by Margaret Swaine
Greg Norman has delivered another slice of the good life with his California Estates wines launched in Canada this spring. Norman’s drive for excellence has proven true in a number of successful off-links endeavours. His first wine enterprise was a joint venture of Great White Shark Enterprises and Beringer Blass Wine Estates which produced a fine line of Australian wines. Following on that triumph is his latest collection from prized Californian vineyards in Santa Barbara, Paso Robles, Lake Country and North Coast.
“After years of sampling wines from around the world, I’ve found a way to express my passion for luxury and style through wine in a way that’s affordable and attainable,” said Norman in a release to the press. Norman’s an avid wine collector who first learned to appreciate a good bottle back in the 70s when he started playing professional golf in Europe. “I made it a point to absorb the fine food and wine culture in the many counties I had the opportunity to visit,” he said.
Aside from publicity pictures, don’t expect to see Norman picking grapes or topping up barrels in the wineries. However he is heavily involved with the stylistic direction of the portfolio and the brand image. For the Greg Norman Estate collections in both Australia and California, the day-to-day operations are in the hands of full-time winemakers, who are expected to articulate Norman’s vision in the final blends. Norman wants the wines under his shark logo label to be approachable, food-friendly and good value, a style in tune with his own very active yet unfussy approach to life.
The new venture is with Foster’s Wine Estates, the freshly formed combo of the former Beringer Blass Wine Estates and Southcorp Wines. Foster’ss Wine Estates controls more than 15,000 hectares of vineyards in Australia, California, New Zealand, Italy and France and operates more than 20 wineries. Its international wine portfolio includes more than 50 individual brands. Winemaker on the Greg Norman California Estates is Ron Schrieve who followed Norman’s wish for food friendly wines by going for good acid balance, great body and finesse.
Norman has been involved in the wine business for more than a decade now. In 1996 he put his dream of developing a line of wines in motion when he met with the winemaking team at Wolf Blass in Australia. The Greg Norman Estates Australian portfolio was subsequently launched in 1999 with a cabernet merlot and a chardonnay. In 2000 a shiraz was added to its offerings and in 2001 a sparkling wine made from chardonnay and pinot noir. These brands which sell around the $25 mark in Canada enjoy ever expanding success. They have become in my estimation, consistently good wines on par with excellent value.
For the California collection, Norman worked with the winemaker to pick out the wine regions and ideal varietals to develop five flavourful, balanced wines. “I’m fortunate to be able to convert one of my life’s passions into a successful business. Creating Greg Norman California Estates provides a new challenge in an area that I thoroughly enjoy,” said Norman.
The aim with Greg Norman California Estates was to create ‘luxury style’ wines at affordable prices. It’s on the money. Prices range from $21.99 in Alberta to $23.95 in Ontario and up to $26.99 in British Columbia (provincial taxes affect final prices). Santa Barbara County Chardonnay 2004 is both approachable and fine quality. It’s full of ripe juicy fruit like fresh pear and fig in a rounded medium body. Unoaked it has a clean fresh finish.
Pfizer, by launching the products in the market, has cialis without prescription uk given great helps to males who were living in sexless life. All kinds of stress can be easily released in the form of orgasm and you will thoroughly enjoy the session http://amerikabulteni.com/2018/02/06/frasierin-salonundaki-bos-koltuk/ levitra samples of lovemaking. Common physical manifestations are: chest pain, difficulty in breathing, weight gain or loss, headaches, decreased libido, body aches, indigestion, diarrhea, soft viagra pills amerikabulteni.com dizziness, constipation and stomach cramps. It is available in the form of pills, tablets and chewable tablets. canadian viagra sales
Santa Barbara County Pinot Noir 2004, lightly aged in French oak for six months (only 20 per cent new oak) is a most enjoyable silky smooth red with strawberry, floral aromas. The taste is berry compote and stewed plums with hints of peppercorn, a touch of oak and a tangy, low tannin character. It’s delicious with any kind of poultry or game bird.
The Lake County Zinfandel 2003 is the most triumphant with big alcohol of 14.7 per cent, deep blackberry colour and a rich raspberry sweet/savoury taste. The wine spent six months in 50 per cent new American and 50 per cent seasoned French oak. As a consequence it’s oaky but not too and there’s a tannic grip that adds length without bitterness. Medium full bodied, flavourful without being overly intense, it has nice balance. A great red for steaks, burgers, ribs or even chicken on the barbie. The other two reds coming soon to Canada, North Coast Cabernet Sauvignon 2003 and Paso Robles Petite Sirah 2003, are also sure to be pleasingly tasty. The man and his wines are on par to score big.
Swaine Top Picks
Greg Norman California Estates Santa Barbara County Pinot Noir 2004
Greg Norman California Estates Lake County Zinfandel 2003
Agent: Foster’s Wine Estates Canada 416-504-3830 Contact Mark Bruni. (These wines can be brought in by the case by consignment.)