Archive:September 15, 2015

September 15
Byrne Pyrenees Blanc de Blanc 2011

byrne spkIt’s very safe to say that Byrne wines have the best labels in Australia. Who else creates a fuzzy, flocked, crushed velvet like label I ask? It’s like a Dave Graney smokers jacket. It’s just ACE. Not only are the labels ACE, but most importantly the wine too is smoking hot; smoking hotter I reckon.

The Byrne Blanc de Blanc 2011 from the Myola Vineyard in the Pyrenees is Alexander Bynre (a newly moved in Brunswick local) first foray in to sparkling and what a debut it is. Crisp citrus notes on the nose are followed after a while by ginger bread and floral notes. The palate has a lovely soft bead that lends it’s hand to more soft ginger bread, citrus and green apple notes. Just smashing.

The production of this is very small and as usual, the really, really good things are only here for a good time, not a long time and always $45

September 11
#TimeToTaste – New Rosé’s and Rieslings on tasting Saturday September 12

rosie“When daffodils begin to peer,
With heigh! the doxy, over the dale,
Why, then comes in the sweet o’ the year;
For the red blood reigns in the winter’s pale.
The white sheet bleaching on the hedge,
With heigh! the sweet birds, O, how they sing!
Doth set my pugging tooth on edge;
For a quart of ale is a dish for a king.”
William Shakespeare, The Winters Tale 4.2.1-8

You can just imagine old Will sitting down and sipping a ripping glass or two of Riesling or Rosé when he penned that lovely ode to Spring can’t you.

Oh what a gorgeous day it is today, yet tomorrow is shaping up to be even better. So take advantage of this beautiful weather (while it lasts, because this is Melbourne) and swing on by the WINE STORE | WINE BAR tomorrow from 2-5 for a cheeky tasting of  some new release Riesling’s and Rosé’s.

See you at the bar!!!

September 4
#FridayTastesLike – La Cuvée des Copains Grenache 2014 from Côtes du Rhône

piggyWhoa!!!! Look what has just hit the Paris end of Lygon Street. The #SuperAceTickityboo La Cuvée des Copains Grenache 2014 from Côtes du Rhône in southern France. Now this Little Piggy has been a favourite of mine for quite a few years and when I heard he was back in the country I just knew I had to get some. Geez it’s ACE!!!!

This has got to be one of the most reliable wines I have ever seen because year-in-year-out it just keeps delivering and delivering and delivering. Awesome dried flowers and spice on the nose, this Grenache hits its straps in the palate with delicious earth, red fruit and long and lingering notes of prickly spice; think clove and cardamon. It’s banging value and always $22.

Don’t let this little piggy go the market. Get it home #ProntoStatNow

September 3
#FestivalOfTheBeard – Fathers Day 2015

Fathers DayNo, it’s not a new Hipster Festival. Fathers Day is this Sunday September 6th so lets give him a pat on the back and say, “Here you go dad, Happy Fathers Day. You’re ACE. And sorry about the rug but…”

Now instead of the garden variety socks n’ jocks routine, how about some #TickitybooAce beer and wine and cognac and gin. Perhaps its the most popular 6ixer in the fridge – the Melways 6A – A mixed 6 pack of Melbourne craft beer. Perhaps it could be the new and super awesome Emilio Valerio Grenache from Spain; lip smacking yumness is what it is!!! Or perhaps its a Gift Voucher so dad come come and perouse the shelves at his leisure. Endless possibilities and options in store I tell ya. emilio6ixer

So swing on by the WINE STORE | WINE BAR and I am sure we will be able to help you out with something ACE this Fathers Day. Or Hipsters Day too; we have no agenda’s here.

September 1
#TuedaysTasteLike – Springtime and David Reynaud Crozes-Hermitage Syrah

beaumontOh Melbourne town, you certainly know how to tease with weather like today’s masterpiece. The sun is out, the clouds are but shadows and the wind is no more than a gentle sneeze. We love you Melbourne!!!

So its the first day of Spring. The sun is out but it’s going to be a little piccardilly tonight so lets balance it out shall we. The David Reynaud Beaumont Crozes-Hermitage 2012 Syrah is that perfect balance. And it’s got precious little Sulfur so you won’t have to worry about those Sulfur headaches, but can not guarantee that you won’t get a headache after the 4th bottle though.

So, what does #TuesdayTastesLike then? In the glass the wine looks quite dirty in the glass but that’s just because it’s unfined and unfiltered. The nose is all savoury notes of earth, spice and wonderful and very pronounced black olive. Yes. Black Olive. And its delish!!!

The palate follows the nose with wonderful savoury notes, blackberry and yes, black olive. It’s a ripper I tell ya and always $24