2010 Tasmanian Wine Show
March 10, 2010
The results of the 2010 Tasmanian Wine Show have been released and it comes as no suprise that Sparkling wines, Pinots, Rieslings and Chardonnays have grabbed all the trophies. The very cool climate regions within Tasmania are ideally suited to these grapes, ensuring delicacy and great natural acidity. Purple Palate stores stock a wide range of the Apple Isle's finest and are more than happy to order wines in, especially for you. To read more about the trophy winners click here
Atlas Wines Gain Further Acclaim
March 4, 2010
Adam Barton of Atlas Wines is making a name for himself with just his first release of wines; a Clare Valley Shiraz, a Barossa Shiraz and a Clare Valley Riesling. Gary Walsh of "The Wine Front" wrote, after awarding the 2008 Atlas Barossa 516 Degrees Shiraz 93 points, "Three wines reviewed from this producer and every egg a bird". Purple Palate were the first in Brisbane to stock Adam's wines. Pick up a bottle and see what all the hype is about. To read more or place an order click here
Vintage 2010: The Barossa
March 1, 2010
Rob "Gibbo" Gibson, of Gibson Wines, has declared the 2010 vintage in the Barossa Valley one of "massive potential for those who work fast". When I spoke to Rob, he was right in the middle of harvest, picking Shiraz grapes. "The vintage has come on a bit early and strong, but we are seeing superb colour in early ferments and great development of aromas". The quality of the colour is a good indicator of the capacity of the vintage to produce wines of real value. Gibson also noted that Semillon grapes looked outstanding this year.
In the cooler environment of the Eden Valley subregion, Andrew Holt of Poonawatta Estate was just waiting for the flavours and acidity to reach their optimum levels before picking. "It's been a very well balanced vintage from start to finish," Holt said. "With cool nights and no severe heat, we are experiencing even ripening and development". The Shiraz grapes look like they'll produce complex wines with ample tannin structure and Riesling is shaping up well too.
Veteran Barossan winemaker Tim Smith pointed out that while the vintage looked very good for most varieties in the Valley, it was showing us yet again that "every vineyard is an individual". For avid wine lovers this is good news and suggests we have much to look forward to when it comes to vintage 2010 in the Barossa. - Jeremy Pringle
Barossa's Winemaker of the Year
February 24, 2010
The very popular Wayne Dutschke has been named "Barossa Valley Winemaker of the Year" for 2010 by the distinguished Barons of the Barossa fraternity. The Baron's Grand Master, Stephen Henschke, said that Wayne's selection was due to his status as one of the Barossa's quiet achievers who produced great wines under the Dutschke label whilst promoting the region in his travels. "Wayne is great winemaker and a great guy," Henschke remarked. Read more
Novotel Twin Waters winner
February 23, 2010
Congratulations go to Kate Nicholson, of Buderim, Queensland, who won a free night at Novotel Twin Waters and dinner at Lily’s on the Lagoon – a package valued at $500. Kate’s name was drawn from the hundreds of people who attended the Sunshine Coast Food Show. Here’s cheers!
Click here to see photos from the Sunshine Coast Food Show
Bar Barossa and Whisky?
February 23, 2010
It's not all about wine at Brisbane's Bar Barossa! From the 24th of February the venue will now play host to the Queensland Malt Whisky Society's monthly meetings.
In today's Courier Mail, Queensland Food Editor Natascha Mirosch spoke to club gauger Keira McIntosh about the parallels between wine and whisky and the increasingly younger audience who are seeking to explore the spirit in greater depth. "Whisky has as big a story about terroir as wine. There's a huge number of variables, from where the grain used came from to the water used and how it was casked."
The group will meet at Bar Barossa on the last Wednesday of every month. For further details phone 3300 1108. - Jeremy Pringle
Purple Frenzy
February 19, 2010
More than 200 wine enthusiasts turned their palates purple last night, discovering dozens of new wines and beers from 17 boutique wineries and craft brewers at the Paint the Town Purple event in Brisbane.
Former Brisbane Bullets basketball coach Brian Kerle was among the wine savvy audience, which included high-flying City business men and women, lawyers and media identities.
Some of the winemakers, including veteran Marlborough identity Allan Scott, of Allan Scott wines, and Margaret River's Ron Fraser, from the critically acclaimed Chapman Grove, got into the spirit of the sold-out event by donning purple wigs.
Brisbane wine lover Kate Burrows went home a winner, picking up a private Grange tasting worth $900 for 15 of her friends in the special prize draw.
The next event in the Paint the Town Purple series will be held in May. - John Lehmann
Click here to see photos from Paint the Town Purple
1300 1GRAPE
February 17, 2010
Introducing our new central phone number for all things purple. Our automated service will direct you to Purple Palate Queen Street, Purple Palate Maleny, Bar Barossa, Accounts and Purple Palate online. 1300 1GRAPE - 1300 147273
The Barossa's Still Bringing them Home...
February 16, 2010
Results from the prestigious 2010 Royal Sydney Wine Show were announced recently and once again the Barossa region was recognised with a swag of medals and trophies. Yalumba led the charge with two trophies and two top golds, including "The Jones, Steains and Waller Perpetual Trophy" which recognises strength and depth across the portfolio. The Yalumba Hand Picked Shiraz Viognier 2008 continued the winery's long history of leadership in the development of Shiraz Viognier blends within Australia.
Peter Lehmann Wines also garnered their fair share of acclaim, with particular recognition given to the trophy winning Wigan Eden Valley Riesling 2006. While its release will be a way off yet, the current 2004 vintage of the wine has received excellent reviews, amongst them a 95 point rating from wine writer Tyson Stelzer!
Purple Palate stock a wide range of Yalumba and Peter Lehmann wines and are more than happy to order anything in if it's not in store already. - Jeremy Pringle
Sunshine Coast Food Show
February 12, 2010
Wine and food enthusiasts are looking forward to the inaugural Sunshine Coast Food Show next weekend (February 20-21) at Novotel Twin Waters Resort.
The weekend features celebrity chef George Calombaris, of Melbourne’s acclaimed The Press Club Restaurant, who will craft a six-course degustation dinner on Saturday night, matched to wines from leading Australia and New Zealand wineries including Allan Scott Wines, Balgownie, Chapman Grove, Leabrook Estate, Massena, Mojo and Wyndham Estate.
More than 1000 people are expected to flock to the event on the Sunday to explore more than 50 food and wine stands. Amazing wines and selected produce will be available for purchase.
Tickets are going for $195 for the Saturday night gala dinner and $49 for the Sunday afternoon food and wine tasting. Bookings can be made at h1644@accor.com or by phoning 1800 072 277.
Purple Wig; check. Purple Dress; check.
February 11, 2010
You don't feel like you look any differently but alas a Purple 'do' is sure to turn heads!
I had a bit of fun dressing up in all things purple to promote our upcoming Paint the Town Purple event which will be held next Thursday at the Marriott Hotel.
The photo will appear in MX as a pictorial either Wednesday or Thursday so make sure you look out for it! - Elyssia Nelson
The Best of Queensland
February 11, 2010
Courier Mail assistant editor and long time Queensland wine advocate Des Houghton recently attended a mass blind-tasting of the State's wines at Parliament House. In his weekly newspaper column (February 6-7), Houghton revealed the winners as chosen by a panel chaired by Andrew Corrigan MW and comprised of professional and amateur judges, including three members of Parliament and the column's author himself.
Renowned Queensland producer Robert Channon took out the title for best white wine with their 2009 Verdelho, which narrowly beat the winery's 2009 Pinot Gris and Ballandean Estate's 2009 Reserve Viognier. The battle for best red provided a more difficult assignment for the judges, with several wines mounting a case for top honours. Reds from Hidden Creek, Ballandean, Sirromet and Golden Grove all made the short list but the award was eventually given to the Witches Falls 2007 Syrah.
Purple Palate is proud to support the Queensland wine industry, stocking the full range of Robert Channon wines as well as selections from Ballandean Estate, Ravenscroft and Summit Estate amongst others. Next time you drop in, why not give some thought to trying a local wine? - Jeremy Pringle
Not just another lunch...
February 2, 2010
20 special guests including famous Australian Cricketers Matthew Hayden and Michael Kasprowicz gathered for a uniquely Barossan lunch at Bar Barossa. Read more
Brisbane Food Bloggers Dinner
January 19, 2010
Delightfully describing the experience as 'Happy Special', the girls from I Ate Brisbane were more than infected by Bar Barossa's passion for quality food and wine.
Read about the Brisbane Food Bloggers Dinner here
Bar Barossa’s best wine of 2009
January 12, 2010
Bar Barossa manager and winemaker Sandy Godfrey has named his favourite wine of 2009 as the Soul Growers Shiraz 2006.
“By far, my favourite wine this year came in a heavy punted bottle, a wooden box and took Barossa Shiraz to a new level,’’ Sandy writes in a newsletter to be circulated to purplepalate.com subscribers this week.
“Savoury ground spice, rhubarb and eucalypt create the basis to the nose, but it offers so much more ... dark rich toasted oak, dried black currants and a hint of soya sauce that will bring you in time and time again. The palate is exactly as it should be, savoury and balanced, acid and tannin meet together and combine with rich fruit flavours to offer us an experience of Barossa Shiraz that you will rarely see.’’
Unfortunately, the Soul Growers Shiraz 2006 sold out to those in the know within months of its release. The 2007 has just been released, click here to read more about it.
Sandy Godfrey and Farley Wheildon, Purple Palate Queen Street Fine Wine Manager, will both release the top wines they discovered in 2009 in the purplepalate.com newsletter this week.
If you’d like to subscribe, click here to ensure you don’t miss out on their insights. - John Lehmann
Happy New Year!
December 31, 2009
May 2010 be the greatest year of your life!
We look forward to sharing the best of our discoveries with you in the New Year and raising a glass together at Bar Barossa.
In the meantime, Tempest Bebende!
Gourmet Traveller’s Best Buy
December 24, 2009
Smallfry has capped a breakthrough year by being recognised by Gourmet Traveller WINE magazine as producing one of Australia’s best value wines in 2009.
Gourmet’s wine panel listed the Smallfry Tempranillo Garnacha Joven 2009 as one of the best buys for $20 and under.
Max Allen, wrote, “Inspired by memories of the joven (young) red wines he has relished in Spain’s tapas bars, winemaker Wayne Ahrens decided that during the 2009 vintage he’d have a crack at making the unwooded, early-release style himself. So he bought a parcel of Barossa-grown tempranillo grapes and blended them with some grenache from his own old vineyard. The result is simply delicious: medium-full red in colour, it is full of juicy fresh berry fruit but finishes dry, snappy and savoury.”
Purple Palate is offering a 10% discount on all dozen purchases.
Smallfry also earned a five-star rating from James Halliday this year and was listed in his latest Australian Wine Companion as one of Australia’s “ten dark horses” in 2010. Halliday wrote, “The pick of the crop and skilled winemaking come up with the right answer.’’
Click here for more information
Winner Announced
December 22, 2009
The winner of the Barossa Belle Hamper Competition has been announced.
The winner, Carl Clasen of Bank of Queensland, dropped into Purple Palate Queen Street in Brisbane to collect his prize of a mixed dozen Barossa Belle wines, a special release Barossa Belle T-shirt and an apron.
Carl was delighted with the prize. "Now I don’t have to buy Christmas presents," he said.
Carl was presented with his prize by Purple Palate's Marketing and Media Executive, Elyssia Nelson.
Back Vintage at its Best!
December 18, 2009
They have arrived just in time for Christmas, the outstanding Wynns Michael Shiraz and Wynns John Riddoch Cabernet Sauvignon sourced from the historic Tanunda Cellars.
The vintages range from 1985 up until 1999 and also included are the big ones, 1.5 litres of quality juice, now that would be a well received Christmas gift!
Sexy Six Pack
November 20, 2009
Step out of your comfort zone with this bevy of boutique delights handcrafted with a dollop of love.
Our private sommelier Darren "Hollywood" Davis has put together this amazing six pack for only $99 to keep you sane over the silly season.
View Wines & Tasting Notes
Peter Lehmann toasts Bar Barossa
November 2, 2009
We're not really in to blowing our own trumpet, but it’s a little hard to resist after gossip go-go man Ken Lord celebrated our Bar Barossa Grand Opening party with a delightful string of purple prose.
"It's the new kid on Queen St East: flamboyant, cool, sleek and ingenious," Lord wrote in The Sunday Mail. Well, if you say so, Ken!
It was a super night with winemaking trump Peter Lehmann officially opening Bar Barossa in Brisbane City with a slurp of his pinnacle Stonewell Shiraz from our giant goblet, specially created for the party.
With more than 100 VIP guests cheering him on, the Barossa legend joined his wife Margaret and winemaking sons David Franz and Phil Lehmann at the Grand Opening, November 2nd, 2009.
Retired international cricketers (Jimmy Maher and Andy Bichel), politicos (former Liberal leader Bruce Flegg), media men ...
Check out Bar Barossa's new Summer Menu - Flamboyant, cool, sleek and ingenious...
Welcome to a new world of wine
October 30, 2009
Our mission is simple – to bring amazing, handcrafted wines to your table and tell their story.
We love the magic of wine and believe it is so much more than simply a drink.
As private sommelier Darren Davis says, "Wine is much more than its technical and clinical analysis - it is sunshine; it is a story, a memory, a point in time, and you should feel proud to place a special bottle on the middle of the table any night of the week."