The bottom line on fine wine

THERE'S a lot to consider when tasting a fine wine.

At last week's launch of the August 12 Ballina Fine Food and Wine Festival organised by the Rotary Club of Ballina-on- Richmond, Dan Murphy's fine wine manager Steve Dansey said punters could ask lots of questions of the winemakers.

There are the "characteristics of the wine", where the wines originate from, the different grape varieties and the winemaking techniques used.

But, the bottom line, he said about choosing a wine was: "It comes down to personal taste."

"I might like something that you don't," he said.

He said more wines were on the market in Australia than ever before. And more Australian wines were being produced, with a larger number of grape varieties.

He said festival-goers could expect to see, and taste, wines they may not have seen before.

There will be more than 60 exhibitors at the festival.

The Ballina Fine Food and Wine Festival will be held at the Ballina Jockey Club on August 12 from 11am-3pm.

Entry will be $30.