Beverages

Simple Guide to Yalumba Organic Shiraz 2010

Great is the fortune of the one who possesses a good bottle of red, a good book and a good friend. There is nothing more delightful than drinking a full-bodied, delicate and outright velvety red wine that has stood the test of time. You certainly agree with me, don’t you. Red wine is the elixir of life, the matrix of art and the teacher of romance. Simple, yet complex. Read More →

Simple Guide to Pinot Noir Wine Characteristics

Pinot Noir is one of the most popular red wine varieties, as it is a synonym for refinement and elegance. The red wine Pinot Noir provides an exotic bouquet and a mouth-filling texture and it comes in many different flavours and aromas (there are red fruit wines, oaked wines and complex red wines).

Pinot Noir is grown in cooler climates and the most famous (and original) region is Burgundy, France where Pinot Noir is the only grape variety allowed to be produced. Read More →

Simple Guide On How To Select a Low-Alcohol Wine

Regardless of the season, there is no such thing as too much wine. But sometimes, too much of wine can result with a bad hangover at work the following day. So, what should you do, cut your alcohol intake? That’s a no-no. To enjoy wine without sacrificing the number of glasses, start looking for low-alcohol wines. If you think this narrows down your wine options, no worries, there are a lot of low-alcohol wines on the market.

Any wine maker is obligated to state the alcohol level on the wine label, but as an unwritten rule, it is often written in a small-sized font and on a difficult-to-find place. The alcohol level is a percentage of the alcoholic strength of a wine. Finding the alcohol level of some wines can be quite challenging, but know it is there somewhere on the label. It must be. Search harder. Read More →

Simple Guide to Serving Red Wine

Red wine is a very peculiar alcoholic drink, mainly because many factors can impact the way it tastes. From choosing the right type of red wine to glasses and proper serving, there are many things that can either improve the taste and falvour of a wine or make it the worst experience ever. Read More →

Simple Guide To Choosing Lower Alcohol Wines

‘You cannot buy happiness, but you can buy wine and that is kind of the same thing.’

In some way, this quote is true. Wine is the source of pleasure and relaxation for many, especially for true wine lovers for whom not a single dinner goes without a glass or two. But the dilemma whether drinking wine on a daily basis is healthy or not and which wine to drink, has been making wine lovers feel uncertain about their wine selection. This is mainly because of alcohol level. Read More →

Simple Guide to Australian Sparkling Wine

Who does not like indulging in a bubbly Champagne on a Saturday evening, curled up on the couch with a loved one? Unfortunately, not all of us can afford Champagne whenever we fell like it. To pop out the cork, this mighty fizzy wine ‘demands’ for a very elegant and special occasion.

Luckily, there are more affordable types of Australian sparkling wine which are a perfect replacement for the worldwide popular Champagne. Here’s a short and simple guide to help you make the best choice.

1. Region

The best sparkling wine in Australia is produced in the Tasmanian region. However, there are many excellent sparkling wines which come from South Australia and Victoria. For the best bubbly pick, look for the wines made in the Macedon region or Yarra Valley in Victoria or Adelaide Hills in South Australia. Grapes grown in these regions produce a sparkling wine most similar to the famous French Champagne.

2. Grapes

The best sparkling wines are made from Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. These grape varieties give wines a Champagne-like taste, but with the Aussie character. Other grapes are rarely used. Moreover, if the label says ‘non-vintage’, it’s most likely the winemakers used a blend of grapes to get the perfect taste, and if it says ‘vintage’ it means that it was a particularly good year and only one variety was used in the production process.

3. Methods

There are two sparkling wine methods most common among winemakers:

• Traditional – It is characteristic for the French region, however about 30% of the Australian sparkling wine winemakers rely on it. This method is all about the secondary fermentation which occurs in the bottle and for a time-consuming (10-14 days) process known as ‘riddling’ which involves gently shaking the bottle over a period of time in order to remove the dead yeast cells.
• Transfer method – It also involves a second fermentation. However, at the end, wine from all the bottles is transferred into a larger tank where the sediment is removed. Now, the traditional method is more expensive than the transfer method, and as such it gives more softer and longer lasting bubbles despite the claim that the results from the transfer method are indistinguishable.

4. Labels

There are a few general terms you must know the meaning.

• Extra Brut – means very dry;
• Brut – a dry wine;
• Extra sec – medium dry;
• Sec – medium sweet;
• Demi sec- a sweet wine;
• Doux – a very sweet wine.

5. The Australian Specialty – Red Sparkling Wine

First made in 1881, the red sparkling wine is made from the Shiraz grape, despite the general belief that it is actually Pinot Noir. Merlot and Cabernet are also used to make the red bubbly. This Australian sparkling wine is known for its deep purple colour and sweet aroma. It is best served with chocolate desserts or barbecue.

Simple Guide to Pinot Grigio Wine Styles

Whether you call it a Pinot Grigio or Pinot Gris, one thing is for sure, this wine is definitely a must try. The name of this wine is derived from the shape of the grape (pinot means ‘pine cones’). When people think of Pinot Grigio, the first thing that comes to mind is a dry, light and refreshing wine. What they don’t know is the fact that Pinot Grigio comes in 3 different styles. Read More →

Wine Fridge Buying Guide

For a perfect taste, colour, and smell, you need to keep your wines properly. That’s why you need to invest in a wine fridge. This small but very functional appliance will keep the wine bottles you don’t plan to drink in the following 2 or 3 years. Maybe you want to age certain wine bottles for some special events. That’s okay. The wine fridges are perfect for that. There is no need to drink your favorite wine just because you don’t have enough space in your fridge. When stored properly, the wines taste much better. Create ideal conditions for long-term wine aging by getting a quality wine fridge from a reliable Australia appliances supplier. Since there are different wine fridge models on the market, you need to consider several things before making the final purchase. Pay attention on the following things:

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Simple Riesling Wine Buying Guide

White wines usually have better aging potential compared to other wine varieties. This is because of high degree of mineral contend and low level of pH, which help wine achieve grater complexity over the years. Capable of reaching ages over hundred years old, Riesling wine is among world’s most popular white wines, along with Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay.

It comes in a wide range of tastes, from very sweet to dry, but most Riesling wines perfectly pair with desserts, due to the aromatic grape. Riesling wines usually have fresh, fruity notes of citrus, apple and honey and are known for tasting better when left to mature. Because of its versatility, Riesling is perfect for all occasions, so it’s great to have few varieties in to match and mix. Because it is one of the most popular wines, many wine suppliers offer Riesling wine for sale. Just make sure you select a high-sugar variety one. Read More →