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Wine blending is one of winemaking's most sophisticated arts, combining scientific precision with creative intuition to create wines that transcend what any single grape variety could achieve alone. From the legendary blends of Bordeaux to the innovative combinations emerging from regions like McLaren Vale, blending represents winemaking at its most complex and rewarding.
Yet blending remains one of the least understood aspects of wine production among consumers. Many wine lovers assume that single-variety wines represent the pinnacle of winemaking achievement, when in fact some of the world's most prestigious and age-worthy wines are carefully crafted blends that showcase the winemaker's skill in orchestrating complementary grape varieties into harmonious masterpieces.
In the world of wine, age commands respect. While most consumer goods lose value over time, grapevines become more precious with each passing decade. Old vine winesāthose produced from vines typically 35 years or olderārepresent some of the most sought-after and distinctive bottles in any wine lover's collection. But what makes these ancient plants so special, and why do wines from century-old vines command premium prices and passionate devotion from collectors worldwide?
The answer lies in a complex interplay of biology, terroir expression, and viticultural wisdom that only time can create. At McLaren Vale Cellars, where some of our heritage vines date back to 1890, we've witnessed first hand the remarkable transformation that occurs as vines mature into living monuments of winemaking history.
The wine industry has a reputation for mystique and romanceārolling hills, ancient traditions, and the almost magical transformation of grapes into wine. While these images aren't entirely false, there's another side to winemaking that most producers prefer to keep behind closed doors. From the unglamorous realities of harvest to the modern interventions that shape your favourite bottles, here are the industry secrets that winemakers rarely discuss openly.
At McLaren Vale Cellars, we believe transparency builds trust. While some aspects of winemaking might shatter romantic illusions, understanding the real process helps wine lovers appreciate the skill, science, and dedication required to create exceptional wine.
Few things can ruin an exceptional bottle of wine faster than prolonged exposure to sunlight. While wine bottles may look beautiful displayed in sunny windows or brightly lit retail environments, light exposureāparticularly ultraviolet (UV) lightācan irreversibly damage wine, creating off-flavours, unpleasant aromas, and diminished quality that no amount of proper storage can reverse.
Understanding the relationship between wine and light is crucial for anyone who wants to preserve wine quality, whether you're storing a single bottle for dinner or building a collection of age-worthy wines from regions like McLaren Vale.
What Are Fortified Wines?
Fortified wines are produced by adding neutral grape spirit (typically brandy) to wine during or after fermentation. This process serves multiple purposes: it stops fermentation when added early (preserving natural grape sweetness), increases alcohol content to 15-22%, and creates wines with exceptional aging potential.
The fortification process was originally developed as a preservation method for wines that needed to survive long sea voyages. Today, it's celebrated as an art form that produces some of the world's most age-worthy and food-friendly wines.
McLaren Vale's continued success stems from its unique combination of Mediterranean climate, diverse geology, and passionate winemaking community. The region's warm days and cool nights, combined with ancient sea bed soils and ironstone deposits, create ideal conditions for producing Shiraz with both power and elegance.
These rankings, based on Vivino user ratings and updated weekly, reflect the real-world preferences of wine enthusiasts worldwide, making this list a valuable guide for both collectors and casual wine lovers seeking the finest expressions of McLaren Vale Shiraz.
