The Hills Are Alive…with Gruner Veltliner!

10 May
2011

Created by La Donna del Vino

OK yes, I am lame. As always. I had made this a number of months ago and each time I look at it I giggle. Yep. Giggle like a four-year old. I laugh at my own jokes only because nobody else will.

So the classic film ‘The Sound of Music’ was set in Austria. Therefore it is only appropriate that I adorn the lovely non-Austrian actress Julie Andrews with wines produced from the white grape variety grown predominantly in Austria: Gruner Veltliner.

Would be a pretty tacky marketing promotion, wouldn’t it?

Yet if it induces a giggle, then my work is done.

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Wine Reviews May

3 May
2011

GIACONDA Aeolia Roussanne 2008

Beechworth, Victoria

Photograph courtesy of the Wine House

Not everybody is privy to the fact that Rick Kinzbrunner of Giaconda has a gorgeous 100% Roussanne wine up his sleeves that he has been making since 2000. Some would say it’s a bit old-school, then rub their hands together as they wait in anticipation for the arrival of his ‘should be interesting‘ Nebbiolo.
Sorry, sidetracked for a moment there!

Back to this wine in particular, it is made from the Nantua and Warner vineyards in Beechworth and called Aeolia. That’s right, Ae-o-li-a. I’m not referring to the pigmented aureole around your nipple nor the Italian garlic mayonnaise aioli. Aeolia is a wine that can go the distance (such as the superb vintage of 2005 Aeolia), or is heavenly in its youth (like the focused 2008 Aeolia). Core to both wines is a heady perfume of honeydew and cashews, a hint of exotic spice, followed with a mouth-filling, tropical fruit, minerally, textural palate that continues to surprise with its length. Who ever thought Roussanne could be so good looking on its own!

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Try not to appear too aghast…but I am published in Melbourne’s GRAM Magazine

30 Apr
2011

Hooray! See link below:

GRAM issue 3 – La Donna del Vino Wine Reviews

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Random: The Barefoot Bogan

30 Apr
2011

Two months ago I made the grand voyage….y’know, moving from your parents house into the city. Mind you, I used to live only twenty-five minutes outside of the city. But trust me….it has made a big difference! The thing is, I think my upbringing has had a significant effect on how I set up my place, which I have realised does not correlate to the way the majority of city-dwellers reside! Hence, I have quietly entitled myself, ‘The Barefoot Bogan’, which is how I imagine my fellow apartment neighbours would refer to me!

The Barefoot Bogan

I grew up with my parents on a farm in the market-garden region of Werribee South.

I was surrounded by broccoli, iceberg lettuce and cauliflower.

‘Walking the dog’ meant trudging in gumboots through the sludgy red earth on the farm.

We didn’t have pools, we turned on the sprinkler.

Farm-cycles meant chicken manure smells normal to me.

I killed time sitting under the apple tree and watching clouds.

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Pericoloso, ma delizioso: Fichi d’India! – Dangerous, but delicious: Prickly Pears!

27 Apr
2011

Sorry mum, but I am going to be honest here.

My parents’ property does not have any Fichi d’India (prickly pear) trees. Yet interestingly, come March and April, there seems to be an endless supply of this fruit in the kitchen.

Mind you, they did not pay for it…”Is this part of some dodgy Italian bartering scheme?”, I had initially wondered, ie: “You give me one styrene of broccoli, I give you two styrene of fichi d’india!”. ‘Fraid not, folks.

What ol’ ma & pa DO have is a conveniently-placed secret fichi d’india tree that they pass on their daily walk. From afar and to the untrained eye it will simply seem like a huge prickly succulent. Warning ladies and gentleman: it IS a huge prickly succulent but if you look closer you may find something oh so delicious within it’s spiky womb.

Should you be around in March/April and happen to be walking along a well-known foot/bike path in Melbourne’s west, you may perchance notice a seemingly pleasant older couple strolling along, wearing gloves and hovering around a specific area, heads darting from left to right occasionally to check for passers by, also holding a strange elongated object in one hand, plastic bags in the other.

“Strange, they seem a bit dodgy…“, you may wonder.

Relax, it’s just my parents.

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Destino – Salvador Dalí

19 Apr
2011

I don’t think that I am one of those people…by that I refer to those who believe in the power of the stars and planets in how they affect their everyday circumstances whilst generalising the virtues and shortcomings of a person’s character based on their date of birth. Horoscopes have depicted me to be some darn Ram-like lookin’ creature, supposedly suggesting I’m headstrong and horny (as in having horns, der). Had I been one of those people then yeah…I might have attributed the past week’s events to the stars. Alas, I do not.

The past week has been quite fortuitous and overall very positive. All this goodness (of which I will eventually reveal with time) has come down to hard work, persistence and I suppose a sprinkling of gut-feeling. The good-vibe feeling has led me to post my favourite short film; a collaborative work between Walt Disney and the enigmatic Salvador Dalí. I came across this film when his work was showcased as part of the Salvador Dalí exhibition at the National Gallery Victoria a couple of years ago. It goes for a mere six minutes. For me it was the combination of the beautiful voice and words to the song ‘Destino’ written by Mexican songwriter Armando Dominguez and performed by Dora Luz along with the fascinating artistry of Mr Dalí and the overall typically Disney thread of the film that had me enamoured.

Put simply, it makes me smile.

It is called Destino.

Please enjoy.

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La Spinetta in La Stampa, La Repubblica & Wine News

14 Apr
2011 

Contratto by Leonetto Cappiello

My dear friends at La Spinetta have purchased the famed Contratto property and business in Canelli, Piemonte. See articles below for the full story (all translated into English):

La Stampa 15 marzo 2011, Le bollicine Contratto cambiano Padrone translated into English

La Repubblica 15 March 2011 translated into English

Wine News 14 marzo 2011, La Spinetta dei Fratelli Rivetti acquisice Contratto translated into English

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Il coraggioso Matteo Correggia e il Roero

12 Apr
2011

The late Matteo Correggia - Photograph by Matthew Molchen

ABOUT MATTEO CORREGGIA

The wine world lost one of its greats back in 2001 when the driven and ardent Roero vine dresser Matteo was taken unexpectedly in an accident in the vineyard. Prior to his death, Matteo had worked fervently to establish the sandy soils and the vines of the Roero as fruit that could one day be held next to the great Langhe vines. His dedication to his craft meant he gradually bought the vineyards that he knew ripened the best and had the best exposures and sold off those he knew he would rather do without. When at last the world took notice to his beautiful wines, it was all be taken away from him and the estate was left in his wife Ornella’s capable hands. The wines are now made under the direction of enologist Luca Rostagno – the man Matteo wanted to make the wine in his cellar.

ABOUT THE ROERO

Matteo Correggia’s estate is based on the northern side of the Tanaro river in Piemonte in the area known as the Roero (rather than the more southerly and well-known Langhe wine region). It is an area long-renowned for the native white grape Arneis, a wine that is usually unoaked and consumed when young and is a beautiful accompaniment to fish dishes. It is the reds though that are commanding due attention, with a classic Roero rosso like Matteo Correggia’s La Val dei Preti or earlier maturing Roero made from 100% Nebbiolo in the Canale d’Alba region of the Roero hills. These wines tend to be lower in price also due to a lower demand with the majority of people going for the more publicised Langhe wine region. So I say, scoop up a bargain, put your feelers out there, and the next time you come across a wine with Roero on the label, well apart from knowing a little more about the area now, you can feel confident that it is an area producing reputable, delicious wines worthy of the purchase! Trust me!

Roero and the Langhe wine regions: courtesy of Chevsky

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Besugo al Horno – Baked Bream with Potatoes & Tomatoes

5 Apr
2011

Sharing is caring, correct? Well how much do I care to be showing and sharing with you this delightful recipe from my Casa Moro cookbook!

It is called Besugo al Horno aka Baked Bream with Potatoes & Tomatoes

Newsflash: This recipe is SPANISH! Spreading the wings a little this week.

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Up for a giggle? – Joke: Apples and Wine

29 Mar
2011

Apples and Wine

Photograph courtesy of Sex In The Ville

Women are like apples on trees. The best ones are at the top of the tree. Most men don’t want to reach for the good ones because they are afraid of falling and getting hurt. Instead, they somtimes take the apples from the ground that aren’t as good, but easy. The apples at the top think something is wrong with them, when in reality, they’re amazing. They just have to wait for the right man to come along, the one who is brave enough to climb all the way to the top of the tree.

Now men…

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Briscola – The Card Game of Champions!

22 Mar
2011
Photograph by La Donna del Vino

I got the brilliant idea the other day to get my pack of Napoletane Italian playing cards by Modiano and explain how to play using the instruction card they give you within the pack.

I later realised the instructions are written in Italian. Yayyyyy.

Allora, I will write both the English and Italian versions down then. I doubt the Italian will be of use to anybody because I doubt you would find an Ital who doesn’t know how to play the game!

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Wine Reviews March

18 Mar
2011

WOODLANDS ‘Chloe’ Reserve Chardonnay 2007

Margaret River, Western Australia

 

There is a definite reason why, like acclaimed wine critics, I have decided to praise this wine so highly: Woodlands have performed a triumphant feat with this sumptuous Reserve Chardonnay! The striking base of white stone fruits and grapefruit acidity was given real drive and length using the battonage technique, which has then added the sublime textural element and persistency in flavour that I am ultimately bragging about. This is one Margaret River Chardonnay that not only makes you sigh, but also makes you sing.

JEANNERET Big Fine Girl Riesling 2008

Clare Valley, South Australia

The Question: What do you get when you cross a Swiss chemist with the Clare Valley, a love of grapes and a beautiful dream?

The Answer: The beginning of Jeanneret where the son, Ben Jeanneret, now runs this kooky business. I introduce to you one of his offspring, the Big Fine Girl Riesling from the 2008 vintage. Appropriately named because she speaks from the more luscious side of the Riesling family with bucketloads of juicy apple and lime fruits with an acidity described as ‘refreshing and bracing as a mountain stream’. Now this is wine with personality!

NGERINGA Chardonnay 2008

Mt Barker, South Australia

 

“Our vineyards are the essence of our wine and the love of what we do, and biodynamics is the path along which we allow their character to shine.” Erinn and Janet at Ngeringa Vineyards wear their poetic hearts on their sleeves and put their passion into the vines and the resultant wines. The minimalist approach leads to no forced additions to the grape juice and it is wild yeast fermented. It is showing excellent intensity of flavour with tart grapefruit, white stone fruits and a thrust of spicy oak. After two years in bottle, this wine is now in perfect harmony. Drink now or in the next couple of years.

SORRENBERG Sauvignon Blanc Semillon 2010

Beechworth, Victoria

 

Here is the latest release from the man whom in my eyes can do no wrong by stylistically breaking every rule in the Australian wine book. This is a rocking blend of 80% Sauvignon Blanc and 20% Semillon with the former getting a bold eight hours of skin contact before pressing! This, along with the large barrel fermentation and extended lees contact, has assisted in giving this wine real mid-palate drive and weight complemented by the naturally refreshing, tight acidity. The finish is strong and with such unique structure and overall finesse, this wine exudes Sorrenberg’s character in bucket loads.

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Wine Reviews April

18 Mar
2011

TEDESCHI Soave Classico DOC 2009

Veneto, Italy

Here we have the perfect aperitif, or should I say, aperitivo, like the Italians? Well…when in Rome! This is made from the Garganega grape variety in the hills of the classic Soave zone of the north-eastern Veneto region of Italy. It is the sort of wine to begin your lunch or evening with as it is beautifully rounded with a green apple crispness, good body and juicy texture with a delightful hint of almonds to the finish. Fruity yet complex plus agreeably low in alcohol, this is a wine that will not cause complaints! Ideally paired with aperativo foods, fish and white meats.

RRP $27.00

CULLEN Mangan Petit Verdot Malbec Merlot 2009

Margaret River, WA, Australia

Ahh blends. They’re a polarising bunch. Under the right winemaking skill varietal blends work so that the flavours and grape characteristics intertwine harmoniously. This is a shining example made from a very complimentary blend of Petit Verdot, Malbec and Merlot. Hello to a nose of blood plums with hints of mulberry and a sprinkling of pepper. The palate has fantastic fruit concentration and body but overall is medium-weighted, which is reflected in the lower alcohol content of 12.5%.  Being Cullen means being biodynamic, which means these wines are not overworked and express themselves as they should be. There’s no pretentiousness here. This is top quality wine from one of the wine community’s most respected Australian producers.

RRP $38.00

KELLERMEISTER Dry Grown Shiraz 2008

Barossa Valley, SA, Australia

Ahh Kellermeister, you’ve done it again. This is such a seemingly black-fruited wine due to the Shiraz fruit coming from some of the oldest vines in the Barossa Valley. Lifted aromas of dark cherry, mulberry and dark bitter chocolate greet you then gently hint to aniseed, complex savoury aromas and a good touch of smoky, cedary oak. It is velvety and voluptuous in mouthfeel, politely leaving a crux of blackberry, liquorice and spice flavours as the lingering aftertaste. Ideally complements game, beef and vintage cheeses.

RRP $34.00

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For the Baroliste: I present to ye, Signor Luciano Sandrone!

17 Mar
2011

The bottles of Luciano Sandrone - Photograph La Donna del Vino

Ah yes, twas yet again another fantastic session at the Prince Wine Store in Bank Street, South Melbourne.

They held a tasting of eight wines from the meticulous producer Luciano Sandrone in Piemonte. His are wines I have yet to look at in a back-vintage line-up so I was super keen to do this Masterclass with a group of randoms to see what we would be looking at.

The last time I’d seen Sandrone’s wines was back in 2008 at ‘The Greatest Tasting of my Life‘ and more recently in January at the ‘2011 Lorenzo Galli Wine Scholarship-Day 1 Tasting‘. Both times I have looked at his Cannubi Boschis Barolo, which was interesting for me to realise and compare notes back. Either way, he is seemingly an excellent producer and the ability to understand the story behind his production, gradual collection of vineyards and philosophy behind his wines was truly a beautiful opportunity to be able to share.

All in all we were a group of about fifteen…yet again, I was the only female. Why aren’t other women onto this? There’s not that many places you can hang out and drink with just men and not get teased for it!? Meh! Maybe I’ll just keep it my little secret…shhhh 😛

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Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Wednesday, Friday, Sunday, Saturday – The Sicilian Wine Tasting

15 Mar
2011

Of course it would be inappropriate had I not made reference to the ‘eloquent’ and oh so lovely Apollonia from the Godfather I, considering the fact this is a Sicilian wine tasting I am about to talk about!

Last week on Wednesday I received a call from one of my places of work, Enoteca Sileno, asking me if I was aware I was working the following night assisting with the Sicilian Association’s Wine Tasting event that would be taking place in the function room. I was not aware, however the manager said I would just need to help close the Retail section downstairs then head upstairs to give them a ‘hand’. To me, that infers pouring wine, or merely helping out in some small, mindless way.

How wrong could I be?!

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MFWF – Wine Retreat with Dan Sims

14 Mar
2011

I’m such a good girl volunteering my only day off in the week to help pour wine. Not just anybody can pour wine, you know? Clearly, that is why sommeliers and other wino people get asked to contribute a small portion of their time to such wonderful events!

Speaking of pouring skills, I might as well just get my doofus actions out of the way immediately!

So I got asked by Dan Sims (of the Wine Guide and Sommeliers Australia) to volunteer for this event during Melbourne Food & Wine Festival at the Langham Hotel Saturday morning. It would be lovely to sit in on the events, help pour and set up and taste the line-up of wines free of charge so of course I said yes!

Where my debacle comes in was at the start of the day when I was out the back opening some Gembrook Hills Blanc de Blanc sparkling with Leanne Altmann (Assistant Somm at Cutler & Co.) who was also volunteering at the event. Picture Scarlett Johannson and her ad for Moet e Chandon…opening a bottle of sparkling seems seamless, right?

Advertisement courtesy of Moet e Chandon

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“You are my Sugo, my only Sugo. You make me happy when skies are gray. You’ll never know dear how much I love you. Please don’t take my Sugo away.”

8 Mar
2011 

Well…well…well. Who would have thought. After my woeful post ‘No Sugo For You! Come back, one year!‘, it seems the men in the family who normally organise the supply of the tomatoes felt that they should do all they can to obtain some. At least this way La Donna del Vino will have something to write about, right? Correct! They did not disappoint!

Check out those juicy tomatoes! Ohhhh yeah!

So I went with ol’ ma and pa to the lovely abode of our friends where they had set up their garage to resemble the shed we would normally have used for making tomato sauce. We were more compacted, but it actually benefited the efficiency of the whole system we realised not too long after.

The system started off with a group of us cutting the tomatoes into smaller pieces so as to fit them easily into the crushing machine. Hmm…the words ‘crushing machine’ just made me think of Arnold Schwartzneger all of a sudden!

Best…photo…ever! Right? 🙂

So here is the process in photos.

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The Moscato d’Asti ferment – “Bubble bubble boil and trouble”

1 Mar
2011

Have you ever thought about the risk involved in making a joyful beverage like Moscato d’Asti? Surprisingly for such an easy-drinking wine, it is one with a fair amount of winemaking technique involved. Ladies and gentlemen, Moscato d’Asti is not your standard, sweet, fizzy drink. This is a more serious matter. The trouble only just begins with the bubbles…

La Spinetta Moscato d’Asti Bricco Quaglia

As a means of providing a brief introduction, Moscato d’Asti is a low-alcohol sweet white wine made from the Moscato grape (grown in the Asti province in Piedmont of northern Italy). The sweetness does not come from adding sugar. Instead, it is provided by the natural sugars remaining from halting the fermentation. I prefer not to get overly technical, so here is a short tale from the 2008 vintage when I worked in a small town called Castagnole delle Lanze at La Spinetta winery.

Castagnole delle Lanze – Photograph by La Donna del Vino 2008

It was the beginning of September and the Moscato vineyards were almost ready. La Spinetta has been making Moscato d’Asti since the late 1970’s, when Giorgio Rivetti took control of his father Pin’s grapes and purchased more from other vineyards to create what was to become one of Italy’s most celebrated Moscato d’Asti wines.

The first week patiently waiting passed by with ease with the team’s attendance at a party in Tuscany to celebrate the opening of their winery in the typically Italian named town of Casanova. Upon completion, we herded the team back to Piedmont where we began the harvest, or la vendemmia as the Italians call it.

The harvest – Photograph courtesy of La Spinetta

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Wine Reviews February

18 Feb
2011

TEUSNER Riebke Shiraz 2009

Barossa Valley, SA, Australia

The Riebke is such a sterling performer which makes the consumer thankful to the gang at Teusner for continuing to make it the little affordable quaffer year after year. It is really approachable being mouthwateringly juicy, packed full of flavour and perfectly balanced from acidity through to the firm finish. Winemaker Kym Teusner has a pretty good handle on these vines and has certainly done the Riebke Brothers proud.

DI LENARDO Pinot Grigio IGT 2009

DOC Grave & DOC Aquileia, Friuli, Italy

 

Massimo Di Lenardo is a man of unique character…Aren’t all Italian men for that matter? :-S Regardless, his wines are consistently beautiful, harvested by hand and lovingly made. His winery is located in the Friuli region in the north-east of Italy, in vineyards renowned for producing world-class Pinot Grigio. The palate is juicy with plenty of pear, a twist of lemon and a hint of cashew and a bouquet of Acacia florals, whilst the finish is dry, the acid streamlined and an elegant lingering flavour reminiscent of pear syrup and quince peel. Sure, this is a wine made for an export market, but it accurately targets and pleases Pinot Grigio lovers of a more textural and pear-fruited style.

TYRRELL’S Vat 1 Semillon 2000

Hunter Valley, NSW, Australia


I can’t rave enough about this wine. After doing a vertical tasting of Vat 1 Semillons at my work, I was rapped to find out that patience had paid off. The 2000 has gallantly ridden out of its adolescent maturation phase and now boasts gorgeous toasty notes, cashew and hints of beeswax with a still beautifully textured and restrained palate. The finish is long with sumptuous honeydew notes and leaves you asking your host, “Please sir, I want some more!”

Cheese Match: Try this wine with a soft Brie, perhaps combined in a gorgeous roasted pear, brie and rocket salad

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No Sugo For You! Come back, one year!

15 Feb
2011

As seen in the Soup Nazi episode - courtesy of kellimarshall.net

Did you get the Seinfeld Soup Nazi reference? I hate to explain my jokes…but with me being so lame, perhaps it’s necessary :-S

So I was a wee bit disappointed after this weekend when I discovered that the chance of our inaugural Tomato Sugo*-making Wog Day would be slim. Slim as Minnie Driver, slim as Fat Boy Slim, slim as Slim Shady…bahhh…basically unfairly slim 😦

The reason for this being so is due to the excess amount of rain our fair land has seen thus far, meaning that our usual Tomato Supplier (and no, I will NOT hand out his details!) lost about two-thirds of his crop, with the rest contracted to Heinz. Damn the corporates! What about the families who get together to make’a the sauce?! You would leave them without the freshest of sugo base for a whole year?!?!

The Ladies in Sugo Factory mode

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