WineDay: The Odd Couple

Warning: include() [function.include]: URL file-access is disabled in the server configuration in /home/twoway/public_html/food/wineday/2000/wd1200/wd122700.html on line 24

Warning: include(http://globalgourmet.com/includes/nav1.html) [function.include]: failed to open stream: no suitable wrapper could be found in /home/twoway/public_html/food/wineday/2000/wd1200/wd122700.html on line 24

Warning: include() [function.include]: Failed opening 'http://globalgourmet.com/includes/nav1.html' for inclusion (include_path='.:/usr/lib/php:/usr/local/lib/php') in /home/twoway/public_html/food/wineday/2000/wd1200/wd122700.html on line 24

Warning: include() [function.include]: URL file-access is disabled in the server configuration in /home/twoway/public_html/food/wineday/2000/wd1200/wd122700.html on line 29

Warning: include(http://globalgourmet.com/includes/banner468.html) [function.include]: failed to open stream: no suitable wrapper could be found in /home/twoway/public_html/food/wineday/2000/wd1200/wd122700.html on line 29

Warning: include() [function.include]: Failed opening 'http://globalgourmet.com/includes/banner468.html' for inclusion (include_path='.:/usr/lib/php:/usr/local/lib/php') in /home/twoway/public_html/food/wineday/2000/wd1200/wd122700.html on line 29

by Fred McMillin
for December 27, 2000

The Odd Couple

Prologue

Parts of Australia produce the best Sémillion in the world.

...Australian wine giant Len Evans, (pictured).

Americans have yet to discover Australian Sémillon.

..Australian Wine Bureau, N.Y., N.Y.

Len Evans signed two
of his books for Mrs. McMillin

Meet The Odd Couple

Len Evans also says that some folks find Aussie Sémillon a bit shocking, so here's our suggestion for a low-cost soft landing. Rosemount's wine whiz (twice Winemaker of the Year at International Wine Competition in England) Philip Shaw believes in blending, and some are unusual. One of his odd couples is...

Wine of the Day

Philip provides a gentle introduction to his Sémillon by blending Chardonnay (35%) with the sterner Sémillon (65%). The diamond-shaped label reads:

Rosemount Estate 1999 Sémillon Chardonnay
South Eastern Australia.
Winemaking—Philip uses natural yeast, a light touch of oak, and enough malolactic fermentation to turn some acidity into greater complexity.
Tasting Notes—Plenty of power for a white. Herbal notes from the Sémillon easily identifiable. Fine with that leftover holiday ham.
Contact—Sam Folsom, (415) 399-1138, FAX (415) 989-2908
The Diamond Label—Last year, for the first time, Rosemount's U.S.A. sales topped a million cases, a 40% increase over 1998. A major reason is the affordable, but award-winning Diamond Label wines. They are carefully crafted to appeal to the consumer, but the critics approve also. Way to go, Philip!
Price— $8 range.

Postscript

We mentioned Philip Shaw's use of natural yeast. On this very date in 1822, the person was born whose work led to the realization that yeast caused wine fermentation. Happy birthday, Louis Pasteur!

About the Writer

Fred McMillin, a veteran wine writer, has taught wine history for 30 years on three continents. In 1995, the Academy of Wine Communications honored Fred with one of only 22 Certificates of Commendation awarded to American wine writers. For information about the wine courses he teaches every month at either San Francisco State University or San Francisco City College (Fort Mason Division), please fax him at (415) 567-4468.

Current WineDay
WineDay Annex
WineDay Archive