Calvados, cider, Sake, Sparkli...

Known more as a cutting-edge cider maker, Eric Bordelet was a top sommelier at Arpege in Paris, before returning home to Normandy in 1992 to take over the family business. He biodynamically grows more than 20 apple varieties and 15 pear varieties. JASON WILSON, Vinous

Eric Bordelet approaches Cider-making with the same intensity as a passionate oenologist brings to winemaking. Bordelet worked as sommelier in the leading 3 star Parisian restaurant, ‘Arpege’ where he became deeply familiar with the top winemakers and wineries of France. In 1992 he took over the tiny patch of family farmed orchards in Charchigné, in the heart of Normandy’s premium Cider producing area. Since then he has set about rescuing the ancient ‘heirloom’ varieties of pears and apples that produce tiny quantities and amazing flavour.

Produced from pear trees estimated to be about 300 years old. Poiré Granit has 25-80 grams of sugar per liter, yet it doesn't taste particularly sweet.  This is due to the tannin and acidity, which Bordelet says is twice as high as the apple! Stunning as aperitif or with cheese or desserts. With just 4% alc/vol this can be enjoyed any time. Cider simply doesn't get better than this !!

Oka Kura is Junmai sake based, aromatized with four unique Japanese botanicals, and fortified with shochu. It is produced in Kumamoto, Japan, at the Tsutsumi Distillery. Oka Kura has a medium-light body with a round mouthfeel provided by the sake. You can very clearly taste the rice, yeast, yuzu, wormwood, and sansho. The combination of yuzu and yomogi creates a strong grapefruit backbone that dominates the palate beginning to end. 

Oka Kura Bermutto is a uniquely Japanese take on the category of vermouth made from aromatised, shochu-fortified sake. Technically it's not a vermouth because it is not wine-based, but it works in cocktails as a vermouth should—as a botanically-infusing, low ABV modifier— that bridges a gap between sake, shochu, and vermouth.

...Vibrant, lively, lemon and ginger with green apple characters. Has this slightly wild sourness in the mix, lots of sea spray and salty minerality, a very refreshing zesty expression with a compelling edginess that sits outside traditional sparkling wine styles. I really like this. MIKE BENNIE, The Wine Front

Méthode traditionnelle, 72/28% pinot noir/chardonnay. Fourth release, with a low dosage (7g/L), disgorged in June, 2021. Complex floral and citrus aromas introduce this charmer with pastry and yeasty notes in support. With input from reserve wines – 2017 and ' 18 reserve chardonnay and pinot noir, aged in old barrels – the palate delves into mandarin, cumquat, nougat and toast, in harmony with a surge in tangy acidity. Great balance and length on display. JENI PORT, James Halliday

The name Fukuju is derived from one of the Seven Lucky Gods in Japanese mythology. Fukuju is a relatively small brewery, making artisan and craft sake. Current owner Yasafuku San is 13th generation.

The house style is very elegant. The water in Nada/Kobe is called Miyamizu, and it is hard water by Japanese standards, full of minerals and is famous water in the ‘sake world’. Nada regional style is dry and has good grip with spiciness.

Water’s influence is very significant in Sake style, and Fukuju use this Miyamizu as well as blending pure water (filtered soft water) to make particular style of Sake. They take ‘water’ seriously in making and developing new way of Sake making.

Fukuju is traditional with a modern approach at the same time. Since the large earthquake in this area in 1995, they built their brewery which is Seismic structure, and are progressing to create ecofriendly and sustainable way of Sake making.

The water in Nada/Kobe is called Miyamizu and is famous because it's full of minerals. Fukuju Junmai Sake is dry and has good grip with spiciness.

Produced by the highly regarded Kitajima Sake Brewery. This Yuzushu uses all natural ingrediens and is made with Sake, sea salt and four times the the yuzu of of most regular yuzushu. It's rich and luxurious, concenetrated but wonderfully fresh and so distinctive. A PWS favourite!

More product information will be added here soon! In the meantime, if you do have any questions at all about this product or others in our store, you can contact us by phone or email. Our friendly and experienced team are always happy to assist - we love drinking, selling, talking about and being in and around wine!

Named after the mythical octopus which is said to guard Shiga bay. This robust sake has a rich mix of fruit and savoury elements, up front is green melon, white peach and edamame leading to nougat and cream followed by savoury undertones of shitake mushroom, rice bran, and almonds with a hint of salt & pepper to close. An elegant, sessionable sake for both dining and imbibing.

More product information will be added here soon! In the meantime, if you do have any questions at all about this product or others in our store, you can contact us by phone or email. Our friendly and experienced team are always happy to assist - we love drinking, selling, talking about and being in and around wine!

Produced by infusing ume fruit in shochu, this lassic Japanese beverage shows marzipan aromas and a rich palate with sweet and tangy complexities. GOURMET TRAVELLER

More product information will be added here soon! In the meantime, if you do have any questions at all about this product or others in our store, you can contact us by phone or email. Our friendly and experienced team are always happy to assist - we love drinking, selling, talking about and being in and around wine!

A blend of 88/8/4% pinot noir/chardonnay/pinot meunier. A couple of years on lees for added complexity. An unusual brightness, almost zingy, saline and briny, with a lift of white balsamic friskiness and strong red cherry and rosehip tea characters. Good stuff, from the get-go. It's fragrant and pretty, a good deal of energy on the palate with a tartness and pleasing bitterness despite the ascendence of red fruits and sweet spice. There's a relative simplicity at play but it works in the wine's favour, precise, fine-boned, and very refreshing. A little left of centre in a way, so pure and fresh, and yet so delightful. A winner. MIKE BENNIE, Halliday Wine Companion

The 2016 Blanc de Blanc like all of our sparklings is crafted méthode traditionnelle, with 7 years on lees and over 12 months under cork pre-release which promotes complexity. A generous palate with rich tertiary elements making this wine's length long and delicatable.

More product information will be added here soon! In the meantime, if you do have any questions at all about this product or others in our store, you can contact us by phone or email. Our friendly and experienced team are always happy to assist - we love drinking, selling, talking about and being in and around wine!

More product information will be added here soon! In the meantime, if you do have any questions at all about this product or others in our store, you can contact us by phone or email. Our friendly and experienced team are always happy to assist - we love drinking, selling, talking about and being in and around wine!

More product information will be added here soon! In the meantime, if you do have any questions at all about this product or others in our store, you can contact us by phone or email. Our friendly and experienced team are always happy to assist - we love drinking, selling, talking about and being in and around wine!

More product information will be added here soon! In the meantime, if you do have any questions at all about this product or others in our store, you can contact us by phone or email. Our friendly and experienced team are always happy to assist - we love drinking, selling, talking about and being in and around wine!

Dewazakura spent 11 years developing their own original rice, called Dewa Sansan, and it is grown only in the Yamagata prefecture. This rice makes a very soft and deep flavoured style of sake. It shows characters that resemble wine and has hints of herbs, yeast, and mushrooms. The palate has good zingy acidity, with citrus/lemon tang, and a clean and fresh finish with wonderful mouthfeel.

Sake name Junmai Ginjo Dewa Sansan
Style Junmai Ginjo
Rice type

• Kojimai (Rice used for making Koji) Dewa Sansan
• Kakemai (Rice used for making Sake) Dewa Sansan
• Rice grown Yamagata
• Rice polishing ratio 50% (remaining)
• Alcohol 15.5%
• SMV (Sake Meter Value) (+4)
• Serving temperature Chilled or warm

More product information will be added here soon! In the meantime, if you do have any questions at all about this product or others in our store, you can contact us by phone or email. Our friendly and experienced team are always happy to assist - we love drinking, selling, talking about and being in and around wine!

More product information will be added here soon! In the meantime, if you do have any questions at all about this product or others in our store, you can contact us by phone or email. Our friendly and experienced team are always happy to assist - we love drinking, selling, talking about and being in and around wine!

Umeshu is produced by infusing Ume fruit into Shochu. Green Tea flavour is added to achieve  refreshing character. The texture is smooth and is has well balanced sweetness and delicate  green tea tannin. Finishing is crisp and clean. It is refreshing to have chilled Umeshu straight or  over ice, or cold spring water. Or you can create any kind of beautiful Umeshu cocktail

More product information will be added here soon! In the meantime, if you do have any questions at all about this product or others in our store, you can contact us by phone or email. Our friendly and experienced team are always happy to assist - we love drinking, selling, talking about and being in and around wine!

More product information will be added here soon! In the meantime, if you do have any questions at all about this product or others in our store, you can contact us by phone or email. Our friendly and experienced team are always happy to assist - we love drinking, selling, talking about and being in and around wine!

More product information will be added here soon! In the meantime, if you do have any questions at all about this product or others in our store, you can contact us by phone or email. Our friendly and experienced team are always happy to assist - we love drinking, selling, talking about and being in and around wine!

Black tea and Umeshu blended. Ume and tropical notes on the nose with almond character. Medium body Umeshu with a creamy texture, the palate shows clean sweetness and good quality black tea, tannin and clean acidity. The finish is clean. Chilled Umeshu straight, over ice,or cold spring water. Great for Umeshu cocktail.

More product information will be added here soon! In the meantime, if you do have any questions at all about this product or others in our store, you can contact us by phone or email. Our friendly and experienced team are always happy to assist - we love drinking, selling, talking about and being in and around wine!

More product information will be added here soon! In the meantime, if you do have any questions at all about this product or others in our store, you can contact us by phone or email. Our friendly and experienced team are always happy to assist - we love drinking, selling, talking about and being in and around wine!

Kenbishi is very classic – keeping same Sake making methods which involve Yamahai method and wild yeast. King of Sake rice ‘Yamadanishiki’ 100% used. ‘Mizuho’ means ‘ear of rice’, but in this case, Kenbishi meant it is ‘Junmai’. Blends of 2 YO to 8 YO tank aged Sake. Distinctive golden colour. Medium to full body. It shows honey, malt and nuts on nose. High in Umami and acidity. Texture is smooth and mouth coating warmth. Rich and complex on the palate with a crisp long finish.

Earthy and golden, toasty and generous but beautifully edged with a crunchy green apple finish. Mineral, with jasmine, garden weeds, honeysuckle and waxy pollen. A faux sweetness of syrup-soaked gooseberries, pistachio husk, golden bread crust then acidity and maritime minerality. The finish is long and persistent and speaks of ocean floors of eras gone by, as this is a wine of place, and that place is all fossils! Limestone, limestone, limestone, oil lamp-come-olive brine salinity, preserved scallop shells and sour stones provide the mineral backbone.

Aged in small apple brandy casks for over 12 months, this rich and generous liqueur is a result of blending pressed French and British heirloom apple varieties with our apple spirit.

Complex and well-structured with baked apple and spice, balanced with firm tannins and cask influence.

Our take on the traditional aperitif from North-West France – enjoy as such or serve with blue cheese or dessert. WILLIE SMITH

(Previous Disgorgement)

Straw yellow. Breadcrumb, walnut and yellow fruit on the nose. Really fresh palate with cracking lemony acidity and fine bubble. Just a tiny bit bitter but adds contrast and tension. WALTER SPELLING, Jancis Robinson

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Mid gold, with a gentle bead. Depth of brioche and cream, with some toastiness. Crisp and dry, with a fine mousse, flint, lean yellow peach and a good lengthy, leesy finish. Rather fine. TIM JACKSON MW, Jancis Robinson

Ca’ del Bosco’s NV Franciacorta Cuvee Prestige Brut offers up an attractive core of honeyed fruit intermingled with floral and spice notes in a finely sculpted, nuanced style. The wine reveals lovely length on the palate and excellent balance at this level. The Cuvee Prestige is the house’s new entry-level bottling. ANTONIO GALLONI

More product information will be added here soon! In the meantime, if you do have any questions at all about this product or others in our store, you can contact us by phone or email. Our friendly and experienced team are always happy to assist - we love drinking, selling, talking about and being in and around wine!

More product information will be added here soon! In the meantime, if you do have any questions at all about this product or others in our store, you can contact us by phone or email. Our friendly and experienced team are always happy to assist - we love drinking, selling, talking about and being in and around wine!

More product information will be added here soon! In the meantime, if you do have any questions at all about this product or others in our store, you can contact us by phone or email. Our friendly and experienced team are always happy to assist - we love drinking, selling, talking about and being in and around wine!

A fragrant rosé where the delicate freshness of Chardonnay is completed with the fruity richness of Pinot Noir and the suave roundness of Pinot Blanc. The softly pressed grapes develop a harmonious accord in the more than 24 months of maturation on the lees. Notes of freshly picked currants and cherries, crisp apricots and strawberries, peony petals and blood orange, with a delicate nuance of fresh almond and cotton candy. The sip is lively and sunny, dynamic in the juicy freshness of pomegranate and red apple, with a subtle and vital flavour.

More product information will be added here soon! In the meantime, if you do have any questions at all about this product or others in our store, you can contact us by phone or email. Our friendly and experienced team are always happy to assist - we love drinking, selling, talking about and being in and around wine!

More product information will be added here soon! In the meantime, if you do have any questions at all about this product or others in our store, you can contact us by phone or email. Our friendly and experienced team are always happy to assist - we love drinking, selling, talking about and being in and around wine!

More product information will be added here soon! In the meantime, if you do have any questions at all about this product or others in our store, you can contact us by phone or email. Our friendly and experienced team are always happy to assist - we love drinking, selling, talking about and being in and around wine!

More product information will be added here soon! In the meantime, if you do have any questions at all about this product or others in our store, you can contact us by phone or email. Our friendly and experienced team are always happy to assist - we love drinking, selling, talking about and being in and around wine!

More product information will be added here soon! In the meantime, if you do have any questions at all about this product or others in our store, you can contact us by phone or email. Our friendly and experienced team are always happy to assist - we love drinking, selling, talking about and being in and around wine!

More product information will be added here soon! In the meantime, if you do have any questions at all about this product or others in our store, you can contact us by phone or email. Our friendly and experienced team are always happy to assist - we love drinking, selling, talking about and being in and around wine!

More product information will be added here soon! In the meantime, if you do have any questions at all about this product or others in our store, you can contact us by phone or email. Our friendly and experienced team are always happy to assist - we love drinking, selling, talking about and being in and around wine!

More product information will be added here soon! In the meantime, if you do have any questions at all about this product or others in our store, you can contact us by phone or email. Our friendly and experienced team are always happy to assist - we love drinking, selling, talking about and being in and around wine!

More product information will be added here soon! In the meantime, if you do have any questions at all about this product or others in our store, you can contact us by phone or email. Our friendly and experienced team are always happy to assist - we love drinking, selling, talking about and being in and around wine!

More product information will be added here soon! In the meantime, if you do have any questions at all about this product or others in our store, you can contact us by phone or email. Our friendly and experienced team are always happy to assist - we love drinking, selling, talking about and being in and around wine!

There are only a select few, perfect locations, to grow great wine on this big blue orb of ours and those are between 30 and 50 degrees north and south latitudes. Those regions need to provide just the right temperature, humidity, heat and climate to grow high quality grapes. We are absolutely spoilt for choice when it comes to the northern reaches with the whole of Europe at our disposal, but travel further south and things are a little different.

While New Zealand and Tasmania provide us with plenty of choices (and we would be remiss not to include them) the southern reaches sitting on and just below the 40 degrees latitude offer a up a wholy unique drinking experience.

While grapes like riesling, cabernet and pinot noir are familiar to us, a number of the wines in this months pack aren't seen so regularly on your local wines list or on the shelves of your corner wine store. From Malbec's in Argentina to the infamous Pinotage and the more classic varietals like Chenin in South Africa this is an exploration of all that is good in these great southern lands of ours.

Where do we start with such an awesome selection of interesting wine? It's hard to decide we might just do a quick run down by country.

South America is relatively new to the wine scene but has come along in leap and bounds. WE start with a couple of classics with the Finca Los Moras Malbec and the Santa Ana Cabernet. These are text book varietal wines with plenty to love in their up-front fruit and modern styling. For something a little different we through in the Bouchon pais. For those who do not know, Pais is an old variety that is Chile's answer to pinot noir. With a little more bite and a wild flourish this a great introduction to this fascinating wine.

Closer to home in New Zealand we have few classic drops with the Palliser Estate Pencarrow pinot. A wine you would be hard pressed to find with the structure, concentration and complexity at the same price. Off to Hawkes Bay for some stonking Chardonnay from Bilancia fame and some of the world most underrated syrah from stars Te Mata. What a treat!

Just in our backyard, Tassie continues to pump out some of the best wine in the country and while we would never miss out on showcasing another great pinot there is some real winners with pinot gris and riesling on the rise. The Moores Hill gris is a freat example of textural and vibrant gris from the Apple Isle with the Riversdale riesling hot on its tale.

And for something a little different we have got the latest release Willie Smiths Cider. This is an absolute belter, and we couldn't help but included it once we were told it had been released. Perfect timing! We will take that one!

Last, and something we don't see much in Aus is a cracking selection of wines from South Africa. Long-term customers may recognise some of these wines and as far as we are concerned, they are some of the best modern day Cape wines to make it over. The Bare Bones cinsault is a zippy red full of energy while the Winery of Good Hope pinotage is a juicy and fun take on this classic red variety,

And what would a selection of wine from South Africa be without a chenin blanc. The Secateurs is clean and crunchy with a plush fruit profile that is cleaned up by chenin's zippy acidity.
All in al a pretty awesome and exciting collection of stellar wines from the great south!