Frequently Asked Questions

  1. Who is Fourth Wave Wine?
    Fourth Wave Wine is a family owned and Australian based wine business launched in 2009 that makes wine in six different countries and distributes these wines globally.
     
  2. Why is your business named Fourth Wave Wine?
    Fourth Wave Wine was named after the next phase of interest and growth in the wine market – modern and affordable regional wines from Europe, South America, New Zealand and Australia.
     
  3. Do you also support the Australian wine industry?
    Yes! We are very proud of our Australian portfolio including Woods Crampton, Bleeding Heart, Take It To The Grave and Elephant In The Room which you will notice in your local retailer as well as successfully exported around the world.
     
  4. Are your wines vegan friendly?
    We are very proud of our growing Vegan friendly ranges. A list of all available options can be viewed here. All other brands are not vegan friendly due to the fining stages of the winemaking process however traces of any animal products are less than one part per million across all Fourth Wave Wine products.
     
  5. Are your wines gluten free?
    Yes, all of our wines are gluten free.
     
  6. What are sulfites? 
    Sulfites (spelling according to the Australian Food Standards) are naturally present in many foods, beverages and medicines throughout Australia. They are also added to preserve the flavour and freshness of a product and increase shelf life. There are various technical reasons related to wine making which may mean that very low levels of sulphites are still present. Cask wine and white wines will have higher concentrations of sulphites than bottled red wine which is preserved by tannins. 

    For further information on allergies relating to sulphites please review the Australian Allergy Organisation https://www.allergy.org.au/patients/product-allergy/sulfite-allergy and consult your doctor. 
     
  7. How is an organic/vegan/sustainable wine different in taste and quality from non-organic taste and quality?
    Organic wines can be tastier to consumers because in the vineyard and the winery, you are replacing chemicals with labour. Organic vignerons need to care more about the vines and the vineyards, they need to protect it from mildew, they need to harvest at a specific time. In more general terms, they need to be paying more attention to their grapes.

    There have been very good studies showing that overall, organic grapes tend to have lower yields, which gives you a better grape with more concentrated flavour and thus, a better wine. There are also many wine producers that don’t make a song and dance about their organic practices as they are not fully certified, but it means the quality of the farming has gone up and that in turn means more concentrated fruit intensity. 

    For a sustainable taste, it is difficult to generalise across the whole category, but organic wines may seem fresher and more vital in their youth with greater intensity. Some sustainable or natural wines that have been unfined and unfiltered however, can come across as a bit raw, rustic and rough around the edges, but therein lies their appeal. Preservative Free wines have a rawness too as there is nothing but the fruit; these should really be drunk within one or two years of bottling as well.  
     
  8. What is the nutritional value of white wines?
    A 140mL glass of white wine averages 128 calories and 4 grams of carbs.
     
  9. Where are your wines sourced from?
    Fourth Wave Wine has long term relationships with family owned businesses in France, Spain, Italy, Argentina, New Zealand and Australia that create wines specifically for Fourth Wave in close consultation with our winemakers. 
     
  10. Do you have a cellar door?
    At Fourth Wave Wine, we don’t have a physical cellar door. We source fruit without owning vineyards, we make wines without a winery and we sell our wine direct to retail, on premise and via our website. It gives us flexibility and allows us to continually innovate and produce new and exciting wines year after year.  
     
  11. What is the difference between Pinot Gris and Pinot Grigio?
    Originating in France, the Pinot Gris (French) and Pinot Grigio (Italian) grapes are the same grape, however the wine produced from the two can be significantly different due to the terroir they are produced in. You will find a Pinot Grigio will be lighter bodied, crisp and stone fruit and floral aromas. Pinot Gris on the other hand are traditionally more full bodied and richer giving the wine better cellaring and aging potential. 
     
  12. How long can wine be cellared?
    It depends on which wine although the advent of screwcaps have increased the cellaring potential of all wines. Most white wines are best when fresh in the first couple of years after vintage whilst our reds wines will gain character and complexity for 5 years and much more for Woods Crampton.
     
  13. Do you have any sweet wines in the Fourth Wave Wine portfolio? 
    The Fourth Wave Wine portfolio is predominantly dry wines. At this stage we do not currently offer sweet wines.
     
  14. What is the best temperature to consume white & red wine?
    While most people would say room temperature for red wine, Australia’s climate is much warmer than those throughout Europe where this phrase comes from. Seventeen degrees is a good target for red wine so a slight chill on a red wine on a warmer day is fine. Whites should always be chilled and you will find their flavours expand as the wine warms up. It all comes down to personal preference though, the right temperature for you is what you enjoy.
     
  15. What challenges do winemakers face in production of organic grapes?
    The main difference in the vineyard and production of this style is the lack of tricks a vigneron has up their sleeves compared to traditional winemaking. There are no pesticides or herbicides to spray, and although organic viticulture allows copper to be sprayed, the organic farmer is at the mercy of the elements and needs to be eternally vigilant of vine diseases such as powdery mildew and botrytis. Ensuring soil health is tantamount to vigorous vine growth and a happy vineyard. 

    The time of day grapes are harvested will also ultimately influence the quality of the wine. White wine grapes are often harvested in the cool of the night to prevent oxidation, while red wine grapes may be naturally allowed to warm up a little to allow full flavour development.
    Once harvested, the fruit must be quickly transported to the winery in clean, uncontaminated containers. 

    As organic winemakers are unable to use the full range of materials available for conventional winemaking, attention to hygiene and careful handling in the winery is paramount. Small quantities of sulphur dioxide is acceptable as a preserving and antioxidation agent, while ascorbic acid may also be used as an antioxidant. Yeast for fermentation may also be obtained from commercial sources however, some winemakers prefer the wild yeast naturally present on the grapes. Larger populations of yeast are likely to be present on organically grown grapes than on grapes sprayed for pest and disease control. 

    To comply with ‘Vegan’ credentials, following fermentation wines are fined to clear and stabilise proteins, without the use of any animal, egg or milk products. The other option is not to fine or filter the wine at all. Depending on the winemaker, it could be a case of minimal or no use of the Preservative 220 (Sulphur Dioxide), or other chemicals known as common allergens, which can cause unpleasant side effects for many wine lovers.
     
  16. What if I don’t have a retailer in my area? Can I get wine sent to my home or office as a direct customer?
    Our first recommendation is to search for a stockist in your area for many reasons. You can buy a single bottle, talk to the staff on site with any questions you might have and it might be available in the fridge ready to drink.

    However, if you do not have a stockist in your area we can ship full cases to your home or office Australia wide if you are over 18 years of age. All products are available through our online store as a secondary option. Please view our online store for more information.
     
  17. If I don’t know anything about wine, where do I start?
    This is a great question, there is so much to learn about wine, but start with what you enjoy. Make your wine choices fit within your lifestyle, for example, what kinds of foods do you enjoy? If its seafood, try a Sauvignon Blanc or Chardonnay. Love oysters? Try them with a glass of sparkling or champagne. If you prefer red meats or hearty stews, try a Shiraz or Pinot Noir.  It’s also a great idea to head to your closest vineyards and book in a couple of tastings, you’ll quickly discover if you like sweet or dry, fruity or oaky. As you become more adventurous you’ll try more unusual varietals like Bonvedro, Touriga or Sangiovese.   
     
  18. Can I try the wine before I buy it?
    Many of our stockists will offer in store tastings on a Thursday night or over the weekend. If there is a wine you would like to try, please approach the staff to arrange an in-store tasting with our Fourth Wave Wine representatives.
     
  19. If I am on a modest budget what wine would you recommend as a good bargain?
    A budget does not mean you miss out on quality. We offer Marques De Tezona Tempranillo for $14 a bottle which is a great food wine, the Bleeding Heart range at $14 which features something for every taste, a Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon and Tempranillo or you could even a great value sparkling like Madame Coco from The Aude Valley in France for $21. Perfect for those with champagne taste on a beer budget! 
     
  20. Are you a wine club?
    Fourth Wave Wine is not a wine club, we are the producer and wholesaler of a great range of affordable wines available in retailers, cafes and great restaurants Australia wide. 
     
  21. Does Fourth Wave Wine support any charitable causes?
    Yes, we are very passionate about the Maga Foundation. A non-profit initiative founded in 2009 by the Gangutia Murúa family with the mission to promote aid and support projects for children in developing nations. Over the years Maga Foundation has carried out projects in Cambodia and Sierra Leone that have benefited many children, their families and the greater community. Muriel Wines assumes the entire cost of these projects, which guarantees that all donations reach their destination. To follow the project on facebook, click here https://www.facebook.com/FundacionMaga
     
  22. Is Fourth Wave Wine available in other countries?
    Yes, you will find of our brands in New Zealand, Canada, Hong Kong, Japan, South Korea, the UK and throughout Europe. We are currently engaging in new markets outside of these areas and hope to have more distributors soon. Please review our International page to find an international stockist.
     
  23. I am writing an article on one of your wines, who do I contact for further information?
    Please contact sales@fourthwavewine.com.au for any information you require for your article or blog. We supply tasting notes, bottle images and logos on each of the product pages if you need them ASAP but please feel free to contact us to answer any questions you might have. We’d also love to receive and promote your article if you’d like to send it through.
     
  24. I am a supplier interested in establishing my products in Australia, who do I contact?
    Unfortunately, Fourth Wave Wine are not increasing their portfolio at this time. We have worked with the same suppliers for many years and established great relationships, this is how we offer our customers the best of what each wine region has to offer. We have many great brands to focus on at the moment but wish you every success in developing your brands in Australia.
     
  25. I want to stock Fourth Wave Wine in my business, where do I start?
    Welcome! Click on our Trade Information page to be taken to our online application form, once you are set up, a representative in your area will arrange a time with you to go through the portfolio and what will work best for your business. We have “Point of Sale” available and will happily arrange an in store tasting or do some training with your staff on the wines we have available. We also have a number of incentives and initiatives available for stockists so please give us a call.
     
  26. How long does delivery take if I am a stockist?
    Cut off times vary depending on your area. We have warehouses located in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane and distributors in Perth, Adelaide and even the Northern Territory. Any stockists in the area can expect next business day delivery if the order is received and processed by 12noon. For our regional stockists, cut off time is 11am and every effort is made to deliver within 2 business days. 

    If you are based in states outside of our warehouse locations, please enquire with your representative for an accurate delivery turnaround.
     
  27. Can I download a tasting note or product information online?
    Yes, tasting notes and information on all of our wines are available throughout our website. Simply click on the Trade Information page and select the brand you are looking for quickly. We have tried to create an online hub of information for our stockists including barcode information, logos, bottle images and anything else you may need outside business hours. If you cannot find what you’re looking for please get in touch with our office by phone 1300 778 047 or email sales@fourthwavewine.com.au and we’ll be happy to assist you further.
     
  28. How do you select the wines in your portfolio?
    Through relationships with the finest winemakers and growers in each area we are able to meet the needs of the Australian market, both in value for money and quality. We constantly watch consumer trends and adapt our products or develop new ones to meet your needs.
     
  29. How do I reach my sales representative?
    Please review our Contact Us page, all of our representative information is available there. If you’re not sure who your representative is, please call our office on 1300 778 047 and our friendly team will point you in the right direction.


    If there is anything further our team can help you with, please feel free to contact us directly.