On-Trend

ON-TREND We like to explore the wonderful world of drinks as much as you do. From new venue openings and product releases to fashion designers collaborating with wine or spirits brands, the drinks industry is a truly diverse landscape and we look forward to bringing you the latest happenings locally and abroad.

MUST BUY:

BIKE WINE HOLDER

BIRICHINO BICYCLES HAS DEVELOPED A NEW ACCESSORY FOR WINE LOVERS. THAT’S RIGHT, YOU CAN NOW CYCLE FROM A TO B WITH A BOTTLE OF WINE ATTACHED TO YOUR BIKE USING A LEATHER WINE HOLDER. THE COMPANY ALSO SELLS A RANGE OF OTHER ACCESSORIES, INCLUDING TWO DIFFERENT SIZED WOODEN CARRIER CRATES. CHECK THEM OUT AT BIRICHINOBICYCLES.COM.AU

MUST TRY:

THE SHOWER BEER

Most of us have been drinking beers in the shower for years; it’s the most efficient way to get ready. Snask and Pangpang Brewery in Sweden however, have upped the ante with a Shower Beer that doubles as a conditioner. That’s right, you can actually drink this double strength beer while you wash your hair with it!

BUY: CORAVIN

Coravin has released two new wine systems. Model One allows wine lovers to pour wine without removing the cork, so they can taste a bottle before committing to it. Model Two is slightly more expensive but has an improved streamlined and modern design. Either way, we definitely recommend you give these products a try as they keep the wine fresher for longer. Head to page 93 for details on the RRP.

VISIT: LONG CHIM MELBOURNE

David Thompson has brought Thai food to Crown Street in Melbourne with the opening of Long Chim. The restaurant seats 160 people, and the must try dishes include anything with noodles and the soft-shell crab with chilli, black pepper and coriander. On the drinks list is also a number of hand crafted cocktails, popular beers and a long list of wines. Check-out the menus at crownmelbourne.com.au TRY: ESPRIT DE FIGUES Patrick Borg, the mastermind behind Esprit de Figues, has created a liqueur inspired by his Mediterranean roots. The recipe, which took the team more than seven years of research and development to make, sees the figs infused in a 150-year-old distillery in Burgundy for three months. The liqueur is very flavoursome and tastes of fig and raspberry jam. See page 96 for cocktail recipes.

NEW: THE ITALIAN RANGE

Bird in Hand Winery has collaborated with Fashion Designer Dion Lee to develop The Italian Range. The collection is made up of the Arneis, Pinot Grigio, Montepulciano, Pino Nero, Rosé and Nero D’Avola varieties, and will be promoted by Bird in Hand Ambassador, Silvia Colloca. To make the bottles, Lee explored the concept of negative space, integrating the colour of the wine into the design. For more details on Bird in Hand head to exploredrinks.com

VISIT: KU DE TA PERTH

Anyone who has ever visited Bali would know about KU DE TA. Aussies love it, and now we’re lucky enough to have our very own venue on the Swan River in Perth. Dubbed ‘Bali on the Swan’, the venue will hold 850 people and is expected to become a prime tourist location. Head to page 64 for an interview with head Bar Manager, Joe Sinagra.

NEW: TWO BIRDS BREWING RELEASES PALE

Following a high flying 2016, Two Birds Brewing has released a new Pale Ale. Its name is Pale, inspired by the style and colour of the drink. Made from Golden Naked Oats, it’s smooth, tropical and has a hint of pine on the palate. Available in 330ml bottles and dressed in the new label design. For more details on the new brew head to twobirdsbrewing.com.au

TRY: SOUTHERN WILD DISTILLERY VISIT: MELBOURNE FOOD & WINE FESTIVAL

Southern Wild Distillery is a new Tasmanian based company that we’ve got our eye on; mainly because it just released three gins as a part of its Dasher + Fisher collection. Each of the gins are named after an aspect of the Tasmanian landscape. Mountain Gin is fresh and bitter, Meadow Gin is sweet and hot, and Ocean Gin is complex and layered. To order go to southernwilddistillery.com

NEW: ESSENZA MINI

Minimalistic, space saving and coffee that packs a punch. If these are things that make your ears prick up – then read on. Nespresso has recently launched the smallest coffee machine in its range, Essenza Mini. It might be small in size but it still creates a high-quality Nespresso coffee that we have grown to love. The Essenza Mini machine will retail for $249 and is available in stores now.

Melbourne Food & Wine Festival will celebrate its 25th anniversary this year. As per usual, there will be delicious food and wine, masterclasses hosted by leading chefs, and the announcement of The World’s 50 Best Restaurants. The festival will run from 31 March until 9 April, so be sure to mark it down in your calendar. For more information see melbournefoodandwine.com.au

NEW: SIERRA NEVADA RELEASE THE SIDECAR AND TROPICAL TORPEDO

Just in time for the end of summer, Sierra Nevada has released two new beers to the Australian market. The first, Sidecar, is an Orange Pale Ale with a bright, citrus-heavy character. The second, Tropical Torpedo, is an American IPA inspired by the island life. The brand has also launched a ‘Take Me to Beer Camp Promotion’, in which 12 lucky winners will be sent to the Chico Brewery later this year. For more information visit sierranevada.com

VISIT: CLOVELLY HOTEL Solotel, the hospitality business run by celebrity Chef Matt Moran and Bruce Solomon, has acquired the Clovelly Hotel (or as the locals call it The Cloey) in Sydney. The iconic beachside watering hole will be taken over in February and run as is for the first few months. Following that, the new owners will consult with residents to see what they fancy before renovations take place and a new menu is designed.

TRY: ANTIPODES GIN

Antipodes Gin hit the market less than 18 months ago and happens to be Australia’s first certified organic gin. Distilled in New South Wales’ pristine Hunter Valley, it is infused with native Australian botanicals including lemon myrtle and Tasmanian pepperberry. Notes of liquid sherbet and fennel complement its robust and full flavoured profile. For more information on organic spirits turn to page 56. Picture: The popular Clovelly beach in Sydney’s eastern suburbs

ABOUT

BATCH BITTERS IS GOOD, HONEST AUSTRALIAN BITTERS. CAREFULLY CURATED TO CREATE A LIQUID SO GOOD IT WILL BECOME A STAPLE ITEM IN YOUR KICTHEN CUPBOARD.

BATCH AROMATIC BITTERS

BATCH ORANGE BITTERS

CAREFULLY MACERATED IN CUSTOMISED EXTRACTION TANKS OVER THREE DAYS. THE RESULT IS A STRONG INTENSE FLAVOUR, RICH SPICE NOTES AND LAYERED HERBS WITH A BITTERSWEET LINGERING FINISH 1 2

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MORE THAN 20 INGREDIENTS INCLUDING BARKS, HERBS AND SPICES DELIVERING EXTRA DEPTH AND COMPLEXITY IN FLAVOUR. PERFECT FOR ENHANCING COCKTAILS

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AUSTRALIAN MADE INCLUDING NATURAL TASMANIAN MOUNTAIN BERRIES AND TASMANIAN HOPS

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CRAFTILY CREATED FROM EXTRACTIONS OF ORANGE PEEL, PITH AND JUICE WITH SPICE ADDITIONS IN CUSTOMISED EXTRACTION TANKS

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AUSTRALIAN MADE INCLUDING THE CLEVER INTEGRATION OF AUSTRALIAN NAVAL ORANGES

PERFECT AS AN ADDITION TO DESSERTS INCLUDING ICE-CREAM