8 minute read
On-Trend
We’ve put together a snapshot of the latest trends, upcoming events and venue openings to keep you up to date with what’s new in the wonderful world of drinks.
BUY: FATTO A MANO
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Italian for ‘hand-made’ Riedel’s newest wine glass range harmonises traditional hand-blown glass techniques with innovative 21st century machine-blown glassmaking. The varietal specific wine bowls are made with an automated glass blowing machine before the expert Tyrolean glass blowers hand-make and attach each coloured stem to the bowls at incredibly hot temperatures. The final product is a chic wineglass with a handcrafted feel and brilliantly colourful aesthetic.
To purchase, go to riedelglass.com.au/riedel/fatto-a-mano
TRY: COCA-COLA PLUS COFFEE
So you’ve hit that mid-afternoon caffeine craving, but it’s way too hot to stomach another coffee? Coca-cola has you covered with the release of Coca-Cola Plus Coffee, a delicious and refreshing blend of sugar free cola and real Brazilian coffee. The drink has been specifically created for the Australian market, with data indicating that coffee is now the second most consumed beverage nationwide. Cola-Cola Plus Coffee is available in all major and independent retailers across the country, and comes in 1.25L bottles, 600ml bottles, 4 x 330ml glass packs, 240ml cans or bottles, 8 x 200ml can packs and 330ml glass variations.
NEW:
RRP: $28.99
Attention fashionistas! Handpicked Wines has joined forces with Australian fashion house Romance Was Born to create a Yarra Valley Rosé. The limited edition rosé is inspired by the brand’s latest collection, Electric Orchid, with its label produced by designers Anna Plunkett and Luke Sales in collaboration with Archibald-winning artist Del Kathryn Barton. The 2017 Handpicked x Romance Was Born Yarra Valley Rosé is made through the unconventional method of marrying pinot noir juice and marsanne skins to create a light, summer style rosé, but with a fuller body and added texture.
As the sought out beer for summer sessions spent playing outdoor cricket or watching the Ashes Series, XXXX GOLD unites the cricketing community. They’ve decided to take this role one step further with the launch of The Goldie, a tech enabled cricket cap that uses iBeacon to detect when other ‘Goldies’ are nearby and let the user known through the XXXX GOLD App. Every time two or more ‘Goldies’ connect, the wearers go into the draw to win a share of 6000 cricket-related prizes, valued at $350,000. The more people you meet up with wearing the hat, the more chances you have to win! It’s that simple! Goldies are available now with specially marked packs of XXXX GOLD.
For more details and to download the app, head to www.xxxx.com.au/cricket/about-the-goldie/about-the-xxxx-goldie
NEW: XXXX GOLD THE GOLDIE
TRY: 4 PINES BREWING COMPANY’S BEFORE, DURING & AFTER CHRISTMAS BEER PACK BROWSE: EMPEROR
RRP: $29.99
Struggling to think of a gift for the beer-lover of the family this Christmas? Feel like you’ve exhausted the standard six-pack? 4 Pines Brewing are spicing up their Christmas gifts this year with their Before, During & After Christmas Beer Pack, featuring the brilliantly bitter Citrus IPA and the lightly zesty Lemon Melon Wit. The Citrus IPA is a strongly bitter, hop-driven beer with faint notes of fresh blood orange, grapefruit and lime. Exclusively available in the gift pack, the Lemon Melon Wit is a unique twist on the traditional Belgian witbier, with the inclusion of watermelon juice and lemon zest.
Available nationally from leading bottle shops. Australia’s Dame of Champagne, Kyla Kirkpatrick, has channelled her wealth of Champagne knowledge into the creation of EMPEROR, an online sales portal offering an extensive range of boutique Champagne brands. The platform stocks approximately 120 Champagne houses currently being imported into Australia, including both the big houses and smaller scale operations, and hopes to expand upon that offering with its own exclusive imports. As well as tasting notes, the website will feature interviews with the winemakers, food pairing suggestions and industry reviews so consumers can make informed decisions.
To browse the collection, visit emperorchampagne.com.au
BUY: GINTONICA AUSTRALIAN GIN ADVENT CALENDAR
RRP: $295
Have a very ‘merry’ Christmas and treat yourself this year to a gin advent calendar. Your standard Chrissie choccies have been replaced with 24 x 50ml tasting bottles of Australian gin, each marked with the name of the producer so you can go ahead and find your favourites in store. As well as that, the calendar comes with tasting notes from the gin brands, a guide to making the perfect cocktail by The Martini Whisperer, a map of 101 Australian and New Zealander gin producers and a description of ten native botanicals.
VISIT: JULIET
Turn up the romance next date night and discover Juliet, Melbourne’s underground wine and cocktail bar. The décor speaks to feminine class, with soft pink touches, luxe Danish chairs and couches, a fireplace and a beautiful hand-blown chandelier that gives the space subtle warmth. The emphasis here is on showing off the efforts of female winemakers, spirit-makers and producers. A tasty menu of small share plates, including a signature raclette that’s melted and shaved at the table, compliments this with a wide range of drinks. Juliet is open from Thursday – Saturday, 5pm till late.
For more information, head to julietmelbourne.com.au
TRY: JOHNNIE WALKER AGED 18 YEARS
RRP: $124.99
Premium whisky brand Johnnie Walker has re-launched its 18-year-old blended scotch whisky. The expression is a decadent combination of up to 18 of the smoothest 18-year-old whiskies from across Scotland. The result is a smooth and complex whisky, with aromas of rich sweet fruits, toffee caramel, vanilla and a touch of smoke. On the palate the blend tastes of dark fruits, malty cereal, smooth creamy vanilla, fragrant almonds and tangerines with a gentle smokiness. The finish is long with notes of dark chocolate, caramelised citrus peel and light smoke.
Johnnie Walker Aged 18 Years is available from all good liquor stores across the country.
NEW: CHANDON X SEAFOLLY
Two of Australia’s most iconic brands, Chandon sparkling wine and Seafolly swimwear, have united to celebrate the joys of summer with the release of two limited edition Chandon x Seafolly Summer Bottles. This season’s Chandon Brut NV is adorned with a design inspired by a stroll along a palm-lined beach, while the Chandon Rosé NV is draped in a fun, pink floral print of bright blooms from a coastal garden. The same designs will feature on Seafolly swimwear, kaftans, beach pillows and trendy cooler bags, so you can keep those bubbles cool in style.
The chic bottles are on sale in selected bars and bottle shops across the country.
MUST TRY:
BLUEBERRY, WHITE CHOCOLATE AND MACADAMIA SMOOTHIE BOWL
Tired of your toast and cereal? MONIN is bringing the excitement back to breakfast with their smoothie bowl. Definitely not one for if you’re counting the calories, but perfect for a weekend treat or a special occasion with friends.
VESSEL: Breakfast bowl
INGREDIENTS: 30ml MONIN Blueberry Fruit mix 150ml Cold milk 2 x Large scoops of vanilla ice cream 1 x 60g Byron Bay White Choc Chunk & Macadamia Nut cookie (reserve some chunks for garnish)
METHOD: Fill the blender with ingredients and blend until smooth
GARNISH: Fresh mint, fresh blueberries and Byron Bay White Choc Chunk & Macadamia Nut cookie chunks.
NOTE: Replace blueberry fruit mix for strawberry, banana, peach, raspberry or mixed berries.
ATTEND: THE JOHN BUTLER TRIO AT LEURA PARK ESTATE
Australia’s favourite blues and roots band, The John Butler Trio, is returning Down Under for an afternoon of chilled tunes at the serene Leura Park Estate in Geelong. Come Sunday 18th March 2018, you could be lying back in the vines, a glass of your favourite drop in hand, listening to relaxed sounds of this internationally renowned artist. Triple J favourite Kim Churchill and balladeers Mama Kin Spender will also join the trio. Sounds utterly delightful? Be sure to snap up a ticket before sold out!
Head on over to www.ticketmaster.com.au to purchase tickets and for further information.
VISIT: IMPALA
As groovy as the band of the same name, Melbourne’s newest nightlife venue is bringing back the style of the 70’s. Decked out with a disco ball, gold leaf tropical wallpaper, and plush leather banquet seating, Impala is the city’s go-to late-night spot for cocktails and funky fresh tunes. The bar menu includes an array of classic and signature cocktails, from sweet to sparkling, as well as an extensive whisky list. The venue, located above renowned seafood restaurant Neptune, is also home to one of Melbourne’s first in-house whisky lockers. Guests have the option to store their own personal bottle of the spirit in a gleaming gold cabinet to indulge in on each visit.
Impala is open from Thursday – Sunday, 6pm till late. For more details go to, impala.melbourne.
BUY: WINNING TASTES GOURMET HAMPERS
This season, give a present that’s sure to be a winner and purchase a Winning Tastes Gourmet Hamper. As the collective brand of The Royal Agricultural Society of Victoria’s (RASV) food and drinks awards, Winning Tastes offers a range of artisanal medal winning products. With the launch of their online store, you can now purchase these food and drinks goods all in one place, in the form of five delightfully festive hampers. There is also the option to add coffee, beer, wine and spirits from medal winners of the Australian International Coffee Awards, Australian International Beer Awards, Australian Distilled Spirits Awards and Royal Melbourne Wine Awards to any hamper.
