On the Twenty-third day of Christmas my wine rack gave to me a Tahbilk Old Vines Cabernet Shiraz

Time to look back at last Christmas in the Christmas advent wine calendar.

I’d purchased this wine during the year in 2015 in preparation for a special occasion, which turned out to be Christmas of 2015.

 

It was the Tahbilk old vines Cabernet Shiraz 2012. This is the second Tahbilk wine in the advent wine calendar – number 8 was the grand tawny.

The old vines Cabernet Shiraz comes from Tahbilk’s oldest vines in the vineyard dating back to the 1860’s.
These old vines are what gives the wine it’s roundness and flavour.

Earning 96 points from James Halliday, here’s what the great man had to say about the wine:
“As one might expect, the colour, the bouquet and the palate all attest to the youth of the wine, yet it has all the hallmarks of the old vines: blackcurrant, blackberry and cherry fruit are the drivers of the bouquet and palate alike, French and American oak totally integrated: the most remarkable aspect is the fine, supple tannins making it a classic two-way proposition.”

It’s a great wine to have at the Christmas table. I wonder what this year will bring?! Stay tuned!!

I wonder what wine will feature at the Christmas table this year?!

Until next time winos,

Cheers

On the Twenty-Second day of Christmas my wine rack gave to me a Dominique Portet Fontaine Rosé

With three days out from Christmas, the weather here in Australia is set to soar.

With the working year over (almost over for others), let’s kick back and relax with a Fontaine Rosé, from Dominique Portet.

This wine hails from the Yarra Valley, a cool climate area in Australia.

The light pink colour is so classic of a Rosé – which is what this wine oozes. Made from Merlot, Shiraz, and Cabernet it’s a slightly peppery wine, with hints of red berries. It’s refreshing and crisp, and leaves you wanting more just like Oliver.

Please sir, can I have some more Rose?

Hope you enjoy your Thurday with this one!

Until next time winos,

Cheers

On the Twentieth day of Christmas my wine rack gave to me a SubRosa Chardonnay

Chardonnay rhymes with Tuesday right?

This Chardonnay is an absolute cracker in the lead up to Christmas. It’s a Chardonnay hailing from SubRosa wines in the Grampians – a cool climate region in Victoria, Australia.

Credit : http://www.subrosawines.com.au

Behind this brilliant wine is brilliant winemaker Adam Louder. Adam has many years of experience in the wine industry, having worked in Bordeaux, the Napa Valley, and now in Australia. Adam’s wealth of experience really shows in SubRosa’s wine case, and this Chardonnay is no exception. The grapes are handpicked, and are pressed as a full bunch, which is means less fruit damaged, and tonnes of flavour.

The wine is refreshing, and I feel has a slightly modern take on the classic Chardonnay. With melon and citrus flavours coming through, it has a slight acidity level to it. While some Chardonnay’s are big on that big buttery taste, this one is not so much, and is an absolute delight to drink.  The other big plus is that it comes at a price tag of $25! Everyone’s a winner!

The name of the wine also has a great story behind it:

“SubRosa is latin for under the rose. In ancient times, a rose was hung over the table as a mark of secrecy. What was said or happened around the table, stayed at the table.” http://www.subrosawine.com.au

 

Here I’ve paired the SubRosa Chardonnay with a fresh home made pasta topped with Chicken, Mushroom and Asparagus in a white wine sauce

Until next time winos,

Cheers

 

 

 

On the Nineteenth day of Christmas my wine rack gave to me an Angry Ant gin

This is a slightly different take on today’s advent wine – It’s an Angry Ant gin from Bass & Flinders distillery, located in Red Hill on the Mornington peninsula in Victoria Australia.

Don’t worry, it’s still in keeping with wine. The gin uses Shiraz grapes in its base. It also contains many botanical’s from outback WA, including Mulla Mulla and Purple Vetch flowers, native lemongrass, native sandalwood nuts, and the currant bush.

The most interesting and cool part about the Angry Ant gin is that it also includes ant pheromones!! These pheromones are what really determines the flavours of the gin. Essentially, the ant pheromones are influenced by diet, which the botanical’s are selected to match, and complement these unique pheromones.

While the Shiraz forms the base of this gin, there’s so many floral flavours that make this drink so interesting, and fun to consume.

Have on its own, or mix it up with a good tonic water and you’ll have your taste buds singing in no time!

Until next time winos,

Cheers

On the eigtheenth day of Christmas my wine rack gave to me a Mac Forbes Pretty Young Things EB15 Syrah Nouveau 2015

An underground winemaker doing all the right things when it comes to wine.
Mac Forbes is a winemaker based in the Yarra Valley. Mac sources his grapes from 3 of his own vineyards, along with partnering vineyards in the area.
Mac’s really distinguishing trait is his approach to wine making – minimal intervention.

Mac Forbes himself  Credit: http://www.macforbes.com.au

What is minimal intervention?

It’s basically not interferring with the grapes in the wine making process. That means dumping the grapes into the barrel and letting them ferment, with limited use of pumps to move the wine around. It also means not adding things like acid and yeast, and only adding small quantities of sulfer. Most wineries add these ingredients to balance out the wine, and enable longer preservation.

Minimal intervention is very much about ‘why mess with the grapes, if you’ve already got the best grapes around?!’

The other brilliant thing about Mac’s wines is that you won’t find a tasting note on his bottle. Rather than influence your taste, he prefers you to make up your own mind.

“We have chosen not to provide traditional tasting notes for any of our wines. Our wines hopefully capture vineyard life and vitality. As such the wines are constantly evolving. The only tasting notes that matter are yours.” http://www.macforbes.com

Mac Forbes Cellar Door located right in town in Healesville

So here’s my take on his Pretty Young Things EB15 Syrah Nouveau

Featuring a deep plum colour, the flavours are very much like fruits of the forest, with blackberries and blueberries popping out. Not big on tannins, but instead is rather silky, with a smooth finish, just like a Sunday morning.

Until next time winos,

Cheers

 

On the Seventeenth day of Christmas my wine rack gave to me a Dal Zotto Pucino Prosecco

Yep, you’ve guessed it. Welcome to another sparkling Saturday!

Moving away from France and on to Italy, where it’s home to the Prosecco.

Prosecco is a great, and cheaper, alternative to champagne.
Why? Champagne comes from the champagne region in France, and can place a high price due to the high demand for it.
Prosecco is more widely available, and the process of making the wine is most cost effective, with the second fermentation of the wine occurring in stainless steel barrels.

The Dal Zotto Pucino Prosecco is a winner. Best of all it’s Australian produced. This Prosecco comes from the King Valley which is where many Italian immigrants settled back in the 1880’s. It’s in this location that’s quite similar to the growing conditions for many Italian varieties as it is in Italy.

The DalZotto Pucino Prosecco has light bubbles, with pear and apple flavours. A creaminess to the wine, it finishes off crisp and dry.

A great way to spend your Saturday is having a Prosecco in the Park. What more could you want with a glass of bubbles in hand, sun shining, and hanging with a great bunch of friends!

Until next time winos,

Cheers

On the Sixteenth day of Christmas my wine rack gave to me a Medhurst Rosé

Yes Tis the season for a Rosé. I’ve now featured a couple of Rosé’s in the advent wine calendar, even a frosé!

It’s on the top of my list as THE Summer wine. It’s a great alternative than just the usual white you may lean towards. It’s even a great wine to take with you when you go sailing! So fancy!

Look! I’m on a boat!

This Rosé hails from Medhurst Wines in the Yarra Valley in Victoria. It was even crowned best Rosé at the Yarra Valley Wine Show in 2016!

It’s so deserving of the accolade.

What a winner!

The wine is made from a blend of Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon grapes, and is a beautiful light pink colour. Wondering how Rosé gets its pink colour? see my blog post here!

Melbourne, you are such a tease with your good weather. You make me want to drink Rosé.
It’s crisp and refreshing flavours of strawberry and tarty fruits, like raspberries and citrus, make me feel like I’m eating a dessert, but without the sweetness.

“Deliciously elusive fresh fruits including strawberry and raspberry are supported by white blossom of jasmine and citrus. The 2016 Medhurst Rosé shows bright personality of the Shiraz bringing freshness and liveliness to the wine, and the copper-hue from the Cabernet brings the fine drying finish and amazing persistence of flavour, cleansing the palate ready for another mouthful.” http://www.medhurstwines.com.au

It’s great to have on its own, or with white meat, or even with a cheeky cheese.

Until next time winos

Cheers

 

On the Fifteenth day of Christmas my wine rack gave to me a Koonara Ezra’s Gift Shiraz

Koonara Wines hails from Coonawarra in South Australia

‘Koonara, Coonawara’, say that 10 times fast!

A Shiraz is always a good wine to finish off a Thursday, on the eve of a Friyay! This Shiraz is no exception.

Whiles there’s two Shiraz varieties in the range, the Ezra’s Gift 2012 Shiraz is a step above the Angel’s Peak 2014 Shiraz.

One sip of the Ezras’s Gift Shiraz and you’ll be pulling the glass away looking at it like you’ve just met your new best friend. It’ll give you those warm fuzzy feels.

The oakiness of French Oak really comes through in the taste of the wine. It’s full bodied, and rich in a deep red colour. Smooth and well rounded, with hints of berries.

Grown using organic sprays and no pesticides, your body will thank you for not putting those nasties in your body.
This wine is best teamed with a red meat dish like a rib eye steak with peppercorn sauce.

Until next time winos

Cheers

On the fourteenth day of Christmas my wine rack gave to me a Maxwell Wines Lime Stone Cabernet Sauvignon

I came across this wine in a wine review from a fellow wine blogger ‘muchtodoaboutwine‘
The review really caught my interest, particularly the part about the aroma being similar to that of an open bag of jelly babies. I knew I wanted to try it.

Here’s the review:

“Impeneratable purple in the glass with classic notes of blackberry, blackcurrant along with aromas similar to that of a freshly opened bag of natural confection co jelly babies driven secondarily by slight herbaceous notes, a slap of mint, liquorice and some oak which fits right into place. The full bodied palate is similar to that of the nose that is scaffolded by lacy ropes of tannin that’s filled with high fruit intensity. Reckon you’ll be good going for another 6-8 years and turn your world upside down by pairing it with some beautiful roasted lamb” muchtodoaboutwine

Maxwell Wines is located in McLaren Vale in South Australia.
Established in the late 70’s, the winery takes a hands on approach to wine making. Two of its signature wines are the Lime Cave Cabernet, and the Ellen Street Shiraz.

The vineyard sits on a limestone base, which is ideal for reds. Being located in a hot dry climate, it serves the grapes well.

One of the unique points about Maxwell Wines is its cellar. The cellar was built in to the limestone hill, with a barrel room located at the base, surrounded by limestone. This natural and solid structure houses the barrels at a constant temperature, where the wines mature well.

Maxwell wines are ideal for cellaring and ageing.
The 2013 Lime Cave Cabernet Sauvignon

Medium bodied, rich in colour, with a smooth flavour of blackberries, and vanilla, hinted with oak. Makes for a very delightful Wednesday evening!

“The palate is classic Cabernet. Concentrated flavours of cranberry, cherry and cassis taste like the day the grapes were picked, integrated with delicate cedar and vanilla oak. These flavours are elegantly balanced with firm tannins and a persistent mouth filling finish.” www.maxwellwines.com.au

Until next time winos

Cheers

On the thirteenth day of Christmas my wine rack gave to me a Frosé

Melbourne is hot hot hot today!
35 degrees : 95 Fahrenheit

To cool off in the summer sun, a Frosé is the perfect way to do it! As the name suggests, it’s a frozen Rosé

It was invented by Bar Primi in New York City. This really is the best thing since sliced bread. What will humans do next?!

How to make it

1. Take a bottle of Rosé and pour in to a tray. Freeze overnight (about 8 hours).
It won’t completely freeze, but will be like a slushie.

I’d recommend going for a darker Rosé. This will make the flavours of the Rosé really come through in the slushie mixture.

My picks –
Tahbilk Cabernet Rosé made from Cabernet Sauvignon
Crittenden Estate’s Pinocchio Rosato made from Sangiovese grapes
6Ft6 Pinot Noir Rosé

In fact, 6Ft6 are straight on the band wagon and you can even order a Frosé pack  to make at home! Check it out here!

Credit @6Ft6wine

2. While the Rosé is doing its work, time to get on to the strawberry sugar syrup.

Bring 1/2 a cup of water and 1/2 a cup of sugar to the boil. Once the sugar dissolves take it off the heat and pop 220grams of strawberries (almost a punnet) into the pot. Mix, and let the mixture sit for 30 minutes for the strawberries to infuse. Press the mixture through a sieve.

Make sure the sugar syrup is cool before proceeding to the next step.

3. In a blender, scrape the frozen Rosé into the jug, along with approx 100g of the sugar syrup, a squeeze of lemon juice, and 1 cup of crushed ice.

4. Blend blend blend

5. Pop the mixture back in the freezer for 30 minutes

6. Once chilled, pop the mixture back in to the blender and buzz it up again. This will make the icy mixture smoother.

At this stage, if you’re feeling a little frisky, you can even pop in a dash of vodka. (Did she just say that?!)

7. Serve in cocktail glasses and enjoy
Until next time winos

Cheers