a girl and a glass

When I first thought of starting this blog it was around New Years Eve and I was celebrating with loved ones, the beach and bubbly. The champagne was  Ruinart - the Rose.  It has a hint of pink colour.  Is dry with a touch of berry.  And is all too easy to drink.  It was love at first sip for me, and I've shared my addiction with many of by girl friends since.  (Yes I'm a self-confessed champagne pusher!) But this is not a blog post about how good the champagne is - you can try that for yourself.  You see I think the thing about wine, champagne, cocktails (all beverages) that makes them interesting is the experience of drinking them.  Finding out the story behind the discovery of the favourite drink.  Uncovering the passion.  Discovering the origin of the lust. For  me the story of my love for Ruinart started in France.  In Avignon to be exact.  On holiday with my husband we had the opportunity to go wine tasting i...

OMG I am beside myself with happiness.  My favourite champagne in the world is Ruinart Champagne.... and I'm going to a Degustation & Ruinart tasting dinner in Sydney on May 16.    YAAAAAYYYYYYYYY!

Back in January we purchased a new car.  Back in January there was a public holiday that week.  Back in January it was raining.  What do to you do when you have a new car, the weather is average, and you have a public holiday?  Road trip!  We decided to take a day trip with some friends up to the Hunter Valley.  Despite it being so close to Sydney we really don't spend much time there, and tend to spend our long weekends on wine buying trips around Adelaide.  Never the less, with a list of different wineries to visit, and a new car to break in, we headed up for the day. Our first stop was a winery called RidgeView.  We arrived a little early, in fact we arrived very early just as the staff were opening up.  We had the place to ourselves and had a great time trying their wines.  I particularly enjoyed the sparkling Pinot Noir (pictured below), and the gorgeous setting they have for the vineyard.  After we tasted all they had on of...

I can't remember the first time I tried a Langmeil wine.  In fact I'd be hard pressed to even name my favourite of what they produce.  I am however very partial to this Eden Valley Dry Riesling.  Crisp acidity with a hint of fruit, I thoroughly enjoyed drinking it.  In fact.  I drank it all.  By myself.  Over a few nights. Nope I didn't share.  Not even a drop.  And I'm not ashamed of it. Cheers Sally

After a long day on the road I'm about to open a bottle of De Iuliis 2010 Show Reserve Chardonnay.   "Subtle aromas of vanillin oak and melon, with a hint of green pear" - hear I come..... I'd like to write more and tell you an awesome story about this wine but I think I need to drink some of it first.  It was one of the wines we picked up in January on our day trip to the Hunter .  It was just a little bit successful.... More about that in another post :-) Cheers Sally

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 ...

On Wednesday night I had a surprise.  Hubby and I carpool and drive in to work.  We start pretty early in the morning so we can leave before the worst of peak hour really takes hold.  On Wednesday afternoon he arrived at my office and informed me that the traffic was 'banked up for miles' due to the rain.  (Don't get me started on the driving habits of Sydney-siders in the rain... Unless you have a bottle of wine for the rant!!!)  Making the most of the opportunity we decided to grab a quick bite to eat in the city and wait out the worst of the traffic. This lead to a delightful dinner with another colleague, a delightful steak, and a lovely surprise bottle of wine.  I must admit I've had this one before, but the thing that made it so nice was that I wasn't expecting dinner out.  In fact I was expecting to have to cook.  I wasn't expecting to have wine.  In fact I was expecting to go for a run.  I wasn't expecting delightful company -...