Imbibe Christmas

VINTAGE 2012

Wine
cheaper than
Botox and
paralyses
more
muscles.

N O V E M B E R

2 0 1 2

November is typically the period of flowering with small

flower clusters appearing on the tips of the young shoots.
Pollination and fertilisation takes place resulting in a grape
berry. This is also the time of
fruit set, when the berries start to form on the vines. So
far the rainfall has been minimal and the temperature in our
vineyard has hit the high 30s. Our dams are full and if we
have a dry summer we can run the micro-drippers so that
we can have good canopy development. So fingers crossed,
no walking under ladders and avoid the black cats.
Cheers.

YOUR WINE GLASS...DOES SIZE AND SHAPE MATTER?

Wine glasses come in all shapes and sizes and there are 3 basic types,
Red, White and Sparkling.
Sparkling glasses (flutes) are tall and thin because the flutes are
designed to encourage carbonated bubbles to remain active in the glass.
If shorter fatter glasses are used its exposed to more air causing it to go
flat very quickly. White wine glasses are tulip shaped, medium sized
and hold around 230-400ml. They are more U shaped and upright with
the rim tapered in directing the wines aroma to the nose, greatly
enhancing the wines flavour for the drinker.
Red wine glasses are slightly larger (up to 500ml). The complex flavours
and aromas require a larger surface area. This allows the wine to come
in contact with more air. The glass should be more round with a lager
opening so you can dip your nose into the glass and detect the aromas
and flavours of the wine.
The Hunter Valley Resort Pty
Ltd
ABN 89003384307
Hermitage Road
Pokolbin NSW 2320
P: 02 49987777
F: 02 49987787
wines@HunterResort.com.au

Merry Christmas from The Cellar Door Team

Whites

San Martino Verdelho 2011

Thomas O.C Semillon 2012

Picked from the Broke Fordwich region

Situated on the sandy loam flats of

these verdelho vines are some of the

the Oakey Creek Road vineyard.

oldest in Australia. Picked in two

These vines were planted in 1999 and

batches one early giving it a green

are already starting to show some

apple flavor and the next batch leaves

real potential. The roots from these

the wine with a tropical fruit finish.

vines are just starting to dip their

Food match with chicken Caesar or

toes into the sandy loam, this giving

salmon salad. Drink within 5 years.

the

wine

mineral

and

citrus

characters. Food match with oysters

and B.B.Q prawns.

Little Wine Co Traminer

San Martino Chardonnay 2011

This is a dangerously drinkable wine. It

This particular vintage has gone back

is very complex on the nose with

to the traditional method of wine

aromas of Turkish delight, rose water

making. Its been basket pressed and

and musk.

On the pallet it has

barrel fermented, then stored in new

passion fruit and pineapple character. I

and used French oak for 6months. It

found this wine matches beautifully

displays stone fruit, peach and just a

with a thai beef salad. Drink within the

hint of burnt matchstick. It goes well

next two years.

with ant light meats. Chicken veal or

pork. Drink within 2yrs

Convicts & Catholics Verdelho

Thomas S.S.B 2012

This is perfect example of why some

This is a blend that Andrew does

of the best verdelho in the country is

every year and each year is very

grown and in the Hunter. It has plenty

different. The Semillon adds some

of complex flavours. Tropical fruit up

structure and back bone to the wine,

the mid pallet and citrus flavors up the

with crisp citrus character, whilst the

sides of the mouth. Matches with

Sauv Blanc has a nice fruit character

shellfish and chicken. Enjoy within the

through the mid pallet. Enjoy with

next few years.

good

company

and

platter. Drink soon.

an

antipasto

Reds

Crisford Wines. Cabernet franc and

Merlot 2005

Convicts and Catholics Shiraz 2010.

This wine is made in a style the same as

This is a contrasting style of Shiraz with

the great region of Bordeaux. Its

a medium bodied fruit driven pallet

showing aged characteristics of leather

while

and truffle. It still has plenty of fruit

Shiraz character. Berries and cigar box

character on the mid pallet. Drinking

on the nose and pallet. Cellar up to 10

beautifully now or with a bit of will

years. Food match with duck or any

power lay it down for another 3 years.

thing fatty

retaining

the

unique

Hunter

Matches with spicy Asian food.

San Martino Shiraz 2011

2011 was a fantastic year for the
hunter.

This Shiraz comes from the 45

year vines situated in Pokolbin. These

old vines are producing only 1 tonne per
acre. The small concentrated berries
intense fruit flavour and strong tannins.
Has a cellaring potential for 12-15 years.
Excellent with any lamb dish.

Margan Wines 2011 Cabernet

Sauvignon

Polin Rose 2012

This wine is very similar to the rose I have
tried from the Bordeaux region. It has
strawberry and cream on the nose and the
front of the pallet. I was quite surprised to
find that this wine actually finishes dry.
Matches well with any tomato base pasta
on its own. Enjoy now.

Little Wine Company

Sangiovese 2011

The fruit from these vines come from

This varietal originated from Tuscany

the famous old Saxonvale Vineyards in

and is used in Chianti (around 80%. The

Broke Fordwich, planted in 1971. A

other varietal used is Barbera). This

fuller bodied wine that Has mixed

wine has soft berry character in the

berry, cassis and a little chocolate on

mid pallet and fine tannins to give it a

the palate. Goes well with beef or a

soft finnish. Matches well with duck or

sweaty cheddar. Cellaring potential for

roast mushroom & fetta. Cellar for 5-7

5-7 years.

years.

Verdelho is a grape variety

Verdelho

Dont be too quick to judge. Verdelho has long struggled for popularity behind Semillon in the
Hunter Valley but many are now coming to realise that a well-crafted Verdelho can indeed be a
delicious fresh and vibrant wine with a beautiful balanced palate of fruit and a luscious textured
finish.
Verdelho is not a newcomer to the region. In fact, Verdelho has been grown in the Hunter since
the 1820s with both the Lindemans and Tyrell families planting a significant number of vines
during the late 1800s.
The variety is well suited to the Hunters warm, humid climate which coincidentally is very
similar to the coastal regions of Portugal where the variety originated. Interestingly, the variety
is used by Portuguese winemakers predominantly for making Madeira a sweet, fortified wine.
The current Imbibe mixed pack includes the San Martino Verdelho. We are extremely proud of
this wine as it has been hand crafted to our specifications by Andrew Margan of Margan Family
Winegrowers using premium quality estate grown fruit. The grapes were picked in two batches
from the same vineyard. The first batch was picked slightly less ripe with green apple characters
and the second batch riper with tropical fruit characters. The wine was then bottled early to seal
the fresh character of the wine.
Please try it. Were sure youll like it.
Chefs Recipe Spicy Thai Soup
Ingredients:
4l fresh chicken or fish stock
5 stalks of lemongrass, trimmed
25 slices of galangal, crushed
10-15 Kaffir lime leaves crushed in your hands
50gms of chilli paste
100mls of lime juice
10 Green bird eyes chillis, chopped
50gms of palm sugar
100mls fish sauce
1 bunch of coarsely chopped coriander
30 Oyster mushrooms sliced in half
Method:
1. Heat the stock in a pot until boiling
2. Add the lemongrass, galangal, lime leaves and chilli paste
3. Season to taste with lime juice, chillies, palm sugar and fish sauce the soup should be sour
but balanced and fiery hot. Cook out to allow full favour to develop
4. Add prawn wontons, coriander and mushrooms. Simmer for 5 minutes
Prawn Dumplings
Ingredients:
100gms pork mince
100gms green prawn meat
10gms coriander
10gms ginger
5gms garlic
10mls fish sauce
50gms carrot
20gms shallot
20gms cornflour
20mls water
Wonton wrappers
Method:
1. Dice prawn meat, dice shallots
2. Finely dice ginger, garlic & coriander
3. Finely grate carrot
4. Combine pork mince, prawns, carrots, ginger, garlic, chilli, coriander, fish sauce.
5. Mix corn flour and water brush wonton wrappers with corn flour mixture add a teaspoon of
the mixture in center and bunch in middle to resemble a money bag.

For reservations, please go to www.hunterresort.com.au

or call one of our friendly reservation team on 02 49987777
Remember to mention you are an Imbibe Member to receive
your special 10% discount on the above packages...

For reservations, please go to www.hunterresort.com.au

or call one of our friendly reservation team on 02 49987777
Remember to mention you are an Imbibe Member to receive
your special 10% discount on the above packages...

For reservations, please go to www.hunterresort.com.au

or call one of our friendly reservation team on 02 49987777
Remember to mention you are an Imbibe Member to receive
your special 10% discount on the above packages...

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