golf health
McLaren Vale
- Australia’s Hidden Gem
Why the wines of from this small part of South Australia are beginning to make an impact on the international scene
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e i ng a ‘ New World’ wi ne producing country, Australia’s first vineyards were planted near what is now the Sydney Ha rbou r Bridge i n 1788, with the arrival of the First Fleet. Today, 170,000 hectares of vineyards can be found throughout all the designated wine regions. Recent export figures position Australia as the fourth largest exporter of wine, selling to more than 100 countries worldwide and contributing approximately $5.5 billion to the nation's economy. Australia is now a respected leader in combining tradition with new ideas and technical innovation, producing a large variety of wine styles, and some of the most highly regarded. South Australia is recognised for having many of the best regions within its borders. Along with others such as Barossa Valley, McLaren Vale is by far one of the top wine regions of the country and is known for producing iconic wines. Dating back to 1838, McLaren Vale was one of the first regions to be planted in the region. There is substantial climatic variation throughout the state, due to varying exposure to the cooling influence of the nearby ocean (or conversely to protect from it). Overall the climate is Mediterranean, where summer rainfall is low. This means site selection and the marriage of site to variety are all-important. There is a wide variety of soil types, which is a reflection of the varied terrain; red-brown sandy loams, greybrown loamy sands with yellow clay subsoils interspersed with lime, distinctly sandy soils and patches of red or black friable loams are all to be found. McLaren Vale is also widely recognised as one of Australia’s “greenest” wine regions because of its ongoing water use efficiency For additional information and orders contact: Montrose Fine Wines Email: james@montrose.com.hk Tel: (852) 2555-8877 www.montrose.com.hk 64
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strategies and commitment to environmental sustainability, through the limited use of pesticides. The unique marriage of a wine region and beach lifestyle has created a melting pot for all things culinary, vinous and artistic. With many iconic wineries hailing from McLaren Vale, such as d’A renberg, Kay Brothers, Noon, and Wirra Wirra, the region is not short of great wines. But there is one winery making waves which is well worth watching out for: Mr Riggs, whose range of wines have received significant interest and outstanding ratings from international critics. The brainchild of wine maker and founding partner Ben Riggs, Ben has worked 23 vintages in Australia, and presided over a further eight overseas, including the Napa Valley, Bordeaux, Greece, Italy and the South of France. The Mr Riggs wine brand can be summed up in two words: winemaker’s wine. Built on Ben’s long held dream to make icon wines from icon regions, the wines express the essence of the vineyard and variety in a style that is big, rich and complex, but also with finesse, texture and elegance. Based in his beloved McLaren Vale, Ben also teams up with renowned growers from other tried and tested regions, including Clare Valley, Adelaide Hills, Coonawarra and Langhorne Creek. Combining winemaking skills and a great deal of viticultural involvement, it is from these vineyards he is able to select pristine parcels of fruit, be it McLaren Vale Shiraz, Watervale Riesling, Adelaide Hills Tempranillo, Coonawarra Cabernet or something new and different to express his winemaking ability and creativity. It is this variety that allows the Mr Riggs philosophy to exist and continue. “I make wines I love to drink!” says Ben. One other issue close to Ben’s heart is the support of the Pink Ribbon Campaign to raise funds and awareness for breast cancer research. 30 Australian cents from each bottle sold of the “Gaffer” Shiraz is donated to the cause. Montrose Fine Wines, which distributes Mr Riggs in Hong Kong, Macau & China, donates HK$10 to breast cancer research for every bottle sold. HKGOLFERMAGAZINE.COM
Playing it Safe – Under the Sun
Dr Gavin Chan examines the potential dangers that we, as golfers, face every time we tee it up
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f ter playing 18 holes, you may notice your skin starting to turn red. But by then, the da mage has a lready been done. Year-on-year exposure to the sun contributes to most of the skin changes that we think of as a normal part of aging, including freckles, discolouration, sallowness and tiny broken vessels under the skin. More importantly, the damaging rays of the sun contribute to the development of skin cancers, including melanoma, which may not become apparent until years later. Skin cancer is a malignant growth caused by the mutation of cells on the outer layers of your skin and is the most common form of cancer worldwide. Skin cancers are on the rise and are developing in younger individuals. Ultraviolet
Dr Gavin Chan is a specialist
radiation from sun exposure is believed to be in dermatology at Skincentral, the main cause, with heredity, genetics, skin a C e nt r al-b a s e d c linic type and a weak immune system being other specializing in medical and influencing factors. The three leading types of cosmetic treatments. For skin cancers are basal cell carcinoma, squamous more information about Skincentral visit cell carcinoma and malignant melanoma. www.skincentral.com. Melanoma, which usually starts within a mole or as a dark spot on the skin, is the most dangerous: it can spread quickly and is responsible for the majority of skin cancerrelated deaths. Other forms of skin cancer are rarely fatal, although squamous cell carcinoma can spread to other parts of the body and result in death. It's not all bad news however - skin cancer is preventable and almost 99 percent of all skin cancers are curable if caught in time. All it takes is being sun savvy and examining your skin regularly. Any moles or skin lesions that itch, bleed, crust, do not heal, or change in size, shape or colour, should be checked by a dermatologist without delay. It is a good idea to have your skin thoroughly examined by a dermatologist at least once a year, or as recommended by your dermatologist.
10 Sun Savvy Tips for Golfers: • Limit or avoid exposure to the sun between 10am and 4pm, when the sun's ultraviolet rays are at their strongest. Instead, try to play early in the morning or late in the afternoon. • Sunscreens are a must. Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen (against UV-A and UV-B) with an SPF of 15 or higher. Apply 30 minutes before going outdoors - even on a cloudy or cool day. • Cover all exposed areas of your face, head and body, including your ears, nose, and shoulders, back of the hands and your arms and legs. Apply liberally and evenly. To cover your entire body, a golf ball-sized amount of sunscreen (one ounce or two tablespoons) is recommended. • Re-apply a coat of sunscreen every nine holes (every two hours). If you sweat a lot or towel often, a more frequent application may be required. • Don't forget your lips - cover them with sun protective lip balm or sunscreen. • Seek shade whenever possible and cover yourself with a golf umbrella between holes. • Wear a broad-brimmed hat (preferably with a back flap) rather than a baseball cap to help protect your face, ears and neck. • Wear sun protective clothing (tightly woven, dark colours) such as long pants and long-sleeved shirts as often as possible. • Protect your eyes with UV-protective sunglasses. • Never seek a tan and do not burn. A tan is the skin's response to the sun's damaging UV rays - there is no such thing as a healthy tan. HKGOLFERMAGAZINE.COM
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