Wine lovers musings, amusings and news

[TheRealTMA]

I have a 175 bottle VinoVault for my wine. The shelves are set for the smaller Bordeaux bottles so when I have larger Burgundy size (pinot noir/chardonnay) there is no way I can fit that quantity in.

I have mine set at 18° and am quite happy with that. If the power goes off when we are away then the default setting is 12°. When we return I put it back to 18°.

If we are away during summer and not able to turn on the room air con then the ambient can reach up to 40°. This is very rare but does happen. I used to lose a lot of good wine until I bought the wine fridge.

With this sort of consistency I have had no failures for many years now. Even if I open the door to select a wine the temp jumps to 21 or 22° in less than a minute but I don't see that as a problem.

I looked at recommendations from several sources but did not find anything suggesting such a low temp setting as yours. I suppose it's a matter of what works for you.

Not sure what your current ambient is but I am in T shirt & shorts at the moment

I'm not sure any of you are doing a correct evaluation of the temperature fluctuations in your wine fridge. It's not the variation as simply measured by an air thermometer. This may well be cyclic of say 5 degrees or more but that's not really the point I suggest.

One needs to consider the temperature fluctuations inside the bottle itself. The insulating quality of the glass bottle plus the specific heat ( if I remember the terminology) of the wine itself are factors. Both of these will meliorate the actual wine temperature fluctuations.

I suggest one should put a digital probe inside the wine bottle (full) and reseal, then monitor it over 24 hrs to a week.

When I get back from this next trip I might do this out of interest in my dual zone DeLonghi.

There's no evidence that storing whites at quite low temperatures is useful. (Actually there was a study on 1-2year storage of NZ SBs which did indicate that the methoxy - pyrazines and various terpine components were much better preserved if the bottles were stored at lower temperatures- but this does not mean the specific wine will taste 'better' after two years than if kept a more moderate temperatures. Just that the chemical analysis shows the chemical transitions of the lighter molecular weight components are slower, as one would expect.)

Overall, despite having a wine fridge (Brisbane) set for 17 for reds and 14 for whites, ( used only for special bottles) there's still no evidence-based research that says it really matters if you use a wine cabinet or not, providing wine is not exposed to extreme heat variations and direct sunlight, and specifically if it's screw capped and not suffering from cork fatigue.

 

[Whining&dining]

bargain of the year

Come on down and we'll put you up! (just noticed the date - shame!)

 

[beefarmer]

Come on down and we'll put you up! (just noticed the date - shame!)

Done deal.............I will get around to it !

 

[Steady]

I visited a few Tamar Valley vineyards on the weekend, these are my thoughts. (there are also some other photos in the "View from my office" thread)

'Holm Oak', very nice wines and setting. They do platters up from smallgoods available in their fridge. They had a range of free tastings (most of their offerings) or you can pay $15- for a flight of 4 Pinots including their premium one. ($130) It had a nice feel to it.


'Goaty Hill', beautiful outlook and lots of awards for their Rieslings. They offer platters, they have a $4- tasting charge offset if you purchase. Overall it was nice but didn't grab me.

'Tamar Ridge' - big, flashy, modern. They have a broad range of offerings including a cheaper range (Tassie wines are generally more expensive than I see elsewhere) They carry Tamar Ridge, Pirie and Devils Corner ranges - I didn't see any Browns Brothers but there may have been some hiding somewhere. They have a function room and accommodation, they also serve meals. I have been a fan of Tamar Ridge Pinot for a long time and also love the Pirie Sparkling's. I had my first taste of their reserve and a single vintage that I thought to be a step above the range I already love. Free tastings.

'Moores Hill', a nice small vineyard with a café overlooking the vines. I liked the Pinot, sparkling and Riesling I tried and would lover to go back and enjoy some over lunch on the veranda. Good atmosphere, free tastings.


'Wines For Joanie' is a relatively new place - they were busy landscaping with excavators when I called in but the tasting room was full of atmosphere (converted apple crate manufacturing shed) and a very genuine proprietor telling their story. They had a fruity vintage sparkling - very different than a dry toasty sparkling. They had a cheap fruit driven Pinot with a different label, but my favourite was their flagship Pinot - on the expensive side but stunning. Not sure if they charged for tasting, I purchased some wine so it didn't come up.


'Swinging Gate Vineyard' is not marked on the wine route map and there was no sign on the main road - I went past it to visit Wines For Joanie so figured I may as well stop in. It has only just opened under that name and the previous owners had just been selling fruit. The wines were very fruity (intentionally) as he needed some sell now/drink now wines for cash flow. I like citrusy Rieslings - the fruity style is not to my taste at the moment. I was very surprised that the Pinot had the same fruit salad characters as the Riesling - it was ok but not for me. He had a dry Fiano that was interesting and as I was about to leave he offered some Amarone (made with Pinot and Shiraz as he does not have the traditional grapes) from the barrel out the back. It was my first try of this style and definitely unique. There was a small group their having a massive platter and he just fired up the BBQ to cook them lunch (Nigel's Sausages made from pork, pear, his Pinot and something else, a herb, but it escapes me) The CD was little more than an old shed but it had a definite charm. Free tastings.


'Loira Vines' - I left with a bottle. I liked everything I tried - well the cold climate Shiraz was liked but not something I would buy (edit; this wine had a very distinct white pepper taste - I have never tasted pepper in a wine that was so clearly white pepper). The CD was tiny but the hospitality was huge. Cheese and crackers were brought out, I was treated like long lost family with genuine interest in where I was from and what I was up to etc. I left with a Pinot, but am kicking myself I didn't grab a half a case of Chardonnay - and I don't even like Chardonnay.... It has been mentioned elsewhere that I was put off by heavily wooded Chardonnays but this, like many others I am sure was not wooded and while fruity, a fruity I really liked. I will return, free tastings.


'WinterBrook' I have nothing positive to say, so will leave it at tastings cost $4

 

[ste667]

Fantastic TR Steady. Am thinking back on all that wasted time I spent in Tassie before I was into wine!

 

[Teebs]

Did you get a chance to call into Sinapius at all?

 

[Steady]

Fantastic TR Steady. Am thinking back on all that wasted time I spent in Tassie before I was into wine!

Thanks ste667, I have a family "shack" on the Western side of the Tamar River and have never called into any of the Vineyards :shock:
I am going to start working my way through all of them, but as I will be driving most of the time, my visits will be brief, followed up with a more substantial sample in the future once I have a feel for the ones I like.

Did you get a chance to call into Sinapius at all?

Not yet, but as mentioned above I will get there.

I am spending a week near the Pipers Brook area after Christmas, so plan to have a look at the East Tamar sites while there.

 

[JessicaTam]

What, pray tell, is 'The Den'?

 

[sigmadelta]

What, pray tell, is 'The Den'?

Not what, who. Did you not get Eastenders on TV here? ;-)

Actually it's the Lion Nathan friends & family website which gives you discounts on their stables' offerings.

 

[vedder50]

What, pray tell, is 'The Den'?

https://www.thedenlionco.com/customer/account/login/

Can only get access by invite. They do have some good deals from time to time. Stonier Reserve Pinot for $35. Innocent Bystander Syrah 2015 for less than $16 pb. The invite also gives you $20 credit, along with the referrer. Up until recently I think invites were more difficult to come by so I wouldn't be surprised if some people are interested.

 

[jrod]

I'm not sure any of you are doing a correct evaluation of the temperature fluctuations in your wine fridge. It's not the variation as simply measured by an air thermometer. This may well be cyclic of say 5 degrees or more but that's not really the point I suggest.

One needs to consider the temperature fluctuations inside the bottle itself. The insulating quality of the glass bottle plus the specific heat ( if I remember the terminology) of the wine itself are factors. Both of these will meliorate the actual wine temperature fluctuations.

I suggest one should put a digital probe inside the wine bottle (full) and reseal, then monitor it over 24 hrs to a week.

When I get back from this next trip I might do this out of interest in my dual zone DeLonghi.

There's no evidence that storing whites at quite low temperatures is useful. (Actually there was a study on 1-2year storage of NZ SBs which did indicate that the methoxy - pyrazines and various terpine components were much better preserved if the bottles were stored at lower temperatures- but this does not mean the specific wine will taste 'better' after two years than if kept a more moderate temperatures. Just that the chemical analysis shows the chemical transitions of the lighter molecular weight components are slower, as one would expect.)

Overall, despite having a wine fridge (Brisbane) set for 17 for reds and 14 for whites, ( used only for special bottles) there's still no evidence-based research that says it really matters if you use a wine cabinet or not, providing wine is not exposed to extreme heat variations and direct sunlight, and specifically if it's screw capped and not suffering from cork fatigue.

I run my cellar bottle temp at 14-15'. You think that is too cold?

It's a panasonic inverter split system set at 16' and keeps the room around 14.5' and I have a digital bottle thermometer.

 

[TheRealTMA]

I run my cellar bottle temp at 14-15'. You think that is too cold?It's a panasonic inverter split system set at 16' and keeps the room around 14.5' and I have a digital bottle thermometer.

It's all subjective so if that suits your cellaring then that's fine for me. I prefer to run mine a little warmer, but YMMV.

so what's the variation measured by your thermometer?

 

[jrod]

It's all subjective so if that suits your cellaring then that's fine for me. I prefer to run mine a little warmer, but YMMV.

so what's the variation measured by your thermometer?

I hear you - I'm by no means an expert. I was told 12-14 degrees, but then I have a family member who runs 18. I just run it at 16 (coldest setting) because we have solar panels, so it really doesn't use much power.

I have a look everytime I go in there and liquid temp seems to hover between 14.1-14.8 during a day. It's just a cheap probe though and I'm hoping the minor fluctuations don't equate to much. Bloody impressed with the panasonic inverter though, I think it has 5 or 6 star energy efficiency and the compressor is very quiet.

 

[JessicaTam]

Offers of The Den invitations have been deleted.

Referrals may only be posted in the referrals sub-forum.

 

[penegal]

Referrals may only be posted in the referrals sub-forum.

Where is this mysterious place?

 

[rhodges]

Referrals may only be posted in the referrals sub-forum.

Where is this mysterious place?

Looks like that'd be here, and more specifically for The Den, here.

 

[burmans]

Where is this mysterious place?

Refer to my post in the referrals section!

 

[TheRealTMA]

I hear you - I'm by no means an expert. I was told 12-14 degrees, but then I have a family member who runs 18. I just run it at 16 (coldest setting) because we have solar panels, so it really doesn't use much power.

I have a look everytime I go in there and liquid temp seems to hover between 14.1-14.8 during a day. It's just a cheap probe though and I'm hoping the minor fluctuations don't equate to much. Bloody impressed with the panasonic inverter though, I think it has 5 or 6 star energy efficiency and the compressor is very quiet.

Yes your pano does well. Personally in reality IMHO it doesn't matter if you have temp control at all, provided there are few extremes.

 

[penegal]

Refer to my post in the referrals section!

I couldn't find the referrals section.

Blind as a bat. Happens when you get old.

Thanks for the links rhodges.

 

[Major]

I run my VinoVault at 18°.

There is some variation but no extremes. I have used this temp for several years and more than happy with the results