Category:Vegan Friendly

November 14
Rosé Tasting – ‘Strayan Style

It certainly is that time of the year when the go-to wine in the fridge – or the chilli bin – is definitely a Rosé, or Rosie as we like to call them here.

Now we all know that the French make some pretty ACE Rosies and they are pretty much the benchmark for all Rosies. But we here in Australia also make some pretty smoking hot Rosies too, so this Saturday we will be opening about 7even ‘Strayan Style Rosie’s for you all to have a wee look at and see how we do it here.

So make sure you make some time and pop in to the WINE STORE | WINE BAR this Saturday, November 17th from 3-6ish

 

October 25
Meet The Maker Sessions – Dom Valentine of Valentine Wines

With another Saturday comes another Meet The Maker Sessions with this Saturday to be hosted by Dom Valentine of Valentine Wines.

Dom’s wine journey started in 2010 while working in Rudesheim and Geisenheim in Germany’s Rheingau region. In that year, Dom worked for both both Weingut Josef Leitz and Weingut Georg Breuer – two of the region’s most respected producers. Each of those experiences was  inspiration to return to Australia and pursue his Valere project whereby he sourced grapes each year from a different vineyard in Victoria to explore the lessons learned in Germany.

Fast forward some years and Dom has added a deliciously perfumed Heathcote Grenache and a wildly ace Chardonnay from Victoria’s highest altitude vineyard in Whitlands in the NE of Victoria. Both wines add to Dom’s unmistakable light touch when it comes to producing wines that have true terroir expressions.

So as Molly would say, do yourself a favour and swing on by the WINE STORE | WINE BAR this Saturday, October 27th from 3-6ish and have a gander of three of our fave wines for 2018.

October 17
Meet The Maker Sessions – Dave Mack of ArFion Wines

Yet another one of the WINE STORE | WINE BARS best mates is taking over the pouring duties this Saturday October 20th from 3-6ish for another Meet The Maker Sessions. Ladies and Gentleman, we give you Dave Mackintosh of ArFion Wines.

Dave’s philosophy is simple; to try and extend the limitations of style, be considerate to the grapes and land, and to be a strong part of the local wine community. Seems simple and obvious to us, and as we say around here, “It’s not Rocket Surgery after all”.

Not necessarily conforming to an existing style, Dave aims to create wines that have their own thumbprint and can evolve as the seasons do.  They are the result of the interpretation of many connections between vintage, style and site.

So make sure you swing on by this Saturday for a wee sip of Dave’s current vintage wines where we have little doubt that you’ll like them as much as we do.

October 9
Meet The Maker Sessions – Michael Dhillon of Bindi Wines

The WINE STORE | WINE BAR is turning 4 on October 15th, so to mark this milestone of of the stores fave winemakers, and one of my best mates, Michael Dhillon of Bindi Wines in for a tasting. As many of you will know, Bindi Wines, and Michael who is effectively Bindi, have a very special place in my heart. And it is because of this Michael will be in the WINE STORE | WINE BAR on Saturday, October 13th from 1-4ish where he will pour his new release wines at the tasting bench.

Bindi’, 50 kilometres north-west of Melbourne in the Macedon Ranges, is the family property of the Dhillon family. Originally purchased in the 1950s as part of the larger grazing farm ‘Bundaleer’, ‘Bindi’ is a 170 hectare farm of which 7 hectares are planted to Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Fifteen hectares are dedicated to managed plantation eucalypts for high grade furniture timber whilst the remainder of the land is maintained as remnant bush land and important indigenous grasslands.

The Bindi vineyard is the fundamental focus of the Dhillon family endeavors. The vineyard and winemaking philosophy is to seek balance and purity in the expression of the various individual vineyard sites and this philosophy is applied to farming and conservation at ‘Bindi’; the preservation of the natural harmony.

This tasting is going to be popular so the earlier the better we would advise. On tasting will be Bindi’s new releases which include all of the estate wines – Block 5, Original Vineyard and Dixon Pinot Noirs; Quartz and Kostas Rind Chardonnays and the Pyrette Shiraz from Heathcote. And what better way to celebrate our 4th anniversary then to have Michael pouring his wines. And there may also be a sausage sizzle out the back weather permitting.

September 19
Meet The Maker Sessions – Adam Foster of Syrahmi Wines

The Meet The Maker Sessions keep rolling on this Saturday, September 22nd with another ace friend to the WINE STORE | WINE BAR in Adam Foster of Syrahmi Wines taking over the tasting duties from 3-6ish where he will tell the great story of his even greater wines.

Adam has always had an interest in food and wine. Whilst spending many of his years completing a chef’s apprenticeship and working in some of Victoria and London’s best kitchens he also maintained an interest in Front of House activities – particularly the cellars and wine lists.

In 2002 Adam decided to give up ‘chefing’ to immerse himself in the winemaking process. Since then his experience in the industry has been quite diverse and somewhat unconventional.

Adams unadulterated passion for wine came from the early days working shifts at Walters Wine Bar. He concentrated his efforts particularly on French and Australian Rhone styles. He had the privilege of working with some of what he considers to be the most outstanding wineries in Australia and France such as Torbreck, Chapoutier, Mitchelton, Heathcote Winery, Domaine Ogier & Jasper Hill.

So make sure you don’t miss out on meeting this absolute legend of a person and grab a few sips and potentially liberate a bottle or two of his great wines to take home, or even have at the bar.

 

August 11
Smoking Hot and Brand-Spanking New – The Story Gin Batch #1

Do you love a story? I love a story. Funny, sad, scary, thrilling. Tell me a story and I’m yours forever!!!! But when that story, a new story, is a new Gin, then hold me down and tickle me purple I say. 

Fresh and hot off the conveyor belt we present to you The Story Gin Batch #1 straight outta Collingwood. Made by the ever savvy Rory Lane from The Story Wines, this Gin uses all native Australian botanicals – except for juniper of course – which produce a seamless and smashable Gin. From the get go on the nose lemon myrtle screams drink me on the nose with real smacks of aniseed and wattle seed after a while.

Be it in a G&T, Negroni, Martini or just sipping, you should definitely add this to your Gin shopping list. And at just $86, this new Gin sits nicely in the new breed of Bespoke Gin coming outta Australia. Bottoms up then!!!

May 25
The Christmas Cowntdown is on – Camporsino Chianti DOCG Tuscany 2016

Is it ever too early to be thinking about what wine(s) will adorn the Christmas lunch table? No, I didn’t think so either. So with that sorted lets kick off our Christmas Wine countdown in May.

Lets start with the Camporsino Chianti DOCG Tuscany 2016 which is 100% Sangiovese. Gorgeous dark morello cherry and wet terracotta on the nose, the wine opens in the palate with a darker hit of cherry that is held together wonderfully – yes wonderfully – with mouth watering chewy tannins. What a ripping little number this one is. And the best thing is you do not have to wait for Christmas Day; you can come in today and swap it for $25. Mucho-fantastico stuff!!!!

and just so you know – there are 214 days until Christmas!!!

July 24
#TryJuly – #24 Ulithorne “Dona” McLaren Vale Shiraz 2014

It’s cold. The weather is moving in. Again. And it’s cold. But I already said that right? Better go and get some red wine then. donaAnd if that’s on the brief then swing on by the WINE STORE | WINE BAR to-now and grab this belter.

The Ulithorne “Dona” McLaren Vale Shiraz 2014 is the type of red wine that you just want to cuddle up with. So lets do it then. On the nose there is a distinct dark blackberry and earthy note; master stock and soy are very common in the glasses of red I am sipping this winter. The palate is a little bit old school, little bit new school with more rich dark fruit mixed in with very supple and savoury spice and earthy tones. Just delish.

Drink with a blanky over your lap and always $24

July 22
#TryJuly – #22 Vigna Stefani Heathcote Malbec 2015

Oh Melbourne!!! You certainly take, and bring, the weather with you….stefani malbec

Once again we have had some wonderful winter weather only for it to turn once again into the cold, wet and windy Melbourne we love so much. And if you need something to warm you up over the coming days, this wine is it. The Vigna Stefani Heathcote Malbec 2015 is jam packed with punter friendly #ACENESS I tell ya. From the first whiff there is very generous brambly dark fruit with blueberries coming to the fore after a while. The palate follows a similar line with more dark fruit, slatey minerality and tilled wet earth. Yep, tilled wet earth.

Very tre delicious and drink with melanzane alla parmigiana and always $22

March 18
#FridayWineOnMyMind – The Natural Wine Co Central Ranges Organic Shiraz 2015

Without dropping a huge cliché, but “Winter is coming”. Yep, today is the first real jumper weather day of the season and boy-oh-boy doesn’t it feel nice not to be sticky, hot and humid.nat red

To celebrate our first real Autumn day for 2016, all weekend we will be taking 10% of this belter of a Shiraz – The Natural Wine Co. Central Ranges Organic Shiraz 2015. And it’s only $15, so $13.50 all weekend. And it’s ORGANIC. Yet the most important thing is this wine tastes fantastic. Awesome dark fruit with hints of Chinese 5 spice on the nose, the wine  in the palate follows the lead from the nose with bright dark fruit and spice with an almost mocca/earthy line at the back. #TickityBooAce indeed and $13.50 all weekend

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