Philip's Frolic

Philip Madden has set himself a challenge: to make shiraz with the elegance, spice and style to rival the best of the Rhone from a 2ha vineyard on the western edge of the Southern Highlands in NSW. Not content with that challenge, he has decided to produce a rose as a tribute to Provence using pinot meunier grown on the Collina de Re vineyard in the King Valley. In this endeavour he is joined by Joanna Prettyman and John Love. The masterplan is to sell large quantities to China, and to release the wines on the Australian market at bargain prices thereafter. Exports to China. -JAMES HALLIDAY