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Muscadelle and Muscadet 
David of Port Elliot asks: I find there is confusion over the difference between muscadet and muscadelle. As far as I am aware the muscadet …

Bordeaux wineries using Petit Verdot 
A reader asks: What classified Bordeaux wineries use Petit Verdot and to what percentage of their blend? Darby replies: Petit Verdot is …

Best variety for my region 
Ken asks: I would like to plant a small vineyard in Officer near the Beaconsfield reservoir at the foothills of the Dandenong Ranges. Can …

Gamay Noir in Australia 
Gerry Asks: Any Australian wines from the Gamay Noir grape? Darby replies First let's clear up some naming issues. Gamay Noir is perhaps …

Tempranillo with Petite Sirah or just acid blend 
I have a batch (kit wine) of Tempranillo going and looking for advice on how/what to try blending with…We are not commercial, only make 200 or so bottles …

Question on Minor varieties in Australia 
Hello, I am a student working on a project on Minor red varietals that have less than 500Ha planted in Australia. I haven't been able to find a list …

Gouias blanc in Aus 
David asks After trying the most recent vintage of gouias blanc from Chambers Rutherglen, I was wondering if you knew if anyone else grew (and sold) it. …

Tibouren in Australia 
Hi, First, thank you for this website. It really helps me to know better the different terroirs of Australia. I come from south of France and one …

Is there any Agiorgitiko grown In Australia? 
Damian Asks: Agiorgitiko is a Greek grape variety producing a beautiful red wine. I have seen examples in Australia, but these are all imported wines …

Wine from Moldova 
Vladimir Wrote: I am commercial director of Doina Vin company from Republic of Moldova. We have 3 wine factories in our country and we make wines …

Difference Between Verdejo and Verdelho  
A reader asks: I am organising a comparison tasting of Spanish wines alongside Australian wine made from the same variety. I notice that Verdejo is …

Torrontes Grape in Australia 
John Writes: A friend in Canada is interested in Torrontes white wine. I understand the wine is Argentinian. My knowledge of Argentinian …

grape leaves 
Victoria writes: I am looking for the best variety/ies of grape to grow. Dual purpose-grapes and leaf. I wish to make dolmades so the leaf needs …

Grape supply for home winemakers in Sydney 
PTZ Asks: I have started a group of first timer home wine makers with a few experienced amongst them. We have purchased all the gear for bulk …

varietals and regions 
A reader asks: Where can I find an exhaustive laundry list of every recognized varietal and every recognized wine region? Darby Says The best …

LS.Dutter Wine Maps (Regions of France) 
Jim Says Hi, Trying to sell 7 L.S. Dutter Wine Maps. They are 37 wide & 26 1/2 high. I try to Google the artist but don't get any info? Any ideas …

Area covered by alternative varieties 
Angela Asks: Do you know what area of the total land under vine in Australia the alternative varieties cover? Alternatively, can you point me …

What is the Value of this Vintage Wine 
A reader asks: I have a bottle of 1971 Jaboulet-Verecherre from France made by J-V Tavel. Any info? Darby replies I get asked questions like …

Friulano in Australia? 
David Asks Apart from Kathleen Quealy's, are there any other plantings of Friulano in Australia? It seems to me a definite variety to take notice …

Homemade wine, what to plant? 
Hi Darby, I reside in N/E Victoria (Keiwa Valley) and have space to plant around 50 vines. I would eventually like to make a lighter style red wine …

Wine Pairing Recipes Online 
Steph Says I am really interested in getting my mom a wine club membership for Christmas but it is out of my price range this year. Instead I decided …

Sauvignon Gris in Australia 
Wes asks Are you aware of anyone in Australia growing Sauvignon Gris? My own searches have turned up nowt. Darby Says You've got me there …

Italian Varieties in Geelong 
Advice about Growing Italian varieties in Geelong. A Reader asks I just stumbled onto your site tonight and WOW! Thank you for making this site. …

Mystery wine Botryis affected 
Sue asks about a mystery wine : Many years ago at a wine tasting, I tried the best wine I have EVER had. Unfortunately, I can't remember what type …

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Viticulture on South Coast of NSW 
Michael Asks: I am a viticulture novice wanting to plant some vines in my parents property which is 8km inland of the south coast of NSW near a town …

Granite Belt stockists in SA 
Bill asks: Are there any stockists of Qld Granite Belt (Queensland) Wines in Adelaide, SA? And where can we get for South Burnett wines? …

Diamanté blu - can you help? 
Desperately looking for Fratelli Saraceni Diamanté Blu peach wine from Florence, just returned from Italy. Any ideas for Brisbane buyers apart from shipping …

Classes and Trophies in Wine Shows 
Robert Asks : My Steven's 2006 Semillon has a heap of Gold Medals, at various shows and in various classes, and a Trophy. Are classes standard for …

Pinot Bianco plantings in Australia? 
Can you provide me with information about where the Italian variety Pinot Bianco is planted in Australia and what its availability as wine is and where …

Tempranillo Graciano Blends 
A Vinodiversity reader's question I have been impressed with a few Tempranillo/Graciano blends Hello Darby, I have recently come across this …

Value of old wines 
A reader asks: I have two old bottles of wine which I'd like to know the value of. I have a 1989 bottle of De Bortoli Shiraz, and the second bottle …

Thanks for your Mourvedre page 
Jane writes Just to say I love your website. I wanted to find out about local representations of Mourvedre and your list was spot on. Many thanks …

Fiano - Terroir and disease resistance  
Fiano - Terroir and disease resistance Brain Asks We live in a coastal area with humid summers. The red wine variety Chambourcin grows well here …

Correction in Saperavi article 
Nick Writes There is one mistake in an articla about Saperavi. Saperavi truely means 'dyer' but not in Russian. It is a Georgian word. 'peri' means …

Wine Bottles 
Peter Says A friend of mine recently told me that you can tell a good wine by the bottle it comes in. He said winemakers don't put ordinary wines in …

Is there any Grechetto in Australia? 
A Reader Asks: Is anybody growing Grechetto and making wine with it in Australia? (used in Orvieto Italian white wines) Darby Replies I don't …

Food Pairing and Japanese Food 
Vinodiversity reader Michael asks: What are some good wines to drink with Japanese food? Darby Says There are a wide range of foods in Japanese …

Grape varieties in the Hunter valley. 
Richard Asks: What grape varities are grown in the Hunter, and what wines are they specifically known for? Darby Replies Like most Australian …

Bobal Grape Variety in Australia 
A reader asks: I'm interested to know if anyone knows anything about the Spanish variety red wine variety Bobal, whether its grown in Australia anywhere …

Best Wine Grape varieties for Northern NSW 
Bruce asks: Can you please advise on suitable wine grape varieties for North NSW. Broadly, the climate is wet, humid summers and dry winters, with …

Viognier tasting - using my notes 
Dear Darby I am planning a Viognier winetasting for a group of friends (we do this once every 8 weeks or so) and I would like to distribute your notes …

Where can I buy Txacoli in Australia 
A reader Phillip has asked Where can I buy Txakoli in Australia? Can You Help? Note by Darby Txakoli is a light sharp white wine from …

Australian Beaujolais (Gamay) 
A reader asks Where can we buy Australian Beaujolais? Darby says: Well we can't, there is no such thing as Australian Beaujolais. Beaujolais …

Wine Festival in Australia  
Krista Writes: I heard about a wine festival (not too fancy one) in Australia, where people have white clothes on and the wine is thrown all over …

Sources of Italian wines in Australia 
A reader has emailed me We have just recently returned from our trip to Italy. We enjoyed many wines from Tuscany but preferred the Sicilian Nero …

Garagists in QLD 
I am a garagist from Cape Town (South Africa), who has recently relocated to Brisbane. Over the past 10 years, I have produced about 250lts of Shiraz …

Jacquelines Ridge Sav Blanc 
Faye asks about Jacquelines Ridge Sav Blanc: I have had this wine in Brisbane and live in Melbourne. Where can I buy it? I can't find it anywhere. …

Albarino and Vinho Verde wines  
Caroline asks , I love Albarino and Vinho Verde wines, but can't afford to spend a lot of money. I know that you don't have to spend a lot on a good …

Barossa Varieties? 
Rob Asks Do you think that Tempranillo, Graciano, and Mataro are varieties that are well suited to the Barossa/Eden area? I ask about Mataro because …

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What is the right wine glass? 
A Reader asks What is the right wine glass? Lately, most restaurants we have visited have one wine glass they use whether you are drinking red …

Marketing and wine varietal diversity 
Don Asks The so called "wine boom" in the U.S. in the 1970's certainly increased the tendency for the worldwide wine market to label varietals (rather …

Apartments for French wine tour 
Frida asks: My paramour Milo and I are travelling to Paris and embarking on a French wine tour. We would like to stay in apartments rather than …

Preservatives in Wine 
Bec asks: I have asked two different bottleshop proprietors about whether they stock preservative free wine and both told me that apart from the …

Best winemaker using Barbera Grapes 
Tony Asks: Who is the best wine maker using Barbera grapes and what are the main regions in Australia Darby Says: Barbera is an underated …

Expensive Wine VS. Cheap Wine 
Tom Asks: What goes into the growing of and the making of expensive wine and how does it differ from a wine like "two buck chuck? Darby Says: …

Substitute for madeira wine 
Rick asks: I need to make a Madeira sauce, but no Madeira is available. What do I use as a substitute? Darby says You can find all about Madeira …

How do you find sugar content of wines 
A reader asks is there a table to show the sugar content of wines? Darby Says As grapes ripen the vine manufactures sugar and stores it in the …

Graciano, Nero Davola, or Aglianico in the Barossa 
A reader asks What variety do you think is better, Graciano, Nero d'Avola or Aglianico, What order from best to worst would they be in. Why. I …

Sulphur Preservatives in Wine 
Michael Asks Why do some wine makers use preservative 224 and some use 220. Is there any technical difference or is it local or personal choice? …

Finished wine bottle etiquette 
Marie Asks: When you finish a bottle of wine should you turn the bottle upsidedown in the wine cooler? This was done at a pub to let the waitress …

Similar wines to barolo 
A Reader asks: I have a recipe that requires Barolo wine, but I am not sure of the type of wine Barolo is. Could you tell me what type of Australian …

How do I pronounce Savagnin? 
As a volunteer, I read for 990 6RPH Information Radio (Radio for the print handicapped) in Perth and one of my programs, called Off the Vine usually includes …

When does a grape variety cease being alternative? 
Larry Asks: Reading your latest newsletter , it occurred to me that I too wondered when a grape variety became mainstream. The two varieties mentioned …

sugar content of wine 
Paul Asks: Is there a ready reckoner for sugar content, so that the buyer knows if it is sweet or dry? What is sugar content of the chambourcin variety …

Saperavi - who had it firts in Australia? 
Lesslie Asks: Which grape nursery released Australia's first Saperavi? Darby Says The variety has been listed as one in the Merbein Grapevine …

what is the spelling/name of a blended wine ....it mean 'maniac' 
Kate asks: Can't find the correct spelling of a blended wine, The person that told me about it guessed a spelling 'meneacol'...said it means maniac... …

Who currently stocks Lazy Ballerina Shiraz in U.K or Europe? 
John Asks: Please help, Where can I buy/order Lazy Ballerina Shiraz in U.K.or Europe? I am desparate to share the flavour with my wife. Darby Says: …

Mean January Temperature and Continentality of Wine Regions 
Ashley Asks: Which of the following is likely to have both the lowest Mean January Temperature and the highest continentality? a. Margaret River (WA) …

How old is too old for drinking Tempranillo and Grenache? 
A reader asks: I have just gotten a 2003 Glaymond Tempranillo and a 2004 Glaymond Grenache should I hurry and drink them, or are they on the edge …

Best Travel Book for French Wine Regions 
Andrew asks: I have a friend who enjoys wine and is planning to travel to France next year. I'd like to buy them a practical guide book to French Wine …

Wine Bottle Base Hole Denoting Wine Quality? 
Paul Asks Hi - Is it true that the deeper the hole on the base of the actual bottle does suggest that the quality of the wine is excellent. When …

Light red wines in Australia 
Julie asks Can you recommend some light red wines from Australia? I don't have a great physical tolerance for Australian 'big' red wine (although …

Differences between McLaren Vale region compared to other regions. 
Andrew asks: I'm doing an assignment for a T.A.F.E course on McLaren Vale and have a question about how the wine style of McLaren Vale grapes compare …

Temperature to serve a Chambourcin 
Michelle asks: What is the best or recommended temperature to serve a Chambourcin at? Darby Says: The quick answer is room temperature. But in …

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Reference about grape texture and characteristics 
De Long's Wine Variety Table is a great source in getting to know the wine grape varietals. I was wondering if there is similar source of literature …

Ranger Park in Strathebogie ranges 
Adrian asks: I'm looking for a wine that I think was called "ranger park" from the strathbogie region, I can't seem to find a reference to it anywhere …

St MaCaire Wine 
Today I opened a 1982 LoxtonMedia Estate Saint Macaire wine, fully expecting to have to pour it down the sink but I was pleasantly surprised when I tasted …