Make that three!

When he consulted a cardiologist about his angina, Malcolm Smith was told to drink three glasses of red wine daily. Forget about the wowsers who want you to drink just two small glasses of low alcohol wine. You should get stuck into some Malbec or better still some Tannat.

The article appeared in the UK Guardian here

The advice depends on the work of researcher Roger Corder who has published a nice book on the red wine diet.


Order this book and read why Tannat is good for your heart

Rhubarb and white port

White Port is an interesting style. It fits a niche rather more similar to that of a botrytis affected white than a true port. I had a bottle of white port last week courtesy of Dave Lowe at Snowy Vineyards. His White port is made with the unusual Siegerrebe variety. It's a German variety known for its ability to develop very high sugar levels.

This port had a wonderful depth of flavour, but with a dry finish. We drank it with a rhubarb based desert. The wine needs to have some oomph to complement the sharpness of the rhubarb. this was a perfect match.


See a rhubarb recipe here

Organic wine sale

With wine being such a gloriously natural product, it is logical that it should be one of the first to embrace more natural methods.



Organic wines have some powerful advantages over conventional wines. They even facilitate deep sleep, as the lady above can testify.

Seriously, winemakers are taking more care about their production methods these days. Some are Biodynamic and many are either certified organic or "in transition" Our freinds in the wine warehouse have sourced a few of the better organic and preservative free wines and are offering them as weekly specials.

Click the lady above(gently or you will wake her) for details

Mornington Peninsula

The Peninsula is just a short drive down the road from Melbourne. The scenery is spectacular and there are plenty of vinous treasures to be found. There are over a hundred wineries on the Peninsula and about half are using one or more alternative varieties - maily pinot gris.

If you a planning a trip, and spring is a great time to visit, check out Vinodiversity's page about the Mornington Peninsula.

A useful tool to enhance your wine touring is the Cellar Door Pass. For just $99 you get a regional map and DVD, six bottles of wine of your choice, valued up to a total of $150, and more benefits. You can even get free shipping back to an Australian Address for your wine.

Food with wine or wine with food

Do you match wine with food or pick a wine and then select a food match? Most books and advice are based on the assumption that you choose the food first.

I like to do it the other way around. I spend time resaerching a recipe for a wine I am planning to enjoy.

Have a look at some of these food suggestions to go with wine.

What do you do? Leave a comment.

Perfect Match Lunches

The Granite Belt wine region doesn't do things by halves. They run a wine Fetival for SIX WEEKS! -from 28 Sep 07 To 11 Nov 07

For example during the Spring Wine Festival Season you can enjoy a delicious degustation experience every Sunday at the Cooks, Gluttons & Gourmets restaurant.

A four course lunch with matching wines from top Granite Belt producers, featuring a different winery each week, with an opportunity to meet the winemaker!

Bookings are essential and special designated driver's packages are available.


30th September Mason Wines
7th October Boireann
14th October Rooklyn
21st October Hidden Creek and Back Pocket Wines
28th October Ridgemill Estate
4th November Ravens Croft Wines
11th November Symphony Hill

More stuff about the Festival

We are now listed in the Food Blog Directory

Just thought I'd let you know!
• Food Blog Directory