RandyCaparoso.wineauthorMay 18, 2025
Thoughts on place and authenticity, crystallized in wines shown at HVS In the City. Re https://caparoso.substack.com/p/the-state-of-historic-vineyard-society #historicvineyardsociety #oldvines #ancientvines #ownrooted #zinfandel #carignan #semillon #riesling #mataro
The state of Historic Vineyard Society growths in 2025

Thoughts on place and authenticity, crystallized in wines shown at HVS In the City

The Wine Clarion by Randy Caparoso
Appellation HunterSep 12, 2023

It's a very happy day when a phalanx of Synergy Shiraz from Thomas Wines invades my dining room!

Andrew Thomas, the eponymous Head Winemaker, is a passionate supporter of the Hunter Valley, and only produces wines from the Valley's two signature grapes: semillon and shiraz. The breadth of expressions is incredible, from blends to single vineyard, fruity youths to aged-released. And it's all just delicious!

#huntervalley #wine #semillon #shiraz #syrah

Appellation HunterAug 11, 2023

Absolutely gorgeous day here in Newcastle. What better way to spend it than sitting in the sunshine, drinking a delightfully crisp Hunter semillon from De Illius Wines. Just doesn't get any better!

#huntervalley #wine #semillon #sunshine

Appellation HunterJul 18, 2023

So much to love about this. A blend of Hunter Valley semillon and sauvignon blanc (not sure where that's sourced from), textural, fruity bubbles under a Stelvin closure in a lightweight glass bottle. And delicious to boot! I picked up a dozen of these at auction and it was a great buy! The 1858 refers to when Tyrrells was founded (one of the oldest wine families in Australia).

Tyrrells 1858 Cuvee Brut - bloody delicious! #huntervalley #wine #sparklingwine #semillon #sauvignonblanc

Appellation HunterMar 31, 2023

An absolutely glorious autumn day in the Hunter Valley yesterday, got to visit my adopted semilllon vine Terry who is slowing getting ready to hibernate for the winter now that harvest is done.

And got to have a hit at the Hunter Valley Golf Club at Crowne Plaza resort. Fun course with some interesting course management challenges. All in all, a great way to spend. Thursday 👍

#huntervalley #semillon #wine #vineyard #golf

Appellation HunterJan 19, 2023

Is this a universally done thing? Here in Australia when you stay with friends a bottle of wine is given as a small gift to say thanks for the hospitality.

In this instance it's a bottle of #semillon and #SauvignonBlanc blend from Audrey Wilkinson wines. The semilllon fruit comes from the Hunter Valley, while the Sauvignon Blanc fruit comes from Orange, in Western New South Wales (a cool climate growing region). Absolutely delicious stuff!

Show threadAlex Bardsley Jan 9, 2023
Definitely. #Bottle #age: it's not just for red #wines, #fortified wines, sweet wines, or whites with high #acidity. Those things just make it easier to get away with. #Marsanne #Roussanne #Semillon (more examples?)
Appellation HunterDec 19, 2022
Finishing off this absolute gem! A slightly aged Hunter Valley #semillon sourced from some of the oldest vines in the world. The Hunter Valley Distillers (HVD) block, now owned by Tyrrells, was planted in 1908 and is still producing quality fruit some 114 years later. This particular one is from 2013, a spectacular vintage, and while it is delicious as is, it's only just starting to develop, thankfully got a few left in the cellar!
A Good Beer BlogNov 19, 2022
Having this in a bit with a nice shrimpy curry thing I made. Château Grand Village Blanc 2020… sounds a bit made up, dunnit? Still, very pleasant light to mid-weight white #Bordeaux, off dry with the #Sémillon countering the Sauv Blanc neatly. Neat and tidy wee sip. I like. Info: https://taubfamilyselections.com/producers/societe-civile-du-chateau-lafleur/chateau-grand-village-blanc
CHÂTEAU GRAND VILLAGE BLANC | Société Civile du Château Lafleur | Taub Family Selections

American Assoc Wine EconomistsNov 10, 2022
We associate #Bordeaux with red wine. But 60 years ago approx 58% of the #vinifera vineyard area was white! #Sémillon was the most widely planted variety, followed by #Merlot, #Malbec (!) and the Cabernets (#CabernetFranc & #CabernetSauvignon together). Also, Hybrids accounted for 25% of Bordeaux vines.