Grape Wall of China

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Tasting notes: The Wine Republic soft launch

Posted on | March 17, 2008 | No Comments

By Jim Boyce

Wine importer and distributor The Wine Republic held its soft launch at Café Europa in Beijing last Wednesday. The company is a partnership between Rathbone Wine Group (Australia) and Campbell Thompson, a former marketing director at ASC Fine Wines and a contributor to Grape Wall of China. Its initial goal is to import cool-climate Australian and French wines, with a focus on temperature-controlled shipping and storage.

Guests tried four wines from Mount Langi Ghiran winery in the southern hills of Australia’s Great Dividing Range:
Riesling 2004
Billi Billi Shiraz 2003
Cliff Edge Shiraz 2001
Langi Cabernet-Merlot 2000

If you have trouble picking out varietals, then the Riesling is for you, with its full-on petrol aromas. Drinkers will likely find this to be a love-it-or-hate-it wine. Both the Billi Billi Shiraz and Cliff Edge Shiraz had black plum and a hint of pepper on the nose, the latter having a better mouth feel and more fruit. The Cabernet Merlot offers black cherry on a nose that suggests a heavier body than is found in the glass. The Wine Republic plans to soon officially launch with its full range of wines.

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  • About Grape Wall of China


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  • Grape Wall Contributors


    In alphabetical order (see full list)


    Nicolas Carre
    Sommelier


    Chantal Chi
    Writer


    Yvonne Chiong
    Sommelier, consultant


    Judy Leissner
    Grace Vineyard CEO


    Alain Leroux
    Wine maker, consultant


    Li Demei
    Wine maker


    Huiqin Ma
    Professor


    Campbell Thompson
    The Wine Republic co-owner


    Brian Yao
    Consumer


    Frankie Zhao
    Pro-Wine Training & Consultancy owner


    Jim Boyce
    Consumer, blog administrator