Premium vs Bulk Wine Production
Written By: Michael Corbett on Thursday, April 24, 2008
Price vs. Quality has long been the debate for bulk and premium wines.
In the last six months, I have worked two different harvests, in two different growing regions, and two vastly different scales. This contrast begs the question - which is better, bulk wine, or premium wine? In one corner we have a 900 tonne producer of premium Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay in The Napa Valley. All fruit is hand...read moreTagged Under: Australia, Napa Valley, Wine Making, Bulk Producers, Premium Producers
Posted In: Jumping Into Vino
Living With Global Winemakers
Written By: Michael Corbett on Thursday, March 13, 2008
Wine makers of the world come together under one roof...like "Big Brother" for wine makers.
A 24 hour flight and twelve thousand miles later I have arrived in Langhorne Creek, South Australia and moved into my house here. As luck would have it, I am sharing a house with four other international wine travelers who have come to work the harvest as well. Living in one country farmhouse, we have an American, Italian, Frenchman, South...read moreLanghorne Where?
Written By: Michael Corbett on Friday, January 25, 2008
A Wine Journey Through Australia
Since the first part of my journey is probably going to be riddled with a massive case of jet lag, and running around to get my bearings I figured it would be better to pre-write an article to buy me some article writing time down there. And what a better topic to discuss than the particular region I'll be working in: Langhorne Creek, South...read moreTagged Under: Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz Syrah, Australia, Barossa Valley, Langhorne
Posted In: Jumping Into Vino
Next Stop, Australia!
Written By: Michael Corbett on Wednesday, January 23, 2008
Winemaking Across the Globe
You may have noticed that the title of this column in Jumping Into Vino, and let me assure you it is named that for a reason. The last varietal I highlighted, Shiraz, put the Australian wine industry on the map, and it just so happens that in a few days time I will be stepping foot in Adelaide, South Australia. One week later I will be...read moreTagged Under: Shiraz Syrah, Australia, Collecting, Crush, Wine Making, Chablis, The Wine Bible, Caribbean, Barossa Valley
Posted In: Jumping Into Vino
Is it Syrah or Shiraz?
Written By: Michael Corbett on Tuesday, January 8, 2008
Tackle one of wine's classic questions - what is the difference between Syrah and Shiraz?
Both! Syrah is an old Rhone varietal that has been planted throughout the world capable of vinifying into a range of wines from juicy/berry table wines to complex tannin puzzles. It is Australia, where it takes on its alter-ego Shiraz, which has put this now emerging varietal on the map. Shiraz is Australia's number one planting, and because...read moreBringing Summer Back with Sauvignon Blanc
Written By: Michael Keba on Friday, December 28, 2007 
Remind Yourself of Warmer Days By Investigating the Aromatics of Sauvignon Blanc.
In our first two weeks we talked about the complexity of chardonnay, and the tannic nature of carbernet sauvignon. Now it's time to talk about a more delicate wine, enter the queen of aromatic wines – Sauvignon Blanc. Sauvignon blanc is known for its crisp and...
read moreThe Tannic Categories of Cabernet Sauvignon
Written By: Michael Corbett on Friday, December 21, 2007 
Cabernet Sauvignon can be a labyrinth. Use this guide to decipher tannins, oaking and price.
Quite possibly the polar opposite of chardonnay, cabernet sauvignon has never been a simple wine. As the child of the tannic father cabernet franc and the aromatic mother sauvignon blanc, its complexity of flavors goes all the way back to its...
read moreChardonnay Exposed
Written By: Michael Corbett on Tuesday, December 11, 2007
Finding Your Chardonnay
Chardonnay started in the American wine market as a simple white wine (think Carlo Rossi Chablis). It is now, though, one of the most interesting wine varietals in the industry. Climate wise it is as versatile as a native born New-Englander – it can thrive just about anywhere independent of weather conditions. And although California is known...read moreTagged Under: White Wines, Chardonnay, Cabernet
Posted In: Jumping Into Vino

Columnist Michael Corbett invites readers to jump into the world of wine. It can be intimidating and scary, but Corbett endeavors to break down wine issues and make it accessible and interesting. Have you ever wondered how to differentiate one Chardonney from the next? Or perhaps how to navigate Cabernet Sauvignon? Corbett provides this information in an approachable manner and invites readers to investigate wine more deeply. It's a great place to start your wine experience or pick up new information. Check back often as he tackles new issues.
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Book Review - "Red, White, and Drunk All Over" by Natalie MacLean
