Archie Rose Emerald Finger Lime Harvest Gin
Archie Rose has announced the details of its fifth Harvest Series release: the Emerald Finger Lime Harvest Gin. Launching publicly in September, Emerald Finger Lime follows on from the previous releases in the series as a celebration of sustainably and intentionally harvested ingredients sourced from Australian producers. For this release, Archie Rose partnered with Mark and Vickie of Marvick Native Farms, Western Australia, where they grow and individually handpick a large selection of native Finger Limes subspecies.
“Vickie at Marvick Native Farms grows many types of finger limes. When I first found out about this I was blown away — I had no idea there was so much diversity available,” said Dave Withers, Master Distiller.
“We asked Vickie to send us all the different types of finger limes she grows and we tried distilling about six varieties… While each expressed a distinctly different personality as a distilled product, the Emerald Green Finger Lime stood out for its distinct vibrant characteristics.”
According to the distillery, consumers should expect Archie Rose Emerald Finger Lime to display a mouth-coating citrus flavour followed by fresh cracked pepper and softer notes of honeydew gelato chervil and violets. Best served over ice with a dash of tonic and a wedge of lime.
Archie Rose Emerald Finger Lime is the distillery’s fifth Harvest series release, following on from Sunrise Lime Gin, Lemon Scented Gum Gin, Raw Honey Gin, Dry Grown Rye Malt Whisky and Single Paddock Whisky. From next month, the limited-edition release will sell at an RRP of $89 from Archie Rose’s website and from its cellar door.
For more information read this Drinks Trade article.
James Squire Chef Blend Pale Ale
Lion Australia beer brand James Squire has launched a limited-edition brew in collaboration with Australian chef and food personality Adam Liaw. Crafted with food pairing in mind, James Squire Chef Blend is the second food-inspired James Squire beer so far this year, following on from its limited-edition MasterChef Australia XPA released in May.
According to Lion Australia’s Marketing Director Rachel Ellerm, “collaborating with Adam Liaw brought a fresh perspective to our brewing process. From the very start, his dedication and meticulous approach to the R&D process was instrumental in creating a beer that embodies the innovation and quality for both brands.”
Adam Liaw added, “I have a science background, so I spent a lot of time with the brewing team fine tuning the body, mouthfeel and aromas of Chef Blend to match perfectly with food by refreshing and opening the palate with every sip.
“Together, we wanted to create a delicious pale ale that is so sophisticated it could serve as a premium alternative to drinking wine.”
James Squire Chef Blend has been bottled with a 4.2% abv and has been made exclusively available to Coles Liquor retail banners at $22 per 6-pack and $58 per case of 24.
Veuve Clicquot La Grande Dame Rosé 2015
LVMH-owned Champagne house Veuve Clicquot has announced the Australian launch of its 2015 vintage La Grande Dame Rosé. Composed of a 90% Pinot Noir blend including 13% Pinot Noir still wine from the historic Clos Colin parcel, the 2015 release was produced during a particularly sunny vintage and has been described by Cellar Master Didier Mariotti as “the essence of Madame Clicquot… her force of character, her energy, her creativity and above all, her love of Pinot Noir,” he said.
Moët Hennessy’s Champagne Ambassador Dean O’Reilly added, “this rare champagne is blended with wines from ‘Clos Colin’, the original Bouzy vineyard from which Madame Clicquot created her Rosé, the first in the world
To help launch the new vintage release to Australia, Moët Hennesy has partnered with three fine dining establishments across Sydney, Melbourne and Perth to create exclusive menu pairing options: “we feel very inspired by the story of Madame Clicquot and we’re delighted to create this unique pairing, bringing together the cuisine of our talented chefs with this beautiful wine, created in her memory,” said Judy McMahon, Director at Catalina, one of the participating venues.
Click here for more information about the vintage release and restaurant partnerships.
Frenchies The Devil Blonde Ale
To celebrate its seventh anniversary, Frenchies Bistro & Brewery has released a limited edition Blonde Ale: The Devil. Brewed using Pilsner malts, Bohemian hops and a rare yeast strain, the 8.5% abv ale is described by the brewery as displaying a lively aroma and palate of fresh hops and hints of spices, along with a rounded mouthfeel that presents a lingering and refreshing dry finish.
“We wanted to develop something that reflected our European roots, featured a combination of some of our favourite ingredients from the continent, and paid homage to a classic beer style that has influenced Frenchies’ growth and development over the years,” said Brewery Director Vincent De Soyres.
“In 2023 you may remember we opted for a DDH Tripel coined Trippin Balls, which was inspired by the iconic Delirium Tremens. This year’s brew reflects our love of the Duvel, and achieves all three of the characteristics mentioned above!”
Frenchies The Devil Blonde Ale is available now at $38 per 4-pack or $139 per case of 16.
House of Arras’ 2024 Vintage Collection
Last week, Drinks Trade had the chance to preview the five wines included in House of Arras’ 2024 Vintage Collection at the official launch event hosted by Chief Winemaker Ed Carr.
Available from late October, three of the five releases – the Blanc de Blancs, Grand Vintage, and Vintage Rosé – were produced using grapes from the 2016 vintage, which, according to Ed Carr, was “quite a warm year” in Tasmania.
“The wines from 2016 reflect the conditions of the season, expressing generous fruit characters and a good natural acid line to hold the structure of the wines together. We employed higher levels of oak to complement the already rich character – most wines required around 9% oak integration at assemblage. This has folded beautifully into the wine over the extended maturation period.”
In addition to this, the twelfth vintage release of E.J. Carr Late Disgorged was also showcased at yesterday’s event: “the 2009 vintage was challenging but resulted in an array of outstanding fruit to craft our flagship wine. It remained relatively dry and cool throughout the growing season, and pressures like frost and wine reduced total yields for the season.
Also forming part of House of Arras’ 2024 Vintage collection is a limited allocation of the E.J. Carr Late Disgorged 2008 Magnum.
House of Arras Blanc de Blancs 2016
Grape variety: 100% Chardonnay
Dosage: 3.4g/L
ABV: 12.5%
Our thoughts: “Poised, focused, and with a real lively energy underpinning a profile of lime zest, apple, saline minerality, and nougat. Medium bodied, long and all about the fresh vibrancy.”
RRP: $136.00
House of Arras Grand Vintage 2016
Grape variety: Chardonnay 65%, Pinot Noir 35%
Dosage: 2.0g/L
ABV: 13%
Our thoughts: “So many layers of flavour that seem to evolve in the glass. Apple tart, fresh-baked salty bread, creamy pastry, smokey rye spice, all with lime zest in the background. Soft, plush and pillowy, and lasts forever.”
RRP: $125.00
House of Arras Vintage Rosé 2016
Grape variety: Pinot Noir 75%, Chardonnay 25%
Dosage: 3.5g/L
ABV: 12.5%
Our thoughts: “Piercing, fresh, and elegant, with a real tension between the rose florals, strawberry, and watermelon and the mineral and autolytic notes. Lighter in body and with a real elegant acid vein. Pours a pale rose gold.”
RRP: $136.00
House of Arras E.J. Carr Late Disgorged 2009
Grape variety: Chardonnay 65%, Pinot Noir 35%
Dosage: 1.6g/L
ABV: 12.5%
Our thoughts: “Powerful, dense, and a real journey that morphs and evolves – so up front, and yet also a wine that rewards the attention. Flavours of baked bread, stewed peach, toasted spice, lemon curd, and a powerful yeasty umami note all flitter in and out, leading to a slowly meandering finish. Great acidity taming the full body and profile.”
$277.00
House of Arras E.J. Carr Late Disgorged 2008 Magnum
Grape variety: Chardonnay 66%, Pinot Noir 34%
Dosage: 1.7g/L
ABV: 13%
Our thoughts: “Vibrant and with a real fresh energy to it – lemon zest, vanilla bean, smoky spice, and a yeasty, salted rye-bread note. On the palate, fresh citrus in perfect harmony with the denser autolytic notes – so much going on but so effortlessly balanced, with a fresh acidity that tames the palate weight. The finish is endlessly long, but with a gentle softness to it, with vanilla cream and fresh bread.”
RRP: $500
