Sunday, April 1, 2012

An Autumn dinner date, care of WineSelectors


Ahh Autumn.  It starts to rain lots, it gets colder, a lot less time is spent at the beach.

This morning I took a nice hot shower, only to step out of it into a freezing bathroom.  I like that, weird aren't I?  Coldness reminds you that you are alive! :-)  I'm certain to get over it once winter actually hits.

But snuggling a few extra minutes longer in bed warmth is a joy in life, especially on a Sunday and even when you're the only one in bed.  Thick bed blankets, as thick as the bed itself, makes you never want to leave your bed.  Love it with the cooler weather.

But with coolness comes the love of a fine wine.  Summer is all about the beer and ciders, Autumn & Winter.. it's wine time!

I love a good wine, whether it be about how annoying my wife is or when my footy team sucks.  Ohh, I meant whine there..  But seriously, give me any red wine and I will add it to my wine rack for safe keeping, then take out an older one for a tipple.

I did a bit of bad drunk blogging for something different a while back.  So we already know I occasionally enjoy a drink.  WineSelectors.com.au noticed this and they gracefully sent me some fine wines to enjoy from their collection! Who says blogging drunk is a silly thing to do? ;-)

Say what?  Wine sent to my door? Hell yes!


Growing up in the wine regions, I know the annoyance of having to drive from cellar door to cellar door sloshed off your face. Delivery to you door is a much safer option!

I'm often finding the desire to head out cellar door shopping, but just don't have the time.  With a company like Wine Selectors, I can bring any cellar door to my own door.

Bad news liver, time to get working again..

I received four wines in the mail. I'm yet to open one, but I will keep you updated of each one when I do.  Last Sunday's Malaysian Formula 1 race, I tried to pop the top off a white for a nice dinner party, but I unfortunately caught the gastro bug this week.

Ergh! I don't wish it upon my worst enemy (except my neighbours, they suck).

So over the next few weeks/months, I will be tweeting or perhaps blogging what I thought of these wines.

Here are their details in the mean time:


Riposte by Tim Knappstein No 1 Pinot Noir 2010 from the Adelaide Hills

  •  Regular delivery program: Regional Series
  • Food Match: Peking Duck
  • Tasting note: This high quality Pinot Noir shows great varietal characters and offers excellent value. It has a vibrant mid red colour with lifted cherry and strawberry aromas. The palate delivers dense red fruit flavours supported by hints of complex oak characters and ripe, velvety tannins. 



Briar Ridge Signature Release Karl Stockhausen Shiraz 2010 from the Hunter Valley

  • Regular delivery program: Hunter Valley Series
  • Food Match: Smokey Barbecue Ribs
  • Tasting note: Briar Ridge has 23 trophy winning wines to its credit and this rich red Shiraz shows why. The nose is sweet, smoky and plummy.  A truly mouth-watering mix! Its approachable palate is generous and plush with great weight and persistent length. Simply fantastic!



Helm Classic Dry Riesling 2011 from the Canberra District

  • Regular delivery program: Winemakers Series
  • Food Match: Char grilled salmon salad
  • Tasting note: Helm Wines was established in 1973 by Riesling specialist Ken Helm and his wife Judy, becoming one of the first commercial wineries in the Canberra district. The fruit for this wine was sourced from four surrounding vineyards with the juice being fermented in stainless steel vats without any oak influence. This wine was sourced from different vineyards to add complexity and interest. On the nose of this pale coloured Riesling you’ll find clean, lifted lime and lemon aromas. It has a super dry and crisp palate with a vibrant core of lime citrus fruit. The mouth-puckering acidity, which will soften with age, ensures great ageing potential. 



Keith Tulloch 2010 Semillon from the Hunter Valley

  • Regular delivery program: Winemakers Series
  • Food Match: Kingfish Carpaccio
  • Tasting Note: Keith Tulloch is a fourth generation winemaker who started his own label in 1997 producing regional classics like this delicious Semillon.  The grapes were sourced from only the best old vines planted in Pokolbin’s deep alluvial sands and it is this special combination of vine age and soil type that consistently produces the best styles of Hunter Valley Semillon available.  This vibrant, straw-yellow wine has a nose of classic lemon and lime aromas with beautiful hints of musk, honeysuckle and bay leaf. It has a generous mouth feel with the variety’s signature citrus drive.  This is a pure and balanced Semillon with lively acidity and length.

Ohh yeah, sounds good! I'd love to try something well fancy like Peking Duck! Love my duck dishes..

Thanks so much to Wine Selectors.  Check out their site today and grab a few bottles for yourself! The have a growing online community, so check them out via Facebook (www.facebook.com/wineselectors) and Twitter (@wineselectors) as well!

- tork