For Eden Road winemaker Celine Rousseau, good wine starts with the bouquet. In fact, the French-born winemaker was studying to become a perfume-maker before the wine industry called. “Wines have wonderful aromas too, plus you get to drink, and that’s much better,” she said with a grin. Nowadays, she is not just a highly-credentialled winemaker, but a microbiologist and biochemist as well, with a truly impressive resumé. She has had extensive working stints in Grands Crus wineries in Champagne and Bordeaux – Mumm, Perrier-Jouet, Chateau La Louviere and Suduiraut – and also worked in Languedoc. She managed to squeeze in a vintage in Margaret River with Pierro, making cabernet and their hallmark big, rich chardonnay. “It was 1995, I was 25 and had itchy feet… I wanted to travel and see how wine was made elsewhere,” she explained. “It was a great experience.”
After returning to France for a couple of years, her next big career step was a shock. Following Bordeaux, Champagne, Languedoc and Margaret River came… wait for it… Young. The largely unknown Chalkers Crossing in fact, a start-up label with vineyards in Hilltops and the Southern Highlands, but no cellar door or winery. Gutsy for sure, but it proved a master stroke. “I like a challenge, but it was scary,” she admitted. “I wasn’t just the winemaker, but project manager too, dealing with tradies and racing to get a winery built in time for vintage.”
But in no time at all, Chalkers Crossing started winning major trophies in Australia’s biggest wine shows. Lots of them. Such as their five trophies, including Best Wine of Show, at the 2016 Royal Sydney Wine Show. Celine was named Gourmet Traveller’s Young Winemaker of the Year, and this start-up operation in the backblocks was suddenly one of the brightest on the national wine scene. But after 17 years there, she was looking for a new challenge when Eden Road winery in Murrumbateman came calling. “They had done some good things, won a Jimmy Watson a few years earlier, but there were things I could improve,” she explained. Seven years later, the quality of fruit from the Eden Road vineyard has improved markedly. On top of that, they have regular growers in Tumbarumba, Gundagai and Hilltops, and also get fruit from Canberra’s oldest vines, the prized Cullarin vineyard at Lake George. She has applied her passion for wine and attention to detail at every step, from harvesting to blending. Her ability to work with different grape varieties and soils has allowed the Eden Road team to produce a diverse range of wines that showcase the region’s unique terroir. The winemaker’s focus on quality and consistency is reflected in the quality of the wines. The Eden Road Sauvignon Blanc, for example, is a crisp and refreshing wine with a delightful bouquet. The Chalkers Crossing Shiraz, on the other hand, is a full-bodied wine with a rich, velvety texture and complex flavors. Celine’s nose for a challenge pays off in her work at Eden Road. Her ability to adapt and innovate has allowed the winery to stay ahead of the curve and produce wines that are truly exceptional. She is a shining example of the importance of hard work, attention to detail, and a willingness to take risks in the pursuit of excellence. Her story is a testament to the power of perseverance and determination in achieving success in the competitive world of wine. In the end, Celine’s mantra, “No shortcuts or attention to detail at every step,” is a reminder that the best results come from a commitment to excellence and a willingness to put in the effort required to achieve it.
| Characteristics of a Great Wine | Description |
|---|---|
| Complexity | A wine with complexity is one that has multiple layers of flavor and aroma, with different elements complementing each other to create a rich and engaging taste experience. |
| Balance | A wine with balance is one that has a harmonious relationship between its acidity, tannins, and sweetness, creating a smooth and refreshing drinking experience. |
| Aroma | A wine with a great aroma is one that has a pleasing and inviting scent, often with notes of fruit, flowers, or other desirable characteristics. |
| Flavor | A wine with great flavor is one that has a rich and satisfying taste, with a good balance of acidity, sweetness, and tannins. |
Wine Reviews
Eden Road Sauvignon Blanc, 2023
$35
A crisp and refreshing wine with a delightful bouquet, showcasing the region’s unique terroir. Crittenden Peninsula Pinot Noir, 2023
$39
A vibrant and aromatic wine, reflecting the region’s terroir, with generous red cherry and raspberry flavors. Meerea Park XYZ Shiraz, 2023
$30
A full-bodied wine with a rich, velvety texture and complex flavors, perfect for sipping with a hearty meal.
Wine is a journey, not a destination. It’s a sensory experience that can evoke emotions, memories, and sensations. When we taste a great wine, we’re not just experiencing the flavors, we’re experiencing the terroir, the climate, the soil, and the people who made it.
Wine is an alcoholic beverage made from fermented grapes or other fruits. It’s a complex and multifaceted drink that can be enjoyed on its own or paired with food, music, and other sensory experiences. Key Takeaways
* A great wine starts with attention to detail and a passion for quality. * A good wine has a great aroma and flavor, with a harmonious balance of acidity, sweetness, and tannins. * Wine is a journey, not a destination, and a sensory experience that can evoke emotions, memories, and sensations. * A great wine requires hard work, attention to detail, and a willingness to take risks in the pursuit of excellence.