a girl and a glass

I know it's the start of a new month and I should be choosing a new #flavourofthemonth but I can't.  I've only had the chance to write up 2 rieslings in March and I just don't think that's enough - do you?  So I've decided to extend the #flavourofthemonth for April too.   This week, in case you missed the giant photo above I'm talking about Langmeil's Riesling.   Langmeil is another fabulous Barossa winery.  The cellar door is in Tanunda - my favourite town in the Barossa because of the proximity of my favourite wineries.   I'd love to tell you all about the first time I visited the cellar door, but I suspect it was my third or fourth stop on the day so the details are a little hazy ;-)  Anyway on to the wine.  While the cellar door is in Tanunda the grapes from the riesling come from Eden Valley which is cooler than the Barossa Valley's lower regions.  When you first pour the wine into the glass you'll notice that it's ver...

Better late than never... it's still Wednesday in the US :-) This week I'm talking about a Rose that I discovered on my last trip to the Barossa in November.  Hubby and I were heading down that way and taking some friends for the first time.  Our flight landed early and we had a little time before our lunch plans to visit another winery so we went to Bethany .  If you haven't visited Bethany you should.  It's situated on the side of a hill on the outskirts of Tanunda in the Barossa and is just stunning.  You could spend quite some time there... and we did (see our tasting wines lined up below). Anyway on to the Rose.   It's actually a Cabernet Franc Rose.  It's a little unusual in that it's made with a the red variety of Cabernet Franc.  The colour is a beautiful pink - not at all pale - more like crushed rasberries.  And the nose is lovely - lots of berries and floral nose.    It's pretty soft to drink, fruity but n...

I'm so excited to finish of this #flavourofthemonth series talking about my favourite bubbly drop from Australia - Rockford's Black Shiraz. I've talked about Rockford before , and undoubtedly I will again. It's one of my favourite wineries in the Barossa. It's picturesque, the staff are friendly and know their stuff and most importantly they wine is outstanding.   I can't remember the first time I tried the black shiraz. It seems like I've loved it forever. I can however relive the experience every time I introduce someone to it for the first time - particularly if they've never had a sparkling shiraz before. Each and every time I've share this wine with someone they have fallen in love. I'm regularly implored by my friends overseas to bring a bottle with me when I travel... sometimes it's the first thing they say. "Oh that's great you're coming.. could you bring the Black Shiraz?" So to the wine itself. W...

It's that time of the week.  Time to kick back, open a bottle of your favourite wine and celebrate that it's #winewednesday... at least in Australia.  That means those of you in the US can have an extra long celebration ;-) In the spirit of the #flavourofthemonth - bubbles, today I'm talking about a wine from another one of my favourite wineries - Turkey Flat . Hands up if you've seen a bottle of this one before?  Not many of you right?  Yeah I can only remember this one sparkling chardonnay from 2004.  I am however incredibly familiar with their sparkling shiraz  but more about that another day. The think I love about Turkey Flat wines is that they are well developed without being overly complex.  I drink wine because I enjoy the taste and I don't love wines that try and do to much or be too much.  I like things that are delicious and enjoyable to drink, and more importantly to share with others and change their opinions on ...

Trying to think up a good name for this blog post had me stumped.  I can't remember the first time I discovered Henschke wines, or the first time I tried a Joseph Hill Gewurztraminer.  All I can tell you is I have a teeny tiny crush on their wines... all of them... every last one. The thing about this particular wine is it's very easy to drink.  Take last Saturday night for example.  Hubby and I being too lazy to cook, decided to head out to our local Thai restaurant for a bite to eat.  Now our local Thai restaurant is pretty damn spectacular.  They make the food spicy and it's full of the freshest of fresh ingredients.  They have a pretty loyal following - and really look after you.  In fact they know me so well they even bring me extra fresh cut chili (I like it hot!)  The salmon Som Tum salad is delicious, and the scallops are to die for.  We grabbed this bottle out of the fridge (without looking) and headed out with a neighbor ...

It was hubby's birthday last week.  As it was a significant one we had several special events planned - family dinners, party with friends, and a birthday meal at home that puts most meals we have to shame. Sunday night in our household is usually roast night.  Not just any old roast mind you, a standing roast, crusted in pepper, with fresh home cut sweet potato chips (standard spuds for the boy) and steamed greens.  We typically have a pretty decent red open and drink a glass or two of wine.  It's preparation for the week - fortifying our spirits as it were.  Last night however was a little different.   Sure we had all the standard fare.  Standing roast - check.  Home cut chips - check.  Good bottle of red wine - check... no wait a minute... make that an exceptional bottle of red wine.   Yes you guessed it.  Last night we cracked open a bottle from the wine fridge.  We broke open the reserves.  We opened.... a Grange...

There's a little place I know down in the Barossa Valley which I hold dear to my heart.  It's a place that is not only beautiful in both location & spirit, but is at the heart of some of my most memorable meals.  It's a vineyard I visit every trip.  It produces wines I introduce to every visitor.  It's something I treasure and love to share, given the opportunity.  It's Rockford Winery . Now I'm not going to share about all their wines today.  They have so many that I love.... don't get me started on signing the joys of their sparkling shiraz or I'll be talking all day!  Today I'm sharing with you the wine I was drinking at home a few weeks ago.  No special occasion as such - just hubby and I.  But life is too short to wait for special occasions to drink wine you enjoy.  Sure save the Hill of Grace for a special birthday or milestone event.  But wine is made to be drunk and enjoyed, and there is no better time than today ...