Monday, November 25, 2013

Special Event - A Sparkling Exploration with Dan Buckle, Domaine Chandon Australia

For our final event of 2013, we are pleased to bring you the opportunity to attend a very special tasting with Dan Buckle, Senior Winemaker at Domaine Chandon Australia which will focus solely on Sparkling wines and Champagne.
Limited places are available at this tasting where we will look at 12 exceptional examples - sparkling wine from Australia and around the world along with varietal groups and subregions of Champagne. 
Our host for the evening, Dan Buckle, joined Domaine Chandon two years ago having previously been the winemaker behind cool climate shiraz favourites Mount Langi Ghiran for eight years. Earlier this year, Dan was the winner of the prestigious Vin de Champagne award, presented by the Champagne Bureau Australia to recognise the best Champagne palates in Australia. 
Since Swirl Sniff Spit's inception, we have received more requests to hold a Champange tasting than for any other style, variety or region, yet we've never had the right opportunity for an event that would do the subject justice. So we are thrilled that Dan will be sharing his exceptional knowledge and hands on experience with us. 
Our venue for this event will be the beautiful and intimate 1889 Enoteca cellar room. Our hosts at 1889 Enoteca have put together a special menu for the event and guests will have the option to order meals which will be served at the conclusion of the tasting.
We look forward to welcoming you to this special event with Dan as our guide.
The list of wines Dan has personally selected for our tasting are listed below
When: Tuesday 3 December, 6pm for 6:30pm
Where: 1889 Enoteca, 10 - 12 Logan Road, Woolloongabba
How: Register online (ticketed event) at https://sparklingexploration.eventbrite.com.au

Bracket 1 - USA

Domaine Carneros by Taittinger Brut Cuvée NV, USA
Mumm Napa Brut Prestige NV,  USA
Roederer Estate Brut NV, USA


Bracket 2 - Australia


Domaine Chandon Cuvée 500
House of Arras Blanc de Blancs 
Yabby Lake Single Vineyard Cuvée Nina 2010


Bracket 3 - Champagne


Pierre Peters Cuvée de Reserve Brut NV 
Billecart-Salmon Blanc de Blancs NV
Ruinart Blanc de Blancs NV


Bracket 4 - Champagne


Andre Clouet Grand Reserve Brut NV
Egly-Ouriet Grand Cru Brut Tradition NV
Bollinger Special Cuvée Brut NV
Veuve Cliquot Ponsardin Vintage

Further information on Dan Buckle:
Meet Domaine Chandon's Dan Buckle (article by Jane Faulkner)



Tuesday, November 19, 2013

Session 29 - You Be The Judge

So Session 29 sees us joined by Queensland wine industry guru Andy Williams. Having plied his trade across both the the South Burnett and Granite Belt wine regions, Andy has a pretty unique insight into the Queensland Wine industry.

Fresh from sitting as Chairman if the Australian Small Winemakers Show, we look forward to Andy taking us through some medal winners. How does the judging work? Did the Judges get it right? You be the judge.

Line up of wines as below. Scores and medals awarded will be discussed within each bracket.


Bracket 1
2013 Robert Channon Pinot Gris @ChannonWines
2013 Robert Channon Verdelho @ChannonWines

Bracket 2 
2012 Mason Wines Chardonnay @GraniteBeltWine
2013 Ballandean Estate Viognier @BallandeanWines
2012 Whiskey Gully Colombard @GraniteBeltWine

Bracket 3
2011 Banca Ridge Temp @GraniteBeltWine
2013 Moonrise Estate Temp @GraniteBeltWine

Bracket 4
2012 Ridgemill Estate Jacquez @GraniteGravels @RidgemillEstate
2012 Ridgemill Estate Merlot @GraniteGravels @RidgemillEstate
2011 Preston Peak Sagrantino @PrestonPeakWine

Bracket 5
2012 Pyramids Road Shiraz @SuePyramidsRoad

2012 Ballandean Estate Saperavi @BallandeanWines