Casey @ Travelling Corkscrew

Do you pay attention to the percentage of alcohol in your wine?

While the average alcohol percentage is around 11-13% for many wines, the percentage can differ dramatically, ranging from as low as 5.5% to 23% ABV (alcohol by volume).

Alcohol in a wine can be impacted by the style of wine, quality level, and climate where the grapes grow.

New Zealand Lighter Wines are all about using cool climate and slow ripening grapes to produce quality naturally lighter alcohol wines. Like this Yealands 2019 Lighter Sauvignon Blanc from the Marlborough region (top of the South Island) which sits at 9.5%.

A big thank you for the sample!

It would be perfect for a sunny lunchtime session filled with seafood and great company!

In the glass we found it a pale lemon shade. It has a vibrant passionfruit and feijoa nose with hints of sweet capsicum and sweet peas coming through. In the mouth it’s light and bright with a bit of minerality, capsicum and lime. Definitely a great Sunday session wine!

This wine was sent to me as a sample, I was under no obligation to post about it.

All opinions are based on my own taste buds. Wine is subjective & always evolving, so make sure you drink what you enjoy! — 11 hours ago

Casey @ Travelling Corkscrew

Introducing the latest Hardy’s ‘Heritage Reserve Bin’ Pinot Noir release. This 2018 Pinot is from bin number D683 and is a blend of Pinot grapes from Victoria’s Yarra Valley and Tasmania.

The HRB range is all about blending grapes from multiple vintages to find that perfect fusion. With each new blend, a unique bin number is created, which started from A001.

The 2018 bin D683 is the 5th release of this special wine and I was lucky enough to receive a sample (thank you!).

We found it a pretty ruby shade in the glass. Notes of cherries, red liquorice, spice and oak rise from the glass. While in the mouth it’s light and elegant but at the same time super juicy and moreish. Think plums and pomegranate with a hint of smokiness / tobacco.

This wine was sent to me as a sample, I was under no obligation to post about it.

All opinions are based on my own taste buds. Wine is subjective & always evolving, so make sure you drink what you enjoy!

#gifted #hardyswines
— 5 days ago

Casey @ Travelling Corkscrew

I love hearing the story behind a wine. What inspired its name, label and of course the juice inside.

I was recently introduced to the McWilliam’s Wines Group new range called Stolen Colt. (Thank you for the media samples!).

McWilliam’s are one of the oldest winemaking families in Australia and it’s safe to say this new range has a tale to tell.

Stolen Colt is a celebration of the tenacious spirit of founder, Samuel McWilliam. Who in 1877, with passion and determination overcame the challenges of ‘bandit country’. Despite being accused of purchasing 2 stolen horses 🐴(a mare and a colt), which later police took possession of, he successfully established the 8 acre vineyard which today has passed through 6 generations of family winemakers.

The grapes for this 2019 Shiraz are sourced from the Riverina region in NSW and alongside its brother - the Stolen Colt Cab Sauv - it retails for $16.

Now in all honesty, we didn’t enjoy this one as much as the Cab, but saying that, we still sucked the bottle dry 😂

In the glass it’s a pretty deep red-purple berry colour. While on the nose it’s full of dark fruits with a bit of pepper spice and liquorice. If anyone knows the Finnish candy ‘salmiakki’, it made me think of that! While in the mouth spiced black cherries and plums come through alongside some pomegranate acidity and a smooth vanilla mouthfeel.

This wine was sent to me as a sample, I was under no obligation to post about it.

All opinions are based on my own taste buds. Wine is subjective & always evolving, so make sure you drink what you enjoy! — 7 days ago

Casey @ Travelling Corkscrew

I’m dreaming of a white Christmas...
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This White Stripes 2018 Pinot Grigio from Victoria’s King Valley is the perfect white Christmas tipple 😜 A big thanks to Good Pair Days for my recent 3-bottle sample pack which included this beauty in.

White Stripes is a project by winemakers Nina Stocker and Callie Jemmeson. It’s based on 5 principal ‘passions’ - wine, music, friends, family and food. Complex yet fun is the unofficial motto.

This new world Pinot Grigio is a yellow shade with a peach tinge to it. Notes of fresh apples, sliced pears, florals and juicy pink grapefruit come through on the nose. In the mouth those flavours flow through with a lovely juicy flavoursome mouthfeel.

This wine was sent to me as a sample, I was under no obligation to post about it.

All opinions are based on my own taste buds. Wine is subjective & always evolving, so make sure you drink what you enjoy!

#gifted #goodpairdays #wine — a day ago

Casey @ Travelling Corkscrew

What is not to like about this picture! Rosé and dessert - hell yes, give me all those calories! Some things in life, are just so worth it, am I right?

This here is part of the Wine Selectors 2020 Chef & the Cellar Calendar collection which I was lucky enough to receive a trial pack for last month. Basically you order a delicious case of wine (mixed or all whites/reds) and you get a calendar with a matching recipe from the winery restaurants chef each month👌

Pictured here is February’s match - Howard Vineyard 2018 Rosé from the Adelaide Hills in South Australia matched with one delicious sounding and looking, coconut 🥥, mango 🥭 and strawberry 🍓 dessert 🤤

The Rosé is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc grapes. And what a great blend it makes..

In the glass this Rosé is a pale peach shade. On the nose it makes me think of Turkish delight, strawberries, fresh red fruits (think crunchy red apples) and a hint of fairy floss. While in the mouth it’s dry with a smooth nearly creamy texture and wonderfully refreshing pomegranate acidity. Yum!

This wine was sent to me as a sample, I was under no obligation to post about it.

All opinions are based on my own taste buds. Wine is subjective & always evolving, so make sure you drink what you enjoy!

#sponsored #wineselectors — 3 days ago

Casey @ Travelling Corkscrew

Sunday’s are for getting a bit loose don’t ya think 🤪

I was excited to see this La Violetta Wines ‘Loosie’ 2017 Rosé in amongst Good Pair Days selection when I choose my last sample pack. Andrew “AJ” Hoadley makes some pretty interesting wines and this rosé is no exception.

Made in Denmark in WA’s Great Southern wine region, it’s made from:

🍇 Pinot Noir
🍇 Cabernet Franc
🍇 Gewurtztraminer

In true La Violetta style, it had to be made from a unique blend of grapes! It’s also sustainably made and wild yeast was used. And it’s safe to say it’s a one-of-kind rosé unlike anything you’ve tasted!

Here’s our notes:

It’s a blood orange 🍊 shade in the glass. The nose is rather funky with savoury farmy notes, spiced orange citrus and a tinge of wild strawberries coming through. While in the mouth it’s smooth and dry with plenty of juicy savoury fruit flavours. It’s intriguing and interesting!

This wine was sent to me as a sample, I was under no obligation to post about it.

All opinions are based on my own taste buds. Wine is subjective & always evolving, so make sure you drink what you enjoy!

#gifted #goodpairdays #wineclublife — 7 days ago

Casey @ Travelling Corkscrew

Anyone keen on a glass of Sauvignon Blanc with some roasted spatchcock with artichoke, clams and prosciutto? It’s just one of the tasty recipes you can look forward to in the @wineselectors 2020 Calendar Case (another great Christmas gift idea!).

I was lucky enough to receive a sample case to try out (thank you!) and it’s safe to say I was drooling over the calendar and recipes put together by winery restaurant chefs. This one is by Troy Rhoades-Brown of Hungerford Hills restaurant who has matched it to the 2018 Sauvignon Blanc from Tumbarumba (Riverina region, NSW).

Unfortunately there’s no spatchcock available around where I live, however it’s safe to safe we enjoyed the Sauvy!

In the glass it’s a lemon-lime shade. The nose is full of fresh passionfruit, melon, capsicum and lemongrass. While in the mouth it’s lovely and textural with that melon flowing through and a hint of saltiness.

This wine was sent to me as a sample, I was under no obligation to post about it. Keen to try it?

All opinions are based on my own taste buds. Wine is subjective & always evolving, so make sure you drink what you enjoy!

#sponsored #winegifts #Aussiewine #wineselectors #2020wscalendar #chefandthecellar #wineonline #wineshop #winetasting #tcweekdaywine #wineblog #travellingcorkscrew #wineoftheday
#wineandfood #wineanddine #wineandfoodpairing #wineworld #youcansipwithus #instawine #winestagram #wine #winelover
#hungerfordhill #hungerfordhillwines #sauvignonblanc #tumbarumba #tumbarumbawineregion #riverinawine — 8 days ago

Casey @ Travelling Corkscrew

Did you see my post the other day about Cellarmasters launching an annual Rosé subscription?

I was lucky enough to receive a media sample to try out (thank you!!) and I can confirm, it’s pretty tasty if you love your rosé wine.

With the Cellarmasters My Favourites Rosé Wine Reservation you’ll receive a delicious selection of rosé three times a year in March, October and December – for just $155.88 + FREE delivery per case.

In my first case there were 3 different rosé’s and 4 bottles of each (+ a surprise piccolo of rosé!).

The first one we picked out to taste was this Fedele 2018 organic and vegan friendly rosé from Sicily in Italy. It’s made primarily from the Nero d'Avola grape variety and is perfect for an afternoon of pizza and wine!

It’s a salmon colour in the glass. Notes of roses 🌹, red berries, rhubarb, citrus and peach come through on the nose. While in the mouth it’s light, flirty and fun. Very easy drinking and had me craving some good quality prosciutto 👌

This wine was sent to me as a sample, I was under no obligation to post about it.

All opinions are based on my own taste buds. Wine is subjective & always evolving, so make sure you drink what you enjoy!
— 2 days ago

Casey @ Travelling Corkscrew

I have to admit, since living in Aussie, I’ve really got into my sparkling reds. Plus they just seem so festive around this time of year. Are you a sparkling red fan?

I received this sample of the Taltarni 2017 Sparkling Shiraz recently (thank you!) and it was the perfect tipple to enjoy while putting up the Christmas decorations. And yes that’s a wine cork wreath on our door - more details on how I made it on the blog.

This 100% Shiraz bubbles was fermented in small open-top fermenters and kept on skins for 8 days. It was hand-plunged with pump overs until it was gently pressed. Once pressed it was then aged in French oak barriques for 12 months before being prepared for triage.

A lot of effort for a $26 bottle hey? And oh my does it taste good!

It’s a deep black plum colour in the glass. Notes of vanilla infused berries and cedar wood rise up from the glass. While in the mouth it has a very smooth mousse with blueberries, vanilla, black currant and bramble fruits coming through. It’s medium bodied but delicate and well balanced. Nice and dry too 👌

This wine was sent to me as a sample, I was under no obligation to post about it.

All opinions are based on my own taste buds. Wine is subjective & always evolving, so make sure you drink what you enjoy! — 4 days ago

Casey @ Travelling Corkscrew

Alternative wines made from mainstream grape varieties is the name of the game for Canberra District’s boutique @sholtowines.

As Jake Carter, owner of Sholto Wines said to me, he wants to “show people just how versatile these varieties can be”.
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So what exactly does Jake mean by alternative wines? Here’s what he told me..
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“All of my white wines receive skin contact because I believe that is where a lot of the flavour and texture is and my Rieslings are given barrel fermentation to add a different element to the variety. And a lot of my reds go through Carbonic Maceration and extended skin contact to broaden the flavour profile.“
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How cool is that! When Jake offered to send me a couple of samples, I definitely had to say yes. I was intrigued! Thank you Jake!

This here is the Sholto 2018 Syrah and let’s just say, it went down pretty well in our house.

We found it a deep red-mauve colour in the glass. The nose is full and alluring. Think dark juicy fruits, cloves and pepper spice with a hint of leather. While in the mouth the flavours coat your entire mouth and evoke thoughts of cedar wood, pomegranate and black currant. Well balanced with a silky texture.

This wine was sent to me as a sample, I was under no obligation to post about it.

All opinions are based on my own taste buds. Wine is subjective & always evolving, so make sure you drink what you enjoy! — 7 days ago