Yabby Lake Vineyard Pinot Noir 2007 750ml

Winery: Yabby Lake Vineyard

Varietal: Pinot Noir

Regularly described as being the grape varietal responsible for producing the world's most romantic wines, Pinot Noir has long been associated with elegance and a broad range of flavors The name means 'black pine' in French, and this is due to the fact that the fruit of this particular varietal is especially dark in color, and hangs in a conical shape, like that of a pine cone. Despite being grown today in almost every wine producing country, Pinot Noir is a notoriously difficult grape variety to cultivate. This is because it is especially susceptible to various forms of mold and mildew, and thrives best in steady, cooler climates. However, the quality of the fruit has ensured that wineries and vintners have persevered with the varietal, and new technologies and methods have overcome many of the problems it presents. Alongside this, the wide popularity and enthusiasm for this grape has ensured it will remain a firm favorite amongst wine drinkers for many years to come.

Region: Victoria

Victoria is one of Australia's oldest and most important wine regions, having been involved in vineyard cultivation for well over a century. Indeed, in the mid 19th century, it was the home of the Australian wine industry, with thousands of hectares of vineyards and plenty of wineries producing vast quantities of wine. Today, the wine scene in Victoria is somewhat different, as despite the huge number of wineries, the output is relatively very small. The reason for this is because Victoria now produces wines made from grapes of vines which have far lower yields, often resulting in higher quality rather than quantity wines. The cool and coastal regions around the city of Melbourne are respected around the world for their excellent terroir, and prized grapes such as Viognier, and many others, grow exceedingly well there.

Country: Australia

Whilst every Australian state has some level of wine production, it is in South Australia and on the island of Tasmania where the finest wines are made to the highest quantities. Here, the scorching Australian sun is a little tamer, and the heat is tempered by brisk oceanic winds, making the climate of these regions ideal for vineyard cultivation. The Tamar Valley on Tasmania has been making waves internationally in recent years, as both Pinot Noir and Chardonnay grape varietals are thriving there and resulting in hugely flavorful wines, which are at once distinctly Australian, yet remain unique and interesting enough to surprise and impress. Elsewhere in the country, the Syrah grape (known locally as Shiraz) reigns supreme, as the long, hot summers allow these grapes to ripen fully and lend their intensely fruit-forward character to the ruby red Australian wines, which have such international appeal.