South America is known for many things, including dark and spicy Argentinian Malbecs, such as this one by winemaker Ernesto Catena. He is the man responsible for this tasty  Malbec from Mendoza; the heart of the country's wine industry and a region equally renowned for its spectacular beauty at the foot of the Andes Mountains.

This is (possibly) the greatest scientific breakthrough by a Kiwi since the guy on the hundred dollar bill split the atom. 

At 2.5% ABV, this full-flavoured session India Pale Ale serves up massive hoppy notes and malty charachter at a lower octane - for a smooth rider with flavour cranked all the way up so you get the hoppy goodness of a craft pale ale.

This beer is legal tender for good times - Perfect if you're the designated driver?

Château du Cèdre is a wine estate in Cahors, France, founded in the 1950s by Belgian immigrant Léon Verhaeghe. The estate is known for its handmade, organic wines, which are made predominantly with Malbec grapes plus a smattering of Merlot and Tannat.

This wine is made with 95% Malbec and 5% Merlot and spends twelve months in oak foudres. The vines are over 30 year old from sites on Les coteaux de Bru and the resulting wine is rich and full bodied with great fruit, fine tannins and fresh acidity.

It is not by chance that the makers of this tasty Sicilian red called this wine Kerasos, which means cherry in Greek. It's an apt description of the pronounced aromas of cherry and red fruits that mark the flavour profile of this sensational red. This is Nero d’Avola at its best and made from grapes grown on calcareous clay soils, high on hillside sites in Sicily where with high temperatures fluctuate between day (hot) and night (cooler) and winds help alleviate the risk of fungal issues in humid temperatures. This wine has a deep ruby colour, body to burn and structure to impress. 

It's made from vineyards in the rolling hills of Camporeale countryside, between 250 and 350 meters above sea level. Grapes are all harvested by hand and transported to the winery in small baskets where they are de-stemmed and go through natural fermentation. which takes about 10 days at about 24° C. The finished wine spends six months aging in stainless steel before bottling.

It retains freshness and has deliciously ripe fruit flavours with complex velvety mouthfeel and notes of spice and Meditteranean warmth shining through in every sip.

Castello di Verduno is an historic Piemontese estate that makes classic Barolo and Barbaresco from prime vineyard sites in both appellations. The winery is located in Verduno, the northernmost commune of Barolo.

For their Barbarescos and Barolos, winemaker Mario Andrion prefers 30 to 40 day macerations and extended aging in large Slavonian botti. Their varietal wines see mostly stainless steel aging, with some large botti.

This wine is 100% Nebbiolo grown on Marne di Sant'Agata, which is a combination of sand, clay and limestone. Hand harvested grapes were fermented in stainless steel for 20 days with periodic punching down of the cap, prior to 18 months in large traditional Slavonian oak with three months resting in stainless steel and another 14 months ageing before release. 

Made from 100% Tempranillo fruit aged for 36 months in American oak and held for five years before release and now with some decent age under its belt - what's not to like. Bold and powerful with spicy fruit and mellow tannins Rioja Reservas really are a law unto themselves and given half a chance the oak just melts into the aged tertiary flavours harmoniously.

Peach

75% Grenache + 25% Syrah from sandy light soils at the limit of the slopes of Sablet in the Southern Rhone.

Winemaking: The stems are removed and the Syrah and Grenache are fermented separately over 10 to 15 days in concrete tanks at a temperature of around 25 degrees. The wines is then matured for 3 months in oak.

Tasting: Bright ruby colour. The nose is very aromatic with intense reds fruit, hints of spice and liquorice. The palate is expressive and fleshy and follows suit with the nose.

A lovely fruit forward and pure sparkling wine made in the same way as Champagne from 45% Chardonnay, 35% Pinot Noir and 20% Gamay. Nine months on the lees gives this real depth with subtle notes of brioche combining with its citrus and stone fruit flavours.

A dark cherry colour leading to a nose with aromas of cherries with spiced plum, black pepper and spice with subtle integration of oak.

The palate is round with serious intent; bright florals, juicy fruit and a lifted integration of earthy spice note and black pepper. Soft mouth coating tannin, a creamy texture and subtle oak provides a poised, elegant finish.

REGION : Frankland River, Western Australia
VARIETY Shiraz 92%, Touriga National 4%, Malbec 3% and Viognier 0.5%

Ideal food wine which will complement many dishes including pork, lamb and duck.

 Drink now for the next 5 to 7 years.

Chardonnay is the world's favourite white grape and makes many of the best whites on Earth, including in the Dunnigan hills in California, a little slice of winemaking paradise situated north west of Sacramento.

This is a big rich wine with full, broad aromas of ripe tropical fruits and stonefruits entwined with creamy barrel ferment characters combined with nutty lees and toasty oak flavours, which are harmoniously intermixed with subtle lemon-curd malolactic fermentation notes. 

The palate is full and mirrors the nose in terms of flavour. Drink now or keep in the cellar for two to three years and match with pork, veal and chicken dishes.

Frescobaldi's Nipozzano Riserva Rufina Chianta is named after the Castello Nipozzano and is a delicious complex Riserva Chianti with extended aging time and made from vineyards in Rufina. Wild berries and cherry flavours are flattered by spicy undertones of pepper, nutmeg and roasted coffee. It has a silky texture and layers of depth and interest. 

A quirky dry Italian white wine with interesting fruity aromas and a fleshy, medium body. 

More famous for The Godfather than for blood coloured red wine, Francis Ford Coppola has forged a name for both and this big red is an opulent, dark, plush, soft wine with flavours like black plums, black pepper and a spicy note. Deliciously smooth and easy to love.
The mysterious origins of the Zinfandel grape were uncovered in 2002 when DNA fingerprinting confirmed that Italy?s Primitivo and the slightly trickier to pronounce, Crljenak Kastelanski, an ancient Croatian variety, are genetically identical to Zinfandel. One grape, three different names and countries. And innumerable styles of different wines made from it - variety is the spice of life and of the wine lover's choice.

Features balanced structure with flavors of wild berry jam, plum and caramel.

Named after the version of a film which most reflects the director’s vision, Director’s Cut wines represent our winemaker’s vision of varietal wines, which express true appellation character.

In the film business, the “Director’s Cut” emerged as a means for filmmakers to present their own creative vision of a story. At Francis Ford Coppola Winery, Director’s Cut wines were created as a way for our winemakers to craft wines that would reflect their own unique interpretation of the quintessential Sonoma wine.