may update » the return of organic spirits & five plots

This month sees the return of some favourites. The Juniper Green Organic Gin and the Utkins UK5 Organic Vodka have finally returned to our shores, albeit with a bit of a price increase. But the quality they deliver is still second to none. The Five Plots label has also returned in the form of a spicy and smooth Shiraz. Just as well it all doesn't get exported and we get to enjoy some too.

Two new vintages from the Yalumba Organic range are also on offer. As part of its ongoing commitment to environmental management, Yalumba crafts its organic range of wines from fruit grown on two family owned sites which have been organically certified for more than ten years.

Biodynamic Wine on Bush Telegraph » Podcast with Max Allen & Prue Henschke.
This podcast is well worth a listen to understand a bit more about biodynamics from a couple of very well respected wine people.(original broadcast March 19, 2010)

» download and listen now

Happy drinking!
Michelle Gadd

OVA Five Plots 2008 Shiraz » 2 case bonus deal!

Australia

certified organic > vegan suitable

IT'S BACK. I have stocked the OVA Five Plots label previously and there were a lot of very unhappy people when I ran out of stock. So here is another great tasting and superb value wine from them to replenish the quaffing supplies. And no excuse to run out with the two case bonus deal.

Tasting Notes: A deep red/purple colour with crimson highlights this lively wine has a nose of spiced plums , raspberry and a hint of vanilla. The palate features more juicy red and stewed fruit flavours with some lovely pepper & spice and oak and fine chalky tannins.

Review: "Has irresistible charm; a great all-rounder. Deliciously ripe, forward Ozzie red with the succulent, juicy fruits you would expect." » www.vintageroots.co.uk

Award: Bronze Medal – Australia & New Zealand Organic Wine Show 2009

Pricing
mixed case: $12.50
straight case: $132.00
less than a case buy: $13.50

Two case bonus deal
Buy 2 cases for $264 and receive a a free bottle of Ulithorne 2003 Frux Frugis Shiraz (valued at $33)

Ulithorne 2003 Frux Frugis Shriaz

Review: "Medium to full-bodied; has a very strong regional bitter chocolate and earth wrapping around the sweet fruit at the core; slips past the alcohol. Cork. 15.3% alc. Rating 93 Drink 2013. Date Tasted Nov 05." » James Halliday www.winecompanion.com.au

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Juniper Green Organic Gin & Utkin UK5 Organic Vodka

United Kingdom

certified organic > vegan suitable

The Organic Spirits Company, based in the U.K., launched in January 2000 with Juniper Green Organic London Dry Gin. The gin went on to win the prestigious International Wine and Spirit Challenge in the United Kingdom, named the world’s finest gin the same year it debuted. The following year, the company introduced Utkins UK5 Organic Vodka, and both products won first place in their categories at the International Spirits Challenge. It became apparent that the Organic Spirits Company was not only riding the wave of organics, but knew how to distill top-quality spirits.

Effective from January 2007, Organic Spirits have been awarded the Prince of Wales’s Royal Warrant by His Royal Highness Prince Charles, a prestigious honour indeed.

Juniper Green London Dry Organic Gin

Dry, aromatic and zestful, only the finest organic botanicals such as juniper, coriander, angelica root and savoury go into this superb organic gin which the company have been making since 1999. 37.5% ABV

Utkins UK5 Organic Vodka

Great vodka from the finest organic grain. The purer the vodka, the better it is! UK5 uses the world's purest water and finest organic grain - perfect for making premium organic vodka.

Pricing
mixed case: $69.00
straight case of 6: $390.00
less than a case buy: $75.00

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Yalumba Organic Shiraz and Viognier

Riverland & McLaren Vale > SA > Australia

certified organic > vegan suitable > wild yeast ferment

2009 Yalumba Organic Riverland Viognier

The wine is lemon straw in colour with green hues. Lifted honeysuckle, lemon rind, apricot and peach mixed with hints of cashew and freshly turned earth deliver a complex and funky aroma. The palate is rich and textured. A luscious wine with layers of spice, citrus and apricot, showing the distinct characters of varietal Viognier which persist through to a lovely fresh finish. Enjoy with spicy Asian.

2009 Yalumba Organic Shiraz

The wine is crimson red and offers aromas of plum, cherry and mulberry and violets and forest floor fragrances. A medium bodied wine delivering flavours of plum, all-spice and blueberries and hints of almond kernel. This wine, with its plush soft tannins and bright juicy finish is ready to drink now or enjoy it over the next three years.

Pricing
mixed case: $15.20
straight case: $174.00
less than a case buy: $16.20

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Offers Still Available From Our Previous Newsletter

Babich 2009 Headwaters Organic Block Sauvignon Blanc

Wairau Valley > Marlborough > NZ

certified organic

This Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc is an exciting new release from Babich, one of New Zealand’s largest and oldest family-owned wine companies. Always happy to have more Marlborough savvy blancs, and at an intro price of $18.50 per bottle it's a real bargain!

Tasting Notes: The nose is subtly perfumed with red current and passionfruit. The palate has a soft and sweet fruited entry nice weight and is finely structured – making it a good food match. Juicy fruits are found on the mid palate and the finish is dry. Should develop nicely in the medium term.

Review: "Certified organic, the 2009 vintage is a bone-dry wine, pale, with gentle, limey aromas. Subtle and restrained in it's infancy, with good fruit sweetness and delicacy, and a slightly minerally streak, it should mature well." » Michael Cooper's Wine Buyers Guide to New Zealand Wines 2010

Introductory Pricing
mixed case: $18.50 » save $4
straight case: $222.00 » save $36
less than a case buy: $24.50

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Bargain Organic White Wines from the Hunter » $96 case

Hunter Valley > NSW > Australia

certified organic > vegan suitable

Here is a real bargain that is great for everyday drinking and the weekend BBQ. You have a choice of three varieties that are widely grown in the Hunter: Verdelho, Chardonnay and of course Semillon. These certified organic white wines are labelled under a couple of different names, but at this price, the label is irrelevant. What is worthy of note is the latest "Lean + Green" lightweight packaging has been used to guarantee premium quality and minimise environmental impact! Stocks are limited though so be quick.

OWS 2009 Organic Hunter Chardonnay

It’s lively and jumping with fresh peach and melon flavours. It combines hints of cashew and hazelnut with vanilla and cinnamon spice to give a surprisingly vibrant expression of this classic, full flavoured variety. Its youthful exuberance is supported by a firm structure and tight acid balance. Ideal with fresh green salads and fruits, it also teams well with lean chicken breast and fresh veggies.

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OWS 2009 Organic Hunter Semillon

It has a delicate, pale straw appearance with a perfume of citrus blossom and cut grass. The palate is full and crisp with herbaceous flavours of rocket and basil. The cutting acidity gives a refreshing, steely edge and the finish is long, dry and clean making it a perfect partner with fresh oysters, scallops or prawns.

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OWS 2009 Organic Hunter Verdelho

The fragrant aroma is alive with fresh, tropical fruits and zesty herbaceous characters. Pineapple and melon follow onto the palate with gooseberry and ginger adding a savoury hint. The palate is refreshingly crisp and dry with hints of citrus and ripe peach. It's fantastic with good food and great friends. Enjoy lightly chilled.

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Kalleske 2008 Florentine Chenin Blanc

Barossa Valley > SA > Australia

certified organic > vegan suitable > wild yeast fermentation

Bored with Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay? Then you might like to try a Chenin Blanc for a bit of variety. Chenin Blanc hails from the Loire valley of France and its high acidity means it can be used to make everything from sparkling wines to well-balanced dessert wines. If you want to try a French example from the Loire then look for the word "Vouvray" on the label. This offereing from Kalleske is a single vineyard Chenin Blanc, sourced from mature vines on their home estate. It has been wild fermented and partially barrel matured to provide a varietal yet complex wine. I'm a big fan of wild yeast fermentation and this is a delicious multi-dimensional example.

Tasting Notes: The wine is white-straw in colour. The intriguing nose is inviting with aromas of citrus tart, spice, slate and green apple. The palate is generous, but tight. The fruit is supported by classy subtle oak. Well layered, with a rich texture the wine finishes crisp and lingers for a long time. This is a sophisticated and intriguing wine that can be enjoyed now but will cellar gracefully.

Review: "This is a brand new release from Kalleske… Back in the early '80's it was a hugely popular grape… Florentine from Kalleske is a very good option as we start to push into summer here down under. Nice and crisp a little bit of honey notes on the background, nice and zesty at the same time… something that cleans the palate out but doesn't leave you with a big sticky flavour in the gob, but still good, lots of flavour in it at the same time... Good to see the Kalleske guys doing some good stuff with the white grapes too." » Danny Bishop & Brad Paton, Wineweek: edition 101, 8 December 2008

Pricing
mixed case: $19.00
straight case ($18pb): $216.00
less than a case buy: $19.90

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