Wine House Newsletter
Thursday 9th August, 2007

Dear Criss,

This week, after suggestions from customers, the Wine House staff choose the featured wines completely unassisted from wine critic reviews or articles, as such our wine of the week hasn't seen any wine judges, our Grenache tasting is for personal (and public) enjoyment, the wine list at the Brasserie is influenced only by a food matching desire; the only exception this week is the wine trivia is solved using a newspaper cutting.

We hope you enjoy,

The team at Wine House.

Ps: Look at the new listings on the right hand side of the newsletter for limited and advanced information on wine and other events.
 

O'Leary Walker Pinot Noir 2006
Adelaide Hills, South Australia

Bargain Pinot Noir.

Pinot noir is one of the most notorious wine grapes to grown as it reacts to the vineyard with such sensitivity that even subtle changes in soil, climate and management will make a massive difference in quality, finding consistency in quality is even more difficult and the frustration of tasting underwhelming pinot noir becomes nigh on a daily task, but when you do find a good pinot noir it can be sublime.

Such is the struggle for reasonably priced pinot noir $30 is considered a starting point for a decent bottle but this is a top drink for under $20! The winemaking team of David O'Leary and Nick Walker have a long list of credentials and longer list of friends in the industry and therefore pulling together their resources of experience and grape growing mates they are able to make some great wine at great prices (the well reviewed riesling one example).

The pinot noir fruit here is from Adelaide Hills fruit and has the classically complex pinot aromatic personality of herbs, cigars, violet, back cherry and some mint. The palate's soft tannin underline the drink now purpose of the wine and considering the balance and ease this bargain pinot drinks with that is fine by us.

"Very similar to Billecart rose."

This may sound like an exaggeration but everyone agreed. We'll worth customers trying if they like the salmon ting in their sparkling for Champagne rose .

$26.96 in a dozen | $29.95 per bottle

Woodstock Shiraz Cabernet 2002
"Quaffing isn't suppose to be this good!"

This is very easy to drink and the full dark plum and blackberry palate is a perfect match to a humble Aussie pizza, or any comfort food for that matter.

Glen Eldon Riesling 2003
"Little age with lots of flavour."

Another bargain food friendly wine. This riesling from the Eden Valley has fish and chips written all over it, but surprisingly for a four year old cheap white this will age well for another three years at least.

Summerfield Merlot 2004
"Fruit purity."

The Summerfield wine range has been to the fore of grape distinctive wines for some time. It sounds silly but some wineries make merlots that can feel like a grenache or a shiraz that one may mistake for port. Summerfield unashamedly make wine that is pure to the fruit and for that reason is a favourite.

Ashton Hills Pinot Noir 1999
"Complete Pinot!"

At a recent pinot noir tasting this bottle stood up as the answer to the question "Can Australian pinot age?" The answer is very much yes. Showing wonderful aged earthy, game and mocha characters this bottle still has dried fruit and smoky oak of a young wine, again, wonderful.

Grenache Tasting!  FREE!

Saturday 11th August - 2:00pm to 5:00pm

Grenache is following on from our previous tasting of the obscure varietals, not in short supply or demand Grenache is another grape of interest with rich complexity and spice that is sure to convert shiraz or cabernet drinkers.

The tasting, like the learning, is free.

Wines on tasting will include:

: :  d'Arenberg Custodian Grenache 2005

: :  Pirramimma Old Vine Grenache 2003

: :  Tim Adams The Fergus Grenache 2002

: :  Clarendon Hills Blewitt Springs Grenache 1997

: :  Clarendon Hills Clarendon Grenache 1998

We look forward to seeing you this Saturday!
 

Last week's question was...

What is the connection between a South African wine producer, Brittany and the sea?

The memory cells have kicked in to full effect for Karina as she got the answer 100% correct. She wins a $30 gift voucher for use as a lunch special in the Brasserie or as $30 discount wine from Old & Rare.

The answer is that some French wine buff's "...believe they have come up with a better place for storing wine than the cellar and have taken to dumping it on the seabed." This is a practice also undertaken by a South African producer who "...stores his barrels in a lake because it is cheaper". Both believe the steady temperature and low humidity are unmatched above land and they consider the rocking of the waves to help the wine like a gentle massage.

Sounds interesting but Wine House has no plans to buy a boat and attach lead weights to bottles, the 17.5C climate controlled storeroom and shop floor currently in use here is good enough for now.

This week we ask...

Can you name three wine facts associated with "three wise men" member Balthazar?

For your chance to win a $30 Lunch Special at the Brasserie, or a $30 voucher at Old & Rare Wines, email your correct answer to sales@winehouse.com.au! Extra consideration is given to detailed answers where many correct replies are received in a short time period.
 

If you send your wine orientated question in to us and we publish it, you will receive a $30 Lunch Special at the Brasserie, or a $30 voucher at Old & Rare Wines! 

Guidelines: the question must have a wine focus and it shouldn't be 'googleable' ie it must require some research.  Send questions to sales@winehouse.com.au