All blog posts tagged with wine
Coffs Harbour Rotary Wine Appreciation 2012
Saturday afternoon and a few friends and I have frocked up for the 12th
annual Rotary Wine tasting. The event has evolved into a major fundraiser for
the Coffs Harbour Rotary Club. All of the funds raised by ticket sales and the
silent auction go towards local charities such as Lifeline, Waratah Centre and
Coffs Kids Care.
The afternoon is held at Novotel Pacific Bay Resort in a garden marquee the sun was shining and spirits were high. Wine lovers had flocked to the event for the opportunity to sample quality wines from all around Australia. Each year the vineyards represented at the event change, allowing patrons to try new labels and wine varieties. This year the list of exhibitors were;
McGuigan Wines – Hunter Valley, NSW
Pansabella Food & Flowers - Coffs Harbour, NSW
The Cheesemaking Workshop – Emerald Beach NSW
Robert Oately Signature Range – Mudgee, NSW
Innocent Bystander- Yarra Valley, Vic
Grant Burge – Barossa Valley, SA
I was looking forward to trying some amazing wines and chose some new favourites.
As a group we decided to try all the whites on the first pass around the room,
and then continue with another lap to sample the reds, followed lastly with a
little lingering around the ports.
The first table we approached belonged to McGuigan Wines and was manned by
David Hardacre and Peter Hall (Senior Winemaker). We tried a number of
delicious wines, I was also very partial to the Sparkling Pinot Gris, but then I
am a bubbles girl. We all found the Bin 6000 Verdelho and the Bin 9000 Semillon
very much to our liking. After a chat to the winemaker it seems our taste was
on the mark. We had chosen one of their
highly awarded wines which was grown in Broke NSW from vines planted in the
1940’s. It was apparent that we were being spoiled by the wines on offer.
We moved onto the Pansabella Food & Flowers table where we sampled a
delicious goat’s cheese feta in oil. It was so creamy and tangy that I could
have happily stayed and worked my way through the whole bucket.
In all we tried
three delicious cheeses from the Pansabella table, each was more delicious than the
last. The blue cheese was probably my overall favourite! Even writing about the
experience and looking at the images is making me crave them all over again. I
intend on paying a visit to the store tomorrow so that I can purchase a stash.
With our palate cleansed we decided it was time to sample the range from
Cool Woods, Chateau Montfaucon Domains Schulmberger. We were served by Bob
Hughes and his partner. They were a
lovely couple, who happily replaced my “standard issue” plastic cup, with a
glass champagne flute in order to commence his sampling the range.
The Sparkling Brut NV was one of my favourites for the day. It was light,
crisp and so easy to drink. I noticed that Bob was a very liberally pourer, and
I was a very happy recipient of his generosity.
The Sauvignon Blans and the Pinot Gris were also very much to my liking. My companions and I were busy scribbling on order forms and we had only visited two tables!
Set up in the middle of the room were platters of cheese and bread. We made
a habit of taking a break from sampling wines to have a few mouthful of the
delicious creamy brie on offer. This allowed us to compare notes on our
favourites and reset our palate for a each new experience.
Innocent bystander had a Moscato which grabbed my attention and my taste buds. It was light and sweet and something a little different. I could
image drinking this over a lunchtime with the girls. I seem to have had a real taste
for Pinot Gris, as once again this was my favourite wine from the table.
Rather than go to the centre table for our cheese cleanser I decided to have
a talk to the girls from the Cheesemaking Workshop. They had a table with a well stocked cheese
board full of homemade cheeses from the various workshops. I have previously attended the class, and
learnt how to make Cream Cheese, Mascarpone, Feta, Camembert, and Ricotta.
I was pleased to hear they also offer an
advance class which teaches the art of making Blue Vein, Cheddar, Havarti, and Haloumi
cheese.
I sampled a feta with an added herbed inclusion, it was absolutely delicious, I will be making my feta using this method in the future. Next was a gorgeously tangy blue which had been aged a little longer than usual to bring out the fullest flavour.After one by one sampling the cheese board, promising the girls that I would return for the advanced class it was time to make my way back to the sampling.
Despite my strategy of whites only, and
breaking each sampling up with a cheese tasting I was finding it more and more
difficult to stay focused on the task ahead. It is fair to say it was shaping
up as a very big afternoon.
Robert Oatley Signature label is impossible to go past without a trying a
drop or two. We have been to the Mudgee
cellar door on occasion, and I know that before us today is the absolutely best
the vineyard has to offer. The Sauvignon Blanc 2011 is from the Margaret River
and is a clean, fresh, crisp wine with excellent passionfruit fruit flavours. This
particular wine would be one of my first choices for a wine to remember and
bring to a dinner party.
The final table is Grant Burge manned by the lovely Scott Dorman who explains the wines that he has chosen to be on tasting today. At the risk of sounding like a bit of a lush, I tried three wines from the Barossa based cellar door and found them all to be amazing.
The 2011 Moscato Rosa Frizzante was less sweet than the Innocent Bystander
Moscato and more fruit driven. Both were
amazing but for my taste I preferred the Frizzante. On a side issue the labels
is so gorgeous it would make a lovely gift. I suspected that nobody could
resist the delicious bubbles.
The 2011 Kraft Sauvignon Blanc was another favourite but eh NV Canti Prosecco was my overall favourite for an easy drinking white. I can image sitting around with friends, eating pizza and polishing of bottle after bottle of this wine.
With my first lap of the Marquee complete it was obvious that another lap would ultimately lead to my demise so I sadly opted out of the red component of the tasting, and continued to enjoy, albeit slowly, another glass of the Canti.
It was the ideal way to spend an autumn afternoon with friends. When it came
time for the silent auction our group sampled the Aged Tawny Port offered by
Grant Burge and slowly sipped this delicious drop while the winners were
announced.
A great day was had by all and the Rotary Club raise much needed funds for local charities.
Wolf Blass Hamper Winner
Just one more sleep until Mother’s Day!
I am hoping for a cappuccino in bed to start the day, and then perhaps a walk on the beach with my family.
It would be fantastic if Mr GG had the foresight to pack a Wolf Blass Champagne Hamper for our brunch... or at least a bottle of their 2010 Yellow Label Pinot Noir Chardonnay Sparkling Brut. (I hope you are listening sweetie)
Thanks to the generosity of Wolf Blass Wines it is time to announce which lucky mother will be receiving a gorgeous Mother’s Day hamper. The prize is valued at approx. $90 and includes two bottles of the brand new 2010 Wolf Blass Yellow Label Pinot Noir Chardonnay Sparkling Brut along with a selection of South Australia’s finest gourmet food products including chocolate covered coffee beans and hand-made biscotti.
Thank you to everyone for your wonderful responses. I had so
many readers tell me why their beautiful mothers deserved to be spoiled on this
special day and I honestly had tears in my eyes as I read about your special
mothers.
All the responses were so heartfelt it was difficult to choose the winning mum. I think everyone’s mum deserves to be spoiled this Mother’s Day.
The Wolf Blass Hamper winner is Melissa’s mum. It was the simple heartfelt response which caught my attention. Melissa, I hope your mother has a batch of nice hot scones ready and share’s a glass of Wolf Blass bubbly with you.
Melissa May 5, 2012
My Mum held my hand, watched over me, picked me up when I was down, has loved me unconditionally and is just a beautiful person that makes the most awesome scones and deserves health wealth and happiness and if that's not available a Gourmet Getaway, stunning, tasty hamper thanks to Wolf Blass would be perfect.
To all my readers, thank you for entering the competition and sharing stories about you wonderful mums with me. I feel privileged that you have allowed me a peak into your life. Enjoy Mother’s Day, and make sure you take mum a bottle of the Wolf Blass 2010 Yellow Label Pinot Noir Chardonnay Sparkling Brut. We know mum deserves a sparkling day!
Wolf Blass Wine for Mother's Day
Does your mum deserve a sparkling Mother’s Day?
When my sister and I were small my mother used to always remind us that we should save our pennies for her nursing home! She made it clear that she expected to be sent to a facility which served champagne with breakfast every morning!
Now that I have my own family I have to agree. I think all mum’s earn the right to be spoilt morning, noon and night!
With Mother’s Day coming up next Sunday Wolf Blass is celebrating the release of their 2010 Yellow Label Pinot Noir Chardonnay Sparkling
Brut. It is the first time a sparkling wine has been released
under their prestigious, award winning yellow label.
We all know mum’s love a drop of bubbly, so what better way to spoil her on her special day than with this classic Australian sparkling wine.
The lovely people at Wolf Blass have created a gorgeous Mother’s Day giveaway hamper. The prize is valued at approx. $90 and includes two bottles of the brand new 2010 Wolf Blass Yellow Label Pinot Noir Chardonnay Sparkling Brut along with a selection of South Australia’s finest gourmet food products including chocolate covered coffee beans and hand-made biscotti.
If you would like to win this indulgent hamper for your
mother, courtesy of the wonderful people at Wolf Blass you
need to let me know why your mother deserves spoiling this Mother’s Day. Leave your answer in the
comments section below.
The competition ends at midnight on the 11th May, 2012. Winners will be announced on the Gourmet Getaways Facebook page on Saturday 12th May. The competition is open to anyone within Australia who "likes" Gourmet Getaways.
So tell me why this decadent Wolf Blass Hamper should go to your mother.
The 2010 Wolf Blass Yellow Label Pinot Noir Chardonnay Sparkling Brut is available from leading liquor retailers nationally – RRP $17.99
For more information on the complete Wolf Blass range visit the webiste.
Top Drop - April 2012
Roses Vineyard at Innes View
Roses are Red 2007
With the first hint of winter in the air, the order of the day is warming comfort food, and a full bodied red wine to match. Made from the chambourcin grape, the Roses are Red 2007 vintage shows strong tannins and a deliciously spicy flavour. This fruit driven red is great to drink now or cellar a little longer and watch it mature.
Partner this wine with a slow cooked lamb shank, or your favourite hearty winter’s dish, for a cosy night in.
Roses are
Red is the perfect drop, to warm a winter’s night! Cost $20.00 per
bottle
Available: At the cellar door
132 Apanie Road, Lake Innes
The above article is as published in the May 2012 edition of Focus Magazine (Greater Port Macquarie)
Top Drop -March 2012
Cassegrain
Verdelho - 2011 
Make the most of the fading weather with this crisp, fresh white
wine. It presents as a delicate pale
yellow colour, with vibrant fresh citrus
aromas, and the flavour of tropical fruits.
Refreshing, and easy to drink, it’s a fun wine which will remind you of the summer just past. A great wine for a casual drink with friends.
Goes with: is the ideal companion to seafood, salads or a spicy Thai curry.
Cost: $19.95 or a special price of $15.95 for Cassegrain Gold Members
Available: All good bottleshops or online at
www.cassegrainwines.com.au
Each month my wine reviews can be found in the Port Macquarie edition of Focus Magazine, so look out for my seasonal local recommendations.
Pacific Dawn Cruise - Day 3 - New Caledonia Wine & Cheese Tasting
Noumea is known as the Paris of the Pacific. It has been occupied by the French since 1843, and was declared a French territory in 1957.
I
have always wanted to visited New Caledonia. I pictured
it as a more sophisticated Pacific Island, with upmarket hotels,
restaurants and
shopping, my image has proven to be correct. We completed the scenic drive around the city and found that it is indeed very beautiful,
and it certainly has some of the polish you would expect from the
French.
Mr GG & I are taking part in the Noumea Scenic Drive with a Wine & Cheese Tour. The tour was offered by the tour desk on board the Pacific Dawn. I don’t know about you dear readers, but when I have visited France in the past, my main aim is to try as much cheese and wine as I can, and visit all the delicious looking patisseries. Given that I am in the “Paris of the Pacific” naturally this was once again my mission.
I had also been hoping for the opportunity to brush up on my high school French. The residents are French speaking but Noumea is a tourist town and the shop keepers were all happy to use their English... I tried to convince Mr GG that another trip to France would be in order if I am to retain any understanding of the language of love, I don't know if I have swayed him...
We arrived at the restaurant La Coupole, which is to play host to the event . The tables are set with un pain et trois verres à vin, (a breadroll and three wine glass), so we all take a seat. Sorry! I just had to break out and use un peu de français.
There is a lovely wine display and I am pleased to see that all the wines we will taste, do in fact come from France. Our guide explains that because New Caledonia does not have the right temperature for cheese or wine making, the locals import both of these necessitates from the motherland.
The first cheese we sample is Emmental Francais. Our cheese originates from the Savoie region in France. It is made from unpasteurized cows milk and takes 1-2 years to fully mature. The flavour is mild but still has that slightly pungent nutty flavour I associate with unpasteurised cheeses. It is a firm cheese not unlike a gruyere cheese.
We sample the cheese with the bread and a glass of Manoir du passage Blanc 2009. This wine comes from the Graves area in Bordeaux. It is a dry an aromatic wine made from the Semillon and Sauvignon grape. It is a well balanced when with delicious fruit and citrus flavours. This glass is very much to my liking and I notice that it has been enjoyed by all at our table.
Next we are given a talk about the Brie we are to sample. This cheese originates from Ile de France and is again made from unpasteurized cows milk. I love my creamy, stinky French Brie, with the delicious crust and liquid centre. Unfortunately this cheese has absolutely none of those qualities. I could easily liken the firm textured tasteless cheese to a Coles home brand variety. It was very disappointing to say the least. I also noted that it seemed to have been served straight out of a refrigerator. This is not something I would have expected from a French cheese tour operator.
The wine that was to accompany this cheese was a Manoir du passage Rouge. This was a red wine from the Graves region in Bordelais. The wine is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. I thoroughly enjoyed the full bodied character of the wine and found the fruity black current taste very much to my liking. Seemed that all at our table were agreeable to this wine and we were permitted a small refill.
The final cheese was the Bleu a Auvergne, or Blue cheese originating in the region of Auvergne. Again the cheese is produced using unpasteurised cows milk; it is then treated with a bacterium to give the distinctive flavour and appearance of the blue veins. The cheese is a semi soft, cream cheese with a powerful aroma and the gorgeous pungent salty flavour you expect from a blue cheese.
The wine we are given to sample with the blue is a sweet dessert wine. Whilst I am not a sweet wine drinker I do like a nice botrytis or white port. I feel that either of those styles would have been particularly nice with the blue cheese we were served. Unfortunately we were given a Bordeaux Chateau Bergerac 2009. Made from the Semillon grape, it was a sweet wine without the tart finish that I look for in a dessert wine. It was not a popular wine at our table.
There was a mixed reaction from the group about the value in the tour. For me, I simply could not imagine doing anything else in Noumea then sample fine wine and cheese and then discussing the merits of each amongst our group.
I would have loved to have visited a second establishment and tried a different selection of wine and cheese, perhaps even forsaking the sightseeing. Mr GG and I would also have like to have more time in Anse Vata Bay or Baie De Citron to experience more of the dining in these areas. We both agree that we will have to come back for a short stay and explore a little more.
After feeling that we had experienced only the briefest smidgen of French New Caledonia, it was time to board the boat ready for our 10.30pm departure. We waved goodbye to the marina and set sail for the island of Lifou.
We are due to arrive in Lifou at 8.45am.
Top Drop -February 2012
I have chosen the Shiraz Sangiovese blend from Cassegrain Wines to review this month for focus magazine and Gourmet Getaways readers because it has been my preferred red lately. I am off on holidays at the moment, so it is strictly cocktails by the pool for me. This is a brief intermission from my Pacific island cruise whilst I share an easy drinking bottle of red with readers.
AS PUBLISHED IN FOCUS MAGAZINE - PORT MACQUARIE
Cassegrain Wines
Addition Noir Shiraz Sangiovese 2009
My choice of red wine for summer is always a Pinot or a Sangiovese These reds are light and refreshing, very easy to drink and perfect for consuming at this time of year. The combination of Shiraz and Sangiovese in this wine gives a gorgeous ruby red colour and fresh fruit flavours of cherry and spice. It is ideally balanced and an easy drinking wine for a casual night in. Grab a pizza and share a bottle with friends.
Goes with: Pizza, Antipasto or cheese Platter
Cost $25.00
Available: All good bottle shops or online at
Top Drop - January 2012
Longpoint Vineyard
Duet 2007
This wine takes its named from the perfect partnering of the Chambourcin and Cabernet grape. The Cabernet lends the wine depth, complexity and a full flavour, the Chambourcin lightens the finish and allows the fresh crisp notes of that grape to shine through. Perfect for this hot humid weather, it is the wine to enjoy during the summer’s evening.
Goes with: I would partner this wine with an antipasto platter or spicy food.
Cost: $22.00
Available: At the cellar door
6 Cooinda Place
Lake Cathie NSW 2445
Phone : 02 6585 4598
or online at http://www.longpointvineyard.com.au
Top Drop - December 2011 - Happy New Year
Happy New Years Eve!
I don't know about you, but I have had a fantastic year, full of fun, friends and family. I want to thank you all for reading along with me and sharing my food finds, holidays and recipes. I have enjoyed reading all your feedback and I look forward to chatting with you again next year.
In the meantime, have a very Happy New Year, have a glass of wine or two for me, and most importantly stay safe. I have chosen this lovely white wine for this months "top drop" as it really is an easy drinking day or night wine
Long Point
Deckchair White
This is a delicious blend of Chardonnay and Verdelho, perfect for those steamy hot Summer days. It’s crisp and refreshing, totally un-oaked, with a wonderful fruity aroma and mouth filling flavours. Sit back, relax and enjoy are bottle or two of the festive season.
Enjoy a bottle with your seafood Christmas lunch, chicken dishes or just because friends have dropped around.
Cost $15.00 per bottle
Available: At the cellar door
6 Cooinda Place Lake, Cathie NSW 2445.
or online
Top Drop - November 2011
Cassegrain
Stone Circle Semillon Sauvignon Blanc - 2011
As the weather heats up this is the perfect fresh, crisp wine to enjoy on a balmy evening or at a picnic with friends. This is a fun wine, and the zesty citrus flavours will match the best that summer has to offer. It is the ideal accompaniment to seafood and salads or a cheese platter. The Semillon Sauvignon Blanc has a vibrant lemon colour, and delivers a clean citrus and sherbet flavour, with a fresh clean finish.
Goes with: I would enjoy pairing this wine with fresh seafood, particularly prawns and natural oysters.
Cost: At $14.95 it’s a bargain wine, stock up for Christmas!
Available: All good bottleshops or online
Top Drop - October 2011
Do you think anyone noticed that I am six days late for my "Top Drop" October story? In my defense things have been a little frantic... and whilst I have been diligently sampling wine all month, there has been a little more sampling than writing going on... sorry lovely readers, but I believe it is an occupational hazard.
Sherwood Estate
2007 Chardonnay
Sherwood Estate Chardonnay is a delicious light, crisp and refreshing wine. On the nose there is an aroma of fresh apple and melon, but the flavour is all peaches and cream due to time spent on oak. The finish is mellow and beautifully balanced on the palate. The 2007 Chardonnay is drinking well at the moment, but will cellar for the medium term.
With Spring in the air I would suggest trying a bottle or two for your next barbeque.
Enjoy this wine with a delicious seafood dish or a spicy Thai curry.
Cost $21.00 or $17.85 for Sherwood Estate Wine Club Members
Available: Kempsey IGA
At the cellar door
1187 Gowings Hill Road, Sherwood.
or
online
Top Drop - September 2011
Inneslake Vineyards
Inneslake Mist
Finish your evening meal with a deliciously fortified wine from Inneslake Vineyards. The Inneslake Mist is a luscious blend of premium quality Semillon fruit which has been fortified with spirit to create a mellow, sweet after dinner wine to be enjoyed with someone special.
The wine has spent a minimum of two years maturing in oak and is a brilliant sunshine yellow colour. The aroma is an intoxicating blend of sweet raisins and nuts, and on the palate you will enjoy a full rich, syrupy flavour of gorgeous fresh citrus. The finish is crisp, and will leave you longing for more of this complex wine.
Goes well with: Dessert or a Cheese Platter
Cost: $19.00
Available: Little Fish Cafe, The Ruins Way, Port Macquarie
So now that I have shared the perfect way to finish the evening, please share your thoughts with me readers, what influences you when choosing a wine? Is the main influence the region the wine originates, the grape variety or aesthetics such as the labeling, perhaps it is something completely different?
Don't forget all my wine reviews can be seen in Focus Magazine Port Macquarie each month.
Top Drop - August 2011
I am quite excited about this months wine review. It is always a great feeling when I find a wine which is VERY reasonably priced, and seems to have a universal appeal. Here is one such wine! A friend and I decided to make use of a rainy day and take a drive to Dangars Creek Vineyard. It was a five hour round trip but we were rewarded with quite a few delicious finds, one of which was the Savagnin Verdelho 2010.
Dangars Creek Vineyard
Savagnin Verdelho 2010
Both the Savagnin and Verdelho grape lend this wine a beautiful tropical fruit aroma and lush melon flavours. There is a hint of spice and a rich full palate experience with a deliciously creamy, crisp finish.
The wine is pale straw in colour and is well balanced, and fruit driven. It is very easy drinking, and could be enjoyed either on its own or partnered with poultry, seafood or perhaps even a creamy pasta dish.
This will be the perfect refreshing wine for the upcoming summer barbeque and picnic season.
Cost per bottle: $12.50
Available: At the cellar door
199 Spooners Ave, Kempsey
Tell me readers, do you buy your wine singularly, or do you stock up when you find something you like? I wish I had of bought a case of this wine but unfortunately I will be making the drive back to Kempsey for more.
Top Drop - July 2011
Time flies when your having fun!
What a great saying that is! But it really is true, I have had an extraordinary month, and it has just whizzed by before I could even take a breath.
One of my great wine "finds" this month was supplied by the lovely Rose, from Roses Vineyard in Port Macquarie. She shared a bottle of her latest vintage Sparkling Chardonnay with me and here is my review (also appearing in Focus Magazine Port Macquarie).
Roses Vineyard at Innes View
Sparkling Chardonnay 2011
The new vintage Sparkling Chardonnay from Roses Vineyard is full of bubbles and fun! Produced using their own grapes this wine displays fresh fruit flavours and a delicious soft, continuous bubble. It is a beautiful medium straw colour and exhibits lovely lifted fruit aromas. The finish is crisp and refreshing; perfect for sharing with friends.
This is a versatile wine that can be enjoyed on its own or partnered with appetisers such as chilled oysters, prawns, cheese or antipasto platter.
A definite mood lifter for any occasion!
Cost $20.00 per bottle
Available: At the cellar door
132 Apanie Road, Lake Innes
So readers my question today is, when do you like to drink a bottle of bubbly? For me it is a standard standby. I love to open a bottle at any girly gathering! I think it is ideal for drinks after work, a dinner party and guaranteed to get a party started... perhaps even on a week night if I can find a good excuse, or a partner in crime...
Top Drop - June 2011
I hope you are looking forward to sampling another bottle of wine with me because it is time once again for Top Drop. This is a segment where you can play along at home, by sampling the wines I suggest, and leaving your thoughts as comments at the end of the story. I am happy to receive pictures of you enjoying the wine, these can be emailed. I will also happily link to any reviews you have written on my Top Drop wine.
Sherwood Estate
Verdelho 2005
Take some time out for a lazy lunch to enjoy this delicious local Verdelho. Beautifully aromatic and showing typical Verdelho notes of passionfruit and tropical fruits flavours it’s a vibrant, crisp, clean wine. Showing a lovely medium straw colour, fresh fruit flavours and a dry flinty finish all emphasising the savoury aspects on the palate. The fruit is grown on Sherwood Estate’s own Macleay Valley property.
This is a flavoursome, everyday drinking wine which goes very well with food.
Pair with; Seafood, oysters, goats cheese, through to light meats such as chicken, pork or veal.
Cost $17.00 or $14.45 for Sherwood Estate Wine Club Members
Available; Kempsy IGA
At the cellar door
1187 Gowings Hill Road, Sherwood.
or online www.sherwoodestatewines.com.au simply download the price list to order.
So readers I am interested, what is your favourite white wine at the moment, or do you stick with red wine in the winter months?
Top Drop - May
Welcome back to Top Drop. It has been a dry couple of months in this segment. I could blame the FebFest, but really I have just been exceptionally busy with other stories and I haven’t managed to check out many new wines.
You will be happy to know this situation will be rectified as I am now writing a monthly wine review for Focus Magazine. So you might say it is my job to try at least one new local wine per month. Check out Focus Magazine, Port Macquarie and Coffs Coast Editions for an interview with Gourmet Getaways and my first review.
Without further ado I will introduce my wine choice;
Cassegrain
Merlot Cabernet Sauvignon 2008
Winter is in the air, so I have chosen a wine well suited to accompany the rich hearty food we crave at this time of year.
An ideal balance of Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon grape, with a rich crimson colour and the aroma of red currant and pepper spiced cherry. Initial lively fruit flavours rolling into a creamy mellow chocolate plum finish. The oak is subtle but gives the wine a silky full palate experience, and a lovely lingering finish.
Cool temperature wine from New England. Gorgeous to enjoy now, but consider putting a few bottles down as this wine will mature well.
Goes with: Red meat, Slow Cooker dishes, Cheese Platter
Cost: $18.00
Available: All good bottleshops or online at
Do try this wine at home and let me know your thoughts, Coffs Harbour readers can find Cassegrain wines in IGA Liquor, at Park Beach Plaza.
Meet the new wine reviewer for Focus Magazine
I am very excited to be able to share a little secret with my readers. I am sure you all know how much I enjoy a good bottle of wine or two, and how much I love our local regional vineyards… well, I have just been asked to contribute a monthly wine review for Focus Magazine Port Macquarie.
This is a dream for me because I have a keen interest in promoting the fantastic produce our local area has to offer. The grape varieties used on the North Coast are unique. They have been specifically chosen to take advantage of the regions climate and growing conditions. The wine makers are enthusiastic and passionate and I find this wholehearted zeal contagious. The results for consumers are gorgeous individual wines, which match our lifestyle and local produce perfectly.
I am looking forward to sampling the best the region has to offer and suggesting the perfect drop for your next occasion.
Please feel free to make any vineyard or wine suggestions. I would be very interested to know your favourite local wine.
Salute!
Bago Vineyard
Located in the picturesque Broken Bago State Forest 12km west of Wauchope is one of the North Coast Wine Trails larger vineyards. Bago Vineyard has more than 20 acres of land under vines and is a peaceful, tranquil spot to spend a day relaxing and enjoying the atmosphere.
The vines at Bago were planted initially in 1985 to supply another local vineyard. Over time Bago began producing their own styles of wine under the Bago label. The vineyard has continued to grow and is now one of the only local vineyards to assist smaller wineries in blending grapes and bottling.
When I visited Bago I was fortunate enough to be taken on a tour through the bottling area. Jim talked me through the bottling process and I was able to watch a local Kempsy Vineyard “Dangar” bottling their Rose. Now if I had of been thinking I should have asked for a sample of the rose straight from production but alas it did not occur to me at the time. Never mind we will visit Dangar vineyard and sample the current vintage “in situ”.
Jim then showed me around the property. I cannot over state the total feeling of relaxation which comes from sampling a few of the gorgeous wines produced by the vineyard and looking out over the vines. We paused at the newly developed children’s maze. Planting the maze was a family affair, and started Christmas Day 2006. The maze has continued to fill out over time and is now looking very impressive.
Image courtesy of Bago Vineyard
Bago isn’t always quite so peaceful. On the second Sunday of the month the vineyard hosts “Jazz at Bago”. It’s a lively, family affair with picnic blankets, and chairs strewn on the grass and children running around everywhere. The music starts at 11.00 and goes through until 3.00pm. Patrons are welcome to bring a picnic or enjoy the delicious gourmet food which is available. Each month catering for the event is provided by Craig Freudenstein and his team from XS Fooda. The menu offered at the "Jazz Cafe" showcases local produce and is fresh and tasty. Examples include a Bruscetta of BBQ Beef with relish and salad or perhaps you would prefer a Chicken Cesear Brushetta. What ever you choose it is a memorbale experience enjoying great food, music and Bago wines amongst the vines.
If you can’t visit Bago on a Jazz day you needn’t be concerned, wine tasting is available from 9.30 to 5.00pm seven days per week. Once you have decided on your favourite wine you can purchase a cheese platter with pickles, olives and raspberries and enjoy a bottle of wine with you platter. Bago embraces the “Journey of Flavour” so platter items are delicious, seasonal and local.
Make a day of it, relax, unwind and watch the vines grow, whilst sampling a little of what Bago has to offer.
Image courtesy of Bago Vineyard
Bago cellar door is located at Milligans Road, Wauchope Ph: 02 6585 7099. View the Bago website for more infomation or wine orders.
Long Point Vineyard
While everyone is enjoying a bit of time off over the Christmas, New Year period I thought it might be a good opportunity to remind readers of the North Coast wine trail. The vineyards I have yet to feature are Long Point and Bago. These two vineyards are located just outside Port Macquarie so perhaps readers may wish to take a couple of days away and enjoy the glorious beaches, lovely wine and a slightly slower pace of this coastal town.
Port Macquarie is 385km North of Sydney and basically straight up the Pacific Highway. Long Point Vineyard & Gallery is just south of Port at Lake Cathie. As you make your way up the long drive to the gallery you will note rows of vines with plaques announcing the different grape varieties grown on the property, and the year they were planted.
Long Point was established in 1993 and the first vintage was launched with Shiraz and Chardonnay in 1995. As the property has grown Chamboucin, Cabernet Sauvignon, Frontenac and Verdello have been added to the range.
The owners credit the success of the vineyard to the choice of grape planted. The area has a warm humid climate so grapes have been chosen from similar areas in Portugal and Spain to withstand the limitations of the climate and rainfall.
We sampled the various wines on offer and I have to say I have developed a taste for the Chamboucin. Not only does the grape suit our climate but I feel that the style of wine it produces suits our summer red wine drinking habits. It is a lighter style of wine than the traditional reds and very easy to drink.
The main attraction at this vineyard for Mr GG was the alcoholic ginger beer; he had been looking forward to sampling this more unusual beverage. It didn’t disappoint! The ginger beer had the biggest hit of sweet ginger. Hubby was instantly in love. He found it very easy to drink quite a number of the ginger beer over the course of our stay in Port Macquarie. I am fairly confident we will be visiting regularly to top up the bar fridge.
Another of the vineyards more unusual products is the “Agent Orange.” I am not sure about the name… but it comes packaged in the most gorgeous bottle. The orange liquor is made by soaking fresh orange, orange zest and grape in a brandy spirit. The bottle needs to be turned to stir up the orange sediment as it is truly packed with orange. The liquor itself is 18% alcohol, and would be delicious served over ice or used as a mixer.
While you are sampling the gorgeous wines, ginger beer, liquor and port have a wander through the gallery. There is quite a range of local artist on display.
The vineyard is open from 10.00am to 5.00pm Tuesday to Sunday.
6 Cooinda Place Lake Cathie NSW 2445
Phone : 02 6585 4598
Top Drop - December 2010
"Tis the season to be Jolly, fa lalalala le la la la. It is the Christmas edition of “Top Drop”. What have I been drinking this month?
With the heat of December I have been seriously enjoying the lighter style of wines. I have decided to review one of each variety this month, so regardless of whether you are drink, red, white or champagne I have a suggested wine. Please give one of these a go and let me know what you think.
2007 Villard Blanc, Two Tails Vineyard, NSW
$14.00
Pinot Noir, Oyster Bay NZ
$24.00
Sparking Chardonnay Pinot Noir, Banrock Station
$ 7.50
Villard Blanc from Two Tails
I have absolutely yearned for this wine. I discovered it whilst attending “The Cheesemaking Workshop.” They served a glass over lunch and I was hooked. So much so that I made a special trip out to the vineyard for a wine tasting and stocked up on my favourites afterwards. I have now polished off the last bottle, so tried to purchase it at the local IGA liquor to no avail.
There aren’t too many bottle shops which stock local boutique vineyards but our local IGA does, they had every other variety in the Two Tails range, unfortunately, though the Villard Blanc was out of stock! There seemed to be no other choice than to take a 40 minute drive out to the vineyard. When I arrived there was more bad news. The Villard Blanc was no more! Completely sold out! I had not even contemplated that my “Top Drop” of the month would have been completely consumed.
Thankfully all was not lost. The vineyard owner informed me that he thought there may be a few bottles of the 2007 Villard Blanc. I started to relax a little. I was offered a taste of the 2007, (already nicely refrigerated,) and whilst it wasn’t the same wine as the 2008 it still had the crisp dry fruit that I have been enjoying. I had a few more sample sips and decided that it was equally as enjoyable. Then I discovered that by “a few bottles” the gentleman actually meant there were only three left! I am sorry to say dear readers that I have left no 2007 Villard Blanc at the vineyard for anyone else. If you read this article and decide you may want to try this variety I am afraid you will have to wait... but not too long.
Whilst at the vineyard I was offered an extra little treat. I was poured a glass of the current vintage Villard Blanc to try. The winemaker had just finished perfecting the blend and it was now in the bottling stage. The sample bottle happened to be in the tasting room and I was offered a preview.
It was delicious, another very easy drinking, white wine. It will be available for sale after Christmas and will retail around the $14.00 mark. I am looking forward to purchasing a few bottles before they too become scarce.
Pinot Noir Oyster Bay NZ
Thankfully this is a much easier wine to find as most bottle shops stock this wine. It is a beautiful light red which is perfect for drinking through the day. I seem to always switch to a Pinot Noir as my red wine of choice in summer. I find the usual, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz too heavy for our summer drinking, especially if you happen to want a drop at lunch.
Sparking Chardonnay, Banrock
This may seem like a strange pick for my champagne of choice but please let me explain. Now I love my beautiful expensive bottles of champagne as much as anyone (maybe a little more… okay, maybe a lot more!) but lets face it, at this time of year we are all drinking rather a lot of sparkly, so it is not really the occasion to splurge, every second day for an expensive bottle.
This is a sparkling Chardonnay which can be found at any bottle shop. It is light and easy to drink. It is not too sweet and is really rather good for the price. It is not a cheap and nasty, although it is very very cheap. I have been buying this bubbly by the dozen just to keep in the bar fridge for the impromptu drinks when friends drop by. So far it has been thoroughly enjoyed by all. We are now on our second dozen. By the dozen the price was a mere $6.50 per bottle.
So there we go my lovelies, I hope you give some of these tasty drops a try over the Christmas period. Make sure to also suggest any wines you have come across, I am always looking for more "favourites".
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3 TOURS DEPARTING 2012
Have Your Say
Love the retro posters, wish I could come!
The cheeses were amazing! I just bought more at Pansabella yesterday, I could go another day without having more :)
Jac, I decided to let everyone enjoy their day without the photographic evidence. Although I do have a couple of very amusing images!
Sounds like a great evening and I love the look of that goats cheese.
Jules, we need a photo of the sexy girls that were wine tasting.........
LOL!! Winston, lets just say I certainly did my bit for charity over the weekend ;)
On a serious note though, the wines on display were top class, I am sure you would be equally as impressed as I was with the selection.
Sounds like you had a fantastic time Julie! Combining charity and wine is a great idea! :D
Ohhh coool you attended a charity by the Rotary Club! My mum has been active with them for over 30 years so I fully support anything that they do. And c'mon, drinking for charity? It doesn't get any better than that, really! Haha! Anyway, I really enjoy reading about your wine tastings on your blog there's quite a few that stood out to me and I'll try and look out for them next time. Hopefully they'll have em at Dan Murphy's, fingers crossed! =)
What a great event. I love it when people are generous with the drinks. I haven't heard of that sparkling wine before but I'll look out for it xx
I wish I had you for my mum when I was 5!
That cake would have been the talk of the town for the rest of the year - fantastic job.
Thank you so much, it is going to be a wonderful surprise for my Mum, I wish everyone a great day with your own special people, those who helped you become who you are today.
Mum definitely deserves the hamper, because she is an amazing woman that has brought up 3 kids through tough times. She is the best mum a son could ask for.
She's had it tough, working hard
deserving much more than just a card
So let's raise a glass and toast her true
The best person in the world - Mum, that's you!
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