Penfolds Bin Range: “POOR MAN’S GRANGE” IS A REAL TREAT

Wc08Mar10

david ellis

FOR true believers, March 1 is a day that is looked forward to each year with an anticipation that goes well beyond the norm.

Because it's the day that Penfolds release their Bin range of wines, a collection of just a half-dozen or so labels that for a half century now have rewarded enthusiasts with a extra little something both in multi-regional blends, and in highly-stylised wines from individual regions.

And importantly, priced to be enjoyed at a luncheon or dinner that doesn't  have to be a particularly noteworthy occasion to seek reason to pull one of these out of the cellar: the 2008 Bin 138 Barossa Valley Shiraz Mourvedre Grenache, for instance, is just $29.99.

Even the grand-daddy of this year's releases, the 2007 Bin 389 Cabernet Shiraz (often referred to as "Poor Man's Grange" because it was first made in 1960 by Max Schubert who created Grange, and components are matured today in the same barrels as the previous vintage of Grange,) is well-priced for its quality at $64.99.

(This 2007 Bin 389 was sourced entirely from South Australia's Coonawarra, McLaren Vale, Langhorne Creek, Padthaway and the Barossa. Nicely balanced full-fruit and oak flavours make it enjoyable drinking now, but you'd do well cellaring a few to truly enjoy in another five or so years.)

This year's Penfolds Bin releases also include two new wines, a 2009 Bin 23 Adelaide Hills Pinot Noir, and a 2005 Reserve Bin Aged Release Eden Valley Riesling – each priced at $39.99.

Others in the 2010 release are the 2007 Bin 28 Kalimna Shiraz ($33.99,) the 2008 Bin 128 Coonawarra Shiraz ($33.99,) 2009 Bin 311 Tumbarumba Chardonnay ($39.99) and the 2007 Bin 407 Cabernet Sauvignon ($54.99.)

(NEED A FOOD/DRINK MATCH? Check out http://www.vintnews.com )

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PHOTO CAPTIONS

[] NICELY priced: Penfolds' Bin Releases for 2010 include this Bin 28 Kalimna Shiraz at just $33.99.

[] GRAND-daddy of this year's releases, the classic 2007 Bin 389.

New Pop Up Food and Wine Events in the Mudgee Region

The Mudgee Region has welcomed a wave of new pop up food and wine events, offering visitors intimate time with the chefs, farmers and wine-makers in small groups. There are cooking classes, farm walks, produce markets and lunch and dining experiences on the wineries.

"The aim of each event is to educate people about the food and produce we love and share the Mudgee lifestyle at some beautiful venues," said Lucy White, CEO of Mudgee Region Tourism Inc.

"The Mudgee Region's food and wine scene is more relaxed and personal than in other regions – it's not about stiff white cloths and silver service – but about fresh, stylish food and produce made with passion. These new pop up events suit our unique style." added Lucy.

On The Wineries

* 'Fork It Lunches' at Burnbrae Wines - these new monthly lunches offer a three-course meal prepared by well known local chef, Rachael McCarthy. Dine on the verandah with Burnbrae Wines and enjoy the rustic charm of this cellar door and its quaint country setting. Held monthly on Sundays, cost from $45.00pp and includes a glass of wine. www.burnbraewines.com.au

* Di Lusso Estate 'Winemakers and Pizza' lunches - fresh, hot pizzas straight from the outdoor pizza oven are served with a range of Italian varietal wines, olive oil and farm-made fig products. This authentic Italian long-lunch is enjoyed under the pergola and overlooking 'Lago di Lusso'. Held every weekend and open for casual lunches daily except Tuesdays. www.dilusso.com.au

Produce and Cooking
* Cheese Making at Leaning Oak Winery and Dairy – new Farmstead Cheese Making Workshops include milking the sheep and goats, then making, ripening and ageing cheeses by hand. From 9am-4pm, includes morning tea and lunch and costs $165pp. (20 March, 25 April and 2, 29, 30 May). www.leaningoak.com.au

* olive.a.twist (food.wine.science) at Oakfield Estate – join chef Rebecca Sutton and olive grower Belinda Moon in the grove at historic Oakfield Estate for olive picking, tasting and lunch in the grove. Includes sampling a range of estate grown varietal olives and oils, picking vegetables and herbs from the garden and selecting olives to be brined, processed and later sent to participants. After preparing the ingredients for boned leg of lamb on the BBQ, discuss appropriate wine companioning and enjoy lunch at long tables in the grove with fabulous fresh food and local wines by Robert Stein Winery. (April 24 and May 8, 15, 22). Cost from $190. Ph: 0408 416 396.

* 'UpMarket' Artisan Markets at Fairview Estate – first in a series of four artisan markets for 2010 will be hosted by Fairview Artspace, The Small Winemakers Centre and Gulgee Woolshed. The first is Sunday 11 April, enjoy coffee, cakes, wine tasting, local produce, art, antiques and bush music. 8am to 2pm. Ph: 0438 242 872 or 6372 2850

* Mudgee Farmers Market – a delicious place to taste, take-away and place your orders from over 30 local farmers, all the products are grown, reared, caught, brewed, pickled, baked, smoked or processed by the stallholders themselves. Held on the third Saturday from 8.30am to 12.30pm at the St Mary's Church Grounds, Church Street, Mudgee www.mudgeefinefoods.com.au

On the Farm
* Farm Walks – visit and experience a working farm, from olive oil and vegetables to sheep and dairy, and learn what free-range, organic and home-grown is. Run by Mudgee Fine Foods on the third Sunday of every month, at 9am, 10.30am and 12.00 www.mudgeefinefoods.com.au

Visitors to the Mudgee Region can enjoy food and wine at a number of restaurants, cafes and almost 50 cellar doors. It is the third largest grape-growing region in NSW producing excellent cabernet sauvignon and shiraz varieties and is renowned for its boutique wineries. This includes five organic wineries and Australia's oldest certified organic grower at Botobolar. Visitors can pick up sweet honey, freshly pressed olive oil, farmhouse cheeses and nuts, and attend a number of unique winery events and celebrations.

The Mudgee Region is a 3.5hour drive for a 40-minute flight with Aeropelican from Sydney. A food and wine lover's paradise, there is also a range of arts, culture, history, and nature and wilderness experiences to be enjoyed.

For more information contact the Mudgee Visitor Information Centre on 02 6372 1020 or go to www.visitmudgeeregion.com.au

FOR TIM ADAMS IT’S NOW MISSION CONTROL

Wc01Mar10

david ellis

EVER since founding their Tim Adams Wines in 1986, Tim and wife Pam Goldsack have relied on some of the Clare Valley's best grape-growers for fruit for their renowned Tim Adams' Rieslings.

But they're just broken from the mould, releasing a 2009 Riesling and a 2008 Reserve Riesling made, for the first time, from fruit entirely from their own wholly-owned or leased vineyards.

"We've always relied on a dozen independent growers whose fruit has been integral to our success," Tim says. "But as funds have become available we've bought or leased vineyard blocks to now give us control over our winemaking destiny.

"It's given us management over such crucial parameters as canopy structure, leaf-to-fruit ratios, and probably most importantly, fruit yield per acre. It means also that we don't have to negotiate about doing things such as bunch-thinning and the like."

Their 2009 Tim Adams Riesling was crafted from fruit off their three wholly-owned vineyards and one over which they have a long-term lease. At $23.99 this is a real pearler, with zesty citrus-laden flavours that make it ideal to savour with all kinds of seafoods.

ONE FOR LUNCH:   NEW Zealand's essenze Wines (yes, it's a small 'e') have brought to Australia their latest flagship Pinot Noir from the Bendigo sub-region in Central Otago, the 2008.

Hand-crafted in small batches from exceptional quality fruit, this is an outstanding wine with beautifully spicy dark cherry aromas, rich and concentrated dark fruit flavours, and silky tannins. Pay $45 and team it up at a dinner party with slow-casseroled lamb shanks and garlic mashed potatoes.

(NEED A FOOD/DRINK MATCH? Check out http://www.vintnews.com )


PHOTO CAPTIONS

[] IDEAL with all kinds of seafoods

[] JUST the drop with slow-casseroled lamb shanks and garlic mashed potatoes

Macedon Ranges: Hanging Rock Mystery Solved

Everyone knows the 100-year-old mystery surrounding eerie Hanging Rock in Victoria's Macedon Ranges, just outside of Melbourne. One mystery however was solved when I visited there recently. Hanging Rock, at 500m elevation, is apparently Australia's coldest wine growing region and produces some stunning pinot and chardonnay.

Travelling with Trevor Armstrong's Victoria Winery Tours was a breeze as we leisurely visited the wineries and sights around Kyneton and Woodend with a professional driver and tour guide rolled into one.

Victoria's Macedon Ranges Wine Region is unique within Australia's expanding wine landscape and you will find unusual wine varieties in commercial production and under experimentation.

Lagrein, Nebbiolo, Chambourcin, Prosecco, Norton (Cynthiana), Garganega and Pinot Gris are just some of the new varieties you'll discover as you wander through the wineries.

Check out Hanging Rock Winery (to-die-for Riesling), Cobaw Ridge (fascinating organic Lagrein), Chanters Ridge,  Big Shed Wines (great sparkling) and Mount Towrong Vineyard (delightful Prosecco).

Break up your day with lunch or stay for dinner at Star Anise Bistro located in the intriguing Piper Street of Kyneton. Lunch Thu-Sun, Dinner Thu-Sat inclusive. 03 54 222 777. Bookings essential.

Diary Notes:

• Kyneton Farmers Market in St Pauls Park every 2nd Saturday of the month
• Gisborne Olde Time Markets 1st Sunday of every month
• Sunday Picnic at Hanging Rock - March 14, 2010
• Budburst Festival every year in late spring
• more

Roderick Eime travelled as a guest of Macedon Ranges Shire Council Tourism

A GREAT CANBERRA SEMILLON? SHAW IS

Wc22Feb10

david ellis

A ONE-TIME sheep station in the now-Canberra wine region is proving that it's equally at home producing fine wines as it was when it once produced some of Australia's finest wool.

Shaw Estate Vineyard is a 280ha property at Murrumbateman, and with 32ha of this devoted to vines is the largest privately-owned vineyard in the Canberra wine region.

And interestingly its showing that its not just the Hunter that can create some of NSW's best Semillons: a 2009 Shaw Semillon Sauvignon Blanc is a rewarding drop with beautifully intense crisp lemony and passionfruit flavours from the 85-per cent Semillon component, and herbaceousness from the Sauvignon Blanc.

Although planted just over ten years ago, Shaw Vineyard is turning out some rewarding wines, with Graeme Shaw saying Canberra's cool nights help vines retain acidity, while its warm days assist full fruit ripeness and intensity of flavour.

Pay $22 for the Shaw 2009 Semillon Sauvignon Blanc and enjoy with an end of summer prawn salad served with a home-made mayonnaise-based dip and warm crusty baguettes.

ONE FOR LUNCH: WESTERN Australia's Houghton has dedicated a 2007 Cabernet Malbec to its late-1800's winemaker, Charles William Ferguson.

And doubtless if he was around today, Charles would be delighted with the compliment, and the quality of the wine: 2007 was a good year for reds in WA, and this one – predominantly Cabernet from Frankland River with the touch of Malbec from Mt Barker – has resulted in a wine with great fruit flavour and  nice oak. At $49 enjoy with special-occasion steak and bacon tournedos.  .

(NEED A FOOD/DRINK MATCH? Check out http://www.vintnews.com )

PHOTO CAPTIONS

[] HERE's just the partner for a late-summer prawn salad with a home-made mayonnaise dip.

[] A TASTE of history to chat over with special-occasion steak and bacon tournedos.

HIP NEW AUSTRIAN WINE IS GRU-VEE

Wc15Feb10

david ellis

WE don't know of many wine buffs who go in search of the juice of the grape from Austria, but Hesketh have released an Austrian Gruner Veltliner that – if it follows overseas trends – could prove to be something of a new fashion statement here.

Both an any-time and food-friendly wine, the crispy 2008 Hesketh "Perfect Stranger" Gruner Veltliner was made by Berthold Salomon from fruit sourced along the steep hills bordering the Danube River, and made at the company's historic circa-1792 winery.

Salomon and other makers are enjoying a new-found popularity with this varietal that's actually been around since Roman days, and not only in Austria but from London to New York: younger patrons of trendy bars and clubs in these cities have dubbed it "Gru-Vee," in keeping with its hip new popularity.

And while a style for any-time enjoyment, if you want to try it with a meal you'll find its fresh peppermint, lime citrus and green apple flavours an ideal match with Thai soft-shell crab; if not into seafoods, enjoy it equally as well with fresh-cooked asparagus. Certainly excellent value at $24.95.

ONE FOR LUNCH: After a couple of not-so-good vintages weather-wise in Western Australia's Margaret River, 2008 returned to the exceptional conditions for which the region is known, and Evans & Tate lost no time in turning out a super 2008 version of their benchmark Classic Red.

A great blend whose dominant Shiraz component has given beautiful fruit sweetness and a fleshy texture, its Cabernet Sauvignon input has added even more fruitiness plus a touch of elegance and a generously long finish.

You'll find the Shiraz component in particular makes it a rewarding match with most barbecued red meats, and the $19.99 price is again excellent value.

(NEED A FOOD/DRINK MATCH? Check out http://www.vintnews.com )



PHOTO CAPTIONS

[] SOMETHING different out of Austria.

[] CLASSIC Red is classic Evans and Tate.

CLASSIC MCWILLIAM’S FOR CLASSIC OCCASIONS

Wc08Feb10

david ellis

McWILLIAM'S have released their 2005 flagship 1877 Cabernet Sauvignon Shiraz, a classic wine for that classic very special occasion or celebration.

Labelled 1877 after the year that Samuel McWilliam planted his first vines at Corowa in the NSW Murray Basin, this latest release has been created from premium fruit from some of the best vineyards at Heathcote in Victoria, Hilltops in NSW and South Australia's Coonawarra.

First crafted in 1998 in homage to six generations of winemaking at McWilliam's, the wine's had extraordinary success on the show circuit, in its brief seven-year history notching-up eight trophies and 56 gold medals.

The 2005 is wonderfully rich with blood plum, black spice, mint and cassis from the Cabernet Sauvignon component, and softness and a beautifully savoury finish from the Shiraz contribution.

Worth the $85 price to make that very special occasion all the more memorable.

ONE FOR LUNCH: WE'VE long been unabashed fans of Lillypilly's unusual Red Velvet that was launched by Robert Fiumara and his late brother Dominic in 1985 – a time when eyebrows were raised at the mere suggestion of an Australian-made red that was both slightly sweet and (horror of horrors) intended to be served chilled for quaffing at summer parties or barbecues.

And even more adventurous was the blend, not one or two varieties brought together in the bottle, but an amazing twelve that many had never even heard of: Merlot, Carignane, Ruby Cabernet, Zinfandel, Saint Magaire, Tarrango, Durif, Touriga, Mondeuse, Chambourcin, Malbec and Cabernet Sauvignon.

The 2009 is as good as the blend's ever been, a light quaffer to enjoy chilled – or even with ice cubes and soda water – and its only $13.50. Give it a try.

(NEED A FOOD/DRINK IDEA? Check out  http://www.vintnews.com )


PHOTO CAPTIONS:

[] CLASSIC wine to make a classic occasion all the more memorable

[] CHILL this light red for party of barbecue quaffing