Tag: wine

Organic, Vegan, Natural and Biodynamic – The New Health Wine Trends Explained

Wine cheers

A visit to your local wine store can be confusing, with so many brands, blends and varieties to choose from. Add in the growing range of organic, vegan, natural and biodynamic labels, and it can be difficult to know where to start. Perhaps that’s why 80% of people tend to choose a bottle with the most attractive label, regardless of its origin or blend[i].  Victoria Angove, Joint Managing Director of Angove Family Winemakers and 5th generation winemaker, is the go-to expert on the differences between these designations and what the word on your wine label really means. “With so many people concerned about their individual health and the health of our planet, I’m not surprised that more than 65 percent of Australian’s are choosing to purchase certified organic products in a bid to live healthier lives and use products that do less harm the environment[ii],” says Victoria. This growth in organic wines reflects society’s overall move towards a more sustainable lifestyle. People are now choosing wine to reflect their changing lifestyle tastes and goals to complement the more natural and organic foods they eat. Research shows that a daily glass of wine has benefits for our health, [iii] [iv] and with the substantial rise in organic wine sales in the last year (up by 50%), it’s time to get the lowdown on the best certified organic, vegan, natural or biodynamic wines to complement your healthy and sustainable lifestyle.[v] The difference between Organic, Vegan, Natural and Biodynamic  “Increasingly, amongst the millennials, and broader consumers, people are… Read More

Impress your friends with these perfect Italian food and wine pairings

Altero wine cheese bread 3

Italy is the world’s largest producer of wine and home to (arguably) some of the best grapes in the world. So, it makes sense then, that former Penfolds winemaker, Mike Farmilio’s new range, Altero, is made up of Italian and Spanish styles grown and made in South Australia’s Fleurieu Peninsula. According to Mike, it’s the ideal climate for the grapes as it has the “closest climate to the Mediterranean”. Altero brought us a night of delicious food and wines at Pasta Emilia in Surry Hills. These reds are meant to be enjoyed fresh, with food and we’ve got the perfect wine and food pairings for you, straight from the horse’s mouth. Mike Farmilio’s ultimate food and wine pairings are: Sangiovese & Pizza Sangiovese is the perfect accompaniment to pizza. Italy’s most popular wine, the fruity flavours of plum, cherry and sour cherry delightfully balances the savoury flavours of the pizza toppings and the high acidity of the wine blends well with the tomato. This means that this wine will go well with any tomato-based dish. Nero d’Avola & Pasta The name refers to the colour of the grapes and the town of Avola in Sicily where this grape originates. Nero d’Avola is a medium bodied red, full of ripe, earthy flavour, just like a Pinot Noir. It pairs well with most pasta dishes. Tempranillo & Roasted Lamb Tempranillo is a Spanish black grape with subtle notes of plum and cherry. This wine is highly versatile and pairs well with slightly heavier dishes like lasagne, roast lamb, or… Read More