Friday 23 December 2011

The best of Geelong Food & Wine in one spot - with a few famous friends

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The vibrant food and wine culture of the Greater Geelong region will be front and centre over the weekend of March 10-11 2012 with the staging of the inaugural Geelong Food and Wine Show.

Shining the limelight onto the region will be celebrity chef ambassador Melbourne boy-done-good George Calombaris plus dessert king Adriano Zumbo and the surfing chef Ben O'Donoghue.

Over the two days, Deakin Waterfront Campus will be transformed into a marketplace of chefs, providors and winemakers. More than 80 exhibitors will be presenting their produce, with a series Masterclasses run by George, Adriano and Ben, as well as local chefs, cheese makers and winemakers.

The Geelong Food and Wine show is part of the Melbourne Food and Wine Festival, and acknowledges the importance of produce from the Geelong region to Melbourne's food and wine culture. The Geelong region, stretching across the Bellarine, Moorabool Valley, Surf Coast, Otways and Western Victoria regions, is home to some of Victoria's most revered wine and produce.

The show is also a great opportunity to sample the talent on flow with the booming local restaurant industry in one spot.

And no Geelong event would be complete without the city's favourite footy players, so expect to see some familiar faces cooking up a storm over the weekend.

Highlights of the program include:

•   Masterclasses with George Calombaris, Adriano Zumbo, and Ben O'Donoghue using local produce
•   Exclusive High Tea with Adriano Zumbo
•   Celebrity Cook-off with Ben O'Donoghue and Geelong Football Club players
•   The ultimate cheese experience showcasing the breadth of cheesemaking in the region
•   Wine appreciation classes hosted by local winemakers
•   Tasting from more than 80 regional producers, wineries and restaurateurs

The event is being supported by the City of Greater Geelong and Geelong Otway Tourism.

A website with full program details will be live in January 2012.

Exhibitor enquires
sales@geelongfws.com.au

Monday 19 December 2011

UNUSUAL CHRISTMAS STORIES FROM THE HEART


Wc19Dec11
FLASHING idea from NSW's Southern Highlands'
Diamond Creek Estate with Christmas seafood.

David Ellis

THIS is the story of how three colleagues will celebrate Christmas this year, and some quite different wines they'll be doing it with.

The first is a group of around a dozen couples who through Mother Nature's misfortune, have never experienced the joy of having children. They come together early each December, pull out their cheque books and go on a buying spree for kids' toys… which they give to agreed charities and childrens' hospitals.

On Christmas Day they come together again and share their love of Chardonnay, each contributing the least-known label they can find and sharing it over a Very Long Lunch, and interestingly this year two of them have chosen the same label. It's from Diamond Creek Estate in the small, cool-climate winemaking area of the NSW Southern Highlands, and the vintage chosen is the excellent 2008.

HAIL MARY – a Good Catholic Girl's idea if you've a mob
coming for Christmas Day and lamb's on the menu.
Our colleagues tell us that its beaut stone-fruit characters and tropical pineapple overtones will make it a great choice with their salmon mouse and lobster salad Christmas Day Long Lunch; it's not widely available so ring (02) 4872 3311or look at www.diamondcreekestate.com.au if you are interested in finding out where to buy it. It's certainly good value at $20 a bottle (by the case.)

The second of our unusual Christmas lunches is hosted by a mate who invites all his single employees – this year that'll be around forty of them – to another Very Long Lunch at which he, his wife and their adult 'kids' will cook ten legs of lamb in a battery of hooded barbecues, and roast vegies in as many electric frypans.

And as he says he's got to pray it won't rain, we've tipped him towards a Cabernet Sauvignon that'll be ideal with his roast lamb luncheon – and is appropriately-labelled Hail Mary Full of Grace. It's made by the irrepressible Julie Barry who owns the equally delightfully-titled Good Catholic Girl winery in the Clare Valley; with fresh and intense black fruit flavours and spicy tannins, it's got lamb and home-made mint sauce written all over it. Julie made just 133 cases; phone her on 0419 822 909 if you want to grab one or six at just $25 a bottle.

GRANDMUM's recipe apple pie and custard ideal
with West Aussie Voyager Estate Chenin Blanc.
And the final unusual one is a mate who traditionally finishes his family's Christmas lunch with a homemade apple pie and custard to a recipe handed down a half-century ago by his Grandmum who always said "on Christmas Day we don't have to eat stodgy English Christmas pudding." And the wine he'll have with it will be a Chenin Blanc, not one of our biggest sellers and mostly made in Western Australia, with his choice a 2011 from Voyager Estate; at $20 its great value to enjoy with his Grandmum's apple pie and custard.

And a Merry Christmas to you all…

Friday 16 December 2011

10 wines, 10 vintages - Optimism got them here


Media release:

For Steve and Sharlene Dadd their dream of planting a vineyard and producing their own wine seemed so far flung 14 years ago when they first bought the

picturesque 200 acre property at the gateway to Mudgee, now home to Optimiste Wines. But it seems that optimism has certainly paid off, and just as they release the wines from their celebrated 10th vintage they set to work on renovating the 100 year old, dilapidated Australian farmhouse on the property which this summer will become the Optimiste Tasting House.

A rustic setting with wide breezy verandahs and stylish and welcoming comforts, the Tasting House will become the long anticipated showcase for Optimiste wines. Overlooking the manicured vineyard across the rolling hills of Mudgee, visitors will be welcome to taste the 10 wines that form the Optimiste range, together with other daily 'tastes' on offer designed to match each wine; bringing a new cellar door experience to the Mudgee region.

The name was inspired by a concept which the Dadds openly admit to 'borrowing' from Helen Keller who was quoted as saying "Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement. Nothing can be done without hope and confidence", and duly inspired by the challenges of farming as well as their young sons challenges with disability.  The unicorn which they have incorporated in their logo symbolizes this hope and passion.

This same spirit of optimism has inspired the Dadds to craft fine wine from their Mudgee vineyard, and to celebrate their 10th vintage they have just released three new tremendous wines in time for summertime  feasts:-

Optimiste Pinot Gris 2011 (RRP $20)

Optimiste "Paris in Spring" Rose 2011 (RRP $20)

Optimiste Shiraz 2008 (RRP $20)

All three wines reflect the superb conditions from the last 4 spectacular vintages on their perfectly elevated, sloping vineyard about 10km to the east of Mudgee. Idyllic growing conditions, spring rain and dry breezy summers, then cool mornings during harvest have produced to fully ripe, finely structured, maximum flavoured wines.

The Pinot Gris has been made in the Alsacian style, with a small portion fermented in old French oak barrels to give a certain richness.

Like Paris in the spring, the Merlot based Rose is bright and full of life and has been intentionally made to highlight the rich, spicy red fruit flavour typical of Mudgee Merlot, with a balanced dry finish.

The 2008 Shiraz is a knockout with elements of the typical savoury Mudgee Shiraz but winemaker Michael Slater has added a touch of elegance inspired by the Rhone styles of Shiraz.

Optimiste  Wines will soon release their first 100% Merlot from the exceptional 2010 growing season. Named 2010 Optimiste "Rooftops" Merlot (RRP $20) in honor of a close  family member,  a Merlot-loving  old builder who is undergoing cancer treatment, all profits from this limited first release will go to the Prince of Wales Hospital Cancer Unit.

The Optimiste range of wines includes: Semillon, Pinot Gris, Rose, Tempranillo, Petit Verdot,  Shiraz, Bordeaux Blend of Cabernet/Merlot/Petit Verdot, Botrytis Semillon and soon to come – Viognier & Merlot

Optimiste Wines sharlene@optimiste.com.au (0428) 640 800

www.optimiste.com.au       Is your glass half full…?

Wednesday 14 December 2011

Lindauer celebrates Pearl anniversary

Media Release:  
 

NEW ZEALAND'S TOP SPARKLING CELEBRATES 'PEARL' ANNIVERSARY

Lindauer's highly rated sparkling wines have delighted consumers for 3 decades now with their exceptional quality and value for money.  Celebrating 30 years makes this a 'Pearl' anniversary for Lindauer; perfect for sparkling wines where it's all about the fine bubbles or 'bead'.

Founded in 1981, Lindauer was the first commercially available méthode traditionnelle from New Zealand and helped found the country's reputation as a producer of exciting Sparkling Wines. Whilst their wines started as a bold statement about the quality of bubbles that could be created in New Zealand's cool-climate, over the years they have constantly improved and refined, and are now regularly outperforming much more expensive wines from revered sources abroad.

At the 2011 International Sparkling Wine Symposium, held earlier this month in the UK, the range of wines submitted by Lindauer all achieved over 90 points, outscoring many sparklings from some well known Champagne Houses.

Showcasing Lindauer's quality-to-value position is the Lindauer Brut Cuvée NV at a RRP of just $14.95

This wine is made from Chardonnay (60%) and Pinot Noir (40%) from the mature Lindauer vineyards in Gisborne. The long, cool maritime influences here produce natural acidities in the grapes, ideal for the production of superior Sparkling Wine. The best fruit comes from the sites with strong silt and clay soils, as they provide the natural vigour and water holding capacity required to quickly ripen crops early in the season, before it loses this valuable acidity.

The cuvée stays on lees for 12 months, creating a wine with crisp fruit flavours and balance.

For something / someone special, try the Lindauer Special Reserve Brut Cuvée NV with a RRP of $19.95

Made from Lindauer's finest fruit and using a higher percentage of Pinot Noir (75%) to Chardonnay (25%), this wine has had an extra 18 months of love, spending 2 ½ years being nurtured in the bottle on lees before release. The predominance of Pinot Noir and time spent on lees leads to a complex full bodied wine which is often described as "unexpectedly Champagne-like".

So whether you are looking for a playful wine to delight at New Years or some more serious "pearls" to impress at Valentine's or Mother's Day, Lindauer has twice the appeal with both price and quality under one label.

AVAILABILITY:

Nationally, in all good independent and chain bottle shops.

Lindauer is distributed by Fine Wine Partners. Please call P: 1300 668 712 for local stockist details.


Tuesday 13 December 2011

Burnbrae: One of Mudgee's Foundation Winegrowers


Mudgee is one of Australia's oldest wine growing regions. Wines have been made in this NSW region continuously since 1858. It was however during the 1960s that a renaissance took place, with the establishment of a number of family owned brands that extended the plantings.

The Burnbrae site was identified in 1968 for its viticultural advantages. Translating as 'the sloping field down to a stream', Burnbrae sits at 600 metres elevation, with good seasonal rainfall and well-drained soils derived from the shale and slate.

The current Burnbrae winery sits beside the original site of the open-air winery, which was arranged beneath an established peppercorn tree. The peppercorn tree is still a key feature of the picturesque Burnbrae cellar door and cottages.

The Burnbrae vineyard was planted in 1968 and at the time, was one of only a handful of families making wine in Mudgee. 40 years later, the Australian wine industry has expanded ten fold, however it is these older plantings that can't be replicated.

The current custodians of Burnbrae are Tony and Jill Bryant, who sold their broad acre farm after identifying the vineyard as a special piece of Mudgee's winegrowing history.

Situated on the outskirts of the Mudgee township in the Erudgere Valley, the Burnbrae winery is overseen by one of Australia's most experienced winemakers, Frank Newman. After working for sixteen years with Penfolds and then twelve with Angove, Frank moved to the lesser-known Mudgee region, after seeing the quality of fruit being grown on these aged vines.

Two of the latest wines to be released from Burnbrae comprise the 2011 Burnbrae Pinot Gris and their signature wine, the 2008 Burnbrae Shiraz.

The 2008 Burnbrae Shiraz is made from grapes grown on the estate's 40-year-old vines. "2008 was one of the best vintages we have had in a decade," commented Burnbrae winemaker Frank Newman. "We had great soil moisture from the winter rains, and coupled with the long cool ripening, resulted in great depth of flavour in the fruit."

The Shiraz was handpicked and plunged for the first week after harvest in open fermenters and basket pressed. 90 per cent of the wine underwent secondary malolactic fermentation in barrel prior to the total blend undergoing a further two years maturation in a combination of a tightly grained American and French oak.

"2011 was a fascinating vintage in Mudgee. Many vignerons didn't harvest any grapes. Our Pinot Gris was sourced from a cooler sub region in the valley, with vintage somewhat earlier than usual. The Mudgee crop was well down from previous years, however the wines that were made are proving to be of a considerably high quality. The earlier harvest resulted in lower alcohols, great natural acidity, whilst maintaining plenty of flavour," concluded Frank.

Pricing and Distribution: The Burnbrae wines are distributed through select NSW outlets as well as from the Cellar Door and online at www.burnbraewines.com.au

2008 Burnbrae Mudgee Shiraz $28.00

2011 Burnbrae Mudgee Pinot Gris $18.00

Monday 12 December 2011

2012 NSW Wine Festival - The Month to Wine & Dine!

Media release:
 
NSW Wine Festival ~ Feb 25 – March 31, 2012

2012 sees the return of the NSW Wine Festival. Now in its fifth year, this is the State's premier celebration of New South Wales' award winning wines and beautiful wine regions. Each year has seen the festival grow both in crowd numbers and in the number of fantastic wine and food experiences, and 2012 will be no exception. An estimated 35,000 people are set to attend the opening event in Hyde Park South (at a newly expanded venue) and for the very first time, Sydney's wine bars and pubs will join the program.

All NSW Wine Festival details are available on line at www.nswwinefestival.com.au. The full program will be published on the website and in The Sydney Morning Herald on February 21, 2012.

·      The Sydney Morning Herald 'Sydney Cellar Door' - Sat 25 & Sun 26 February, 2012 (11am-6pm)

One of the country's largest wine and food tasting events is now bigger than ever with a new layout in Hyde Park running along the length of Park Street in the city centre. This bigger area in one of Sydney's most stunning alfresco (and convenient) settings will give visitors more room to meet around 100 talented winemakers who will be bringing their favourite drops to the city from NSW's 14 diverse wine regions.There will be even more shaded seating areas in which to enjoy a vast array of exciting new wine styles accompanied by all-day live music and cool entertainment, creating a world-class festival atmosphere.

The event is FREE to enter, with wine tasting packages starting at just $25. Tasting packages will be available for advance purchase via www.nswwinefestival.com.au

·      NEW TO 2012 … NSW Wine of the Month – February 27 to March 31, 2012

Sydney's wine bar scene has exploded in the last year – just look at the latest Sydney Morning Herald Good Food Guide with its extensive listing of interesting small bars. This year, they'll be sharing the festival spirit with 'NSW Wine of the Month': offering a glass of NSW wine and matching bar snack for just $15.

·      Dine with NSW Wine – February 27 to March 31, 2012

Each year during the NSW Wine Festival, leading Sydney Morning Herald Good Food Guide restaurants throughout NSW create exclusive wine-matched lunch and dinner menus from just $30-$50, including wine. Enjoy the best our state has to offer for a bargain price.

·      Tour NSW Wine Regions Dinners - selected dates throughout March, 2012

And don't miss the very special Tour NSW Wine Regions Dinners - a series of unique degustation dinners featuring fresh NSW produce and matched to the finest NSW wines, and hosted by leading food and wine personalities at four selected hatted restaurants.

·      NSW Wine at The Sydney Morning Herald Growers' Market ~ Sat 3 March, 2012

To celebrate the NSW Wine Festival, the ever popular Pyrmont Growers' Market will transform its regular Market Chef stage into the Market Wine stage. Leading wine experts will treat market-goers to guided tastings of premium NSW wines, along with advice on pairing wines with delicious tidbits from key food producers.

For full details and a list of participating bars and restaurants, see www.nswwinefestival.com.au, and look out for the special NSW Wine Festival program in The Sydney Morning Herald's Good Living section on Tuesday, February 21, 2012.

NSW's 14 diverse wine regions are: Canberra, Cowra, Gundagai, Hastings River, Hilltops, Hunter Valley, Mudgee, New England, Orange, Perricoota, Riverina, Shoalhaven, Southern Highlands and Tumbarumba.


WINE FOR CHRISTMAS SEAFOOD – SHE’LL BE APPLES

Wc12Dec11

David Ellis

WE never cease to be amazed at the number of people who seem to find it twee or trendy to simply blurt "ABC" ("Anything But Chardonnay,") particularly when you can get your hands on such excellent examples as Peter Logan's Apple Tree Flat 2011 that's absolute bargain-buying at just $12 a bottle.

In fact we 'fess up that at the price and with a dozen or so family invading for a Christmas Eve seafood buffet this year, we've already put a case in the fridge to go with it – and if you are thinking chicken either hot with the baked vegies or cold with a salad on Christmas day, it'll go excellently with those too.

Peter Logan's Apple Tree Flat vineyard is at Mudgee in NSW that was one of the first regions in Australia to produce Chardonnay, and his cool-climate vineyards are amongst some of our highest at around 850m to 1000m above sea level, resulting in wines with delightful citrus (predominantly grapefruit) and cashew flavours – ideal with a buffet of shellfish and white fish cocktails.

CHRISTMAS DAY LUNCH: IF turkey's on the menu, many of us will opt for a good Cabernet Sauvignon to go with it – but with rels coming from the Shakey Isles, we've put aside several Pinot Noirs from New Zealand's YealandsWay.

Their 2010 has rich, ripe dark-cherry fruit flavours and a hint of savoury spiciness that makes it a beaut companion with that turkey and seasoned stuffing; made from Marlborough/Central Otago fruit, it's value at $21.99.      

CHRISTMAS MUST:  THERE'S still time to pick up Rob Geddes' excellent 29th edition of Australian Wine Vintages for yourself or as a gift for a wine buff: rather than list every wine made in Australia and New Zealand, Rob and his tasting team have reviewed 4000-something wines from consistently-good makers, or from those they consider offer excellent value for money.

There's also a review of 1000 interesting older vintages – and a useful travel section with advice about cellar doors and places to stay and sightsee in wine country. Dubbed "the little gold book" its great value at $34.95 in-store or online from www.thegoldbook.com.au

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

Saturday 10 December 2011

Tastes of Rutherglen Festival - March 2012

TASTES OF RUTHERGLEN FESTIVAL

March 9-11 & March 17-18, 2012

Discover the passion of North East Victoria's local producers and meet the winemakers behind Rutherglen's world-class wines when the region hosts the ultimate party for gourmands  - Tastes of Rutherglen - March 9-11 & March 17-18, 2012.

21 wineries celebrate vintage under sunny autumn skies and guests can indulge in perfectly matched food and wine combinations. New this year alongside exciting "culinary experiences" are some interactive "culinary activities" at each cellar door.

Music, food, wine and authentic, rustic fun seamlessly blend at what has become one of regional Victoria's best Festivals spanning two weekends.

The Festival begins on Friday, March 9 with Tastes on Main - a regional showcase dinner at the Rutherglen Wine Experience on Main Street, hosted by The Winemakers of Rutherglen. Special guest at this year's dinner is Jared Ingersoll, chef of Sydney's Danks Street Depot, where he sources the best Australian produce and supports artisan producers.

Then the journey begins over the two weekends as each winery offers its own "culinary experience"! Some of North East Victoria's favourite chefs join with talented winemakers to present unique and fabulous "culinary experiences" at each winery.

Festival-goers can indulge in a fabulous dish matched to a sublime wine, or something more interactive such as a behind the scenes tour with a winemaker to see what really goes on during vintage!  The choices are endless at this action-packed food and wine festival. 

Transport is easy over the two weekends thanks to the TAC Winery Shuttle Bus which circles between all 21 wineries, and festival-goers can hop on and off as they like in this safe and hassle-free way to tour the wineries.  Pick-up and drop-off also available in Rutherglen, Wagunyah & Corowa, Albury Wodonga, Howlong, Mulwala, Bundalong, Chiltern, Wangaratta and Yarrawonga.  A Designated Driver Reward Campaign, also sponsored by TAC operates all weekend with information available at participating wineries. 

All-inclusive passes make it easy!

Great value "all inclusive" tickets are available for pre-purchase or on the weekends and are also designed to make festival navigating simple and easy. Guests simply purchase a ticket online or from participating wineries or tourist information centres and let the indulgence begin! 

Ticket Packages start from just $50 and include an official Tastes of Rutherglen glass for tastings at all 21 wineries plus two tickets for a culinary "experience" or "activity" at the winery of choice, Additional culinary tickets are $20 each and individual glasses $12.

Over both weekends, a range of events will take place at wineries including themed wine dinners, produce markets, dinners under the stars, live bands and much more!  There is fun for the whole family, with plenty of wineries offering children's entertainment. 

Here are just a few of the Tastes of Rutherglen highlights:

Some of the "culinary experiences" available at all wineries include:

Stanton & Killeen Wines & Green Shed, Beechworth – Lemon paprika Rivalea pork medallions on a cozido of white bean, roast tomatoes, pork sausage and garlic infused olive oil topped with crackling and a parsley and coriander salad, matched to the Stanton & Killeen 2009 Prince Reserva.

Campbell's Winery & King River Café, Milawa– Barbeque pork, prawn and coriander omelette roulade on a vibrant Vietnamese noodle slaw with a mint, lemongrass and ginger dressing - matched with Campbell's 2011 RieslingM

Scion Winery – After dark by After Noon – French chocolate hazelnut torte, hand-made leaf of nougatine dark chocolate, Gundowing hazelnut & frangelico ice cream with a touch of raspberry – matched with a chilled French-style Scion 2007 semi-sweet Durif. 

Some of the "culinary activities" on offer include:

St Leonards Vineyard - Baile Salsa! : always wanted to travel to Spain and get some salsa dance lessons but no time to do so? Those visiting St Leonards during Tastes of Rutherglen can indulge in a salsa dance class they won't forget! 

Chambers Rosewood – Learn to brew the perfect cup of coffee at home at an entertaining workshop at Chambers Rosewood cellar door!  Plenty of tips and a sample bag and mug to take home. ichael's ate$650 worth of wine to be won!

Cellar Door Entertainment includes:

Buller's Winery – Enjoy special performer Renee Geyer on Saturday 10 March! Australia's Queen of Soul in concert at Buller's with bar selling wine, champagne cocktails + strawberries & cream!

Cofield Wines – live music, regional produce stalls, and entertainment for children and great dishes from The Pickled Sisters Café! 

All Saints Estate - A Day on the Green – Saturday March 17 – Noiseworks, Ian Moss, Ross Wilson, Daryl Braithwaite & more performing in a five hour music feast! A celebration of the Oz rock history they defined, enjoyed with All Saints Estate wines, or course!

Some Special Dinner Highlights:

Taste Rutherglen on the Main – A long table dinner on Friday, March 9 at 6:30pm along Rutherglen's Main Street will showcase Rutherglen's own unique hero dishes and wines. The dinner, hosted by chef, cookbook author and champion of regional produce Jared Ingersoll along with the Winemakers of Rutherglen, will feature local restaurants preparing hero dishes from local produce.  Tickets $120

All Saints Estate Twilights Dinner in the Vines – A popular event on Sunday, March 11 at 7pm to celebrate Rutherglen's food heroes in a regional  with  matched wines by All Saints Estate. Enjoy a night of dining under the stars. 

Jones Winery & Vineyard Dinners – Celebrate harvest with Mandy Jones at her Vintage Banquet Gourmet three course dinners prepared by their chef Kate Akrap. Saturday 10 & Saturday 17 March – 7pm 

For more information, a copy of the Tastes of Rutherglen program, or to purchase tickets call 1300 787 929 or visit www.winemakers.com.au. Tickets can be purchased online  

Monday 5 December 2011

COONAWARRA, FIREWORKS AND THE CHRISTMAS STOCKING…

NOTHING better with rare rib-eye
fillet and field mushrooms.

Wc05Dec11


David Ellis

WAYNE Stehbens has built an enviable reputation as Senior Winemaker at Coonawarra's Katnook Estate for creating wonderfully fuller-bodied Merlots that always stand out from the crowd.

And his newly-released 2009 is no different: crafted from full-flavoured fruit from a low-yielding vintage, this wine's got beautifully up-front plum and red currant flavours, a nice sweetness to it – together with a touch of spice – and fine tannins.

"We had average winter rainfall that helped budburst in Spring," Wayne recalls of the 2009 vintage. "But January was a testing time with a mini-heatwave, slightly below average temperatures for the rest of the vintage – that was the latest since 2004 – and yet resultant fruit of outstanding flavour."

CELEBRATE New Year's Eve with this
– as Sydney's Lord Mayor will do.
At $40 enjoy this one with rare rib-eye fillet and field mushrooms.

SPECIAL OCCASION: WHAT better way to ring-in New Year than with the same wines that Sydney's Lord Mayor and her official guests will be enjoying at the Sydney Opera House on December 31 as they watch the annual fire-works that have made Sydney the New Year's Eve capital of the world.

The Hunter Valley's Scarborough Wine Co has been chosen to provide the wines for this year's official bash – and at the Dawes Point Viewing Area for a selection of the 1.5-million people who will line the harbour foreshores for this year's event – and one in particular to think about for your own celebrations is their 2009 Scarborough Yellow Label Chardonnay. At $28 it's honeyed lime, butterscotch and roasted cashew flavours match beautifully most party foods.

CHRISTMAS MUST: A GOTTA-have for yourself or a family or friend wine buff this Christmas is Jeremy Oliver's Australian Wine Annual 2012. Jeremy's used his 27 years industry experience to rate 14,000-plus current and back-vintages from more than 300 leading Australian producers… it's a must for those looking for the best from Under $20, to what Jeremy considers our Top 100 for that Very Special Occasion. Priced at $29.95 from most book shops.
MUST have for wine buffs' Christmas stockings.

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

Thursday 1 December 2011

Plunkett Fowles Launches its New 490 Metres Wine Range

Seriously Approachable Wines with a Fresh Design



Plunkett Fowles 490 metres wine range are seriously approachable wines that have been launched with new labels and additional varieties including Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc*, Pinot Noir and Shiraz.

Matt Fowles, Chief Executive said: "We think the new label increases the visibility of 490 metres wines for existing customers and those wanting to explore the best of central Victoria's wine. The addition of new varieties to our 490 metres range also provides people with greater choice at this price point."

Design wise, a topographic map of the Strathbogie Ranges underpins the labels across all Plunkett Fowles core range of wine, including 490metres.

Matt Fowles said: "We think the contours of the map are a bit like the fingerprint of Mother Nature, visually displaying the landscape in which the vines grow and the wines are made - a vital piece of information that is inextricably linked to quality and elegance of our wine."

The name for the 490 metres range was inspired by the height at which Plunkett Fowles winery sits in the cool, elevated plains of the Strathbogie Ranges - 490 metres above sea level. On the label this is displayed visually by a line intersecting a slope at the precise height and location of the winery.

490metres RRP $14.95

www.plunkettfowles.com.au