THE WINE FRONT

Interview by Adam Catford

Name:
Domenic Torzi

Age:
39 less 39 + 39 … what was that last number?

Where you currently make wine:
Torzi Matthews, Old Plains,

Where you’ve made wine in the past:
Torzi Matthews, Old Plains

Most significant wine you’ve ever drunk:
1990 Mt Edelstone

Could you describe this wine?
Ahhh Eden Valley

Wine you’re most proud of having been associated with the making of?
2002 Frost Dodger…Luv ya babe.

What wine that you have made has the most interesting story behind it – and what is that story?
Tim and I call it the Swear box Longhop Old Vine Grenache, it is the last wine made each year generally in April. Each vintage thus far has presented us with a few minor hiccups along the way, hottest April day in a century resulting in frayed tempers, dust storm with 60mph winds, winery full ferment under the carport, blow up the truck motor, got the forklift bogged; each resulting in much swearing, hence every time someone swears they drop a few bucks into the swear box for the end of vintage party …

Is there any wine you’ve been associated with the making of that, if you had your time again, you’d treat/make differently?
Not wine but balsamico…allowing my mother to keep an eye on my niece to keep an eye on father from over caramelising the freshly juiced Cabernet Gros.

In your opinion, which wine style/grape variety does Australia and New Zealand , respectively, do best?
Aus all reds and NZ all whites

Other than the wineries you have worked with, which Australian/NZ winery is best represented in your personal cellar?
Artisans of Barossa…luv ya’s

Favourite wine region (Australia):
Adelaide Plains

Favourite wine region (world-wide):
A Puglia (sister GI of Adelaide Plains)

Favourite movie:
All things Al Pacino

Desert-island food-wine match:
Spaghetti con Sangiovese con bella ragazza.

How do you take your coffee?
Double shot long cold latte

What do you most love about the wine industry?
Staying dirty

What do you most detest about the wine industry?
Staying clean

Any comments you would like to make in relation to the wine industry here or globally?
Need more hidden garages for the continuation of the unearthing individuals.

Many thanks, Adam.