Have you seen it? The Luscious Lushes are pleased to announce that www.labarrique.co.nz is now LIVE and open for business! You can now browse our great range of fi ne wines and craft beers from the comfort of your home. Sign up to our newsletter and receive regular updates on new specials, upcoming tastings and our scrapbook of happenings, just to let you know what we get up to … all in the name of WINE, BEER, FOOD and good times.

The LaBarrique story, or vignette (something that may be written on a vine-leaf) tells a little of our history, and reminds us of Tom Reid’s fabulous monthly wine and food appreciation dinners, affectionately known as W.A.F.A nights at LaBarrique …. the only thing missing are photos … and the Luscious Lushes wouldlove you to share any photos you may have of those occasions with us … email wine@labarrique.co.nz, or drop in store for a chat. Speaking of popping in store … every Friday at 4PM you can enjoy SAMPLING some delicious wines. The lovely ANGIE will be assisting us most Fridays to ensure the tasting experience is a memorable one. Keep checking the wine tasting section of our website to see what’s coming up! During the last few weeks we have opened some of New Zealand’s top chardonnays (as rated by Cuisine Magazine) and also had Marie Potel from Obsidian Vineyards present their superb wines. As spring has sprung in the northern hemisphere two of the LuSCIOuS LuSHES are heading to Europe to meet suppliers and source more great wines to showcase here at La Barrique.. jealous!!! The Lushes assure us it will be ALL BuSINESS … as they roam the French countryside, the Italian hillsides, and enjoythe Spanish heat ... We wish them a safe and fun journey … bring back some goodies for the rest of us! But fear not … autumn in Auckland doesn’t seem to be too bad so far … better read this quickly just in case we need to eat … or drink these words!! Hhhmmmmm talking of a wee drink how about these two special Italians … LuNA ARGENTA PROSECCO NV and CODICI MONTEPuLCIANO D’ABRuZZO 2009? So as we contemplate which cork to pull on which of our favourite wines … we ask ourselves WHY wine?? Which quickly gets answered with … BECAuSE NO GOOD STORY EVER STARTS WITH EATING A SALAD! In the name of creating good stories … happy and safe drinking … ciao … see you in store soon …

And with the ABs winning gloriously against our old nemesis, the Wallabies this past weekend, what did the Luscious Lushes decide to pull the cork on here at LA BARRIQUE – yes, a very sexy CREMANT D’ALSACE ROSE’ by LUCIEN ALBRECHT.

What you might say is that … no ordinary sparkling this, the term “cremant” refers to France’s finest dry sparkling wines made outside of the Champagne region but using the same champagne method of sparkling wine-production. The term was adopted in the late 1980’s when the expression “Methode Champenoise” was outlawed by the European Union. This particular domaine, Lucien Albrecht, has been making fine wines since 1772 (try their Reserve Gewurztraminer to get you dancing and prancing for more…) and sparkling wine-making since the late 19th century. The interesting twist to this vinous tale is the grape varieties they can use: only Pinots Blanc, Noir and Gris, together with the related Auxerrois, and Riesling.

So what joy spread across our tongues whilst sipping this Cremant Rose’… the colour first was a divine brilliant pink, the aroma of fresh red berries, the bubbles, finest beading imaginable, the mouthfeel, round and mousse-like. As James our store manager described it – “strawberries and cream” while the regular Cremant is more like “white peaches and cream”. All in all, a perfect creation to be enjoyed whether in celebration or commiseration!

A food suggestion, apart from the obvious such as smoked salmonwrapped oysters, scallop and tuna carpaccio with raspberry vinaigrette and chicken liver parfait or canapés?. The fruit in the Rosé can handle slightly spicy foods too so try with Asian and even Indian foods. Yummy!

Needless to say, these quirky delights can be had for a fraction of the price of big brand name champagnes. So how very chic to take to a friend’s place a superb French Cremant that is exquisitely crafted and not the same tired labels that now unfortunately swamp our supermarkets.

In fact it’s such fun to try something different yet equally as exciting in French Champagnes, such as POMMERY (love that bright royal blue and gold label or the hot pink-lime green label of the Rosé) or perhaps JOSEPH PERRIER (Queen Victoria’s favourite drop). Go on, forget the same old same old – splash out and try a new bubbly to excite those taste buds! Roll on RWC celebrations – the Luscious Lushes at La Barrique are ready!!! For more information on September wine tastings, please ask any of the friendly La Barrique staff (drop in or call).

So, what to choose that isn’t too 'rustic', as this is pre dinner, yet a beauty that will satisfy the discerning palates of the Luscious Lushes, plus friends of course! Today’s 'mag-blog' wine of choice will be …

PAZZIA PRIMITIVO di MANDURIA 2007 (60 year old vines – no less) : so very easy to get eloquent to describe this Primitivo, suffice to say it’s a chocolate box and fruit cake in a bottle, with the longest dry finish. This divine vinous creation is perfect for signore and signora's alike. Forget  your Aussie Shiraz, this cheeky Italian ticks all the boxes for us and will for you too! Full-bodied with ripe dark fruits, mocha, leather and cherries. Hmmmm … the mouth feel is excellent, pure silk and opulent with fine tannins - ever so moreish. Great with the Sunday roast lamb or fragrant Morroccan tagine with figs.

The name does not do justice to the calibre of this grape varietal. It is actually related to the zinfandel grape of California and both are offspring of an ancient Croatian grape called the very unpronouncable name of “Crljenak Katelanski”.

Anyway, our little Italian delight is from the region of Puglia, at the heel of the south-eastern coast of Italia. No problem ripening grapes here. Quite an alcoholic wine (typically between 13.5 – 14.5% alc), the challenge is more about the fruit/alcohol balance. Still they manage to create deliciously inviting and drinkable reds.

Enough of the wine talk, what is important is that this type of wine is a fine and delicious example of an incredibly good valued varietal , in fact it definitely over-delivers in quality for its price point ... so go out and BUY, BUY, BUY ... you’ll not be disappointed.

Good examples to hunt out are: Luccarelli Primitivo, A Mano Primitivo, Racemi Felline Primitivo di Manduria and even a proverbial cheap and cheerful anywhere probably won’t let you down ...

We did briefly contemplate serious wine talk, but truly folks, there’s 100’s of serious publications out there, so for inspiration (thanks to an enquiring client) we pulled the cork on a vivacious little VIOGNIER (VIDAL-FLEURY 2009). Beautifully matched with leftover Coromandel Co. smoked fish and Wild Wheat ciabatta. So, we’ve decided to share the joy of what gems we’ve drunk of late… this is a going to be our version of a blog – a “magblog”!

Yes, we know it’s trying to get colder in Auckland of late and we should be talking about reds, but this was so delicious, we wanted to share… and it really didn’t need to be chilled too much at all.

Here’s a bit of background on VIOGNIER.

Amazingly, it was almost an extinct grape varietal in its homeland of Northern Rhone, France, under the appellation of Condrieu.

It had been grown there for almost 2,000 years, possibly transported to the Rhone from its birthplace in Dalmatia by the Romans.

Obviously since then, the grape and it’s wine has increased in popularity and in its price, which has, in some cases, risen to “serious drinker” levels.

Largely due to it being a notoriously hard grape to grow (like Pinot Noir). And if it is picked too early it fails to develop its classic aromas and rich tastes.

Ahhh, onto those tastes and aromas: here in the office, we all became quite poetic to describe this fabulousity of a wine… Primroses, pears and smoke on the nose; guava, vanilla, limes, lychees on the palate – so soft yet so strong. (Just like our Personal Trainers!?!)

This wine was eloquently described by one Luscious Lush as “Autumn and springtime all in 1 glass”.

And that mouth-feel, thick and luscious! A classic example, almost like golden liquid crème fraiche’. Totally enjoyable.

Fine NZ examples to hunt out: Moana Park (Hawkes Bay), TW Wines (Gisborne), Bilancia (Hawkes Bay). Best Australian: Yalumba.

But the final word should go to Aussie wine critic, Oz Clarke: Viognier is a “swooning wine…wine that just oozed sex and sensuality”.

We’ll drink to that! ENJOY at La Barrique!