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Bimbadgen Wines: Making a mark in the Hunter Valley

Bimbadgen winery’s name has been derived from the local indigenous language meaning ‘Place of Good View’; something that has been well thought out as the winery truly complements the natural landscape by capturing stunning views from every possible vantage point. 

Located on a hill in Pokolbin, the Bimbadgen winery has emerged as one of the most prestigious and significant vineyards and tourism destinations in the Hunter Valley. 

Their winemaking philosophy includes treating every individual block as a potential Signature wine, vinified separately with equal care. 

Following this philosophy, the winery produces wines of prestige, intrigue, balance and finesse. Some of their sparkling wines are listed below.

Bimbadgen Sparkling Rosé NV Hunter Valley 

This Sparkling Rosé has an attractive bouquet that exudes pleasing aromas of strawberries and cream, with a gentle touch of yeast evident in the backdrop. The wine’s palate is generous and mouth-filling, brimming with red berry flavours balanced by bright acidity. These beautiful fragrances and flavours fuse together to provide a creamy texture and a captivating finish. This beautiful Rosé has been crafted to relish fresh upon release. Enjoy this wine with canapés, seared salmon and Camembert cheese. 

Bimbadgen Sparkling NV Hunter Valley

This Sparkling Semillon has a bouquet that is highly aromatic and exudes lime and citrus aromas with a touch of baked bread. The elegant palate offers lots of tangy fruit flavours that are accompanied by the richness and residual sweetness. This wine has been crafted to be enjoyed fresh and young over two years from vintage. Enjoy this wine as an apéritif or with canapés.

Bimbadgen Sparkling Moscato NV Australia 

This delicious sparkling Moscato reveals a highly fragrant bouquet of musk candy. The palate is rich with floral and musk stick characters, accompanied by juicy natural sweetness. A fine spritz brings the drink to life. This wine has been crafted for consumption upon its release. Pour this as an apéritif, with tapas or canapés.

Buy these wines and 6000+ on Just Wines at a great price. 

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Vasse Felix Wines: Living the legacy of their founder 

A Cardiologist from Western Australia, Dr. Tom Cullity found his mission to make fine wines for the state during his working days at the National Heart Hospital in the 1950s.

His desire to make Western Australia drink the best wines compelled him to buy a small piece of land by the Wilyabrup Brook where he planted 8 hectares of vines including Houghton clone’s Cabernet Sauvignon, which happens to be the Margaret River’s finest Cabernets.

This led to the establishment of the founding wine estate of the Vasse Felix at Margaret River in 1967. From there on began the journey of these wines that best reflect the strengths of the wine region.

The name ‘Vasse Felix’ means ‘lucky/happy’ and the bird on the label is a Peregrine Falcon. It has been there since the first vintage and carries an interesting story behind it. 

The incredible environment and climate of Margaret River, family ownership, treasured heritage, and priceless vineyards — all these combine to make Vasse Felix a place to be cherished. The cherry on the cake is the team that keeps it going and work with Dr Cullity’s shared aim —to make the best possible wine. 

Let us introduce you to one such gems from the Vasse Felix wines. Their Filius wine collection comprises of graceful, contemporary and sophisticated wines. 

Vasse Felix Filius Chardonnay 2020 Margaret River is a pale straw coloured wine with a green tinge. With lifted, elegant and complex flavours, it is something you would want to enjoy with your friends and family over a long chit-chat session and dinner. 

You will easily enjoy flavours of honey nougat, green pineapple, lemon accompanied with hints of nectarine, ginger, sage, custard tart crust, almond meal and cedar. 

This wine is tight, restrained and complex with creaminess coming in immediately. The taut natural acidity carries refined flavours. 

The add on factor is lemon pith with hints of lime and custard tartare carried long on a dry finish to the palate which softens and develops complexity with time.

You can pour yourself this Chardonnay when in the mood to have sushi, shellfish, shrimp, crab and cheddar. 

Order this Chardonnay and 6000+ more wines from the comfort of your home only from Just Wines.

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5 Winter Wines From Oakridge Winery To Keep You Warm

Oakridge Local Vineyard Series Willowlake Vineyard Yarra Valley Pinot Noir 2018

An award-winning winery located in the heart of Victoria’s oldest wine region, the Yarra Valley, the Oakridge winery was established in 1978. Over the years, it has grown to become an internationally recognized producer of award-winning wines and a must-visit destination in the valley.

Celebrated for producing distinctive single-vineyard wines that reflect the unique terroir of the region, the Oakridge winery acknowledged the potential for making great wines on the rich, red, volcanic soils of the sub-region of the Yarra Valley right from the beginning.

Wines produced at the Oakridge winery express the dynamic spirit of the Yarra Valley. The winemakers use traditional methods, expertise, and immense care to make the best-quality wines that display freshness, balance, and length in every sip. 

Proclaimed for their elegance and subtlety, Oakridge wines are great food companions. Carrying freshness with a purity of flavor and balance, the young wines are almost seamless.  There are high chances of you yearning for another glass. 

With age, the wines retain their freshness and purity, however, an additional layer of complexity and palate length is built upon. The lingering taste of these wines can be enjoyed for a longer time.

Here are some of the quality wines from Oakridge winery which you can try this winter and keep yourself warm.

Oakridge Local Vineyard  Series Yarra Valley Shiraz 2019

An opaque purple-red colored wine with a vibrant purple hue. It leads with a dense, solid ripe black-fruited nose then moves to a spicy, whole bunch of notes that add cinnamon, cloves, and a twiggy element. 

The complexity changes with air over pure fruit. The palate has a core of ripe blackberry and poached plum fruit and charcuterie that is confined and controlled with firm, slightly gravelly tannins. The curry leaf and brown spice complexity come from the whole bunch inclusion. This one’s a stayer!

Oakridge Local Vineyard Series Willowlake Yarra Valley Chardonnay 2018

A stunning pale straw-colored wine with green hues. It offers grilled citrus, yeast, white-fleshed stone fruit, peach skin, flecks of flint, and hints of florals with a burnt match complexity. The palate however showcases depth, weight, and texture. It moves with a sense of generosity and concentration but without losing its shape as the taught preserved-lemon acidity keeps it online leaving a tangy, very long grapefruit finish.

Oakridge Local Vineyard Series Willowlake Vineyard Yarra Valley Pinot Noir 2018

The dazzling dark red colored wine with light purple highlights has a luscious bouquet that flaunts ripe aromas of pomegranate, black cherry, redcurrant, plum, and brown spice. The juicy and intense palate offers robust flavors of ripe plums, red fruits, and black cherries. These sweet fruit characters combine with a layer of blood plum acidity and smooth tannins to conclude in a long and savory finale. Enjoy this enticing red wine with bacon stuffed mushrooms, Peking duck, and goat cheese this winter.

Oakridge Over The Shoulder Yarra Valley Cabernet Merlot 2019

A brooding dark purple red, it has ripe blackcurrant and cassis flavours at display. Followed by cedar, dried tobacco leaf, blackberry and briar flavours, it has a classic cabernet nose. The palate is rich and mouth filling with soft tannins that are across the length of the palate. This wine is both fruit sweet and savoury at the same time, bringing out both refreshment and length. 

Oakridge 864 Close Planted Yarra Valley Block Syrah 2019

A vibrant purple red coloured wine with a lifted fragrant and fresh black and red currant fruit followed by jasmine like florals, ground spices, summer pudding and panna cotta. The palate is juicy, soft and round, laced with black fruit, raspberries, white pepper and spices. With a medium body, it has a beautiful line of acidity to add length and balance to the velvety, gentle core of sweet fruit. A pure, fresh, fragrant wine to make up for this winter season.

Feel the warmth this winter with a range of authentic Australian wines from Just Wines.

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Know about Piper Heidsieck Wines: A fancy winery loaded with jewels and leather

An encounter helped created these beautiful wines. Florens Louis Heidsieck, a gentleman originally from Germany discovered the champagne region and its wines for the first time in 1777. 

Driven by the taste of adventure, he went on to establish, Heidsieck & Cie in 1785. When you dream big, you dare. He proved it by making Marie Antoinette, the queen of France, the company’s first brand ambassador. She absolutely adored the cuvée presented to her. 

The story moved forward with Christian Heidsieck Florens Louis’s nephew and Henri Guillaume Piper joining the venture in 1815. Both the boys were passionate about the business and did their best to promote the Champagne House’s reputation beyond the borders of France. 

The unfortunate demise of Florens Louis Heidsieck in 1828 enabled them to put more of their hearts into his passion and fuel it further with their shared passion for wines. 

The resultant being - From Hapsburg princes to Chinese emperors, 14 royal and imperial courts would accord the privilege of royal warrant-holder to the Champagne house. At that point and time, all of the high society desired  Heidsieck’s wine elaborated by Piper. 

In 1835, Christian Heidsieck passed away and his widow married Henri Guillaume Piper. This union made it sacred as Piper and  Heidsieck. The innovation to make the product better and market it the best way never stopped at Piper and  Heidsieck. To celebrate Piper - Heidsieck’s centennial and distinction of wines, Pierre-Karl Faberge designed an opulent jeweled bottle adorned with gold, diamonds, and lapiz lazuli in 1835. This marked the collaboration between the Champagne House and the world’s greatest jeweler.

Wines are subjective and their taste, their aromas, their personalities can go beyond boundaries. Piper-Heidsieck’s champagne became a great companion to the entire cast of Hollywood. Legends like Ava Gardner, Humphrey Bogart, Clark Gable, and Fred Astaire have had a special place in their hearts for these wines. 

In 1953, the incomparable Marilyn Monroe adored Piper-Heidsieck’s champagne declaring that I wake up each morning to a glass of Piper Heidsieck. 

The winery underwent a transformation in 1995, witnessing a towering space with over 200 stainless steel wine vats, and an exclusive area set aside for reserve wines. It was made to satisfy the House’s uncompromising quality standards.

The year 2005 witnessed another milestone with the launch of Rosé Sauvage and Cuvée Sublime. In 2011, Descours Family took over the Champagne House. The family-owned company continues to grow nurtured with its forever-going values of quality, craftsmanship, and continuity.

Check out their wine and pour yourself a legacy of fancy and statements evolved over the generations.

Piper Heidsieck Brut NV Champagne

A gold medal winner, this clear, golden Champagne robes par excellence. Delicate and fine bubbles resulting from an extended maturation time. Fresh fruit dominates, with pear and russet apple, and a few hints of citrus fruits such as star fruit. The finish evokes fresh grapes, livened with hints of freshness and aniseed. a structured, full-bodied, and franc wine. Juicy, fleshy pear, and golden grape texture. The finish narrows to citrus and grapefruit flavors. A wine with great fruit, a good mouthfeel, and a harmonious balance.

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Malbec - Grapes and Wines from Australia

Introduction

Malbec grapes are purple in colour and are used to make red wine. It is grown in many countries across the world. It can be found in Chile, France, Brazil, Madeira, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Australia, USA and Argentina. Argentina has the largest land area under this grape variety in the world, grown in over 76,700 acres which are roughly 75%, mainly in San Juan, Mendoza and Salta. France has the second highest acreage under it, with 15,000 acres.

Viticulture

Malbec requires plenty of heat and sunlight to grow. This is more than Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. It grows in soil that allows water to percolate down but may rot during cold conditions or in standing water. Australian Malbec wines are made from grapes grown in Frankland River, Kangaroo Island, Clare Valley and Margaret River regions.

Feel of the wine

Malbec wines of Australia present significant aromas of plum, cherry, chocolate, coffee, raisins, raspberry and leather. The noticeable flavours are of cherry, plum, balsamic, dried fruit and chocolate. Vanilla flavours and aromas are released during ageing of the wine in oak.

Popular names

Malbec is known by different name in different regions. In Bordeaux, it goes by the name of Pressac or Côt. French Cahors and Alsace region call it by Auxerrois. In Argentina, it is referred as Fer. In Portugal, it is known by Tinta Amarela and in Australia, it is called as Portugal Malbec.

Malbec in Australia

Malbec cultivation began in the 19th century in Australia. At Liverpool, the Grodno vineyard can be attributed to the first instance of Malbec planting in Australia in 1901. Things changed during the second half of 20th century when many acres of vines had to be uprooted due to poor yield caused by frost and spreading of the fungus to the leaves. The areas under Malbec vines shrank mainly because people began growing other grape-varieties in place of Malbec as a safer option. By 2000, it was close to 1,235 acres in Australia, with Clare Valley in South Australia having the highest share. 

The World Malbec Day

It is celebrated on April 17 worldwide in remembrance of the day in Argentina history when president Domingo Faustino Sarmiento declared to change its wine industry.

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Best Australian Red Wine Under $20

It can be quite confusing to choose a wine with so many options available in the market. You have to think about the occasion, your budget, taste, your guests (if planning for a party)and whatnot. So to help you out, we have sorted some of the best Australian red wines under $20 that you can buy.

 From Pinot Noir, Merlot to Cabernet Sauvignon, we have got it covered. Here’s our list of top Australian red wines under $20.

 McWilliams JJ McWilliam Shiraz Cabernet 2014 

It’s a full-bodied medium ruby red coloured wine filled with blackberries, liquorice and cassis flavours. It goes perfectly well with steaks, stews and BBQ. You can totally think of getting this one for your next Barbeque.

 Talking about the winemakers, the McWilliam family has been supporting the Aussie wine industry for six generations and has taken its name in the global marketplace.

 Tyrrells Shiraz 2016 Hunter Valley

 The Shiraz grapes are sourced from a small section of Shiraz blocks. Matured in large French oak casks this medium-bodied wine is a perfect blend of soft savoury tannins and acid, creating a well-balanced wine. It is well-paired with roast lamb and beef.

 Peter Lehmann Art n Soul Shiraz 2015 

An appealing and vibrant deep red colour wine that emanates dark forest fruit aromas with a hint of chocolate. It has a very velvety mouthfeel and a long finish. Coming to food choices, it goes well with sausages, steaks and Cheddar cheese.

 The Peter Lehmann Wines company has crafted varieties of ranges and this range is called Art n Soul made for immediate enjoyment. Other options include Peter Lehmann Clancy's Red Blend 2013 Barossa Valley, it's a blend of Merlot, Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon grapes, flaunting a deep cherry red colour.

 Rosemount Diamond Label Merlot  

Rosemount wines are made to enjoy on all occasions and full of luscious flavours. Rosemount wines Diamond Merlot flaunts cherry colour with plum red hues. On the nose, it emanates red cherries, blackberries and milk chocolate aromas. This refreshing wine is well-paired with lamb, beef or veal dishes.

 Established in 1974, Rosemount Estate has a national and international reputation for its high-quality wines. Their wines are fresh and vibrant, something they promise their consumers in every bottle. They offer many wines under the labels - flagship collection, district release, meal matcher, diamond labels and my collection.

 These are some exceptional choices to look for if you want to buy the best Australian red wine under $20. We would sort the best white wines under your budget soon. Tune in for our next blog.

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Grenache - Grapes and Wines from Australia

Grenache growing conditions and regions

Grenache is one of the most widely grown red grape varieties in the world. Ripening of Grenache grape takes time and hot and dry weather conditions like that found in Spain are favorable for its growth.  Some of the places where it is grown are California’s San Joaquin Valley, south of Australia, Sardinia in Italy.

 Grenache Color

Grenache is oxidized easily when it meets air and develops a brown color which can be observed around the rim by tilting the glass at an angle.

 Grenache Blends

Wine made from this grape is seen being blended with other varieties such as Tempranillo, Syrah, and Carignan among others.

 Grenache in Australia

James Busby planted a clone from Perpignan, France in 1832. But it was Dr. Christopher Rawson Penfold who began growing them in South Australia in 1844 which brought with it remarkable results and its plantations was spread across Barossa Valley, McLaren Vale, and Clare Valley. Among the grape varieties, Grenache had the largest share of the area in Australia prior to 1950s. But later, the focus of Australian winemakers shifted to premium wines and with that first Shiraz and then Cabernet Sauvignon began appearing in Australian Vineyards along with Grenache.

 GSM

But in the 1990s and 2000s, a fresh interest was developed in Grenache with the introduction of GSM – a wine blend of Grenache, Syrah, and Mouvedre.

 Grenache Flavors

The most common notes found in Grenache are of berry fruit such as strawberries and raspberries. McLaren Vale Grenache is known for its spicy notes and richness whereas Grenache of Barossa Valley is fruity with intense flavors.

 Common Names

 It is known by Garnacha and Garnatxa in Spain, Cannonau in Italy and Grenache Noir in some regions. 

 Popular Grenaches wines online stores of Australia are Danmurphys, Just Wines, Nakedwines and some others. 

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Five Key Differences Between Old & New World Wines

There has been a lot of debate in recent times as to whether Old World wines are better than the New ones? While you may understand the basic difference between Old & New World wines, you may not understand their characteristics and technique enough, in order to become a wine connoisseur. Understanding the differences can help you pick the right bottle of wine.

Here are the five key differences between Old World & New World wines.

1. Grape Varieties:

Wine essentially comes from the cultivation of grapes. Both Old & New World wines are typically more varietal driven. Old World wines are produced in countries where Vitis vinifera grapes are commonly cultivated. The Old World countries are Austria, Germany, Portugal, Greece, and Spain. On the other hand, New World wines are made in regions where Vitis vinifera grapes were imported after the exploration era. These countries include Chile, Argentina, Australia, and the United States.

2. Labeling:

Labels play an important role in defining the contents of the wine. The New World wines are classified by the grape varietals. Whereas, Old World wines are named after the region of origin instead of the grape variety. Popular names such as Chianti (Italy), Bordeaux (France), and Rioja (Spain) are named after the wine-producing regions.

3. Terroir:

Terroir, a french word, typically refers to the overall environmental factors responsible for the growth of grapes. The producers of Old World winemakers pay more attention to traditional methods like the role of terroir. Whereas, the New World winemakers rely more on modern scientific methods and techniques instead of climate, soil, and other environmental elements.

4. Geography:

The geographic distinction is perhaps the easiest way to point out a difference between New & Old World wines. Old World wines are produced in traditional wine-growing regions within Europe and the Mediterranean basin. These countries celebrate a long-established legacy in winemaking.

New World refers to a wine produced in regions like Argentina, Australia, Canada, Hong Kong, South Africa, and the United States. The weather pattern in both regions differs significantly.

5. Regulatory Guidelines:

Many Old World regions follow traditional rules and regulations when producing, labeling and selling wines. Whereas, the New World winemakers enjoy freedom in the production process.

Now that you know the key differences between the Old World wines and New ones, you will no more struggle in picking the right bottle for yourself.

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Pizzini Wines: One of the Major Producer of Italian Varieties

Located in the King Valley region, Pizzini Wines is a family-owned business, born out of passion and commitment of Alfredo and Katrina Pizzini. The first vines were planted in 1978 and the first wine was released in 1994. They started selling Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay wines with 300 cases. To further deepen their roots in the business, the Pizzini family invested in three businesses in 1995. These investments were in a restaurant that was bought with 3 other families and leased to Steve and Will Flamstead. They started the King River Cafe. The second investment was the Mountain View Hotel, overseen by Adam Pizzini who made it an award-winning hotel. Lastly, they refurbished a cottage and converted it into a vineyard accommodation.

The Pizzini’s vineyard is spread over an area of 170 acres. The first grape variety was planted in 1978. It was Riesling, after that other varieties followed. These were Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay. Wanting to expand the wine portfolio, Alfredo started to try Italian varietals—Sangiovese and Nebbiolo. Fortunately, the terroir characteristics favoured these varieties and soon others also followed. Arneis, Verduzzo and Picolit. King Valley has gained a prominent position in the wine business for producing different varieties of grapes and quantity of Italian grapes. Get these Italian wines, buy Pizzini wines now!

In the early 2000s, the family arrived at a decision to focus more on producing Italian varietals. At first, they thought they would never be able to sell. But from 300 cases to 30,000 cases, they surely have a long way since they started back in 1994. Their four children Joel, Carlo, Natalie and Nicole all work together closely with their parents and manage the business beautifully. 

More than 65 families grow grapes in the King Valley, producing over 18,000 tonnes of grapes. Some are sold in the local markets while others are to other Australian wineries. If you are fond of Italian varietal wines, you can buy  Pizzini wine online.

Traditions are an integral part of our lives. Passing down to generations, these are kept alive. The Pizzini’s carried their Italian heritage to Australia and is deeply rooted in them. It can be found everywhere, from crafting wines to cooking. They have got it covered. The family is keen on keeping their Italian tradition alive. Their cellar door delivers delicious food and drink your favourite wine. if you enjoy cooking, you can learn at the cooking school. 

That was all on Pizzini Wines! Plan a trip and unwind in the scenic beauty of the King Valley, enjoying Italian cuisine and drinking wine.

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The Best Wines in Australia

Australia has been blessed with great terroir characteristics. Many discovered the potential of the land in the 1800s and started planting and nourishing vines. This discovery led people to commence their wine businesses and over the years it has immensely flourished, winning the hearts of people all across the globe. Today, the country houses more than 2000 wineries and has more than 60 winegrowing regions. Whether you like red wines or are loyal to your white wines. We are going to tell you all about the best wine in Australia and more importantly what makes it special.

Australia has been blessed with great terroir characteristics. Many discovered the potential of the land in the 1800s and started planting and nourishing vines. This discovery led people to commence their wine businesses and over the years it has immensely flourished, winning the hearts of people all across the globe. Today, the country houses more than 2000 wineries and has more than 60 winegrowing regions. Whether you like red wines or are loyal to your white wines. We are going to tell you all about the best wine in Australia and more importantly what makes it special.

d’Arenberg Wines was established in 1912, sourcing delicious fruit from vineyards located in the Mclaren Vale. The brand offers a wide array of wines under its labels. These labels are— The Originals, The Artisans, The Amazing Sites, The Icons, The Nobles and many more. You can choose your favourite wine and will not be disappointed.

McWilliam’s was set up in 1877 and till now six generations have worked in the family business.  It also offers high-quality wines, made from exceptional fruits. Wines are offered under many labels and the winemakers adhere to the philosophy of producing quality wines that you can enjoy anytime, anywhere. Whether its a celebration or to unwind after a hectic day at work. Wines from this brand are meant to provide a memorable experience.

Located in the Pokolbin region, Tyrell’s wines was established by Edward Tyrell in 1858. It started with 90 acres of land and now has 900 acres. They surely have expanded, from the Hunter Valley to Heathcote. It has come a long way and 5 generations have worked for the brand and made it where it is today. Get the best wine of your choice and be happy.

These brands have one thing in common that is their passion for wines which has positioned them as global brands. They also took responsibility for presenting Australia’s wines on a global marketplace and became the founding members of Australia’s First Families of Wine.  So, whether it's Shiraz, Chardonnay,  or Cab Sav or any other variety you are looking for, you don’t have to go anywhere else.

Do share your comments, till then stay tuned for more posts!

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Easy homemade wine recipes - How to make Spanish Sangria?

We are back with our easy homemade wine recipes section. For those who are new to it, in this section, we focus on easy, quick and fast recipes that can be made with various wines, be it red, white, rose or sparkling. So whether you have some leftover wines in your refrigerator, or want to experiment something new with your favourite wine, this easy homemade wine recipe section will serve you at its best. Today, you will know how quickly can you make Sangria from a red wine.

Though Sangria is mostly enjoyed in winters, this time we've come up with a Sangria recipe for spring and summer season. It's Spanish Sangria - a perfect summer cocktail that will have you and your guests want more of it.

Preparation time: Unlike the winter Sangria, this summer Sangria recipe will hardly take 15-20 minutes for preparation. No sort of cooking required. Here are the ingredients -

 3 parts red wine

2 parts lemonade

1 part orange juice

Fresh mint leaves

Ice cubes

Round slices of oranges and lemons. You can also use chopped oranges and lemons them, as per your convenience.

How to make it?

1. Mix all the ingredients listed above together in a large jug (preferably made of glass). Stir a little. You can and add more red wine, lemonade or orange juice as per the taste and desired strength. 2. Pour into glasses (any length). 3. Garnish with mint sprigs and a lemon wedge. 4. Your traditional Spanish Sangria is ready to serve. Serve chilled.

Isn't this super-easy and super-quick sangria recipe? Try making this refreshing beverage and let us know how you find it. We’re sure this is going to be a huge hit for your summer get-togethers. We will keep adding more recipes to this section of ours. Till then stay tuned with us, keep exploring and happy wine-ing.

*Please note: Any red wine can be used in preparation of this Sangria.

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Star Gazer Wine Cocktail Recipe

If you’re a regular wine drinker, then you must be aware of the fact that wine is one of the most versatile alcoholic drinks. It can be paired with meals and can be enjoyed as an aperitif too. It also makes for a great cocktail base and can make really awesome party pleaser drinks! Some amazing wine cocktail recipes are already featured on the Just Wines blog but today we've a Chardonnay-based cocktail wine recipe for you.

This cocktail wine recipe is a fantastic after-dinner treat and perfect for any party menu, be it a get-together with family or friends. The wine recipe will work great for warm summer evenings, so get ready to engage your senses in something really interesting.

A quick summary of Star Gazer Wine Cocktail Your loving Chardonnay wine is mixed with sweet and tangy pineapple juice. A whole different dimension of flavour is added by a splash of golden rum. The mix is then sweetened with vanilla syrup. Garnished with a thin lime slice and tadaa... Star Gazer is ready to impress your guests. Here are the ingredients and instructions in detail.

Preparation Time: 5 minutes Total Time: 5 minutes Serving: 1

Ingredients: Chardonnay - 4 tbsp Pineapple juice - 1 tbsp Gold rum - 1-2 tbsp Vanilla syrup - 1 tbsp Neatly cut lime wedge for garnish - 1

Instructions: Put some ice in cocktail shaker. Pour in all the liquid ingredients one-by-one and shake. Pour the mix into a glass and garnish with a lime wedge. Serve immediately.

Notes Please note that vanilla syrup is a sugar syrup generously flavoured with vanilla extract. Though it's easily available bottled-up in the market, but you can easily make it at home by cooking equal parts of sugar and water until slightly thickened, and then adding pure vanilla extract (as per your need). Cool at room temperature, refrigerate and use as and when required. If kept properly in an air-tight container it will last for many months.

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5 easy homemade wine cocktail recipes

Have a party at home within a few days or weeks? Deciding the menu? Want to please guests? So just don't limit yourself pouring wines and spirits directly from bottles. How 'bout easy homemade wine recipes? New to it? Don't worry, we've got you sorted. To bring smiles on your guests faces and save some dollars in your wallet, we've collected 5 easy homemade wine cocktail recipes. These delightful and yummy cocktails can be made with any red or white wine you have in your home within a couple of minutes and are surely going to please every wine lover.

1. Red wine & lemon soda Combine 3/4 part red wine and 1/4 part lemon-lime soda in a glass filled with ice. Stir politely and serve garnished with a thin lime wheel. So easy and quick, this cocktail is simply a red wine with citrusy and zingy twist.

2. Red wine & mint Muddle 10 mint leaves with 1 oz apple juice in a cocktail shake. Add some crushed ice and 4 oz red wine. Shake well and strain into a glass. Garnish with an apple slice and a mint sprig.

3. Chardonnay Cocktail Mix 3 oz Chardonnay, 0.5 oz vanilla syrup and 0.5 oz pineapple juice in a cocktail shaker. Add some ice, shake and pour into a glass. Top it off with a lime wedge and serve.

4. Sparkling White Wine Cocktail Mix 2 oz sparkling white wine with 2 oz cranberry juice and 2 oz lemonade in a cocktail shaker. Add ice and shake well. In a glass put some cranberries and pour the preparation. Garnish with a lemon wheel and serve.

5. Sauvignon Blanc Cocktail First, mix equal parts sugar and hot water to make simple syrup. Fill the cocktail shaker with 1.5 oz Sauvignon Blanc, 1.5 oz watermelon juice, 1 oz simple syrup, 0.5 oz lemon juice and some ice. Shake well and pour it into a glass. Top it with 1.5 oz soda water.

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Top Secrets for The Perfect Homemade Wine Recipe

If you are new and never tried your hands on a homemade wine recipe you will want everything to be perfect in the first go. If you have already tried a recipe you will want to further enhance your skills in winemaking. Either way, you will always seek to avoid the mistakes you probably made in your last attempt. Increasing the knowledge pool is always a good thing to do, and is always appreciated too.

Let’s take a quick look on how you can work around that perfect homemade wine recipe.

1. Taste Before You Make

You can not make a good wine until you have tasted a few. Before going for a homemade wine, try out the different types of wines to identify the taste you like the most. However, you cannot get your hands on all the wines so easily. Moreover, these wines don’t come that cheap. You can deal with both of these issues by signing up for an online wine club. The club will offer you a greater variety of wines without charging you a bomb every time.

2. Collect the Information

Try collecting as much information as possible to create a wonderful wine. Explore, observe and write! The more you will discover, the more you’ll learn about winemaking, and less will be the chances to make an error.

3. Discover Your Passion

Not just grapes, it requires a lot of passion to create a great wine. Winemaking is all about putting in lots of efforts, expertise and patience. It may be an exhausting trial and error process, so passion is the only thing that can keep you going for more trials. You may not be successful in one go but will taste success eventually if you keep on trying.

4. Keep A Track

If you go deep into winemaking, you’ll notice that every vintage has a different taste. So, it is important you keep a track of every single thing involved during a winemaking process - the variety of grapes used, date of making, weather or climate details, container or barrel used, and more. The more details you pen down for your homemade wine recipe, the more efficient you will become in making a great wine.

5. Learn From Your Mistakes

Winemaking is an ever-learning process, so don’t let yourself down if the wine does not get up to your marks. Try more, worry less.

The top secret for a great homemade wine recipe is to keep trying on some new wines to enhance your palate. Buy some great wines and give your tongue a world of flavours.

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Don't Look For A Fruit Wine Recipe Yet

A wine is almost always produced from grape juice. Though grapes are a fruit variant too, the term fruit wine is used to emphasize on a wine made from fruits other than grapes. The possible fruit alternatives could be pineapple or pomegranate or similar. A commonly asked question is why are wines chiefly made with grape juice when they can be made with other fruits too? This is because the grape is a naturally gifted fruit - it has the perfect proportion of natural sugars, acidity, tannins and water. Hence, with other fruits, some extra work is often needed to use them for producing wine. Fruits that are high in acidity require dilution with water for better balance. Similarly, fruits with inadequate sweetness require a touch of sugar so that the yeasts can feed upon plenty of sugars.

While there are numerous wineries that produce fruit wines, many people follow certain versions of fruit wine recipe to make their own drink at home.

The reason that wine made with grapes is simply referred to as ‘wine’ while those made from other fruit are called fruit wines, is because of the regular international standards. While most of the regular wines have a varying amount of alcohol, depending on whether they are light-bodied, medium-bodied or full-bodied, the proportion of alcohol is about 11% (Alcohol by volume) for all fruit wines. Remember, this is simply an approximate figure. While until a few years back, fruit wines were infamous for being overly sweet, technological improvements mean that today their product quality is much better than what it used to be.

Regardless, we suggest that before you look for a fruit wine recipe, get a bottle of it instead and ascertain if you like it or not. With so many options available all around, it would be next to impossible not to!

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Instant Homemade Recipe: Red Wine Dessert for Summer

Red wine is not just meant for drinking if you can imagine that. The rich texture of a red wine makes it a great ingredient for several dishes, and also the desserts. So, if you have a leftover red wine, you can easily use it for preparing a delicious dessert. Since summers are approaching, you are going to need a lot of desserts anyways. You will surely love this one to welcome the summer in your own sweet way!

An instant homemade recipe for Red Wine Ice Cream

All you need is a bottle of red wine (a Merlot or a medium-bodied Shiraz is pretty fabulous for this ice cream recipe); 2 cups pouring cream; 3/4 cup brown sugar; 1 vanilla bean (or vanilla essence); 4 egg yolks and one cup of full cream milk.

First, pour the entire bottle of wine into a large pot. Reduce it to at least one cup of liquid over a simmer heat. This can take around 15-20 minutes depending on the consistency of the red wine. Set aside for cooling.

Now, whisk cream, milk and brown sugar together in a medium saucepan. Pour one teaspoon of vanilla essence or scrape out the vanilla seeds by cutting vanilla bean into two parts and then add them (emptied bean and seeds) to the saucepan.

Cook it over a medium heat while stirring constantly, until this mixture begins to steam. Do not bring to boil.

Meanwhile, beat egg yolks in the mixer until it becomes thick and pale. Then very slowly pour the cream into the egg yolks whilst constantly whisking the mixture after removing the emptied vanilla bean.

Put back the mixture on the stove over a medium heat. Stir until the mixture thickens and coats the back of a wooden spoon. Remove from the heat and strain this mixture into a large bowl.

Finally, it's time to stir in the reduced wine. Refrigerate for a couple of hours in any home ice cream maker.

Serve this red wine ice cream with some freshly cut fruits for deliciousness.

This homemade red wine ice cream recipe will last for up to 3-4 weeks in the freezer.

Red wine is one of the most versatile ingredients that can be used for cooking, baking, grilling, sauteing, salad dressing and what not. Start exploring your cooking skills with red wines today and enjoy the delicious outcomes that are going to earn you a lot of appreciation as well.

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Easy Homemade Wine Recipes: Cook It Up with White and Red Wines!

There's something authentically romantic about cooking with wines. The aura that a wine creates when poured into a dish while cooking is magical in itself. Cooking with wine at home might seem tricky, but it's not. All required is a delicious and quality wine and some knowledge on food pairing. Not sure what to make? Don't worry! Here are some easy homemade wine recipes that won't take long in preparation and don’t require a bundle of cooking skills.

Easy Homemade Recipes with White Wine

White wine pairs well with seafood, but these can also be used for making soups, braises and even desserts.

Poached Salmon with White Wine-Butter Sauce and Corns

Poaching salmon in Chardonnay wine is an easy and quick way to infuse subtle flavour to the fish. Just don’t forget to sprinkle some common salt before serving salmon to prevent seasoning from washing off.

Mahi Mahi with Herbed White-Wine Sauce

An elegant and easy homemade wine recipe, meaty mahi mahi gets the flavour from white wine sauce made with strong herbs like thyme and marjoram. Add clam juice to give this dish a briny edge.

Sauvignon Blanc-Steamed Mussels with Garlic Toasts

A crisp and citrusy Sauvignon Blanc would be great to steam mussels along. A quick and easy homemade wine recipe!

Chilled Chardonnay-Braised Calamari Pasta

Cool the skinny pasta and toss it with Chardonnay-braised squid done in a light, tangy sauce. This white wine dish makes for a refreshing first course.

Easy Homemade Recipes with Red Wine

Pan fried mushrooms with red wine and thyme

Just fry some sliced mushroom in a pan with Pinot Noir wine and some thyme. Voila! You have a great snack to enjoy in the evening.

Lamb rack with Pinot Noir sauce

Slow cook the vegetables with Pinot Noir for a caramelized flavour and then put it over oven-cooked lamb with herbs to make it all the more rich and yum.

These easy homemade wine recipes are good for all seasons. Try and enjoy!