Our Top 5 Christmas suggestions for 2017

'Tis the season to be jolly! Here are our top 5 Christmas/New Year wine suggestions.


Gift Packs
Christmas is all about giving after all. We have some great gift packs ready to be sent. We can send to you or to the gift recipient. We can include a personalised note.

We also have digital gift cards at various price points that can be redeemed on line.

Jump on line or give Helen a call on 0260 206 016 or 0414596395 for ideas.

Champagne

Many of us look forward to a glass or two of bubbles with friends and family over Christmas. This one is fantastic. Its being poured in some great restaurants in Australia and around the world.  Its well-priced enough to pour a glass for your family (well maybe!) By the bottle its $56 or save in a six pack.

Rosé
We are thrilled to see the rise and rise of dry rosé. Rosé sales now exceed white wine in France, and it has really taken off in Australia in the last few years. We have 3 lovely rosé wines. 

Chateau Rollan de By 2008

This is a special wine that would go perfectly with turkey and ham and everything festive. It recently out scored the famous Chateau Margaux and Chateau Cheval Blanc (featured in the movie Sideways) in a blind tasting. Both these wines sell for >$1000 per bottle. We heard its being served on Air France business class! This is $59. A special wine to enjoy over the holiday period. Limited stocks. Find it here.

Mixed packs

We have some great mixed packs at various price points with a mix of rose/whites/reds and dessert wines. 

Don't forget we can send to your holiday address. 

Some clever customers have done this in previous years and had a case of their favourites delivered to their holiday accommodation/agents. Brilliant! Click here to buy.

Courier deadlines are approaching so please jump on line and order ASAP.

Whatever you are doing this holiday season, eat and drink well but drink responsibly.

Rosé at another level- the beguiling blush of Bandol.

For the past few years the Rosé Revolution has crashed through to see Australians blissfully embrace rosé wine by the chilled, pink, bucket load.  Even in France, white wine consumption now comes second to rosé and in particular from Provence in the South of France, the traditional home of rosé.

The sunny wine of the South of France and the sunny lifestyle of beach hugging Australians are simpatico. Aussie sun, seafood, BBQ and a crisp refreshing Provençal rosé...can it get much better?

Well, it can! For heightened indulgence, there is the lip-smacking inner sanctum of Provençal wines that come from the Bandol region perched on the glittering Mediterranean coast.

West of Toulon, near the coast east of Marseille and Cassis, the Bandol wine region boasts sun baked, south-facing hills surrounding the fishing village of Bandol. Here the region’s three classic grapes mourvèdre, cinsault and grenache soak up some 320 days of sun a year. 

Mourvèdre (a.k.a mataro or monastrell) is the mainstay grape of Bandol. With the influence of the region’s unique terroir of soil, position and climate, it gives Bandol rosé wines a beguiling and unique texture and depth of flavour. A rosé to contemplate. 

Premium winery, Domaine de Frégate lies between the towns of Bandol and Saint Cyr sur Mer in the hinterland of a cape enjoying views of the Mediterranean.  

While the Frégate label is emblazoned with the image of an historic three masted frigate, the word frégate has its origins in the local dialect for a more agricultural pursuit.  The name comes from the Provençal word fregato which means to break the rocks to allow growth. This is a reference to the local limestone bedrock, whose properties imbue the grapes with the beguiling style and flavour that is typically Bandol. 

Above ground these broken rocks are the basis for the famous Bandol “restanques”, lines of low, dry-stone walls erected by generations of farmers to follow the contours of the terrain to make the challenging steep slopes cultivable land.  Among these distinctive “restanques”, Domaine de Frégate’s vineyards enjoy exposure to the south and west where warm temperatures meet a cool sea breeze. All its wines are produced from the fruit of the Domaine’s own vineyards in clay/limestone soil. 

Domaine de Frégate’s Bandol rosé is salmon pink in colour made of 50% mourvèdre, 25% cinsault and 25% grenache.  It seductively expresses the complex characteristics of the terroir, with a nose of citrus, red fruits and spices, finishing dry with a vein of steely minerality. Once picked (by hand) the grapes undergo direct pressing, remaining on their skins for only a day, before the light pink juices enter the temperature controlled stainless steel fermentation tanks. The  finished rosé is bottled just prior for sale from 1 March, as is the Bandol AOC stipulation.

If you like provençal rosé, this is rosé at another level! 

Bandol’s Domaine de Frégate rosé and a range of Provençal rosés is available in Australia online delivered to your door at www.discovervin.com.au

Our top 5 Christmas Suggestions 2016

'Tis the season to be jolly! Here are our top 5 Christmas/New Year wine suggestions.


Gift Packs
Christmas is all about giving after all. We have some great gift packs ready to be sent. We can send to you or to the gift recipient. We can include a personalised note.

We also have digital gift cards at various price points that can be redeemed on line.

Jump on line or give Helen a call on 0260 206 016 or 0414596395 for ideas.

Champagne

Many of us look forward to a glass or two of bubbles with friends and family over Christmas. This one is fantastic. Its being poured in some great restaurants in Australia and around the world.  Its well-priced enough to pour a glass for your family (well maybe!) By the bottle its $54 or $49 in a six pack.

Rosé
We are thrilled to see the rise and rise of dry rosé. Rosé sales now exceed white wine in France, and it has really taken off in Australia in the last few years. We have 4 lovely rosé wines. 

Chateau Rollan de By 2008

This is a special wine that would go perfectly with turkey and ham and everything festive. It recently out scored the famous Chateau Margaux and Chateau Cheval Blanc (featured in the movie Sideways) in a blind tasting. Both these wines sell for >$1000 per bottle. We heard its being served on Air France business class! This is $59. A special wine to enjoy over the holiday period. Limited stocks. Find it here.

Mixed packs

We have some great mixed packs at various price points with a mix of rose/whites/reds and dessert wines. 

Don't forget we can send to your holiday address. 

Some clever customers have done this in previous years and had a case of their favourites delivered to their holiday accommodation/agents. Brilliant! Click here to buy.

Courier deadlines are approaching so please jump on line and order ASAP.

Whatever you are doing this holiday season, eat and drink well but drink responsibly.

Our "Posh Pink" Les Tongs rosé makes Style magazine

Rosé is hot right now. In Australia it was the fasting growing wine segment in 2015. In France rosé now out-sells white wine! We have heard the term "brosé" referring to guys drinking rosé. Now the term "Posh Pink" has been coined, referring to the pale crisp rosé of Provence, championed by celebrities such as Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie. This style of rosé is booming especially amongst younger wine drinkers.

Rosé has become trans-seasonal with sales showing wine lovers are enjoying rosé throughout the year. You can drink it at lunch or at a picnic on a sunny winters day, or with nibbles in front of a fire. If you drink a white wine in winter, rosé should be on the menu as well! 

DiscoverVin sells three different rosé wines and a lovely rosé Champagne. Our Posh Pink Les Tongs recently was featured in Style Magazine. It is a bargain "Posh Pink". Try one or grab a case and enjoy! 

tomato tart and wine match

We were impressed with this tomato tart recipe by Michel Roux in Decanter magazine.

As we grow several varieties of own tomatoes at our home in North East Victoria, we were keen to give it a go. It was quick to make and absolutely superb. There are still some wonderful tomatoes available this autumn.

A photo posted by discovervinwines (@discovervinwines) on Feb 6, 2015 at 6:58pm PST

Tomato dishes can be a bit of a challenge to match with wine. Rich tomato sauces go well with red but fresh tomato dishes can be, somewhat surprisingly, a bit tricky. With the high acidity levels they can "kill" many wines. Crisp wines, not too tannic or oaky are usually best.

One of the suggested wine matches in the article was Chateau Oliver Pessac-Leognan. We have limited stocks of this cru classe white wine from Bordeaux from the incredible 2010 vintage. Robert Parker described this wine as one of the finest dry whites ever from Chateau Olivier and scored it 90-92 points. It is a superb crisp semillon/sauvignon blanc blend from a great vintage. Aged in our underground cellar and drinking fantastically right now.

The other wine suggestion in this article was rosé. A crisp dry rosé can be a great accompaniment fresh tomato dishes. We tried the tart with our best selling Domaine de la Croix Irrésistible rosé 2014. This wine has lovely elegant texture and soft acid and was perfect.

New vintage of our best selling rosé

Since we began DiscoverVin in 2011, this lovely dry rosé from Chateau La Rayre in Bergerac has been one of our best selling wines.

It seems to appeal to wine lovers who would not normally look at rosé. It is darker in colour and has more body than other styles of rosé (this is achieved by pressing the skins with the juice which otherwise would be clear). From the colour you might think it to be sweet but it is textural and dry.

Many of our regular customers have tried or bought this wine. If you haven't, give it a go and we are sure you will enjoy it!

Region/Terroir: Bergerac.

Grapes: Merlot and cabernet franc.

Our Tasting notes: Blackcurrant, raspberry and strawberry nose with an ample unctuous palate. Beautiful balance and freshness. Lovely dry finish. This new vintage is a a winner!

Alcohol:13%

Drink on its own or with food. It's  a great wine to take to a bbq, or to the beach, or to have with noodles or enjoy as a sunset tipple on the verandah - it goes with just about anything! Drink chilled.

This would be perfect to have on hand for barbies, picnics, end of year break ups, Christmas, New Years Eve etc !

To order click on this link. Trade price available on application.(info@discovervin.com.au) 

Drinks on Helen

Helen was recently interviewed by the Daily Telegraph in Sydney! 

Vinexpo news and insights

We wish that everyone who loves wine, gets to walk the red carpet at Vinexpo in Bordeaux, at least once in their life. It is pretty amazing to glide to a stop on the glass tram then step out on to - what 500 m or so?- of floating pontoon/red carpet, and to arrive in the massive convention space. This was our third Vinexpo and it was still exciting to meet suppliers and try new vintages and look at new products.

The Vinexpo stats are pretty impressive.

• about 2350 exhibitors from 42 countries- a conspicuous absence of oz producers one would have to say.
• close to 50,000 visitors- down a little on 2013 but exhibitors commented on a higher "quality" of visitors and more deals done and more optimism generally compared to 2013. Foreigners made up 36% of visitors with China, USA, Spain and Italy leading the way.
• some new innovations including Digizone where digital/social marketing innovations were a focus, there was a Vinexpo mobile app and One2Wine- a digital meeting booking system. 
• Many of the innovations were aimed at keeping up with Prowein which exhibitors praised for bigger size, more international focus, lower costs, more efficiency and better timing in vintage/buying cycle (March). Fair enough but hey Dusseldorf is not Bordeaux right!

Winners

• rosé: sales continue to climb, and there is an emerging differentiation between premium rosé (such as our Domaine de la Croix) and "vin de soif" (scoffing wines). There are now second labels of premium rosé and just about every European appellation seems to be making one, not just Provence and Bordeaux and certainly not just France. 
• grower champagne: buyers seem to be turning away from the perpetually discounted brands and looking for authentic artisanal products. Grower champagne has hit the mainstream says Jancis Robinson and there seemed to be plenty of evidence of that. Our own Achille Princier has been exceptionally well recieved and the Mansard Family are now struggling with demand.
• "garagiste" or "vinarchiste " or "super" wines. Call them what you will but producers in  Bordeaux, Loire, Languedoc, Rhone and even Burgundy are breaking the appellation rules and happily calling their wines Vin de France or IGP wines especially so for the export market. They are making modern, clean, varietal driven wines still authentic and expressive and usually under screw cap! Anarchy! Watch this space! We have some new lines to launch in Oz later this year.
• biodynamic/organic wines are ready for prime time. Currently 8% of French wines are certified as organic but it seems like the number under conversion is vast. Certainly in the price points/quality levels we were looking at, it felt like the majority of producers are organic or in conversion.The poster below from Producteurs Plaimont, the biggest producer in Madiran and St Mont is a sign of the times with an increasing proportion of their vineyards converting to organic. 
• the "small" appellations of Bordeaux: Bourg, Canon-Fronsac, St Emilion satellites, Graves, Listrac-Médoc etc where there has been great strides made in quality of production in recent years.
• Bordeaux the city. Is it possible to be in love with a city? I hope so because we sure are! It just seems to be getting better at every visit. And it is about to go up a notch with the arrival of the super fast train from Paris and the International City of Wine (Wine Museum) both possibly in time for Vinexpo 2017. The new museum alone is expected to attract more than one million visitors per year.

Losers

• Sauternes- lots of talk about the resistance in the market to "sticky" wines but the increased attention on wines such as Jurançon with high acidity/dryer finish. We expect to see falling Sauternes prices esp outside of the top brands and more and more dry Sauternes which are wonderful Graves/White Bordeaux and well received in the market
• vintage 2013: a very difficult wet vintage in many parts of France. Some wines are OK where the wines were not "over-made" and meticulous vineyard methods and section practices were followed. One of our producers lost his entire vintage due to rot in the vineyard (organic producer). Many of our producers were happy to let us pass over the 2013's and go straight to the 2014 wines which are generously fabulous. This was worth the price of the trip alone.
• homogeneous Bordeaux: There are lots of excellent wines out there but there was a "sameness" to many of the Bordeaux we tasted (perhaps reflecting modern wine-making methods across the regions) so we have concentrated on some authentic small producers and wines with some distinct character or a good story. It was a case of finding some outstanding gems amongst the very good pack so (as before) we end up with well curated lists.

At DiscoverVin we firmly believe there is a growing market for good value Bordeaux and wines across southern France especially the south west appellations, Rhone and Provence. We work with mostly small independent producers that are working on renewed vineyards/wineries. Many are at the forefront of the movement towards organic and biodynamic production. All are making authentic, terroir driven delicious and good value wines. Our trip to Bordeaux affirmed the importance of the types of wines we are looking for.

And now a final word on Vinexpo, commercialisation and product placement....."Don't lose a drop of it" !

North East Food and Wine Festival March 14th 2015

DiscoverVin has been invited to participate in the Market Day of the North East Food and Wine Festival.

Saturday, March 14th 10am - 4pm 

Junction Place, corner of Church Street and Elgin Boulevard, Wodonga

Come along and enjoy a relaxing atmosphere and indulge in the region’s fantastic food, wines, ciders and brews plus some international wines from independant producers.

Expect an array of differing cuisines – from Thai and Middle-Eastern to Italian, Spanish and more...Browse the stalls and meet some of the region’s top producers. Enjoy a glass of wine or Champagne. We have the perfect rosé to match a plate of paella and a glass of perfectly balanced french sticky to go with some cheese or patisserie.

With free live entertainment all day, this promises to be great day out for the whole family...

See what the best of the region has to offer you.

Best bike accessory ever?

Our New York correspondent and graphic designer Jenn sent us these pics from the quirky independent wine store Pasanella and Son. 

Its a great wine store at the South Seaport on lower Manhattan almost under the Brooklyn Bridge (if you look closely you can see the lights of the  Brooklyn Bridge behind the bike). For wine lovers it is a fascinating shop to browse in and take in an amazing range of wines from around the world.

At the moment the window display includes this great wine carry accessory! And is that a bottle of rosé in the holder? Makes sense to us as a dry rosé is a perfect picnic wine to match almost any food, a smile or a sunny day. Or the perfect wine to quench a thirst after a bike ride. 

Check out our range of dry rosé.

We think its the best bike accessory ever! Do you agree?

Taste the Tour Pack

Celebrate 101 years of Le Tour in 2014 with a younger tradition – DiscoverVin’s Taste the Tour Pack. DiscoverVin wines from the Pyrenees, the Rhone and the South West of France matched to stages through these scenic appellations.

 

Allez Cadel - click on the photo to purchase a tour pack

It’s that time of year again; time to enjoy the legendary Tour de France. Enjoy the sights of the racing and the stunning scenery whilst enjoying this selection of French wine.

The wines in this 6 pack are sourced from vineyards in the Pyrenees, the Rhone and the South West of France - regions that the 2014 Tour passes through in the second week as the battle for the yellow jersey really hots up!  They represent value for money and are a great introduction to DiscoverVin’s wines. And at a fraction of the price of a ticket to France! 

CLICK HERE TO TASTE THE TOUR

Stage 13: Rhone

Friday July 18 Saint Etienne: Chamrousse 197.5 km  

The ride crosses the Rhone River after a category three climb of the Col de Croix de Montvieux.  It then heads east with a final climb up Chamrousse, an 18.2 km mountain with an average gradient of 7.3%.

Wine 1 Domaine Roche Audran Cotes de Rhone Rouge, 2011

From a biodynamic producer on the Cotes du Rhone a delicious Grenache/Shiraz! Excellent value for money for the quality of this artisanal wine.

Suggestion: Enjoy this wine with meat dishes like braised beef with carrots, Navarin lamb or chicken casserole.

Stage 15: Provence

Sunday July 20 Tallard : Nîmes 222km

A long transition stage across the Provencal hinterland to round off the second week of the Tour. It appears unlikely that the sprinters will be thwarted in this majestic finish opposite the Nîmes arena.

Wine 2 Domaine de la Croix Irrésistible Rosé, 2012

Cru Classé rosé from Provence.  Rosé seems to be popping up everywhere these days - see what the fuss is about!  Pale pink, elegant nose with citrus fruit aromas.  Supple, fruity with a soft and silky "finale".

A great wine to enjoy on any day of the tour to evoke the French summer as you watch La Tour wrapped in a rug!

Stage 17: Jurancon

Wednesday July 23 Saint-Gaudens: Saint Lary Pla d’Adet 124.5 km  

At 125 km, the shortest stage comes just after the longest. A difficult stage through the mountains of the Pyrenees. Three category one climbs including the Col de Peyresourde before finishing in the mountain ski resort town of Saint Lary Pla d’Adet.

Wine 3   Chateau Jolys, JurançonSec, 2011

A delightful, complex, fruity but dry wine. From the excellent 2011 vintage, this wine is from one of the most beautiful and under rated regions in France. 92 points Huon Hooke. A great alternative to sauvignon blanc. Tropical fruits and citrus on the palette. Crisp dry finish. Our best selling white. 

Suggestion:  It would be a perfect match with seafood and shellfish, but also goes down a treat with pre-dinner nibbles and dips as you watch the highlights.

 Stage 18: Jurançon

Thursday 24 July:

Pau: Hautacam

145.5 km

Today the riders start in Pau the city of Henri IV - who was baptised with the wine of Jurancon. Pau has welcomed the race in style, 65 times, which puts it on the podium with Paris and Bordeaux as the most visited cities of the Tour. Today they climb the Col du Tourmalet, always a challenge. Next up, the final climb up Hautacam, which has earned a hallowed place in the history of the Tour.  Sit back and enjoy the ride as with one of the famous wines of Jurançon. 

Wine 4 Château Jolys Cuvée Jean, Jurançon, 2010

The nose presents notes of honey, apricot and peaches.  The palate is fresh, powerful yet smooth.  Petit Manseng at its very best with fabulous length and balance.  This wine, like many from Jurançon, is pleasantly sweet without a cloying finish.  Best served with one of the classic cheeses of the region or a fruit gateau.

Suggestion: We have seen a photo of a gorgeous Gabriel Gaté gateau matched to this wine. Might this be his recommended food and wine match while in Pau for the Taste of the Tour?

  

Stage 19: Mandarin

Friday 25 July: Maubourguet Pays du Val D’Adour: Bergerac 208 km

The tour leaves the mountains of the Pyrenees.   Today’s departure is from Maubourguet Pays du Val D’Adour in the foothills of the Pyrenees. An area of plains and hills, the Pays du Val D'Adour is at the crossroads of the Béarn, Bigorre and Gascogne cultures.  Maubourguet, the name of the common was chosen by its inhabitants to inspire fear to possible invaders. But the “Bad Village” will certainly be far more hospitable to the riders. This 208 km stage is completely devoid of any real difficulties and, on paper at least, should smile upon the sprinters.  There could be a surprise breakaway.

Wine 5 Domaine du Crampilh Vignes Vielles, Madiran Rouge, 2009

This is a powerful multi-award winning wine from a well-regarded producer in the Madiran region. This domaine aims to produce a wine “in a style that brings out the heart and soul of south-west France. The wines of this region date back to roman times but were made famous by pilgrims passing through the region.  Made from 70% Tannat and 30% Cabernet Sauvignon. A beautiful deep purple colour. An intense and savoury nose with black fruits, vanilla and leather. A concentrated palate with rich black fruit and peppery spices balanced with great structure, fine chalky tannins and acid. Intense, powerful but great length and balance.

Suggestion: Perfect with lamb shanks or duck breasts. Keep an eye on our Facebook page and website for suggested recipes!

Stage 20: Bergerac

Saturday 26 July: Time Trial Bergerac: Périgueux 54km

What happens in the organisers' dreams? The final winner is decided in this 54 km time trial.

Bergerac, the second city of the Dordogne area has only been visited by the tour twice before but has a long history of wine making.

The Bergerac region is picturesque and historic with bastides (walled towns) medieval cities, chateaux, Romanesque churches and abbeys and gorgeous stone villages full of character and history and some exciting wines.

Wine 6 Moulin des Dames Bergerac Rouge, 2007

A classy Merlot/Cabernet (60:40) blend from a sought after biodynamic producer.

This complex beautifully balanced and satisfying red wine is from one of Bergerac’s renowned producers Luc De Conti.

Suggestion: It is a superb tasty wine that goes well with game, duck, stews and cheese. 

Les Vaches du Tour

CLICK HERE TO TASTE THE TOUR