Thanks to [yellow tail] wine, we’re offering  a Sip Your Style follower an exciting day of sips and style at Fashion Weekend Sydney on Saturday 18 May. 

[yellow tail] is the exclusive wine partner for Fashion Weekend Sydney 2013, Australia’s biggest designer shopping, catwalk and beauty event presented by ‘Shop Til You Drop’ magazine. Over 100 of Australia’s hottest designers will offer their collections at discounted prices under one roof from Thursday May 16th to Sunday May 19th at the Royal Hall of Industries, Moore Park.

Once armed with the latest trends, shoppers can put their feet up at the [yellow tail] bar and unwind with a glass of wine of their choice – be it pinot grigio, moscato, cabernet sauvignon, bubbles or pink bubbles.

To celebrate the sponsorship, [yellow tail] is offering you the chance to win a pair of tickets to Fashion Weekend Sydney.

The lucky winner, through Sip Your Style, will receive:

• A double GOLD pass (valued at $80) to Fashion Weekend Sydney on Saturday 18th May. Tickets include shopping from 10am-5pm with two seats at a catwalk show at 3pm.
• Two bottles of [yellow tail] wine.

For more information on [yellow tail] wine you can visit them on Facebook, Twitter or their website.

TO WIN, simply name one of the styles of wine which [yellow tail] is offering at the bar at Fashion Week Sydney. All entrants must be aged over 18 and must be available to attend in Sydney on Saturday 18 May. Winners will be drawn on Monday 13 May and notified via email and text message.

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Filed under: Competitions by Katrina Holden
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Maintain your Style - Sip in Moderation

By Danielle Kennedy @DKwinesup

Some stylish sippers enjoying the Next Gen wines at The Landing Bar & Kitchen in Newcastle. Image by Danielle Kennedy

The Hunter Valley’s vinous history is longer than any other wine region in Australia. Thanks to the region’s proximity to the landing of the first fleet and an astute foresighted few, vines were planted in the region almost 200 years ago. Generations of prominent and celebrated families have been making wine there since the late 1800s; iconic names such as Tyrrell, McGuigan and McWilliam.

And then there are the faces of the Hunter Valley Next Generation.

Nick Paterson, Mistletoe Wines at The Landing. Image by Danielle Kennedy

Half a dozen five-star James Halliday rated producers, all first generation winemakers, are taking the region’s wine to the next level while respecting the traditions of long established families, some of whom they trained under. Then once a year these lads take to the road, intent on sassing up the image of the Hunter Valley and showing us enthusiastic sippers why the Hunter is so much more than we used to believe.

David Hook, David Hook Wines. Image by Danielle Kennedy

Rhys Eather, Meerea Park. Image by Danielle Kennedy.

The Next Generation Hunter Valley crew consists of David Hook (David Hook wines), Andrew Thomas (Thomas Wines), Rhys Eather (Meerea Park), Nick Paterson (Mistletoe Wines), Mike de Iuliis (De Iuliis wines) and Andrew Margan (Margan wines). This is the third year these lads have taken their travelling wine bar up the east coast, previously kicking off in Melbourne and finishing in Brisbane. This time they’re moving in the opposite direction so if you’re in Sydney (on Friday 10 May) Canberra (Thurs 16 May)  or Melbourne  (Fri 17 May) you still have a chance to get along to their pop-up bars in your city. Details here. 

Mike De Iuliis, De Iuliis Wines. Image by Danielle Kennedy

By all accounts Brisbane’s pop-up last Friday (May 3^rd) was a colossal success. David Hook summed it up with “jeez they like a drink!”. Andrew Margan commented, “We’ve been to Brisbane for the last two years and it’s never been like that before. I’ve never seen so many people asking for semillon!” The following day they flew in to Newcastle for a beautiful sunny afternoon pouring wine at The Landing Bar and Restaurant on Newcastle’s foreshore.

Andrew Thomas, Thomas Wines. Image by Danielle Kennedy

A crowd of people sipped their way through 24 wines while chatting with the winemakers. The Next Generation lads enjoy a little healthy competition amongst them but are honest in their admiration for the others. Andrew Thomas commented, “Nick Paterson is, in my opinion, probably the best chardonnay producer in the Hunter Valley.” Rhys Eather praised Mike de Iuliis saying his wines “have seen the biggest improvement in recent years, particularly the reds. Since the 2007 vintage these wines have really been taken to another level.”

Andrew Margan, Margan Wines. Image by Danielle Kennedy

More sippers enjoy one more for the road at The Landing Bar & Kitchen, Newcastle. Image by Danielle Kennedy

Join the gents for one more for the road in Sydney, Canberra or Melbourne. 

The wines

By Katrina Holden

Whilst well-known for its world class semillon, the Hunter Valley Next Gen also presents an opportunity to try some of the other varieties of wine coming out of the region, created by this stylish sip-making sextet.

Check out these and other wines at the remaining Caravan of Courage events in Sydney, Canberra or Melbourne – or seek them out from the producers themselves.

RRP: $18

ABV: 11.5%

David Hook has a number of Italian grape varieties he produces and has become known for his pinot grigio. This 2012 is a worthy example of the style – with clean green fruit flavours of apples and pears. A crisp, juicy and refreshing pinot grigio with good depth, and generosity of flavour that lingers. Equally enjoyable to sip on its own or with food.

RRP: $40

ABV: 13.4%

Made by 2012 Hunter Valley’s Winemaker of the Year, Nick Paterson (known as Dog), here’s a beautiful and sophisticated chardonnay full of  flavour and character. Stonefruit aromas of nectarines and also roast hazelnuts. The use of whole bunch pressed fruit contributes to a rounded wine with a creamy texture, exceptional length and well balanced oak influence.

RRP: $40

ABV: 13%

Effortless drinking with this medium-bodied, smooth shiraz. Fleshy and plush red fruit flavours in the mouth of cherries and perfumed violets, complemented by more earthy, savoury spice elements. Seamless and soft, easy to sip this on its own with everything in harmony.

RRP: $35

ABV: 14.5%

Released this month alongside other signature Thomas wines such as the Kiss Shiraz 2011 (RRP: $60), this Sweetwater Shiraz has an appealing prominent perfumed edge of spice and blueberries mingled with bolder, richer, deeper nuances of dark fruits. A finely textured and balanced wine with silky tannins, a solid acid backbone, and lingering length of flavour.

RRP: $40

ABV: 14%

Meerea Park is owned by brothers Rhys and Garth Eather. Winemaker Rhys has the nickname ‘softest hair in the industry’ – so you’ll have to get along to a Next Gen event to discover why. He loves a chat too so enjoy wines such as this classic blend while he tells you a tale. This blend of shiraz and pinot noir is actually a classic Hunter Valley blend, and honoured here in this inaugural Indie release with shiraz from the landmark Ben Ean vineyard. The shiraz provides earthy, black pepper spice and dark fruit flavours while the 20 per cent of pinot noir adds some dark sour cherry notes as well as a richness, elegance and vibrancy. Great length – definitely worth a try if you’ve not sipped this blend before.

RRP: $40

ABV: 14.5%

Launched in 1997, Margan Wines is run by Andrew Margan and his wife Lisa. They produce a range of exciting wine styles including several ‘Italians’ including this Barbera. This limited-volume wine has a nose of rustic character with herbs such as sage and dark berries. A ripe and rich wine with complexity, length and good acidity, making it a very food friendly wine, for which Italian wines are well loved.

Filed under: Drinks, Lifestyle, People & places by Danielle Kennedy
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Maintain your Style - Sip in Moderation

Axl Rose requires fresh Wonder Bread (white) and Dom Perignon champagne. Image by Henry Hargreaves.

Ever wanted to be a fly on the wall (or at least at the mini bar) of the world’s biggest entertainers?

Food photographer Henry Hargreaves has created a photo series of the food and drink requests of some well-known performers and pop stars.

So to see what Lady Gaga demands and who insists on Cristal Champagne in a glass with bended straws,  check out the full photo collection at Vice here. 

Filed under: Lifestyle by Katrina Holden
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Maintain your Style - Sip in Moderation

Minister Robyn Parker and Bruce Tyrrell mark the arrival of shiraz vines in Sydney’s most famous gardens. Might we just say, Minister Parker is rocking in that outfit (and Mr Tyrrell looking pretty cool too). Photo credit: Simone Cottrell

The medicinal purposes of the grape, and wine, has been celebrated in the heart of Sydney – with cuttings from the Hunter Valley’s oldest shiraz vines planted in the herb garden at Sydney’s picturesque and historical Royal Botanic Gardens.

From shiraz vines dating back to 1867, the cuttings were donated by Hunter Valley family-owned winery Tyrrell’s Wines, so they can be preserved in our country’s first botanic garden for future generations.

The first European farm in Australia was established in 1788 at the site of the Gardens. Environment Minister Robyn Parker says the planting of the shiraz vines in the herb section of the garden is appropriate, due to European folk healers who traditionally used grape leaves and sap to treat a range of conditions including skin and eye diseases, inflammation and pain.  

“The medicinal role of wine dates back to 2200BC making it the world’s oldest documented man-made medicine,” said Minister Parker.

Photo credit: Simone Cottrell

Shiraz vines are now Australia’s most widely planted grape variety,  accounting for 40 per cent of all Australian land under vine.

Sounds like the perfect excuse to pack a picnic, some vino, head to the Gardens and make a toast to shiraz!

Filed under: Lifestyle, Places by Katrina Holden
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Maintain your Style - Sip in Moderation

By Debbie Pearce @vinousgirl

The hype around the release of the 2013 Penfolds ‘luxury’ range, due first week in May, is starting to crescendo. Even though the wines are generally pretty expensive, there is some value to be found for the quality of wine that is in the bottle. Here are a couple of ‘value’ wines from the range for you to consider for that special occasion when you want to impress, or to cellar and enjoy later.

Aromas of floral, lemon rind and guava decorate the nose. The palate is citrus and tropically fruited with some richness to the mouth feel, bright mineral acidity, and a dry, talcy finish. Cellar it for another 5 to 10-years to see it develop some nice toast and honey characters.

RRP: $30

ABV:  12.5%

Dollar for dollar, the Bin 28 shiraz is the value in the Penfolds range.  The 2010 once again punches well above its weight division to deliver a lush wine with aromas and flavours of blackberries and cherries, soft spice and hints of coffee all wrapped up in taut tannins and acidity, unobtrusive oak. This wine has a long life ahead of it, and will benefit from a couple of years in the cellar to fully reveal itself.

RRP:  $38

ABV:  14.5%

‘Baby Grange’ Bin 389 has been one of the most consistent wines in the Penfolds portfolio, regardless of the year. Made from 51% cab and 49% shiraz, this dense wine shows wonderful aromas of red and black cherries, together with hints of cranberries, exotic spice and appealing subtle savouriness. The palate is full-bodied and amazingly graceful for its 14.5% alcohol, with powerful tastes of dark plums, touches of soy and star anise, poised acidity and oak, and slinky, taut tannins. It’s a lovely wine that needs lots of time to evolve.

RRP: $75

ABV: 14.5%

This is a good wine! And it stands out from the usual Penfolds pack this year due to its very Euro-centric nature. It’s a dense wine that looks different every time you revisit the glass as it progresses from dense, dark fruits of every kind through to savouriness and outright spiciness. The palate is beautifully poised with oak, acid and tannin in its right measures, all tightly wound to secure its future in the cellar. This will only get better with time.

RRP: $95

ABV: 14.5%

Filed under: Drinks, Styles and Know-How by Debbie Pearce
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Maintain your Style - Sip in Moderation