Tag Archives: Australia

Everything needs reworking

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Everything needs reworking .. from my eyesight to the salad.

Reach and Grab –  How did we get to $72 for three bottles of wine?


Unfamiliar Store. Unfamiliar labeling. Reached for a white. Grabbed a Red.  What I was thinking about was their Sauvignon Blanc (at a price $10 less)?

Once over my shock.


The Marlborough vintners have produced a wine that is smooth, with dark fruit flavours, juicy acidity, and fine tannins.  There is a nice long finish to it..


This is definitely a food friendly wine. Try pairing it with slow-roasted lamb shanks , or just serve it with roasted winter vegetables.


We had lamb chops and tried a freeka/pomegranate salad. The salada kinda worked. The potential is there. The freeka should have been soaked and pre cooked to enhance the flavours.


Mud House Pinot Noir

$27.99

13.5% Alcohol

Pairings

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This chardonnay from the Margaret River of Western Australia is right up our alley.  

It paired wonderfully with a lightly garlic’d chicken stir fry with German egg noodles (instead of traditional Italian spaghetti), because no particular flavour dominated either the wine or the dinner.


The wine has a lovely balance to it. A pale gold colour introduces you to a natural acidity and then depth right through to the finish.


Giorgio Moroder and Donna Summer kept us entertained.


I’m beginning to think that the Goddess of Wine is setting us up for a Chardonnay Taste Test.  This is the 5th in the last two mystery cases.

CHARDONNAY – DEVILS LAIR HONEYBOMB MARGARET RIVER 2018

$21.99 regularly $24.99

13% Alcohol

UPC: 09310194002461

Mashed Spuds next time

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I’d like to introduce guest Taster, Andy Brown.

Di and I first found this wine in Edmonton when we lived in Athabasca – so some 20 years ago.  We were attracted to it as it’s a McLaren Vale wine and those wineries produce good reds.  

It’s a medium red, bit like a Merlot.  It’s a nice change from Shiraz and Cab Sav, but not quite right for red meat like beef or lamb.  Was okay with the sausages.  

But that’s based on my South Australian taste buds, which as you know can vary from others, even Hunter Valley.   

This one I bought at Cascadia here in Courtenay for $31.49.   A bit rich actually and not quite worth that money.  Likely at that price since it’s a 2016 vintage.  

Ed: It’s also available at the BC Liquor Stores

Combined this with a couple of Hertel’s British Bangers, some artichokes and peas and carrots.  Pretty good, but would have been better with mashed spuds.  

Finally, he says

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Andy get represented with a wine from the Hunter Valley.


It could have gone either way – a red or a white. 
Mount Pleasant Semillon

Code: 664862

$25.99

Award Winning vineyard. (One of the top 3 Wineries in Australia).
It has lots of fruit forward and wakes up the taste buds on the way by with a great finish. Second sip is even better, and that continues with each sip. Stonefruit flavours.

Apple Cranberry Turkey Sausages, Fruit and Cheese Orzo and honey glazed Carrots. Turned out to be a great combo with the wine.

She (who shall remain nameless) forgot to put the Lindt bar (Sea Salt) in the crisper, so we had to have our square at room temp.  It IS better chilled – believe me!  You do chill your chocolate don’t you?