Dear Criss,

This is a pretty busy week for us at Wine House! This Friday, we have the long awaited Icon Dinner with Max Allen, kicking off at 7.30pm. We have also just announced our final dinner for the year, the Champagne & Sparkling Dinner on Friday the 28th November - this will send the year of dinners out with a "bang" (or a "pop") as Ruinart, Moet, Veuve, Pelorus and more will all be showcased. Plenty o' Pinot will be our next Saturday tasting, and is definitely one to put into your diaries - check the Tasting Calendar for details. Gill's wine courses have been so popular that we have just announced a 3rd course starting on Wednesday 12th November. This will be a "mini course" that will run for 3 weeks only. Seats are already filling up, so be quick! Finally, Matt and Gill have selected the wines of the week and of course, there is some Wine House trivia!

We hope you enjoy,

From the Team at Wine House

Picturing a flute of bubbles immediately conjures up notions of decadence, celebration, happiness, joy and goodwill. If wine is something that is to be enjoyed, sparkling wine is something that can brighten the night (or day), spark flames, start conversations and ignite passion.

It also tastes pretty bloody good too!

This year our Sparkling/Champagne dinner will be even more spectacular than last year's.

The bubbles to be showcased in this dinner will be:
- Chandon Tasmanian Cuvee 2005
- Chandon Vintage Brut 2005
- Pelorus Vintage 2004
- Ruinart Blanc de Blancs NV
- Moet & Chandon Grand Vintage 2000
- Ruinart Rose NV
- Veuve Clicquot Demi-Sec NV

Food served throughout the evening will be degustation style, as this is the traditional champenois approach. The menu will be matched perfectly to the season as well as the champagnes and sparkling wine. A full menu will be announced closer to the date.

With the assurance of being a beautiful night, this will be our last dinner for the year, so get in quick.

Champagne & Sparkling Dinner 28/11/08 - $195 per head.

Please e-mail sales@winehouse.com.au or call the store on 03 9698 8000 to secure your seats!!

This Friday, Wine House is finally hosting the Icon Wine dinner. The wines included in the dinner will showcase some of the greatest achievements in Australian winemaking over the last number of decades. Names such as Grange, Hill of Grace, Wendouree, Jasper Hill and Leeuwin Estate will be included. To complement this fantastic line up, esteemed wine critic Max Allen will be your host for this evening.

NB: This dinner is sold out, but if you are interested in putting yourself on the last minute waiting list, please email your details to matthew@winehouse.com.au.

Icon Dinner with Max Allen 24/10/08 - $245 per head - SOLD OUT.

Please e-mail sales@winehouse.com.au or call the store on 03 9698 8000 to secure your seats!!

No grape variety is more vulnerable to the vagaries of soil and climate than Pinot Noir. Sometimes known as the "heartbreak grape", Pinot is a variety grown only by the adventurous and patient and, as Parker states, "When it's great, Pinot noir produces the most complex, hedonistic, and remarkably thrilling red wine in the world...". Come to this tasting and find out why for yourself....

Available on tasting will be:

As always, the tasting, and the learning, is free! Nibbles to cleanse your palates will be on hand!
 

De Bortoli Yarra Reserve Syrah 2006, Yarra Valley, VIC.

James Halliday 96 Points!

In the last newsletter, I had a look at the Reserve Chardonnay, and this week, we have a look at the Syrah partner of the Reserve range. This is a Shiraz that is so smooth, you would be forgiven if you were to question it's country of origin. Beautiful hints of spice and cinnamon combine with fine notes of blackcurrant and dark cherries. The oak is so subtle and seamless and the acid and tannins are firm and balanced. With a fantastic, long finish, it evolves in the glass impressively - a foreshadow of what is to come with 4-8 years of age. Super stylish and alluring.

$50.85 in a dozen | $56.50 per bottle

As we continue to build our list of European imports, we are coming across some real gems. This is no exception. This gorgeous Valpolicella is produced from 80% Corvina and 20% Rondinella grapes, grown on the hills north of Verona. It has a deep ruby red colour with a delicate bouquet showing faint almonds in the background. It has a beautifully soft, fruit forward palate showing lots of cherry and currants. It has a real lusciousness of fruit with tannins that are not overly drying, as is the norm for the style. Baby Amarone, not quite, baby Ripasso - YES! Such a great price, and from one of the region's most renowned producers.  

$26.96 in a dozen | $29.95 per bottle

Forester Semillon Sauvignon Blanc 2007, Margaret River, WA.
Over the years, Margaret River has developed a fantastic reputation for a number of grape varieties including Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon and two refreshing whites - Semillon & Sauvignon Blanc. The region's cool maritime climates bode well for clean, crisp and bright whites, showing good acid, without going over the top. Tradition has seen these two varieties blended to create some stunning wines - great alternatives to NZ Savvy. This example has refreshing grapefruit with some very attractive tropical fruits. Excellent balance, and a price that really cannot be beaten. One to sip in the sun on a lazy Sunday, with or without food!
$15.26 in a dozen | $16.95 per bottle

Gill's 3 Picks!

This is an apt name for this serious attempt at a Rose, as the wine literally does 'dance' across the palate. The Salsa is made from premium fruit earmarked especially for the making of a rose style of wine. You'll notice the sweet strawberry nose the Grenache brings to the party, the luscious raspberry fruit palate the Shiraz brings and finally an herbaceous twist from the addition of Mourvedre. A creamy vanilla character is followed by a touch of sweetness which is balanced beautifully by the wine's crisp acidity, a perfect accompaniment to lightly spiced seafood.

$16.65 in a dozen | $18.50 per bottle

Crittenden Estate Pinot Grigio 2008, Mornington Peninsula, VIC.
Finally, the wine style inside the bottle that equates to the label! The whole Pinot Gris / Pinot Grigio labeling on Australian wines has, lets face it, been a bit of a fiasco. Crittenden Estate have come to the rescue and in 2008 released a Pinot Grigio and a Pinot Gris both clearly made in the Italian and French style respectively. This Pinot Grigio has an aroma of freshly picked apples and pears with a slight powder puff quality. The palate is crisp with pear and citrus notes, light and bright with good acidity and a long minerally finish. If you, like many consumers, are confused with this grape variety and you want to know what a 'Pinot Grigio' style should be, then try this!
$22.46 in a dozen | $24.95 per bottle

If you are entertaining during the Racing season this year, this wine is a sure fire winner. We think this little sparkler is one of the best kept secrets around! Beautifully packaged, the wine has a biscuity, nutty aroma with soft apple notes underneath. Unlike many Australian sparkling wines (and probably all others at this price point) this wine does not have any harsh acidity. On the contrary, the texture is creamy with a soft mousse that drenches your palate with delicious green apple flavours. A dry, refreshing finish completes the wine and makes it a real stand out at an amazing price.

$13.05 in a dozen | $14.50 per bottle

For more information on our wines, or if you have any wine matching questions, comments or suggestions, please e-mail sales@winehouse.com.au or call the store on 03 9698 8000.
 

Three week wine course .... just announced!
 

This three week course, a shortened 'mini' version of the original, offers the chance to improve your wine knowledge and palate in a relaxed, fun environment. Class sizes are kept small to allow for plenty of interaction. Classes run from 6:30pm - 8:30pm and our held in the wine House function suite.

Topics covered include:
- wine evaluation techniques and wine terminology
- Grape variety characteristics
- Wine and food matching
- Cellaring wine

To date, we have held two 5 week courses at Wine House, and they have been immensely popular with all who attended. This third course is a shortened version, and will begin on Wednesday the 12th November. Click the date for more details. The cost of the course is $132 which includes six wines per session / tuition and handouts. Complete this course and you'll never be confused by a wine menu again and you will walk into every bottle shop and cellar door with complete confidence!
 

Please e-mail gill@winehouse.com.au or call the store on 03 9698 8000 to express your interest!!
 

Last week's question was...

I contribute to produce wines that are often somewhere between light and medium body. I have a naturally high level of acidity, and can express myself as a sour cherry note on the palate with hints of almond. I am the main grape used (in conjunction with others) to produce a European straw wine. Which grape variety am I?


Congratulations Michael, you chose the correct answer - Corvina!
"It is an Italian grape variety that is also known as Corvina Veronese or Cruina. It is mainly grown in the Veneto region of North East Italy. Corvina is most famously blended with other grape varieties (Veronese, Rondinella, and Molinara) to create the light red regional wine Valpolicella. Corvina generally makes up to 70% of the Valpolicella blend and is used, at a minimum level of 85%, to make the Garda Corvina DOC. Valpolicella ranks a close second to the mighty Chianti in total Italian DOC wine production. It is also used to create Bardolino and, to a lesser extent, in the production of Amarone and Recioto.."

This week's question is...

Following on from the Crittenden feature this week, what are the differences between Pinot Gris and Pinot Grigio?

For your chance to win a $30 voucher at Wine House, email your answer, with TRIVIA as the subject line, to sales@winehouse.com.au.  Extra consideration is given to detailed answers where many correct replies are received in a short time period.

WINE HOUSE . OLD & RARE WINES . BRASSERIE

133 Queensbridge Street, Southbank, Victoria 3006 Australia
tel: 61 3 9698 8000 | fax: 61 3 9698 8099
sales@winehouse.com.au   www.winehouse.com.au

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FUNCTION SPACE

Listed on our Brasserie website are various menu and beverage combinations that cover a majority of function needs. However every event is different so talk to us about your specific needs. Our function space has full audio/visual equipment for your use if a presentation or guest speaker is part of your event.

Download our Functions Pack

OLD & RARE WINES HOURS
 

Monday

Closed

Tuesday-Friday
11:00am - 7:00pm
 

Saturday
11:00am - 5:00pm

CONTACT

03 9698 8001 or

KIOSK TRADING HOURS
Monday-Friday
7.30am - 3:00pm
 

CONTACT
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WINE EVENT CALENDAR

Icon Wine Dinner, 24th October.

Plenty o' Pinot Tasting, 1st November - FREE!

Champagne & Sparkling Dinner, 28th November.

View Tasting Calendar

WINE YOU WANT!

If you have wine you need please let us know so we can try and find that old or rare wine for you.

RECYCLE PACKS

Wine House frequently sends in Styrofoam boxes which we obtain second hand to help reduce environmental impacts. If you have packs and would like help recycle please bring them into the store.

REVIEWS

Quoted reviews are taken from the following sources:

www.jeremyoliver.com

www.erobertparker.com

www.winecompanion.com.au

www.winefront.com.au

www.winespectator.com

Penfolds Rewards of Patience

WINE FRIDGES

Wine House is proud to sell and use Kitchener Wine Cabinets. For more in formation on these specialty wine fridges please call the store to receive a broacher or to obtain quotes on fridge sizes.