World Malbec Day

Today is World Malbec Day. Many wine lovers know the fabulous Malbecs of Argentina which are becoming increasingly popular. Less well known perhaps in the new world are the Malbecs of the Cahors region in France. European settlers transported rootstock to the new world and "discovered" Malbec. Now wine lovers are looking at the cradle of Malbec, the stunning Cahors wine region, surrounding the the city of Cahors on the Lot river in the south-west of France. This region producers some incredible Malbecs and Malbec blends. It's a fabulously less touristed region to visit as well, rich in history, with some of Frances most beautiful towns and villages. There are many gourmet delights to taste there, all set in stunning scenery.

To celebrate World Malbec Day, we are offering 10% off our award-winning malbecs from Chateau Haut-Monplaisir, an up and coming organic producer named by Decanter magazine in October 2014 in the top 7 producers in the region.

Click here to read more about these world-class wines.

Finally if you would like even more  inspiration to try these wines, watch this amazing video about the passionate wine and truffle producers of the region!

Happy World Malbec Day! 


 

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.

Fig Clafoutis and Jurançon dessert wine

Living on a small property in North East Victoria on the out skirts of Albury-Wodonga we are blessed with a continental climate and 4 distinct seasons.

This summer we have been enjoying stone fruit and figs. Our 4 chooks have been champion egg-layers.

We have been on a mission to combine this produce and to find the best clafoutis recipe.

So far the best we have tried is this wonderful but easy version from Michel Roux which you can find in Decanter on line

We used half milk and half cream. The secret to this recipe seems to be the orange (or lime) peel, and resting the batter.

We tried it with the excellent Domaine Bellegarde Cuvée Tradition 2012 . Wonderful tropical fruit but crisp lemon finish.  Great match!

Home grown fig clafoutis (recipe by Michel Roux @Decanter ) Wonderful summer treat. Perfect match: Bellegarde Jurançon. http://www.discovervin.com.au/shop/item/juranon-moelleux-cuve-tradition-01 #wine #wineandfood #jurancon #dessert #dessertwine

A photo posted by discovervinwines (@discovervinwines) on Feb 5, 2016 at 3:48am PST

Chateau Beychevelle Grand Bateau Bordeaux Blanc Part 2

We have previously written a blog post on this excellent white wine from Chateau Beychevelle in Bordeaux, entitled "The ship has come in for white wine fanciers". 

Since then it has had some excellent reviews.

It was reviewed in a trade magazine National Liquor News article on sauvignon blanc and received the highest score amongst all of the sauvignon blancs submitted from Australia, New Zealand and France. They gave it 94.5 points.

Great opening @NatLiquorNews to see @Beychevelle1855 Grand Bateau #Bordeaux Blanc highest rated #sauvignonblanc pic.twitter.com/D50Ket4exD

— DiscoverVin (@discovervin) December 7, 2015

It was also reviewed by iconic aussie wine writer Winsor Dobbin who made it one of his wine of the week In December 2015.  "Looking for a white wine that offers a little bit more than simple fresh fruit flavours? You've come to the right place. Grand Bateau is a collaboration between Maison Barrière and sister Bordeaux company Chateau Beychevelle, and made by Beychevelle winemaker Philippe Blanc. Sometimes a blend with a semillon component, the 2014 vintage is made from 100% sauvignon blanc with some parcels vinified in oak barrels and others in vats. The end result is a complex palate, full of interest, in which toasty vanillin oak co-exists alongside rich stone fruit characters. A wine of balance and interest'

Our friends The Wine Wankers also tried it and said this..

Invitingly leads you into lovely fruit, vanilla and toast complexity. Very quaffable #wine! In Aus by @discovervin. pic.twitter.com/VrikreEyoA
— The Wine Wankers (@winewankers) January 13, 2016

Also mentioned in a blog recently by Madeline Puckette at Wine Folly on best value Bordeaux wines. 

And Sean Mitchell in the Grape Observer "In the glass, this release has charming aromatics of lemon, stones, minerals and old cedar.  Food friendly, the palate is fresh with good acidity and great balance."

It has been impressing us recently as a lovely wine to drink and as a great match to many summer foods including salads. Pick some up here at our website or ask your favourite independent liquor store to get it in. Also available at wholesale price to trade (price on application to info@discovervin.com.au) 

gift certificates

Running out of time to get to the shops? 
We are here to help!

A DiscoverVin gift voucher is a fantastic gift for any wine loving family and friends.

Our gift vouchers are available online and can be redeemed by the recipient online, or by phone, using an individualised code.  A mobile Gift Card can be delivered to your loved ones mobile phone as a picture message. Choose an amount, schedule delivery time, add a message and hit send!

Indeed these are always available and are suitable for Birthdays/Thankyou/Congratulations etc as well as Christmas.

So forget the traffic and the crowds, grab some gift certificates and relax and enjoy the festive season!
 
TO ORDER: Jump online or please call us on 02 6020 6016 or  0414 596 395 for assistance or send us an email  info@discovervin.com.au . 

Our usual terms and conditions apply.

Seasons Greetings from all the team at DiscoverVin!

http://www.discovervin.com.au/gift-cards.html

christmas top 5

'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 individualised gift certificates 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 2 lovely rosé wines. 

Chateau Rollan de By
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.

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)