Published NZME Regional Newspapers Tue 2 Feb 2016
Hands up if you’re one of the 340-odd thousand people who viewed the clip on YouTube of Australian woman Cheryl Marshall, making her own sparkling wine from a 5ltr cask (or ‘goon bag’ as they say in OZ) of Berri ‘Fresh Dry White’ in her soda stream. If your hands are down – then best you get to your computer pronto because it’s a classic illustration of Aussie ingenuity. Designed as an ‘instructional’ video for her nieces, Cheryl’s clip (which is actually is presumably to show them how to save money via DIY fizz. Cheryl is gold. Her kitchen looks like Kerrigan kitchen on The Castle (such a brilliant movie) and I love that there’s a budgie chirping in the background and Elton John’s ‘Crocodile Rock’ is playing on the wireless. “All ya need to do is feel ya bottle up to the loine weeth woine” she says But the real kicker is that after she’s done pumping CO2 into the plastic bottle of wine, her mate holding the camera is heard muttering “Oi theenk ya moight have feezzed it up a beet much mate”. Then Cheryl says “Oil just let eet settle a beet first”, before pulling out the “here’s one I prepared proiahh” line, opens a half empty bottle of homemade fizz from the fridge and pours it into a glass that looks like an RSA goblet filled to the brim with ice. Beaming she turns to the camera and says, “It’ll cost you only about $17 for a 5Ltr cask of woine and you can make loiters and loiters and loiters and loiters of champayyne! You could put fruit in it, you could even put a beet of cordial in it – bloody beeuwtiful!”
I could watch it over and over again. Just type in “Cheryl Sodastream Champagne” into the YouTube search bar, sit back and prepare to giggle.
Château Rombeau Cuveé Elise Vieilles Vignes 2008 $42.95 ★★★½
Hailing from the Cotes du Rousillon in the south of France, this eight year old blend of syrah, mourvedre and Grenache has a light, gently savoury plum and dried herb character on the nose followed by plush cherry and dark fruit notes in the mouth. So smooth and velvety – it’s dangerously easy to drink and even more risky with roast beef. www.froginabarrel.co.nz
Brancott Estate Letter Series ‘O’ Marlborough Chardonnay 2014 $34 ★★★★★
This wine smells like peach and almond crumble, caramelised citrus and has a delicious blend of spiciness and creaminess to add to its all-round yumminess. There’s a lovely roasty, toasty layer and a buttery injection on the finish. The ‘O’ stands for their Omaka vineyard. But I think the ‘O’ should stand for outrageously-tasty. Love it.
Snapper Rock Hawke’s Bay Merlot Cabernet 2013 $16.95 ★★★★
Well I for one did a little dance after tasting this wine because not only is it bright and berry-stacked on the nose, but it’s loaded with plum, boysenberry and attractive vanilla, spice and smoky notes on the palate. It’s a warm, cuddly, silky and slippery and velvety to drink. AND I can’t believe the price. Crazy-good value for money here. For stockists visit www.snapperrockwines.co.nz
Hãhã Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2015 $15.99 ★★★½
I’ve been trying to recall if there’s ever been a vintage of this wine that I’ve tasted and been less than wowed by. And there isn’t one. This shiny new example has intense lime, feijoa, gooseberry and classic passionfruit flavours abound. It’s juicy, generous and represents really good value for money.
Widely available in supermarkets.
Domain Road Defiance Central Otago Pinot Gris 2015 $25 ★★★★½
Lovers of sweeter pinot gris are sure to go doolally over this honeysuckle-soaked style. Think nectarine, nashi pear, mandarin and the pungent tang of quince, make this Bannockburn-grown gris downright gorgeous. Superb with your next chicken tikka marsala. www.domainroad.co.nz
