond $20 — many imbibers are looking to cut corners where they can. Boxed wines are often cheaper than bottled variants because of the reduced manufacturing rates that cardboard and plastic components typically boast — plus, they're more sustainable for the everyman and the Earth alike, the outlet pointed out. Some brands are now even offering consumers personal-sized boxes. Dennis M. Swanson – 'These products were created to minimize the carbon footprint in the wine world and to certainly bring value, convenience and ecology to the consumer,' said Jean-Charles Boisset of California's Boisset Family Estates, of the innovations in box tech back in 2016. The plastic bag that lines the interior of the box shrinks as wine is released from it — effectively sealing in the remaining stuff and preventing it from being spoiled by oxygen — so it tends to keep better than its corked cousins, and in some cases, can last for up to six weeks. Traditionalists needn't be terrified of the boxed wine renaissance, though — the classic bottle still reigns supreme. But the box is still creeping up the charts. As previously covered by The Post, top boxed wine brands to look out for include Black Box, FishEye, Banrock Station and BotaBox from California; French Rabbit and La Petite Frog from France; and Maipe from Chile. Hood echoed this — and advised keeping an eye out for smaller wine labels with natural ingredients.
Winnipeg Free Press
14-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Winnipeg Free Press
Explore wide world of wine beyond familiar grapes
Opinion While there's something to be said for the tried-and-true Cabernet Sauvignons, Chardonnays, Merlots and Sauvignon Blancs of the world, thinking (and drinking) outside your comfort zone can offer surprising and delightful rewards. An added bonus: because these grapes aren't as popular as the aforementioned grapes, they often bring good bang for the buck. Here are six recently sampled wines made from grapes that may not have landed on your radar as of yet, but are certainly worth a look/taste… Caminhos Cruzados 2022 Titular Colheita Branco A blend of 35 per cent Encruzado, 30 per cent Malvasia Fina and 35 per cent Bical grapes, this Portuguese white is medium gold in colour, with a lovely fruit salad of pear, cherry and peach on the nose, with secondary red apple and lemon notes. It's light-bodied and dry, with a subtle saline/chalky note that comes with the fleshy pear and peach flavours, with underlying red apple and melon rind notes that show well before the modest finish (it's 13 per cent alcohol). Available at the Pourium. 3.5/5 Villa Sparina 2024 Gavi (Gavi, Italy — $24.93, Liquor Marts and beyond) Made from Cortese grapes grown in the Piedmont region of northern Italy, this white is medium-gold in colour, with bright lemon-lime, floral, peach and honeycomb notes on the nose. It's a bone dry, light-plus-bodied white with great texture, offering viscous ripe citrus and peach flavours and secondary red apple skin and chalky notes, all balanced by fresh, lively acidity before the medium finish (it's 12.5 per cent alcohol). A delight to drink now. 4/5 Low Life Barrel House 2023 Fizzy Red (Winnipeg/Niagara — $25.99, winery, Liquor Marts and beyond) A sparkling red made from Marechal Foch and Gewürztaminer grapes grown in Ontario and vinified in Manitoba, the Fizzy Red is bright inky purple in colour and brings crunchy cranberry, plum, blackberry, bread dough and spice notes on the nose. It's dry and medium-bodied, with those crunchy red and dark berry flavours coming with floral and plum flavours, light tannins and a modest finish (it's 11 per cent alcohol). Warning: it's aggressive bubbly, even sporting a label that says 'I AM REALLY FIZZY.' Fun, fresh and lively — but open the bottle over your sink and be careful. 3.5/5 Georges Duboeuf 2023 Gamay (Vin de Pays de l'Ardeche, France — $14.24, Liquor Marts and beyond) Dark cherry in colour, this red is made from Gamay grapes grown along the western bank of the Rhône river, and brings violet, cranberry, plum, strawberry and subtle bubble gum notes aromatically. It's dry, light-plus-bodied and juicy, with juicy strawberry, cherry candy, raspberry and plum notes along with light tannins and acidity and, at 13 per cent alcohol, a modest finish. There's no oak influence here to speak of; chill this down for 15-20 minutes and enjoy this fun red on the patio. A good value, particularly as it's on sale until the end of June (regular $15.99). 3.5/5 Torre Mora 2021 Cauru (Etna Rosso, Italy — $34.95, Kenaston Wine Market) Made from the Nerello Mascalese grape — Sicily's equivalent to Pinot Noir — this southern Italian red does well in the volcanic soils in the foothills of Mount Etna. It's pale cherry-brick in appearance, offering deep plum, strawberry, earth, cherry and herbal notes on the nose. It's dry and light-plus bodied, with grippy tannins offering the plum and red berry notes some structure, hints of red licorice and white pepper underlying the fruit, modest acidity and a medium-length finish. Fans of red Burgundy take note; drink this complex red now or hold for 18-24 months. Available at Kenaston Wine Market. 4.5/5 Tiger Horse 2023 Old Vine Cinsault (Western Cape, South Africa — $18.99, Liquor Marts and beyond) Sourced from vines averaging 40 years old, grown and planted as bush vines (rather than neatly trained rows in the vineyard), this red is pale cherry in colour, offering black cherry, plum, violet, blackberry and subtle smoky aromas. It's light-plus-bodied and dry, bringing juicy and almost-sour cherry, plum and blackberry flavours with hints of cracked pepper and black tea; tannins are mild and it delivers a medium-length finish (it's 13 per cent alcohol). Another red that would benefit from 15 minutes in the fridge before serving. 4/5 uncorked@ @bensigurdson Ben SigurdsonLiterary editor, drinks writer Ben Sigurdson is the Free Press's literary editor and drinks writer. He graduated with a master of arts degree in English from the University of Manitoba in 2005, the same year he began writing Uncorked, the weekly Free Press drinks column. He joined the Free Press full time in 2013 as a copy editor before being appointed literary editor in 2014. Read more about Ben. In addition to providing opinions and analysis on wine and drinks, Ben oversees a team of freelance book reviewers and produces content for the arts and life section, all of which is reviewed by the Free Press's editing team before being posted online or published in print. It's part of the Free Press's tradition, since 1872, of producing reliable independent journalism. Read more about Free Press's history and mandate, and learn how our newsroom operates. Our newsroom depends on a growing audience of readers to power our journalism. If you are not a paid reader, please consider becoming a subscriber. Our newsroom depends on its audience of readers to power our journalism. Thank you for your support.
Herald Sun
03-05-2025
- Business
- Herald Sun
Two Victorian wineries for sale in Red Hill and Beechworth regions
Two Victorian wineries have hit the market, offering the chance to live and work in two of the state's most picturesque wine regions. But buyers will need more than a good swirl and sniff technique, they'll also need deep pockets. In North East Victoria, Star Lane Winery at Wooragee has $3.5m-$3.85m price hopes, while in the Mornington Peninsula's Red Hill, the Tucks vineyard, once part of the famed Tucks Ridge estate, is listed at $8m-$8.8m. RELATED: Young family's reno pays off with $1m+ result in Seaford 'Choked out': concerning rise in insurance claims and home sales Run down Coburg pad scores an almost-$1m payday, after 73 years Star Lane Winery is the passion project of Brett and Liz Barnes, who planted their first vines back in 1997 after moving from broadacre farming in the Riverina. Their dream was simple, to create a boutique vineyard that could produce ultra-premium wines, and offer a lifestyle worth bottling. Now, almost three decades later, that dream is ready for the next custodian. Set across 18.09ha, Star Lane includes mature Shiraz, Merlot and Chardonnay vines, an architecturally designed winery and cellar door, a climate-controlled barrel room, and a charming two-bedroom farmhouse surrounded by private gardens. 'We built it all ourselves, vine by vine, barrel by barrel,' Mr Barnes said. 'This land has been our life's work. It's time now for someone else to bring their vision here.' YPA Mornington director Chris Fahl said the property made it ideal for a new or expanding wine label. 'Brett manages the whole property himself, it's that well set up,' Mr Fahl said. 'You could run the vineyard, open a restaurant, lease it out, or just enjoy the lifestyle. 'There's room to plant even more vines or add boutique accommodation.' Mr Fahl said Beechworth's wine scene is home to heavyweights like Giaconda and Sorrenberg, with local Chardonnays and is now considered among the best in the world. 'Add to that the booming cycle tourism industry, with a $10m rail trail passing Star Lane's front gate, and the potential for cellar doors, farm-stay accommodation, and events, there's plenty of opportunity,' he said. Further south, the Mornington Peninsula's Tucks vineyard offers a vineyard in one of Victoria's most tightly held wine regions. Set on 9.99ha in Red Hill's prized Shoreham Road strip, Tucks has pinot noir, Chardonnay and Savagnin vines, and comes with a fully licensed restaurant and cellar door facility, plus a two-bedroom guesthouse. Kay & Burton Flinders director Tom Barr Smith said the offering was extraordinary for Red Hill, where tightly held vineyard properties rarely come up for sale. 'This site comes with valuable restaurant and liquor licences allowing for 100 patrons, and up to 450 for special events,' Mr Barr Smith said. 'It is a tremendous head start for anyone looking to enter the Mornington Peninsula's food and wine scene.' Although the vineyard is currently operational, Mr Barr Smith said the hospitality spaces have been used sparingly in recent years, offering a blank canvas for new owners. 'It is not an ongoing business sale, it is a real estate opportunity,' he said. 'The vineyard is thriving, but the hospitality side has huge untapped potential.' Being slightly off the main tourist road offers privacy without sacrificing proximity to major attractions, with nearby neighbours including big names like Montalto, Paringa Estate and Ten Minutes by Tractor. The Kay & Burton Flinders director said the timing was perfect for buyers seeking long-term value. 'Vineyard properties are expensive to establish from scratch these days. The land, the vines, the licences, it all adds up,' Mr Barr Smith said. 'Here, you get a huge head start. Plus, we believe the market is near the bottom of the cycle. It is a smart time to buy.' Both listings are expected to draw interest from a mix of buyers, including high-net-worth individuals seeking a lifestyle shift, boutique hospitality operators, and established wine brands looking to expand. AT A GLANCE Star Lane Winery, Wooragee 18.09ha Shiraz, Merlot, Chardonnay vines Winery, cellar door, farmhouse Price guide: $3.5m-$3.85m Tucks, Red Hill 9.99ha Pinot noir, Chardonnay, Savagnin vines Licensed restaurant, cellar door and guesthouse Price guide: $8m-$8.8m Sign up to the Herald Sun Weekly Real Estate Update. Click here to get the latest Victorian property market news delivered direct to your inbox. MORE: Melb couple's plan to turn dome into Airbnb riches Why housing big build could increase pressure on buyers Melb landlords in line for $780 boost
