Eltham & District Winemakers Guild Inc. Press Cuttings February 2010 President Spencer Field 9710 1928 Treasurer David Pryr 9439 4933 Past President Gerge Wright 9712 0318 Cmmunicatins Marcel Theunissen 5962 5153 Secretary Gary Campanella 0409 198 884 Newsletter Richard Brtk 9811 8219 The Guild encurages the respnsible cnsumptin f alchl The Guild meets n the last Friday f each mnth at the Eltham Living & Learning Centre at 7.45 pm Next meeting: 26 February 2010 In This Newsletter: Next Meeting... 2 President s Press... 2 Guild Asset Register... 7 Wine Qutes and News... 8 Trading Barrel... 9 Wine Shw Majr Spnsrs... 10 Cellar Plus... 10 Winequip Prducts... 11 Cstante Imprts... 12 Spnsrs Crner... 13 Greensbrugh Hme Brewing... 13 Heritage Cpers... 13 EDWG Newsletter February 2010 Page 1
Next Meeting Next meeting 26 Feb 7:45 pm start: Featuring: The 2010 J Illian Trphy Class: Herb, Grain Flwer, Vegetable wines: Making and tasting Kicking f anther year f high quality Cuntry Winemaking, the presenters will set the scene with what t lk fr in a great Herb, Grain, flwer, Veg wine and hw t get there. Tasting f Cuntry Wines frm this Wineshw Class. Herb, Grain, Flwer WOTY Meeting Medal fr the best Herb, Flwer, Veg Wine Greg Martin supprted by Harry Gilham, Gerge Wright and Vink Etervic WOTY f members wines frm this class Yes!! A J Illian Challenge!! We want t give as many members as pssible a gd chance at winning the Guild s mst prestigius award at this year s 41 st Eltham Wine Shw. This is a real challenge fr mst members including myself, as few f us has ever attempted t make a nn-fruit cuntry wine. I believe it s imprtant that every member take an interest in making cuntry wines say at least ne a year. The skills develped frm making cuntry wines can t but assist us in making better and mre creative grapes wines. Vink, as ne f ur leading winemakers f bth cuntry and grape wines, has demnstrated this pint. Our presenters fr the meeting have a wealth f experience and wisdm t cntribute, and Harry Gilham will be handing ut several f his wn tried, tested and prven herb, grain, flwer and vegetable wine recipes. And there will be tastings f sme excellent examples! S this meeting will hpefully kick ff the making f sme J Illian entries by many members. Fr the September meeting, we prpse t have a fllw-up - previewing members herb, grain flwer and veg shw wines. Fr the WOTY, please be sure t bring alng any herb, grain, flwer, grain wine - finished r unfinished, fr evaluatin. Please nte there will be an award t the member (ther than the presenters) bringing alng the best wine f this class. President s Press Spencer Field January BBQ meeting: Mre than 30 members, including new members and a cuple f guests, turned up t the BBQ meeting and were treated t sme gurmet sausages, bread and Buckleys Beer, all curtesy f Jhn and Rma O Callaghan. Other members, Jeanne and Mari Anders, and ne ther (aplgies fr my fading memry!) very kindly brught salads, adding t the fd enjyment f the evening. Many members brught a bttle t share. Welcme t new members attending their first meeting: Jhn and Sue Hughes, Stipan Ruzicka, Nan Oakes, Brian Spencer and Luigi Di Battista. Scial festivities were interrupted fr a presentatin n ur new website by Webmaster Marcel Theunissen and Secretary Gary Campanella. With the assistance f several cntributing members, these guys have turned www.amateurwine.rg.au int a majr EDWG Newsletter February 2010 Page 2
resurce fr Guild members, and nt surprisingly the website is f increasing interest by nt nly members but als ther wine lvers. The number f peple visiting the website can be measured (hits), and sme 11 hits per day was the level as at 29 January and has increased t abut 20 as at 15 February and shuld cntinue t expand. T assist in the maintenance and ensuring the website is kept up t date, sme members will be asked t accept respnsibility fr updating particular pages f the website, and will receive training necessary fr crrectly accessing the website and making necessary changes. Fr example, ur Assets Manager, Rb Aitken may be asked t keep the assets register up-t-date, including wh has the crusher/destemmer at any particular time. Have yu used the website? Well if yu are trying t surce grapes, yu shuld have! Besides listing a range f fruit surces, yu will find much f interest, including: Winemaking tips and tricks Cuntry wine making guide Grape wine making guide Mre than 25 technical articles n the varius aspects f making wine Where t g t test yur wines The full set f ntes prvided fr last year s cuntry wine making curse Details f and sme specials frm ur spnsrs Newsletters ld and new Tpics listings f current and future Guild meetings Details f ur annual Wine Shw, including the majr awards explained News flashes n the Hme page (these will becme mre frequent in the future) Trading barrel be sure t check ut Marcel s fferings here! Links t ther wine making sites and related magazines And there is much mre t be added ver the next six mnths. WATCH FOR IT!! Alternative grape varieties frm Mildura: Several members have purchased a ttal f 2.1 tnnes f grapes, including Sangivese, Ner D Avla, Tempranill and Aneis frm the Redcliffs area in NW Victria. Geff Neagle is very capably c-rdinating the purchase, transprt, delivery and return f cntainers. He is als c-rdinating any grup crushing at his place using the Guild s crusher/destemmer. The Tempranill and Aneis were crushed n 11 February; and the D Avla and Sangivese will fllw in the next 2-3 weeks. A tasting/assessment f these wines will be prvided fr in the secnd half f this year at a Guild meeting. Shiraz grape ffer frm Rb Aitken: I have a small vineyard f abut 40 Shiraz vines n my Eltham prperty. I expect t get smewhere between 50-75 kg f grapes in February/March f this year. As I already have an ample supply f wine I wuld be happy fr ne f the guild members t take the grapes EDWG Newsletter February 2010 Page 3
t make their wn wine. The first persn t ask can have the grapes. I can be cntacted n 9439 5775. My address is 49 Dandall Drive, Eltham." Lvegrve Winery, Cttlesbridge is lking fr grape pickers: Hi guys, we are ging back t the gd ld days & harvesting with friends & custmers. First date is 21st February assuming n cyclnic weather. We plan t start at 7.45am (arrive at LG at 7.30am), have mrning tea at 11am and BBQ at 3pm if nt earlier. Vlunteers will receive wine t take away. There will be at least 2 ther picking days like this ne in March. We wuld really appreciate helpers - it is much mre fun ding it this way. Hping t hear frm yu. Luise & Stephen Lvegrve Vineyard & Winery p: (03) 9718 1569 m: 0419 319 779 e: enquiries@lvegrvewinery.cm.au w: www.lvegrvewinery.cm.au March and April Guild meeting tpics Fr a cmplete list f tpic prpsals cvering all meetings in 2010, please review n the website. 26-Mar 30-Apr Develp a Gld palette Here's a great pprtunity t imprve yur tasting skills! Be guided thrugh the basic elements f taste that make up wine, learn t identify the mst cmmn winemaking faults. A must fr anyne serius abut making better wine. Making Super Shiraz Making Shiraz wine is a ppular favurite f many Guild members and we have sme excellent expnents f the art. This meeting will fcus n the anatmy f a Super Shiraz; hw yu select tp Shiraz grapes, hw yu make it, hw yu set the scene t make it Super. A number f Gld medal Shiraz wines will be tasted alng with superb examples f cmmercial Shiraz. Cmmn Reds and White t supprt sessin Member Wines with Faults Cmmercial Shiraz Shiraz WOTY Meeting Medal fr the best wine in the Super Shiraz challenge Cuntry Wine Review: As agreed at ur December meeting, a Cmmittee was frmed t review the directin fr cuntry wines. The Cuntry Wine Review Cmmittee (CWRC) cmprises Greg Martin (cnvenr), Harry Gilham (LM), Graham Sctt (FM, LM), Tim Rss, Gerge Wright and David Hart. The Cmmittee has released its terms f reference, bjectives and, fr member edificatin and feedback, sme tentative recmmendatins. The Cmmittee is t cmplete and submit its full reprt in June. Members, please cnsider the fllwing and give feedback t any members f the CWRC r the Executive (yu culd talk email me n president@amateurwine.rg.au). The final reprt f the CWRC will be pen fr discussin and feedback by relevant stakehlders including Shw Cmmittee and general membership. EDWG Newsletter February 2010 Page 4
Cuntry Wine Review Cmmittee (CWRC) Interim Reprt: N 1. Meeting: 15/01/2010 First Meeting f the CWRC cmmittee. Cmmittee: Present: Email Input: Prelim. Meeting: Greg Martin(Cnvenr), Harry Gilham, Gerge Wright, Graham Sctt, David Hart and Tim Rss. Greg Martin, Harry Gilham, Gerge Wright. Tim Rss. David Hart, Chris Myers (Frankstn Wine Guild). Meeting held at Edithvale; 05/01/2010. Reprt Prepared by: Greg Martin Terms f Reference Objectives: 1. The Prmtin f Cuntry Wine Making. 2. Cuntry Wine Judging. Deliverables: Written recmmendatins t be presented t the main cmmittee. It is expected that sme recmmendatins may be f interest t the Wine Shw Cmmittee when it refrms fr the 2010 wine shw. 1. Interim reprts t the main cmmittee after each meeting. 2. A final reprt t be drafted by June 2010. Schedule & Operatin: Three f Fur meetings t take place prir t the final reprt. Email submissins frm cmmittee members and ther interested members will be acceptable. The cmmittee will trial until June 2010 and then its usefulness will be reviewed. Greg Martin will prepare the reprts. Preliminary Recmmendatins. 1. The Hybrid Class discussin t be pened t the membership early in 2010. The ptin t create a Hybrid Class whereby grape and cuntry wines can be mixed r blended fr example: Shiraz + Plum + Spices Cabernet + Blackcurrant + Plum + Blackberry EDWG Newsletter February 2010 Page 5
Merlt + Mulberry (Italy) + Plum Riesling + Lemn + Lime + Flwers Sauvignn Blanc + Gseberry + Flwers Pint + Strawberry and Raspberry Actin: Greg Martin t write up an article in the affirmative fr the Website t prmte thught and discussin amngst the membership. 2. T extend an invitatin t Chris Myers (Frankstn Guild) t judge Cuntry Wines. His knwledge and experience has been validated and he wuld be a valuable additin t the judging team in 2010. The additin f nn-eltham judges will als give the judging panel a wider scpe f experience and expertise. 3. The Appintment f a Senir Cuntry Wines Judge. Cuntry wines can have a multitude f base materials and is a cmplex task t assess; sme ingredients are rare and bscure. It is recmmended that a senir cuntry judge is appinted t act as a supprt t the ther cuntry wine judges. It des nt have any rle with the grape judging. This judge will nt judge classes but take n a rving rle whereby they can be invited t assist with difficult entries, help in the reslutin f disagreement and validate medal and near medal wines. This prcess will als help justify the Guild s cmprehensive prcessing f entries t entrants. It is recmmended that the first Senir Cuntry Wines Judge is t be Mr Harry Gilham. Issues under cnsideratin. Bulk buying a Cuntry Wine Base material fr Cuntry Wine Making prmtin. Increasing reinfrcement / awards fr Cuntry Wines. The encuragement f experimentatin in cuntry winemaking. Review f judging sheets frm Adelaide and Frankstn Guilds. Shuld Heritage Capture be within the terms f reference? Issues tabled fr later cnsideratin. Structuring cuntry wine int mnthly meetings. Website articles fr cuntry wine. Frmulatin f judging standards fr cuntry wine classes. The training f cuntry wine judges. EDWG Newsletter February 2010 Page 6
Single base material versus a mixture/blend. Cmbining dry & sweet style classes but adding SG. Judging panels instead f ne judge. Cde f cnduct fr cuntry wine judges. Guild Asset Register Rb Aitken Plicy fr management f guild equipment: This plicy is based n the Guild s charter t T nurture, prmte and sustain the art f amateur grape and cuntry wine making. Part f nurturing the art f winemaking is t prvide guild members (especially new members) with access t basic but cstly equipment which they will need t make wine. 1. The Guild wns a limited range f equipment fr the purpse f assisting (particularly new) members t make wine when therwise the cst f equipment culd be a deterrent t wine making. 2. All Guild equipment is t be available t all members t use. 3. Members may hld equipment at their wn hme but need t infrm the Guild s asset manager f any changes (eg transfer t anther member, damage, lss, etc) 4. Existing items regarded as basic and lwer cst (eg plastic cntainers, demijhns) will nt be replaced at the end f their useful life. Asset descriptin Qty Respnsible member Name Phne Email Enlmatic Bttling Unit 1 Bruce Black 0402 435 759 bblack1@ptusnet.cm.au Crusher / Destemer 1 Rb Aitken 9439 5775 cabsav@bigpnd.net.au 0417 537 993 Small Keith Traeger 1 Helmut Derner 5786 1484 hderner@bigpnd.net.au Press - 38L 310 mm dia. x 510 hi. Larger Andy 1 Rb Aitken 9439 5775 cabsav@bigpnd.net.au Miezis Press - 64L 380 dia. x 567 hi. 0417 537 993 54L Demijhn 1 Jhn O Callaghan 9437 0053 jhn@buckleysbeer.cm.au 0408 354 909 35L Demijhn 1 Dave Pryr 9439 4933 pryr@gtalk.net.au 0400 159 194 30L Black Plastic 2 Rb Aitken 9429 5775 cabsav@bigpnd.net.au Fermenters (& Ken King) 0417 537 993 Judging glasses Many Ken King 9712 0316 0418 382 203 ken_king@bigpnd.cm EDWG Newsletter February 2010 Page 7
Wine Qutes and News 'Withut questin, the greatest inventin in the histry f mankind is wine. Oh, I grant yu that the wheel was als a fine inventin, but the wheel des nt g nearly as well with pasta.' - by Rb Aitken (aplgies t Dave Barry fr my liberties with his riginal qute) Articles wanted Articles f interest, whether they are qutes r newswrthy, are requested frm members. If yu have a draft versin r need sme assistance, I m happy t assist fr its inclusin. (Ed.) EDWG Newsletter February 2010 Page 8
Trading Barrel BUY / SELL SERVICE FOR MEMBERS - Ads need t be ldged with the editr by the 14th f the mnth t be included in the next Newsletter. Glass Flagns Fr sale pairs f clear glass flagns, ne 5 litre and ne 2 litre. Ideal fr cuntry wine making r string small quantities f grape wine. $10 per set. Mari Fantin 9846 7092. FREE Wine Bks The fllwing secnd hand wine bks are freely available t the first persn enquiring: - The classic Aust. Wine guide 91 94 - Penguin Gd Aust. Wine guide 96 97 - Penguin Gd Aust. Wine guide 03 04 - Aus / NZ Wine vintages 1995 Email Frank at frank.van-grieken@hp.cm (St Andrews). Spencer can pick up frm Frank fr handing t a member at next Guild meeting. 700L Fermentatin Vat + Lid Only used nce. We bught this in 2007 when we were still managing ur vineyard in Trawl and had larger badges f grapes t ferment. At this mment scaled dwn t smaller badges and (infected by ur dmestic virusses Gerge and Vink) started t make cuntry wines and wuld like t free up sme valuable space in the garage. Discunted new price was $285. If yu pick it up frm ur place in Healesville it s yurs fr $185. Mre infrmatin: Marcel Theunissen, 03 5962 1776. FREE Plystyrene wine packaging Because ur wine exprt curier has changed packaging materials we have abut 20 (three bttle) plystyrene wine packaging packs that we dn t use anymre. Besides they are great fr sending wines yu can use them fr string yur precius wines as well. Being an envirnmentally aware cmpany we dn t want t thrw them away. Yu can have them fr free if yu pick them up frm Healesville r let me knw befre ne f ur mnthly meetings. Mre infrmatin: Marcel Theunissen, 03 5962 1776. EDWG Newsletter February 2010 Page 9
Wine Shw Majr Spnsrs Cellar Plus EDWG Newsletter February 2010 Page 10
Winequip Prducts 59 BANBURY RD RESERVOIR PHONE: 9462 4777 www.winequip.cm.au ALL GUILD MEMBERS ENTITLED TO 10% OFF RETAIL ON PRESENTATION OF GUILD DISCOUNT CARD WE HAVE A FULL RANGE OF WINEMAKING GEAR FOR THE BOUTIQUE AND COMMERCIAL WINEMAKER AT THE BEST PRICES IN MELBOURNE. WE ARE VICTORIA S EXCLUSIVE SUPPLIER OF MARKET LEADING LALLEMAND YEASTS AND MALO CULTURES FEBRUARY 2010 SUPER SPECIALS EXCLUSIVE TO GUILD MEMBERS!!! (valid t 15 March 2010, n further member discunts apply) 300L VARIABLE CAPACITY TANK A must fr any winemaker needing mre strage $500 (save $100) ZAMBELLI T25 FLEXIBLE IMPELLER PUMP Versatile pump fr wine transfer and bttling $990 (save $200) 20% OFF RETAIL PRICE FOR ALL WINE CHEMICALS EDWG Newsletter February 2010 Page 11
Cstante Imprts EDWG Newsletter February 2010 Page 12
Spnsrs Crner Greensbrugh Hme Brewing Yur lcal hmebrew shp carrying a cmplete range f Wine & Beer making supplies Bks Nutrients Glassware Acids 5L Stills Oak Barrels Crks Yeasts Winemaking equipment hire including mtrised crusher / destemmer (750kg / hr), basket press, crker and mre. Call Dave fr all yur needs Greensbrugh Hme Brewing 22 Luis Street, Greensbrugh (Melways Map 20/J4) Tel: 9432 0283 Heritage Cpers WINE BARRELS FOR SALE We can recnditin yur barrels r yu can buy ex-winery barrels that have been recvered and renewed. Lcal service at Diamnd Creek Ex-winery barrels shaved and tasted Re-cnditined (cmpletely re-cpered) barrels frm 50-150 litres Shaving and tasting Fr all yur cperage needs cntact Neil n 9438 1790 r 0402 015 138 Enquiries welcme EDWG Newsletter February 2010 Page 13