Hong Kong is awash with the trademark red and green of Christmas, and if you haven’t come across the family friendly installations in Landmark Atrium and Pacific Place, the countless decoration stalls on Pottinger Street, the neon Xmas glow emanating from the HSBC building or the appearance of themed in-store supermarket displays since early November, then you should stop reading this and take a look around…
But then you should take the time for a tipple - immediately after all this excitement, and on Christmas Day - with friends, family and a feast fit for kings.
We all indulge a little this time of year, some enjoy tearing open wrapping paper like an over-excited child, and others splurge on advent calendar chocolates but once the taste of beer from your work Christmas party has washed away, a beautiful pairing of wine with your lunch will really have you feeling like you have found true Christmas indulgence. So, here is what wine you’ll need whatever you decide to eat this silly season.
When thinking about Christmas lunch seafood is not the first fare that comes to mind, however over time has become a delicious addition. Oysters and prawns are a great hors d’oeuvre or starter, while salmon and whiting find their way on the table as a main. Sparkling wine can be logical a partner here and give a bubbly start to sipping, but with the melon and tropical fruit flavours balanced with medium acidity, a pinot grigio will be the complimentary light option to enjoy. Similarly, a rosé with its prominent berry notes can be another fresh, light option that will make you wish you were feasting from the sea all afternoon.
In Victorian era Britain the king of the table was roast goose and there certainly would’ve been a table wine to match, but today most tables around the world honour a glazed ham, roast pork and roast turkey which makes our job easier than the sommeliers of Iceland trying to match roast puffin, reindeer & fermented fish. Thankfully, the roasted white meats you’ll enjoy lend themselves to anything from a full-bodied chardonnay or vermentino through to pinot noir and merlot, but for mix a of grapes that adds the dried and black fruit flavours that will excite the palate, a blend of grenache, shiraz and mourvè
After stuffing yourself full of rich offerings, its time to dive into the soft, sweet and savoury textures and hopefully pluck out a thruppence for good luck in the New Year. To start, perhaps a plum pudding with custard, a pavlova or just a dollop of ice cream followed with a mince pie or three, some brie, gruyere and blue cheese with water crackers, finished off nicely with a fruit platter and a nap on the couch. While you are still attempting to quaff the remaining GSM before your brother-in-law beats you to it, it’s time to consider a switch up that will best stabilise these finishing flavours. While a muscat is the sweet, dark, nutty fortified that is best slowly sipped, a moscato will be the lower alcohol aperitif that will precisely match and endure with your Christmas spirit well into the evening.
From the team at Wine Brothers we wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas. We hope you enjoy your day and your wine, and, remember we have your options covered whatever your decide this Christmas.
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1 Winemaker. 3 Nights. 4 Events. 5 Wines. 150 Guests. 180 Bottles Consumed.
What an effort!
The Five O'Clock Somewhere Project made a splash in Hong Kong. Winemaker and 5OS ambassador Lucas Armstrong played host as we proudly put on 4 events in three nights.
]]>1 Winemaker. 3 Nights. 4 Events. 5 Wines. 150 Guests. 180 Bottles Consumed.
What an effort!
Winemaker and 5OS ambassador Lucas Armstrong played host as we proudly put on 4 events in three nights. It was a great opportunity for our loyal tribe of followers to meet one of the winemakers behind 5OS.
5OS are leaders in the small batch wine game in Australia and the passion was evident through Lucas' in-depth explanation of what defines the 5OS movement.
The 5OS project, through an array of talented winemakers that call it home, are forging a new path for Australian wine, and creating an ever-brightening spotlight on small batch winemaking and the positive yet disruptive effect it can have. This is the front line of modern winemaking.
Over the 4 events, we were treated to a mere snapshot of The 5OS Project, five wines (over five courses). Five unique and interesting wines. Five wines that are carrying with them stories of people, of passion and art. Lucas was adamant about not making our tribe wine critic’s, and not being here to award trophy’s or points, but being here in Hong Kong to enlighten, being here to push your boundaries.
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What happens when great minds think alike? Really great things. Bigger things. Cooler things. Awesome-er things. A wine festival, a wine celebration, a wine party - call it what you will. This is how wine should be tasted. Great friends and quality product sans bullshit. True Wine Brothers style.
We at Wine Brothers could are super prouder to be partnering with an eclectic array of Hong Kong's coolest Wine Importers (self-appointed) to bring you the first VINsurrection. A cracking portfolio of some of the globes most exciting and dynamic wines will be on display - all for your drinking pleasure.
Secure your tickets HERE. For only $180 HKD you could be wine tasting yourself around the globe and back!
Trade and press session - 2.00 - 5.30pm
Consumer session - 6.30pm - late
]]>1. “Top notch wine shouldn’t cost a fortune”.
Yet for some reason in Hong Kong, it seems to. Cue Wine Brothers, who have directly sourced Hugh’s wines taking out all middlemen, and more importantly, keeping the wine priced for your drinking pleasure. Bottles bought in packs of six range from $160 per bottle to $230 per bottle.
2. Delivered to your door the very next day (with a cheeky discount for the month of June) .
WineBrothers.com.hk is launching Hugh’s wine in Hong Kong, and launching it with a bang. After 2 sold out wine dinners, we are now opening the full catalogue up to the value deprived drinkers (that’s you) of Hong Kong.
3.“With age comes wisdom…".
180 years old, in fact. The Hamilton family have been making wine since 1837 and can put a claim to being one of Australia’s oldest winemaking family. (Note for those playing at home; while we cannot confirm how old Hugh himself is, he was not born in 1837).
4.The Sheep. They are everywhere.
Every one of Hugh’s wines is named after a quirky sheep character, mostly after people in his life. The real mystery - he has never revealed who the characters actually represent. ‘The Drama Queen’? Rumour has it his daughter (Holly) and wife (Pam) can both lay claim to this. Which one are you? Rascal? Trickster? Mongrel? The only way to find out is to try each of these wines… many times.
5. The Black Sheep. Every family has one.
Hugh is the Black Sheep of his family. He was born into winemaking royalty yet has gone his own way, gone rogue in a way. He answers to nobody. Hugh has created his wines and legendary reputation based on his own hard work, his detailed knowledge of grape growing and wine making and his own love of drinking the good stuff.
6. "McLaren Vale makes the best Shiraz in the world”.
Indisputable opinion. Arguable fact. We could talk climate, we could talk soil, we could talk geology. Instead, let’s let the wine do the talking.
7. Independent and Anti-establishment.
See any of Hugh’s wines in the local supermarket? Nope See it advertised at the warehouse-sized wine shop? Never. Hugh prides himself on making his wines with passion and with style, and most importantly, directly for his flock (sheep gag - rofl) of followers. Almost all of his wine is sold directly through his cellar door or delivered to the grateful homes of his wine club members. In Hong Kong, you will only find it available through the Wine Brothers.
8. Saperavi. Heard of it? Not many have.
A Georgian variety and a bloody ancient one at that - if I remember my days in Sunday School correctly then I believe it was the wine they were all drinking in biblical times (note; this claim cannot be verified as the editor has a questionable attendance record at Sunday School). A dark, alluring wine that adds depth and character. Hugh was the first in Australia to plant Saperavi in his McLaren Vale vineyard and remains a staunch supporter of this boutique variety. His ‘Black Ops’ is a blend of Shiraz (85%) and Seperavi (15%). Grab it while it's hot: CLICK HERE
9. You can buy a mixed 6-Pack so you can sample all four of Hugh’s wines currently in Hong Kong.
10. WineBrothers.com.hk is offering $100HKD off your first “Hugh Hamilton” purchase.
Delivered directly to your door. For once in your life, be a sheep, follow the flock. Use the discount code ‘WelcomeHugh’ at checkout. CLICK HERE to see the full collection
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Along with an abundance of wine, chocolate is one of the great distractions at Wine Brothers HQ. Wine and chocolate have a lot of similarities to each other. For one, they’re both considered aphrodisiacs and they both contain flavanols (antioxidants) - in lamens terms, that means they are good for us. We are off to cracking start here....
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Along with an abundance of wine, chocolate is one of the great distractions at Wine Brothers HQ. Wine and chocolate have a lot of similarities to each other. For one, they’re both considered aphrodisiacs and they both contain flavanols (antioxidants) - in lamens terms, that means they are good for us. We are off to cracking start here....
Despite these striking similarities, it’s somewhat challenging to pair wine and chocolate together. For example, if you taste a delicious glass of dry red wine alongside a hunk of dark chocolate, the wine will start to taste bitter and sour. The taste imbalance is coming from the heightened levels of flavanols (different types of tannin) found in both chocolate and wine that end up clashing against each other on your tongue. Booooo.
Fortunately, there several wines that make great pairings with chocolate and they are amazing! Here are many wine and chocolate pairings–along with why they work–so you can experiment and create your own.
Let's take you on a journey of discovery as we make two of the greatest things in the world even better. Possible. Very Possible. Thank us later.
Milk Chocolate
A good milk chocolate is usually about half chocolate and half cream–like those amazing ganache chocolate truffles dusted in cocoa powder. The extra fat from the cream makes milk chocolate one of the easiest “true” chocolates to pair with wine.
Dark Chocolate
The polyphenols in dark chocolate mirror those in wine and give both a somewhat bitter taste. It’s also the part of the chocolate that gives you all the health benefits! The bitterness in dark chocolate is what we’ll want to balance out with a properly selected wine pairing.
White Chocolate
White chocolate isn’t technically a “true” chocolate because it doesn’t contain cacao (the brown part with all the flavanols), but it ends up being one of the few chocolate-like sweets that will match with dry red wine! Woohoo!
The idea of a beautiful glass of Cabernet Sauvignon with a nice piece of dark chocolate sounds marvellous, but when you put the two components together in your mouth it usually makes the wine taste gross. There are a few exceptions to this:
Since chocolate isn’t always a solo item, here are a few recommended pairings for flavoured chocolates to inspire you:
The best thing you can do is to start thinking of wine as an ingredient. When you break wine into its basic tastes and subtle characteristics you’ll find affinities to different foods. The goal of a great wine pairing is to balance the tastes (sweet, sour, bitter, salty, etc) in the food and wine so that the subtle flavours can beautifully emerge.
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Pairing with Ham
Try these wines: Riesling, or Pinot Noir
What you're looking for in your wine:
A light to medium body - nothing that is going to overwhelm the little piggy. For the white lovers, keep it simple; a pinch of acidity, a touch of fruit and an abundance of freshness. The acidity makes for a classic counterweight to the saltiness and richness of the ham. In the red corner, focus on less tannic with a bit of personality.
2016 Long Yarn Riesling at $130 per bottle
2015 Long Yarn Pinot Noir at $160 per bottle
Pairing with Lamb
Try this wine: Shiraz
What you're looking for in your wine:
Red meat. Australian Red Wine (aka Shiraz). End of.
The first port of call (naturally) is Australia’s most famous red variety, Shiraz. Aussie Shiraz oozes class - think bold, fruity aromatics - think dark, elusive colour - think rich and spicy pallet. Tick!
A medium-to-full bodied wine with a healthy set of balanced tannins will make for the perfect pairing!
Whether you're serving a big rack of lamb, a solid lamb roast or even just a leg of lamb, you can't go wrong with a Shiraz!
2015 Long Yard Shiraz at $150 per bottle
2014 Loom SV Shiraz at $195 per bottle
Pairing with Fatty Fish
Try this wine: Chardonnay
What you're looking for in your wine:
Medium to full-bodied whites for rich salmon.
A classic pairing - fish and white wine. With a fattier fish, it is important to have a white wine that can hold it’s own, and finding this can often be a challenge. Chardonnay is the world's most widely grown white grape, meaning there is a large spectrum of flavour profiles in circulation, particularly when we start talking about the use of oak. Oak is not the enemy - oak should be the friend of any skilled winemaker (when used correctly).
Balanced oak. Oak that is used to enhance the flavour profile and body of a quality wine. Oak that compliments rather than overpowers. When oak is combined with top-class fruit and an inspired winemaker, Chardonnay can be an absolute treat.
2015 ESS&SEE Chardonnay at $170 per bottle
Pairing with Vegetables
Try these wines: Sauvignon Blanc, Merlot
What you're looking for in your wine:
Veggies can come in all forms, with such a diverse range of cooking methods.
If your veggie dish is a little lighter, try a Sauvignon Blanc, a wine that tends to pair well with a variety of foods.
If you are cracking on with some roast veggies, a medium-bodied red is your answer. A smooth, balanced Merlot will go down a treat.
2015 Long Yarn Sauvignon Blanc at $140 per bottle
2013 5OS Merlot at $185 per bottle
Bubbles for Brunch
Try this wine: Sparkling Shiraz
What you're looking for in your wine: A bit of excitement, a bit of a party starter, and a bit of spark in your life!
There is no better way to get in a celebratory mood than to pop the cork on some bubbles. Don’t always think sparkling should come in the form of white… Sparkling red can match it with the best. Not only will this get the party started, it's also a fabulous wine to finish on.
NV Long Yarn Sparkling Shiraz at $185 per bottle
Chocolate
Stay tuned….
‘Beat the Bunny - 5 badass Wine and Chocolate pairings’. Coming this Easter Friday!
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Day 1. Western Australia. Perth. To some, it is a thriving outpost far, far away from the hustle and bustle of the finance-oriented east coast. To others it is the heart of Australia’s real workhorse and money spinner, the mining industry. Either way, Perth as a city offers an approachable and relaxed culture. The people are blessed with a California-like climate that oozes dry and lasting sunshine (cue 9pm sunsets), some of Australia’s best beaches and an abundance of fertile land to the North and South. Combine these enviable factors with a thriving food and beverage scene and you have yourself a belter of a city.
After a morning of meetings and positive discussions in Perth, we head down to where the magic happens - 2 hours south of Perth. On the way down to Margaret River we stop in at Mazza Wines just outside Donnybrooks where David and Anne are expecting us. As we drive up the 1km gravel driveway towards the house the western sunset is creeping through the tallest of gum tree’s that surround the 2-hectare vineyard. David is up in the veggie patch (not slang for the vineyard, a genuine veggie patch about four times the size of the average Hong Kong apartment) with his two young children - for them, the current crop of cucumbers and roma tomato’s they are going to sell at the farmer’s market is far more important than the stuff dad grows on surrounding vines. David greets us with excitement and takes us, with the kids in tow for expert commentary, for a grand tour… of the veggie patch. The kids love it. It’s theirs and there is nothing more important. Refreshing and genuine.
Ann greets us with a bottle of Rosé (Mazza’s finest, of course) and it’s time to look around their impressive property. David is a passionate man, a man that takes an enormous amount of pride in the vineyard that he hand planted back in 2002 - he oozes excitement as he walks us through each of his six Spanish and Portuguese varieties. Yep, you read right, 100% Spanish and Portuguese varieties. This is a not a trial block in front of the house to show the visitors, or some marketing gimmick to get people interested in the more traditional varieties of Margaret River in Chard, SSB or Cab Sav - all David and Ann grow is Spanish and Portuguese varieties. When quizzed on the rational behind this bold, bold experiment both Anne and David talk of their time living in Europe together; their time backpacking as individuals in their formative years; their time falling in love with the Spanish countryside, people and wine; and most importantly their desire to see these impressive varieties thrive in David’s native Donnybrook region. Without going deep into Wine Wanker territory, the diversity of soil on the property is something to behold - from a shallow clay at the base of the hill, to a deep, rich chocolate base that rises to the top of the eastern facing vineyard. His unique block offers the perfect test bed for experimentation from a varietal and terroir point of view - it is no wonder that he has the CSIRO listed as the most frequent visitor, along with a number of unnamed yet high profile local producers.
David’s excitement levels (and mine) nearly reach fever pitch as we head inside to crack a few bottles. Ann fires up the BBQ while David and I debate which of his eight currently available collections of vintages and varieties we should try - we decide on all eight. Dinner is set. Pork Chops and salad on the veranda. This was a treat, a real treat.
Onto the wines. They were exceptional. Whilst I had my favourites (David refused to name his own, I get the impression he would sooner pick a favourite child than wine), to accept all eight into our eclectic array at Wine Brothers HQ would not be hard. If we are talking specific’s then let’s talk about a 2015 Touriga - hand picked, 240 cases only - my favourite. Think dark berries, think toffee like aromatics, think smooth and lasting finish. A bloody good looking wine in the glass with deep, alluring and bold red colour. If we want to go further into the small batch side of things then let’s talk about the 2011 Tinta Cao. Anyone else had one of these out of Australia? I thought not. Dave is the only one to produce an unblended Tinta in Australia. 45 Cases only made. A learning experience for me, and a truly memorable moment getting it served by the man bold enough to initiate the (successful) experiment himself. Over the next few hours we sat on the front porch and solved (most) of the world’s problems - whilst we made progress the dull roar of our conversation was enough to put the once energetic young veggie farmers to sleep. Tonight was a great chance to get to know some of the most passionate and enthusiastic small batch producers. Small batch production is not a side project for David and Ann, it is a life choice, and a choice they have embraced with unrivalled enthusiasm and passion.
Maybe our eager wine club members will able to extract his favourite when David presents his wines to our small batch loves later this year in Hong Kong… Watch this space.
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Let’s start off with some cold, hard facts.
AUSTRALIA DAY in Hong Kong is not a big thing (yet).
There is no beach. It's not bloody warm. Triple J is not on the wireless. And I do not see an ambulance of Ford Falcons driving around with Clarke Rubber Aussie flags on the bonnet. The whole set-up is a few tinnies short of a slab.......
]]>AUSTRALIA DAY in Hong Kong is not a big thing (yet).
There is no beach. It's not bloody warm. Triple J is not on the wireless. And I do not see an ambulance of Ford Falcons driving around with Clarke Rubber Aussie flags on the bonnet. The whole set-up is a few tinnies short of a slab.
So, the Wine Brothers crew are here to make your life better. Check out our Top 6 Australia Day Tips (note - most of them aren’t on Australia Day).
THE HOTTEST 100 GOES INTERNATIONAL - IT'S ALL TO EASY....
The wireless was a masterpiece of its time. It is now as relevant as Warwick Capper running for mayor of the Gold Coast in a pair of gold speedos (editorial notes: highly irrelevant). With the inter-webs now taking over the world you can tune into the JJJ’s live and get the full Hottest 100 in all it’s hipster glory. i-Phone, Laptop, Discman (no, not Discman), Smart TV - they can all become your wireless for the day and take you back to the sweet sweet sound of Australia Day.
HAVE A RANDOM BUSH BBQ
It’s not warm outside - don’t worry about it. Have a BBQ - there are plenty of spots in Hong Kong. In fact, the Leisure and Culture Department lists over 50 individual BBQ pit sites. Just get out there and chuck a shrimp on the barbie (#SaidNoAussieEver). The legends at Localiiz HK have put together a cracking list (CLICK HERE). If you are in need of some premium Aussie meat, look no further than our friends at Farmers Market (CLICK HERE). Use ‘Winebrothers’ at checkout for a 10% discount - winning! And you know where to get the wine.
LIVE MUSIC FROM SOME HOME-GROWN AMATEURS
Ever sit there wondering what happened to Anthony Callea from Australian Idol? Neither do I. On a side note, his doppelgänger (the extremely talented Justin Barbaro) leads a motley crew of reasonably excitable musicians right here in Hong Kong - and they are performing on Australia Day itself (26th of January for those half way through the article and still wondering what is going on). ‘The Benchwarmers’, as they are affectionately known, will be performing Aussie classics from 6pm at Rula Bula in LKF. Expect Khe Sanh and Still Call Australia Home to be on repeat. Doors open at 4pm and multiple drinks specials will be available all night. CLICK HERE for details
BUSINESS AND NETWORKING
It would be unaustralian to work on Australia Day. Luckily, this beauty of an event is on Friday 20th - almost an Australia Day preview. Sit down for a remarkable lunch to celebrate Australia Day with Holly Ransom, the Youngest ‘Australia’s 100 Most Influential Women’. There is a good chance that listening to young Aussie influencers (like Holly) will lead us all in the right direction. This event is hosted by the Australian Chamber of Commerce at the Island Shangri-La - definitely worth a look! CLICK HERE for more details
GET TO SAUSAGE SIZZLE
Nothing oozes Australian culture like a snag on the barbie out the front of Bunnings on a Saturday arvo. There is no Bunnings here in Hong Kong, and this event is on a Sunday, but this good old fashioned Sausage Sizzle will give you a taste of home. With a name like the “Hong Kong Sizzle Association’s Inaugural Sausage Sizzle” you are bound to find what you are looking for (if that is a sausage sizzle). CLICK HERE for all the important details
WATCH THIS AD
Apart from the Carlton Draught Ad where thousands of blokes ran around with beer chanting ‘it’s a big ad’ (how bloody good was that ad - unbeatable), nobody has ever enjoyed watching TV adverts. Until now. A bit of history, a bit of humour. Every year we get a different Lamb based ad, this year has gone next level - in a big way - What an ad! Get online and watch this ad ASAP. The 2017 Lamb Advert -Australia Day. CLICK HERE
Above all else. Enjoy yourself (preferably with a glass of direct-sourced, small batch Australia wine)
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Dylan Alcott OAM, is an extraordinary man and dual sport Paralympic champion. At the Beijing Paralympics, he became the youngest ever wheelchair basketball gold medalist. In 2016, competing in Rio, Dylan won gold in both wheelchair tennis singles and doubles competitions, placing him in an elite category of being a gold Paralympic medalist in more than one sport.
Dylan’s true passion however is his work as a motivational speaker, and through his inspirational storytelling, Dylan is continually trying to alter the way people with disabilities are perceived in the wider community. Dylan has a remarkable story which he is excited to share with Hong Kong and the wider community, with proceeds raised from the talk going towards men's health charity, The Movember Foundation. A truly special event!
Outside Dylan's sporting commitments he is a professional motivational speaker and media personality. He has kindly donated his time to this event.
Want a preview of what Dylan has to offer? CLICK HERE
Registration: HKD100 – all proceeds will go towards The Movember Founder
Tuesday 18th October
6.30pm – 8.30pm
LinkedIn Hong Kong Office. 38th Floor, Hysan Place 500 Hennessy Road, Causeway Bay,. Hong Kong
Cash Bar – Proceeds will go towards The Movember Foundation
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It’s hard to believe that our baby, Wine Brothers, was born six months ago, however like all new parents we have been nurturing it every step of the way. It’s been exposed to the big, wild world of Hong Kong and we are delighted with the response so far. Like all parents, we are incredibly proud of our brainchild and are extremely excited to share as much as we can with our loyal, early adopters of the concept that is direct-sourced, small batch Australian wine.
So, what’s new in the third quarter you ask…
Wine Brothers is excited to announce some new arrivals to join our already popular small batch Australian boutique wines. Welcome to the age of pushing the Boundaries of Convention…we consider this the next developmental phase for our baby, the period of “adolescence” if you will. We have passed the teething stages and are embracing the growth and experimental nature of the Wine Brothers teen. In a market place that is full of the same old, boring and mundane wine you are all too familiar with, Wine Brothers provides a youthful energy and experimental attitude that will lure you in.
Like a teenager going off to prom, one can look the part dressed in a suit and tie, but when we let our hair down something very interesting happens. Wine Brothers is about to show you a new way of viewing wine from a shifted perspective. You will be left to consider the meaning of the bottle and its contents, just like viewing a quirky and intriguing piece of artwork.
Our favourite winemaker from Australia, the great Steve Grimley, has done a sensational job in finding the right artist to bring us some very unique and somewhat unconventional label designs to enhance the Wine Brothers existing collection. Our favourite without a doubt is the dark mystique Black Bunny Shiraz, a throwback to the fifties and sixties. An era when boundaries and norms were challenged and certainly not something to conform with. Wine Brothers envisage that as you open this wine around the dinner table you will notice a shift in the focal point of conversation, firstly, to the design of the bottle then to the wine itself. We’re ok with that.
The intriguing and unique designs also feature on the 5OS Nero Blend. The 5OS Nero is no plain jane wine, so it is fitting that a seductive, oriental-styled lady reclining with two doves be the first image of this tantalizing wine. What could be more appropriately inappropriate in the land of Hong Kong?
At Wine Brothers we go to great lengths to tell you about our differences. That’s not to say we don’t respect and value the classic characteristics that built this great industry, however we will continue to push the boundaries and celebrate our differences. We love everything these creative designs bring… Oh and the wine tastes bloody good too. Enjoy!
]]>After an extensive search, we teamed up with talented graphic designer Arnaud Le Deveht. The Frenchman (who resides in Hong Kong) displayed an impressive portfolio of work, had travelled to Australia, and has a passion for wine: a perfect fit!
Over the course of 72 emails, a few coffee meetings and countless bottles of red, Arnaud was able to get a feel for what the soon to be name 'Wine Brothers' concept was about, what we stood for and how we wanted to be perceived.
Stay tuned for more to come....
]]>After a 8 hour flight from the overwhelming humidity of Hong Kong's summer we touch down in the city of churches, Adelaide. Our search for quality small batch wines has landed us in the state of South Australia, the state responsible for more than 50% of Australia's total wine production. Following a 45 minute drive south from the International Airport we depart the urban sprawl to be greeted by an open landscape; coastline and ocean to our right, vineyards and hills to our left. We are in McLaren Vale.
We have been lured to McLaren Vale Winemakers, a co-op style boutique winery, by founder Steve Grimley. Steve takes the time to explain the distinctive concept of McLaren Vale Winemakers while we wonder around the sprawling property. It soon becomes obvious that not only is the physical set-up of this winery different, but more importantly the motivation and mentality behind its creation is unique. This excites us!
McLaren Vale Winemakers acts as a hub for local winemakers to practice their trade. The relatively small winery (150 Tonne a year) provides the infrastructure and support (a team of in-house winemakers and cellar-hands) to allow individual winemakers an opportunity to produce their own small batch creations. The opened ended invitation and hospitable environment attracts an eclectic array of winemakers; they range from seasoned veterans (often employed by larger, commercial scale wineries in the area) moonlighting on their side projects, to local vineyard owners saving their best fruit for their own label, and even young rookies looking to learn off their seasoned colleagues. The winemakers come with their own fruit and their own ideas. The concept of having a blank canvas creates an environment of excitement, of creativity and most significantly, an unrivalled feeling of passion.
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