Writer, author of The Australian Ark– a 3-volume history of the nation’s white wine market, specialist, white wine auctioneer and painter, Master of Wine Andrew Caillard uses lots of hats. Above all, he is understood to the worldwide trade as one of the most reliable white wine specialists in Australia. Andrew has actually just recently held a masterclass on Australian old vines in London. Extremely, 2 out of 7 white wines showcased at the masterclass originated from Margaret River– as soon as again showing not just the area’s vine heritage however likewise the quality of liquid. In June 2024, Andrew Caillard MW will be signing up with the evaluating group at the IWSC’s Global Wine Judging in Margaret River. We overtook Andrew on Western Australian vine heritage, the value of the IWSC Old Vine Trophy and his expectations ahead of the upcoming evaluating. Australia is not always viewed by broad trade or customers as an old vine nation. When you consider old vines, which Australian areas pertain to your mind initially and where does Western Australia stand from the old vines perspective? The area that’s got the most respected enduring plantings of all vine products is Barossa Valley. Of course, there are numerous other locations that likewise have vines that go back to the mid to late 19th century. When It Comes To Western Australia, grape vines were planted here in 1829. In regards to making it through vine stock product, there’s a little bit of things that’s from the 1890s in the Swan Valley. And there’s some product from the early 1900s, 1920s and 1930s. What’s really intriguing about Western Australia is the origin of the vine stock, particularly 2 specific clones. One is the Houghton clone– the structure of Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon. Now, the Department of Agriculture of Western Australia constantly states that this clone originates from the Cape Colony. Through my research study, I have extremely excellent proof to show that it comes from the east coast of Australia. It’s the initial vine stock brought into Australia in 1837, and it is stated to have actually originated from Cháteau Lafite. And the other clone is Gingin– the clone behind Margaret River’s Chardonnay. Gingin was brought into Western Australia in the 1950s. This vine stock product originated from Davis University– and they sourced it from the vine stock that has a provenance traced back to the Wente vineyards in the Livermore Valley, and all the method back to Meursault. There are resemblances in between Meursault and Margaret River Chardonnay. They both have that beautiful, velvety sort of volume that is reduced by that al-dente grip. Another thing is that since of the quarantine laws in Western Australia, South Australia and Tasmania, we never ever had phylloxera in these parts of the nation. We have this massive quantity of hereditary swimming pool of 19th-century vine stock product. I constantly keep in mind entering into London and some red wine professionals declaring that pre-phylloxera Bordeaux constantly tasted much better, however, you understand what – Australians consume pre-phylloxera white wine daily! And it’s definitely wonderful. What do you believe can be done to interact to the world that Australia is the homeland of lots of heritage vineyards? Do you believe participating in the IWSC Old Vine Trophy can assist Australian manufacturers spread out awareness of their old vines? Among the reasons I composed the Australian Ark, the story of Australian white wine from 1788, to today day, is truly to be able to reveal the world that there’s a lot more to Australian red wine than individuals believe. It is excellent that the IWSC is assisting raise awareness of the old vine heritage throughout the world through its Old Vine Trophy. This is the chance, and it’s a terrific chance for us to actually promote Australia’s old vines and its vine heritage due to the fact that it’s incredible. In 2015 the IWSC Old Vine Trophy was granted to a Margaret River manufacturer, Cape Mentelle– absolutely a show of Australia’s remarkable old vine heritage. There’s a great deal of conversation on whether old vines make much better white wine than more youthful vines. We do understand that with the age of the vine, the quality of the red wine enhances. You get more worth, more volume, more richness on the taste buds, and whatever appears to work much better. The thing is, if you look at the story of the old vines, the aspiration behind it and the extremely reality that they’ve endured– simply that alone is amazing. And their lifecycle frequently exceeds our human lifecycle. When you’re consuming a red wine that was planted ten years after Queen Victoria rose to the throne – that is incredible! I believe what the IWSC doing is fantastic, due to the fact that we require to develop a worth for these vines. They are under danger by not just phylloxera. Urbanization is the genuine killer, bad preparation, all those examples. I believe it’s terrific to be promoting the old vines and promoting them difficult and attempting to make them into something that they truly are – the prize that individuals ought to strive to have. What are your expectations of the upcoming IWSC Global Wine Judging in Margaret River? Having actually observed the story of Western Australian white wine from the early 1980s, I have actually been interested by the State’s continuing possible and satisfied by the advancement of the particular local designs. The mainstream white wine – consisting of those based upon Gingin clone Chardonnay or Houghton clone Cabernet Sauvignon – are frequently stunning and resonating. My expectations are high due to the fact that I understand the quality that is being accomplished. Of course every competitors represents a journey of discovery, regardless of previous experience. Looking beyond The Old Vine Trophy, why do you believe it will be useful for Western Australian manufacturers to go into the IWSC’s evaluating in Margaret River? Medals and awards are constantly practical in constructing track records, offering important feedback and creating momentum. At an evaluating level, impressions will vary from the classical Australian red wine program format. This is a chance to collect fresh viewpoints and viewpoints while likewise constructing acknowledgment for the very best of Margaret River and Western Australian red wine.
Andrew Caillard MW: Australian old vines are worthy of a prize – IWSC
