My 12 Wines of Christmas, penned from Melbourne, Australia

Enjoy my quick and easy food and wine matching, easy buying guide. Cheers!

Lady O's 12 Wines of Christmas:

1) Champagne! My tip for those who want a crowd-pleaser? Bolli, darling! Buy from Vintage Cellars http://bit.ly/18QecU5

2) Savvy B. for fresh steamed prawns with lime, Chain of Ponds Black Thursday buy from Wine Selectors http://bit.ly/18jf17q

3) Chardonnay for the shellfish, from Oakridge Wines Local Vineyard Series. Buy at http://bit.ly/1brY3ON

4) Riesling. Because it is Summer of Riesling. Dan Murphy's stock more than 200 via http://bit.ly/18jfE0O

5) Pinot Gris for drinks with friends. Try De Bortoli Wines La Boheme, http://bit.ly/18xQwy2 buy from their Yarra Valley cellar door

6) Prosecco. For ALL the finger food. I cannot choose just one. Ask the reigning Prosecco Queen, GastronoMel for her top tips!

7) Pinot Noir for all the pork products. Check out the 400+ global range at Prince Wine Store http://bit.ly/19dzw3R

8) Moscato. For fun. I can't go past Innocent Bystander pink moscato. It even comes in a can. http://bit.ly/1feH9YR

9) Cabernet. Cullen Cabernet Merlot '12 from Rathdowne Cellars. Esteemed producer, wallet-friendly. bit.ly/1byavkv

10) Shiraz. Langmeil Winery 2010 Orphan Bank. Seriously good value for super old vines in the Barossa. http://bit.ly/18xN9tX

11) Fortified. For the plum pudding. Try Penfolds Grandfather Rare Tawny from Cracker Wines http://bit.ly/18jhRsW

12) Sticky. Says Christmas. Try with cheese. Bass River Winery's Iced Riesling- a stunning choice. http://bit.ly/IZuI84

*This post is about my #12WinesofChristmas. I have no commercial arrangements with any of these producers, they are all just good booze. As previously mentioned, I do sell wine for WineSelectors, however I get paid via direct sales and not from you clicking on a link.

About Me

New World adventurer, boutique wineries advocate and personal wine shopper. May 'talk wine' at length with others.

I have a rather grand passion for wine, travel and writing. I am good at writing, better at travelling and best at wine tasting! For me, the wine industry is about people, places and stories. Drinking wine should be fun. It brings people together and is a key ingredient for laughter.

I do not wish to ever be a wine critic however I do like to find out the reasons why I like some wines more than others. I love Champagne. I believe every wine has a time and place. My biggest wish is to be able to share the world of wine with others in a fun and enjoyable way.

To fund my passions I act as a Private Wine Buyer, or Wine Valet, buying interesting wines in smallish quantities for a select few. Occasionally I am requested to put together wine lists or act a wine region tour guide. To keep my finger on the pulse of the Australian wine industry, I also moonlight as a Sales Agent for Australian Wine Selectors.

Feel free to join me on my adventures, comment on my ramblings or just drop an email to say G’Day.

Catherine A, aka Lady Oenotria

Oenotria

LadyOenotria

Be-bop-a-lula! It is a PINOT PALOOZA!

Robert Louis Stevenson once said: "Wine is bottled poetry." With this being the case, I dare to say that the fickle, rascally, Pinot Noir grape is then made into "The Bottled Noble Prize in Literature". Of all single varietal wines, Pinot Noir has the biggest 'cult' following. Pinot lovers often call themselves Pinotphiles. On Sunday, I attended PINOT PALOOZA, an event to celebrate the love for this regal, yet rather temperamental grape- and those who covet thy drop.

Pinot Noir fan wearing a Pinotphile t-shirt, bottom right

It is handy to note (for the uninitiated), my accepted definition of Palooza; an all out, crazy party, extravagant event, with a plethora of people and the considered thought that there may just be no tomorrow. Well, Pinot Palooza certainly fit the bill.

all out, crazy party props

Crazy ~ Dan and Ben from The Wine Guide who created and organised the palooza

Extravagant ~ held at the commanding and iconic Ormond Hall, Melbourne

Plethora~ 70 producers brought 130+ wines to TWO sessions of a packed house

Considered Thought~ "try ALL the wines!"

I went along to the Pinot Palooza to try new Pinots, meet the winemakers and see what treasures I could add to the Christmas wine lists of my clients. Success! In  a little under three hours I managed to try twenty-eight wines from seven wine regions across two countries. I met winemakers, vineyard owners and grape growers.

De Bortoli Wines 'Riorret' from their Emu Vineyard
Delightfully surprising, enormously enjoyable.

The passion in the room from both the 'artists' and the attendees was palpable. Pinotphiles and Pinotnoobs were enjoying themselves equally. I have a 'stocking filler' list the length of my forearm and a great time was had by all. Future posts will share more about the people I met and the stunning array of Pinots being produced in the Southern Hemisphere. Until then, feel free to share your Pinot Noir stories and favourites with me here, or via email LadyOenotria@gmail.com

Sparkling, Happy & Thoughtful

I remember the first French Champagne I ever purchased. It was a bottle of Veuve Clicquot NV. I selected it because it was made by a woman. A woman who appeared to have become a phenomenally successful wine producer despite the horrendous odds of her time. I was about nineteen years old and fiercely pro girl-power. It was the most delicious beverage I had ever drunk.

Over the years I have discovered Champagnes that are cheaper, nicer, prettier and better produced. However I will always be a raving fan of the yellow labelled, Veuve Clicquot. It was my first. It was there for new jobs, new homes, life's wins and life's loves. It was there on the morning of my birthday and all manner of special and fun occasions. It was there as a motivating reward for goals set and it was there as a well-known constant. It has never let me down.

To me, Veuve Clicquot is Sparkling, Happy & Thoughtful.

When you are faced with the often daunting task of buying wine as a gift, think of the recipient first. Ask yourself, what do they like? Recall the wines poured during some of your fondest memories together. It may not be the best or the most expensive wine, but it may be the wine that makes them happiest.

Or, think of what the wine represents. Perhaps choose from a local region or a lusted-after wine maker. Possibly a wine that has a story which resonates with the drinker. Maybe the vintage was a significant year for the two of you. If starting a new relationship, try a wine that is new to both of you.

Wine can create memories. You may not yet know what those memories will be when buying your wine gift, but you will be forever thankful that you took the time to put a little effort into your purchase.