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May
3

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Next Generation: Thomas Sweetwater Shiraz 2011

Category: bold reds, Hunter Valley, Red Wine Tags: , Leave a Comment

Here is a feature wine from Andrew Thomas, one of the Hunter Valley’s Next Gen winemakers that you can catch on their 2013 Caravan of Courage tour at a location near you:


According to his website, Andrew Thomas is a ‘specialist in Shiraz and Semillon from the Hunter Valley’. This is perhaps an understatement. Andrew’s Braemore Semillon is one of the modern benchmarks for the varietal similar to his shiraz wines which have his personality stamped all over them.

The Sweetwater is sourced from, funnily enough, Sweetwater Ridge. It is rich with mulberry and plum fruit, earth and cinnamon.   The juicy fruit and supple tannin stride along the palate. The finish is rich but this poised and balanced shiraz is bold but not blocky. It is moreish and cheekily encourages you to refill the glass.

Date: 28th April 2013   Price:  $35    Value: $$$  Drink:  Now  – 4+ years

Read more about Andrew and the other Next Gen winemakers here.

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May
3

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Next Generation: Margan Barbera White Label 2011

Category: bold reds, Hunter Valley, Musings Tags: , Leave a Comment

Here is a feature wine from Andrew Margan, one of the Hunter Valley’s Next Gen winemakers that you can catch on their 2013 Caravan of Courage tour at a location near you:

 

Andrew and Lisa Margan offer wine lovers good reason to venture to Broke with their stunning food and cellar door. This is a wine made for food, as is the barbera wines from Northern Italy.

The nose is rich with caramel spice, cherry and some wild herbs.  Bright acid and juicy sweet fruit dance along the palate leaving a maraschino cherry and coconut oak finish in its wake.  As a classic Hunter, it is medium bodied with supple tannins.  Drink it now with some venison pot pie and miniature steamed veges but I would probably leave it in the cellar to rest a while to come together more.

Date: 28th April 2013   Price:  $40    Value: $  Drink:  Now  – 7+ years

Read more about Andrew and the other Next Gen winemakers here.

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May
1

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Subscribe & Win: Vintage Cellars International Wine Fair 2013

Category: Musings Leave a Comment

It’s on again!

Vintage Cellars is having their annual Wine Fair on Saturday 11th & Sunday 12th May 2013 at the Overseas Passenger Terminal on the gorgeous Sydney Quayside. While the view will be stunning, you also will find some stunning wine from around the world and maybe a new favourite or two.

Enjoy sampling from a list that includes the likes of Piper-Heidsieck Champagne, Peregrine from NZ, Tandem from Spain plus our very own Peter Lehmann.

  • 300 wines on tasting. Let your tastebuds relish exclusive Champagne such as Piper-Heidsieck Rare Millesime Brut and explore new elite wines like the Jules Taylor Marlborough Gruner Veltliner
  • 45 wineries from 9 countries will be showcasing their finest wine collections
  • Chat with wine makers and brand ambassadors to learn about new wines and emerging regions
  • Exclusive offers only available on the day

Buy your tix from www.vintagecellars.com.au/iwf2013 for $30 per day.

To win one double pass for a days entry to the  Sydney fair on Saturday 11th May 2013, just visit Wine Muse on facebook & once you have ‘liked’ the Wine Muse page, use the code word ‘Sydney #IWF2013′ in the comment section of the Subscriber Draw post. This will be drawn on Monday 6th May, 2013.

The fine print: There is only one prize up for grabs. All Australian thewinemusepage facebook likers/subscribers are eligible but must make their own way to the show.  The winner must be a liker/subscriber of thewinemusepage. The prize does not include any travel or other expenses, just the show tix to be used for any one day. The draw will take place 6th May 2013 and winners will be posted on fb page within that week.  The tickets will be delivered by Australia Post to an Australian address by regular post. By subscribing to the Wine Muse, you will receive facebook status updates from Wine Muse alerting you to new posts.  You may unsubscribe/unlike at any time.

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May
1

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Next Generation: Mistletoe Reserve Chardonnay 2011

Category: Hunter Valley, savoury whites, White Wine Tags: , Leave a Comment

Here is a feature wine from Mistletoe’s Nick Paterson, one of the Hunter Valley’s Next Gen winemakers that you can catch on their 2013 Caravan of Courage tour at a location near you:

Mistletoe’s winemaker, Nick Paterson is currently the Hunter’s crowned Winemaker of the Year (2012) having grown up on his family’s small boutique vineyard Chateau Pato. This month, he is touring with his pals from the Next Generation Hunter Valley Caravan of Courage proving that the Hunter always has something fresh on offer.

The spicy citrus and stonefruit has a floral lift. Whole bunch pressed, 100% barrel fermented and matured in new and old oak gives a creamy nuttiness gives the wine depth, richness and texture. Firm but generous length that finishes on a dollop of cream. A versatile wine to enjoy with grilled chicken salad sprinkled with pine nuts.

Date: April 2013   Price:  $40  Value: $$ Drink:  Now  – 3 years

Read more about Nick and the other Next Gen winemakers here.

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Apr
30

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Tandem Ars Nova Tempranillo Cabernet Merlot 2005

Category: bold reds, Musings, Red Wine Tags: , , , Leave a Comment

One of the brands in Spain making modern reds that still have some traditional aged roots such as this blend of the Spanish superstar Tempranillo blended with the Bordeaux greats Cabernet and Merlot.

A rich wine that offers plenty by way of interest in its middle age with dominant tannins, a fuller body and medium length. There are attractive dried rose and tobacco notes to the red plum and fresh red currant fruit. You do get the feeling that you have taken it out of the cellar a tad too early. Drink it with a smoky Paella and enjoy it now it is open.

Date: February 2013   Price:  $23  Value: $$  Drink:  Now  – 4 years

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