Mohegan Sun Winefest & Pernod-Ricard Wines

January 30th & 31st mark the weekend of the Mohegan Sun Winefest, 2010. According to the website, there will be a healthy mix of wines and even ales avaliable for consumers and trade to sip on, analyze and experience next to several restaurants.

In the mix, Pernod-Ricard Wines will be pouring some excellent examples of their portfolio, including the even so popular, Jacob's Creek Reserve Shiraz.

Be sure to look for:

Brancott Reserve Sauvignon Blanc 2007: light straw in colour with green highlights. Aromas of ripe capsicum, gooseberry, and grapefruit dominate with tropical fruit notes apparent. This wine displays full fruit intensity. The ripe capsicum fl avours meld well with gooseberry and supporting mango and passion fruit fl avours. A well-balanced wine showing the lively, crisp acidity associated with this style.

Campo Viejo Reserva 2004: Intense maroon ruby red with woven edges. It combines the aroma of mature fruit with vanilla. Round and tasty wine.

Graffigna Centenario Reserve Malbec 2005: deep, dark red with complex aromas of mature black fruit and delicate black pepper notes. Well integrated tannins, round velvety body. Persistent and long finish, slightly toasted.

Graffigna Centenario Reserve Pinot Grigio 2008: Jasmine notes embraced by peach and apricot aromas. The wine is a bright, clear gold with a subtle and refined finish.

Jacob's Creek Reserve Shiraz 2006: Intense dark berry fruit flavours, with layers olive and spice. The 2005 Jacob’s Creek Reserve Shiraz is full bodied with velvety tannins which provide the perfect backbone for expression of concentrated, spicy Shiraz flavours. The generous approachable fruit flavours ensure this wine can be enjoyed now; however the balance and structure of this wine will, if carefully cellared, evolve gracefully for the next 10 years.

Sandeman Founders Reserve Porto NV: Intense ruby red color, brilliant and clean. Rich red fruit aromas with a touch of age create an elegant reflection of powerful flavors, the fruit and fire characteristic of young classic Porto balanced with the finesse.


So there you have it. According the online program, Pernod-Ricard wines will be pouring at table 316 at the Mohegan Sun Winefest this weekend. If you're going, make sure you stop by to sample some of their award winning selections.

Celebrate Australia Day!

Celebrate Australia Day!

Tuesday, January 26th marks Australia Day 2010! This is the largest, most widely celebrated holiday across the Australian continent and the best part is: there is no wrong way to celebrate!

Jacob’s Creek has been nestled in the heart of Australia’s Barossa Valley since 1847 and has sustained their high standard of winemaking enacted by Jacob’s Creek founder, Johann Gramp. Jacob’s Creek became Australia’s first commercial vineyard and Johann’s original cellar is still standing at Jacob’s Creek, Australia today. Their philosophy? To create a wine that goes with any occasion… so what better way to celebrate Australia’s most celebrated day than with a glass of your favorite Aussie wine? The holiday is technically in memory of the First Fleet of Convicts to land in Botany Bay in 1978, but was not nationally celebrated until 1944. A “proper” way to celebrate Australia Day has never been established and instead is generally accepted as a day Australians take to do what they want to do, while simultaneously showing their patriotism.

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Try this traditional Australian desert: Pavlova

Like all cultures, Australia has traditional meals, desserts & other foods that identify them as a culture. Here is a traditional recipe for an Australian desert, Pavlova. Pavlova 4 large egg whites at room temperature 1 cup of Castor sugar, also known as "Berry sugar" 1 tsp of white vinegar 1/2 tsp of pure vanilla extract 1/2 cups of whipping cream Fresh fruit such as strawberries, raspberries, kiwi fruit, passion fruit, bananas, blueberries 1 Tbsp fresh lemon juice Preheat the oven to 275F (140C) and place the rack in middle of the oven. Line a baking tray with foil and draw a 7 inch circle on the foil with the blunt edge of a knife (don't tear the foil). Set aside. In a clean, medium-sized metal bowl, beat the egg whites with a clean electric mixer on medium speed. Beat until the whites form soft peaks. Gently sprinkle the sugar into the egg whites, one teaspoon at a time. Don't just lump the sugar in the bowl and never stop beating the eggs until you finish the sugar. Your egg whites should now be glossy stiff peaks. Sprinkle the cornstarch and vinegar on the meringue and fold in gently with a plastic spatula. Add the vanilla and gently fold the mixture again. Now gently spread the meringue in the circle on the foil to make a circular base. Make sure the edges of the meringue are slightly higher then the center so you have a very slight well in the middle. Bake the meringue for about 1 hour and 15 minutes or until it goes a very pale, pinkish egg shell color. Turn the oven off and leave the door slightly ajar to let the meringue cool completely. As the meringue cools, it will crack slightly. Just before serving, take the meringue out of the oven and remove it gently from the foil and place on a plate. Whip the cream with the vanilla extract until it forms peaks. Prepare the fruit by washing and slicing. Gently spread the cream to the top of the meringue with a spatula and arrange the fruit on top. Australia Day Activities Here are some great things you can do to celebrate Australia day. Have a party and serve Australian Cuisine & wine such as Jacob’s Creek (and blog about it!) Attend a local event. Check out: http://www.australia-week.com/ for events near you! Spend some time relaxing Spend some time learning about Australian history Wear an Australian flag or the colors of the flag (red, white & blue!) Fly and Australian flag Play the Didgeridoo Play/watch Australian sports Or just have a great time doing something else you love! Celebrate Australia Day with Jacob's Creek! We can't wait to hear about your holiday! back to top

Sparkling Moscato wins 2010 ‘Australia Day’ Wine of the Year

At the 2010 Sydney International Wine Competition, Jacob's Creek Sparkling Moscato has been names the best Australian sparkling wine, aperitif style, by the National Australia Day Council. "The Jacob's Creek Sparkling Moscato is low in alcohol, low in price, but not low in flavour,” said the competition's director, Warren Mason.

This is the first time a Moscato has won the competition in the 17 years it has been running and won against wines from Champagne, Australia and New Zealand, which included mainly straight Chardonnays (Blanc de Blancs) and Chardonnay/Pinot Noir/and or Pinot Meunier blends.

The wine was paired against Smoked Salmon Timbales, accenting it's light, fruity flavors and agreeable nature.

Although the Jacob's Creek Moscato is not yet avaliable in the United States, there are hopes the product will be brought in soon. Otherwise, we'll all just have to hop a plane to Australia (which I DO plan to do on April 24th...) and sip some there!

Don't forget to celebrate Australia Day tomorrow!

Jacob's Creek Wine Bar at the Australian Open

For the third year in a row, the Jacob's Creek wine bar is a highlight at the Australian Open.

Although the two-story wine bar does not have court-side views, the wine bar is fully equipped with several television and a temperature controlled space that allows patrons to eat, sip and stay cool while staying on top of the court matches.

As I mentioned in a previous post, what could be better than the pairing of two of my most favorite things: tennis & wine.

In addition to the expected wine & food, Jacob's Creek has taken it one step further and provides a history of both the over 150 year old Barossa based winery as well as a hall of fame and tributary hall for tennis players who have participated in the event in past years.

Patrons can also purchase Jacob's Creek wines throughout the venue, take memorable pictures of themselves at the event, have a Jacob's Creek sponsored caricature drawn and even (drum roll please) sip the wine court side while they cheer on their favorite players adding to the ever increasing 2 million glasses of Jacob's Creek wine enjoyed throughout the world daily.

Creek of the Week: Jacob's Creek Chardonnay

The Jacob's Creek Classic Chardonnay 2008 is truly a value wine. This particular wine has a distinctive flavor profile that follow suit with traditional Chardonnay from Southern Australia. Incredibly aromatic, the nose is full of citrus, stone fruits and melon that follow through on the palate with incredibly balance and substantial length. There is a distrinct taste of fresh, lively grasses that add complexity to the wine. The oak is well integrated, adding weight and a creamy mouth-feel, but without the overly buttery and toast taste that can sometimes over power the grape.

At <$10/bottle, this wine is truly a deal. Good as an aperitif for cocktail parties paired with light appetizers and good company.

Tennis & Wine ... what could be better?

I don't know about you, but two of my favorite things are tennis & wine. While I've never actually sipped on a glass of wine while watching a tennis tournament (only one I've been to is the Pilot Pen in New Haven and it's usually 95 degrees outside) I imagine the Jacob's Creek Pinot Grigio would be perfect company to such.

Anyway, as tennis fans across the globe anticipate the beginning of the Australian Open on January 18th in Melbourne Park in Victoria, Australia, Jacob's Creek already started the festivity, having created an almost tennis court that floats ON the Yarra River and featured players Pat Rafter and Wally Masur to test it out.

Being that the Australian Open is in Australia, and I won't be going to Australia until April, I'll just have to follow along on TV with the rest of the Western Hemisphere, but rest assure, I'll be sipping on some Jacob's Creek as I do it. :)

**photo courtesy of the Australian Open website

Creek of the Week: Jacob's Creek Reserve Pinot Noir

This weeks Creek of the Week is the Jacob's Creek Pinot Noir. Delicious, light & fruity this wine turned out to be an office favorite (the entire bottle was consumed between five of us this afternoon...)

The wine: medium garnet with flashes of purple giving off an intense aroma of sweet cherries and ripe strawberries with undertones of herbs. On the palate, the wine is full of ripe fruits with intense flavors up front of ripe, red berries. Subtle oak tannins derived balance with the acidity and fruit forward nature of the wine to create an easy drinking, enjoyable wine that can be enjoyed on its own or with light appetizers.

Creek of the Week: Classic Pinot Grigio 2008

Refreshing citrus on the palate with delicious pear and lemon throughout the nose and palate and a light, floral undertone. Incredibly balanced with gentle acidity... good for drinking on it's own or with lighter fare. Although the wine is incredibly young, it is ready to drink now. One sip brought me to a sunny afternoon. I was suddenly convinced it was 75-80 degrees outside and it wasn't getting dark at 430pm.

Definitely a bargain. The Jacob's Creek Pinot Grigio retails for under $10 a bottle, but is of superb quality. I am not a general fan of Pinot Grigio, but found this wine to be just what I was looking to sip on for an afternoon treat.