Cellar Notes: A Fine Wine Merchant Blog

Pinot Gris vs. Pinot Grigio: One Grape, Many Styles
Pinot Gris vs. Pinot Grigio: One Grape, Many Styles
It's a question we get asked a lot in the store: "What's the difference between Pinot Gris and Pinot Grigio?" Well here is a little guide to help you choose... Read more...
Wines we're reaching for this spring
Wines we're reaching for this spring
Another winter is behind us and the temperatures are slowly but surely creeping up. Here's what the team at Fine Wine Merchant would pair with a sunny day. Read more...
Earliest Harvest ever in France
Earliest Harvest ever in France
The news coming from all wine regions throughout France is consistent...the 2026 vintage  is set to be the earliest ever on record, even eclipsing the extraordinary 2003 vintage.  Winemakers a... Read more...
The weird and quirky names for select wine regions of the world
The weird and quirky names for select wine regions of the world
One may be led to believe that pioneers of wine regions would hasten to give their regions names that command prestige, or elegance, or even just a base level of... Read more...
How long should I age my wine for?
How long should I age my wine for?
Ever wonder what makes a wine age-worthy? Here's a little wine cellaring 101 to get you started. Read more...
Vale Sam Neill
Like many around the world, we were saddened to hear of the loss last Monday of Sam Neill.  Whilst best-known as an outstanding actor of superb range, we loved him most for his exceptional family-owned wine business, Two Paddocks. Established in 1993 at Gibbston in New Zealand's Central Otago wine region with a humble five acre plot of Pinot Noir, over the course of the next several decades four distinct vineyard estates were developed in all three of Central Otago's valleys.  Predominantly planted to Pinot Noir, with a smattering of... Read more...
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If you've found this page, you're a keen explorer of our new site! Check back regularly for wine industry news and other wine-related musings. Anything you'd like to see here? Leave a comment below and let us know, or shoot suggestions through to shop@finewinemerchant.com.au. Read more...