Granite Belt Wines Win Again

Since opening their doors in 2000, Sirromet Wines have developed their own style as a quality producer - and a proud Queenslander.  They have proved their mettle in wine competitions across Australia and internationally and this latest result has many sitting up and taking notice.

Competing against more than 5000 other wines from 35 countries, Sirromet's submission to the 2011 Challenge International du Vin Competition in France has landed them a gold medal.  The wine that pulled it off for Sirromet was their Premium 2007 St Jude's Grand Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, made from grapes grown on the Granite Belt.

Sirromet chose the Granite Belt to grow this fruit of exceptional quality which is derived from its high elevation and distinct terroir. Sirromet owner Terry Morris (left) has been on the forefront of wine show competitions. To date they have been  awarded almost 500 medals in their short 11 year history.

Rob Hicks historic wine research

Wine educator/communicator extraordinaire Rob Hicks is now on the ground sniffing out the Granite Belt's best wines to include in an historic tasting in Brisbane next week.

In collaboration with Sommeliers Queensland, the highly regarded Hicks will present dozens of wines in a blind tasting in Brisbane for this august group.  Amongst the selection will be the Granite Belt's finest... which will titillate and test the palates of the State's top sommeliers to see how well they know what Hicks describes as the industry's best kept secret. This tasting of Granite Belt wines (embedded amongst international bottles) is a first for Sommeliers Queensland and is generating a bit of chatter in the twittersphere.

Helping plan his road trip through Granite Belt wineries this week is Anissa Williams, the incoming Director of Marketing for Granite Belt Wine and Tourism.

Sommeliers taste the Granite Belt

So close and yet so far is how Sommeliers Queensland have billed Granite Belt wines, which feature in their 19 April tasting.

They say: "We are only three hours away from the region, and yet we generally know very little about it and the wines they produce. It is time we started taking notice and supporting our local industry!"  Leading light Peter Marchant has invited his industry colleagues to join him and the esteemed Rob Hicks, and Bree Boskov as they explore the wines from the Queensland wine capital. It all happens next Tuesday at Brisbane's Ortiga restaurant 

Queensland's Food Fellow

If you haven't heard the name Alison Alexander before you may be out of the loop.  She's just been appointed the new Queensland Food Fellow by the Department of Employment, Economic Development and Innovation (DEEDI).

Hailing from rural Queensland, Alison has spearheaded a wave of food enthusiasm stretching the length and breadth of our sunny state. Through her leadership with the Brisbane Hilton Masterclass (along with Peter Howard) Alison has earned the respect of food industry movers and shakers.

Drawing on her extensive knowledge, Alison will work with DEEDI in developing projects to enhance our food reputation. Over the next two years Alison will travel to popular food centresm such as Sydney and Melbourne, to profile the food and innovative food science of Qld.

Keep an eye out for Alison Alexander, the lady who says she eats and drinks for a living is sure to make more food headlines .

Granite Belt appoints new Marketing Head

The face of the dynamic Granite Belt Wine & Tourism (GBWT) is about to change, with a new marketing appointment announced this week. Click here to read more.

Vintage - it's all over for one happy winemaker

Producing the 2011 wine vintage in Queensland has required large doses of faith, patience and perseverance for winemakers like Dylan Rhymer (left).  Vintage ended today for Dylan and the team at Ballandean Estate, and they are mighty happy.  According to a release issued by the winery, "With Mother Nature throwing everything from way too much rain to difficult to control disease outbreaks, it has come as a relief to pick the last of the 2011 vintage at Ballandean Estate.  Get the full story here... However despite the complications, there are already whispers of some hidden gems amongst the vines." They didn't elaborate so we'll all just have to watch this space, or if you are impatient, pop into the cellar door and ask them more. But across the Granite Belt other winemakers are still picking and processing grapes but most should be complete by the end of April.  However it has been a funny old year...

Kerry Heaney's off the rails

You know her as one of Queensland's most prolific wine and food bloggers and writers, but did you know this about her?

It all began recently when Kerry Heaney was tour leader for a group of food/lifestyle writers invited by Tourism Queensland to visit the Queensland wine capital.  During their tour, the group spotted a train parked on the side of a hill at Glen Aplin just south of Stanthorpe.  They just HAD to stop!  The good people at Harrington Glen Estate obliged and gave the curious group a guided tour through their train house.

Regrettably Kerry and her guests didn't have time to settle into the Granite Belt's most unusual tourist accommodation, but I think they'll be back.  Meanwhile all aboard for the full story on Kerry's blog.