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THE RAMBLING VINE

Contentious Character
 
19 October 2021 | Contentious Character

THE FUTURE OF COCKTAILS: A Canberran three-way has never tasted better.

Adapted from the Underground Spirits' blog

Two award-winning Canberra region producers and a cocktail guru. It sounds like the beginning of a joke, but it’s actually the future of cocktails, newly launched.

We’ve teamed up with Underground Spirits, and Canberra’s cocktail guru, The Martini Whisperer to bring you Sunset Foragea unique, boutique cocktail experience that you can enjoy at home. Because even as things open up, we’ve all learnt the beauty and power of our own backyard.

Our new Future of Cocktails pack is the mélange of a wine and a gin - and the addition of a garnish that could come from your very own garden.

Each pack contains a full size bottle of Contentious Character’s 'Coming Up Roses', a savoury-styled rosé made from shiraz grapes and a 250ml bottle of Underground Spirits' Shiraz Gin with Tasmanian Pepperberries, offering notes of vanilla, toast and cedar with the fruity juicy characters of the shiraz.

The Martini Whisperer worked with us to develop the delicious Sunset Forage cocktail out of our gin and wine combined with a make-at-home cherry liqueur made with Underground Spirits Vodka. Warning: it is seriously, dangerously moreish. 

With a video to guide you through the mixology, all you need to do is dress up a little, set the mood with some music and immerse yourself in the Future of Cocktails.

For the first round, garnish with fresh raspberries and mint for a seriously, dangerously moreish cocktail. Next, have a gander for your own garnish to personalise your Sunset Forage. We're imagining sliced strawberries and rosemary from the garden or keep it simple with some orange peel.

So cheers to the future of cocktails, available now at 110 dollars (and makes 8 cocktails so gather the troops!)

Time Posted: 19/10/2021 at 9:31 AM Permalink to THE FUTURE OF COCKTAILS: A Canberran three-way has never tasted better. Permalink
Contentious Character
 
25 August 2021 | Contentious Character

A NEW SEXY SUITE OF DELICIOUS DROPS

There’s still one thing you can count on in 2021, irrespective of variants and restrictions, and it’s wine.

Specifically, premium, guzzle-worthy wines with character, from yours truly.

Introducing our just-released sexy suite of delicious drops that know how to make a statement. So make yourself a cuppa (did you know we make our own teas too?), settle in and meet the new good-looking kids on the block.

2019 Merlot

This red is seriously sensual. It has a deep velvety-purple colour that is luscious just to look at. In that first sip, you'll savour mulberry and blackberry flavours, with hints of graphite to give it that extra oomph. This Merlot keeps on giving too, with strong grippy tannin that really goes the distance. 

Up your game when sipping this one and serve it alongside decadently braised and slow-cooked wild boar and thick, luxurious Venetian duck ragu. 

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2019 Pinot Noir

Apparently, Pinot Noir is the 'healthiest' red wine that you can drink.

We can't prove that, but we can attest to the smooth and easy drinking, that is our 2019 Pinot Noir. This is a dry unfined Pinot, with hints of violet, cherry and cranberry flavours.

For those into cellaring, this red features medium-bodied tannin which means that with some TLC, it'll further develop into an even more elegant wine.

For those who want to enjoy it now, we love to pair it with crispy, aromatic Peking duck (with pancakes, please).

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2019 Shiraz

HELLO, to our Shiraz in ruby red!

Shiraz are famous for their fruit profiles and this one's no different, with soft perfumes of cherry, raspberry and hints of pepper (just to keep you interested). You'll find a finely spun tannin structure here, alongside subtle naughty notes of tobacco and blueberry on the finish.

This is one you'll want to draw out so pour it generously alongside steak dinners and roast lamb feasts.

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2019 'Whiffle Waffle' Pinot Noir

This Pinot is for those who like to do it a little differently. You'll be whiffle-waffling about this red for its earthiness and mushroom aromas, as well as its subtle hints of sour cherry and some nice, groppable body. 

We love to love this Pinot when tickling the tastebuds with spicy food. It also goes down a treat with tender, fatty duck dishes and actually, chargrilled vegetables (who'd have thought?).

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2021 'Chardy Party' Chardonnay

AIN'T NO PARTY LIKE A CHARDY PARTY. Did you know that chardonnay is known as the winemaker's grape? It's a low-maintenance and yet classy and delightful wine. One can only hope for the same in a partner but when trapped to the confines of your four walls, this might be the best you can do for a while.

Our 2021 Chardonnay is lightly oaked with green apple and lemon aromas with crunchy apple textures, supported by nice clean acidity for length.

A classic wine deserves a classic meal so sip it while indulging in some perfectly roasted chicken, with ALL the sides.

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2021 'Priscilla Queen of the Pinot Gris'... Pinot Gris, of course!

Freshen up when things get all hot and heavy with this crisp Pinot Gris, displaying lemon and hints of melon on the nose, with citrus lemon flavours and solid acid structure.

This one's a friendly little number; it loves to tango with fresh seafood dishes but also loves to get down and dirty with Asian stir-fries. 

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2021 'Give Me One Good Riesling' Riesling

Picked early, this is a light semi-dry Riesling with aromas of lime, grass and hawthorn, which come through on the palate.

If you love fresh, zesty ceviche dishes that immediately transport you back to South America...well, that's the only riesling you should need to sample this Riesing because ceviche and this crisp little number are made for each other. And look, it'll be the closest you'll get to Peru for awhile. 

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2021 'Coming Up Rosés' Rosé

ARE things really coming up Rosés, you ask? We're doubtful too but there's no doubt this Rosé is delectable.

Our 2021 Rosé is savoury-styled, made from shiraz grapes. It displays red berry aromas, raspberry and strawberry flavours with delicate spicy notes and a clean crisp finish.

For this one, we think you should go all the way and get the lobster. After all, if things aren't looking up, then we might as well go down in style (with glasses way more than half-full). 

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2021 'Give It A Burl Shirl' Sparkling Chardonnay

Whether you have this with food, or without food, we guarantee you'll be mighty pleased that you gave it a burl, Shirl. 

This sparkling is sure to please and put a hop in your step, with green apple and stonefruit flavours and a lively, crunchy texture.

If you're playing it on the safe side and want to serve it with some substance, we recommend seafood dishes.

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2021 'Viva La Verdelho' Verdelho

Our first organic wine and the love child of a new growing arrangement in Cowra. This Verdehlo displays tropical fruit flavours with hints of passionfruit and lime, supported with good clean acidity for length.

Sip this Verdelho while indulging in some freshly shucked oysters and you'll feel like you've just been dropped onto a five-star resort on a remote Thai island - one can dream, right? 

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And so there you have it. The fruits of our loins are now available for your enthusiastic enjoyment. Order a case of 12 bottles and enjoy 15% off on us.

Time Posted: 25/08/2021 at 1:08 PM Permalink to A NEW SEXY SUITE OF DELICIOUS DROPS Permalink
Contentious Character
 
24 June 2021 | Contentious Character

Winter - a season for indulgence

For some, the colder seasons are a time for chilling out - as in slowing down, slothing around, hibernating...

But for us at Contentious Character, we like to keep the juices flowing. As they say, you can stop when you’re dead. 

So we’re inviting you to our winery for a winter of indulgence via good food, great wine and excellent company by our roaring fire.

Here’s what you can expect from us this July:

Sunday 11 July (as well as 25 July, 15 August and 29 August)
Wine and chocolate go hand in hand.

Like, literally, you could have a glass of our award-winning cool-climate wine in one hand and a piece (or block) of Jasper & Myrtle’s artisanal chocolate in the other!

Join us on these Sundays at either 11am or 4pm for our beloved wine & chocolate tastings. 

BOOK 11AM

BOOK 4PM

Saturday 17 July
Or is cheese more your thing?

Well head this whey to our Holy Trinity workshop of cheesemaking, cooking, pairing…and feasting. 

Make your own Mozzarella and Ricotta, guided by our Wee Jasper cheesemaker, Bridgette. 

Graze on a tasting plate of Camembert, Blue Vein, and Harvati, all with paired wines. Then, enjoy a marinated Haloumi salad for lunch - and of course, something sweet to finish.

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PS. Check out this raving review by RiotACT of one of our previous cheesemaking workshops 

Saturday 24 July
CHRISTMAS HAS COME EARLY. 

Who said we could only have roast turkey and pudding in December? Not us, thanks - we march to the beat of our drum.

And we're marching towards Christmas in July (for our 4th year too). Arrive to a red or white mulled wine followed by a 3-course dinner with options because there's sometimes no better gift than the gift of choice.

MENU AND BOOKINGS HERE

Saturday 31 July

With all the amazing events above, it's almost impossible to pick a favourite. Almost. 

Our annual Truffle Gala is always incredibly delicious and luxurious with a 5-course dinner, classical music and a truffle talk.

If you love truffles, this night is NOT to be missed. There's really nothing else like it around.

MENU AND BOOKINGS HERE

So yeah, it's cold out there, that Canberra wind is as bone-chilling as ever and the sun is barely up before it goes down. But rug up, doll up and get ready to feast and indulge with us in the rolling hills of Wamboin.

Which event has got your name written all over it? 

Time Posted: 24/06/2021 at 6:09 PM Permalink to Winter - a season for indulgence Permalink
Contentious Character
 
6 June 2021 | Contentious Character

3 Reasons Why We Love Truffles

It's our favourite time of the year - truffle season!

What is it about these buried treasures that just get our feathers so truffled?

Firstly, that smell. It's unmistakeable. It's earthy, musky and a little bit sweet. For us, our winery is near the Kowen Forest which is Canberra's largest pine plantation and truffles remind us of the forest floor, thick with pine needles, after fresh rainfall. Like other exotic foods, truffles can be an acquired smell and taste but we for one, are addicted to them!

Secondly, their rarity just makes them oh-so-irresistable. Truffles are finicky to grow and they're very elusive, especially in the wild. They love to play hard to get (they're an aphrodisiac after all) and we're always up for the chase. By the way, did you know that truffles have a symbiotic relationship with their host trees? So truffles grow on the roots of trees like oak and hazelnut trees. The trees provide the truffles with sugar and the truffles provie the trees with extra water and nutrients. How cute is that? 

Thirdly, truffles pair best with fatty foods, creating luxurious, decadent food experiences . Think butters, creams, chocolate, foie gras...and it's not a 'fatty food' but truffle + wine = match made in (our) heaven. At our Truffle Dog Hunt n Lunch, we'll be serving a pumpkin ravioli with sage butter and truffle, chicken breast with chestnut mushroom and truffle cream sauce and truffle-infused chocolate mousse (a collaboration with Jasper & Myrtle). Take the option to add on paired wines and you're in for a real treat of a day.

We're running this Truffle Dog Hunt demonstration (a peek into what a real hunt would be like) on Saturday 19 June, 26 June and 3 July.

More info & bookings here

Or go all into the truffle season and join us at our Annual Truffle Gala Dinner on Saturday 31 JulyJoin us for a FIVE-course dinner with paired wines. The mood will be set with classical music (it's quite an indulgent night after all) and there'll also be a truffle talk so you can ask everything you've ever wanted to know about these fascinating funghi.

More info & bookings here 

Truffle season only comes around once a year so we look forward to diving right in with you for 2021. 

 

Time Posted: 06/06/2021 at 8:31 PM Permalink to 3 Reasons Why We Love Truffles Permalink
Contentious Character
 
14 April 2021 | Contentious Character

3 Ways To Celebrate Mum This Mother's Day

PSA. Mother's Day is on Sunday 9 May 2021 and is just around the corner.

Because Mums are the real superheroes (especially since the Rona), we've got a few ways you can celebrate her, regardless of whether you find yourself in the Canberra wine district or not.

 

Mother's Day shopping fair

Over the Anzac Day long weekend (24-26 April), come by our winery in beautiful Wamboin for a Mother's Day shopping fair with free entry.

Sample a selection of Contentious wines, condiments and ketchups, Jasper & Myrtle's award-winning artisanal chocolate and cheeses and nibbles.

And if you like what you taste, purchase some for Mum with gift-wrapping available on-site to create bespoke hampers.

More info here

 

Mother's Day gift hampers

Want us to make gifting even easier?

Or separated from your Mum this Mother's Day but want to send her something special, delivered straight to her door (with shipping on us**)? 

This Mother's Day, we're offering three types of gift hampers for Mum.

 

 

At 99 dollars, our hamper includes a bottle of our 2019 Rosé (Stop and Smell The Rosé), a large MOJO French Pear candle, a Loveshak Red Wine soap bar and a block of Jasper & Myrtle White Chocolate & Sour Cherries chocolate.

More info here

 

 

At 159 dollars, our hamper includes a bottle of our 2019 Rosé (Stop and Smell The Rosé), a large MOJO Wild Basil & Cucumber candle, a Loveshak Pink & Sparkling soap bar and two blocks of Jasper & Myrtle artisanal chocolate; White Chocolate & Sour Cherries and Orange Cinnamon & Cayenne Dark Chocolate. And there's more! Mum will also receive a jar of Contentious loose leaf tea and a boxed trio pack of Contentious condiments. 

More info here

 

If you're feeling creative or if Mum's a wee bit fussy, you can even order a customised hamper. Simply let us know your budget then we'll contact you and help make your selections. 

More info here

**We're offering free shipping on all Mother's Day hampers until 28 April

Mother's Day lunch

And finally, for the big day on Sunday 9 May, join us for Mother's Day lunch.

Mum will be greeted with a complimentary glass of sparkling because she's the VIP.

Then, choose to lunch à la carte or feast on our seasonal 4-course tasting menu of burrata, wild mushroom gnocchi, Korean-style beef short rib and your choice of dessert. If mum's a wine lover, add on paired wines for an afternoon she'll love.

We can even arrange for a gift to be placed on the table to surprise Mum on arrival. After booking, just give us a call and we'll take care of the rest.

More info here

  

Time Posted: 14/04/2021 at 6:24 PM Permalink to 3 Ways To Celebrate Mum This Mother's Day Permalink
Contentious Character
 
5 March 2021 | Contentious Character

Riesling Day: Everything You Need To Know About Riesling Wine

In celebration of Riesling Day on 13 March, we thought we’d give you the lowdown on riesling wine from descriptions of sweet and dry rieslings, how to serve riesling wine including what to eat and pair it with and the state of riesling wine in Australia. 

Contentious Character - wineries near Canberra & NSW

A quick history lesson on riesling wine

The first mention of riesling dates back to 1435 in Germany, though of course there’s contention around that. 
For centuries, Alsace in France and Australia have also produced premium rieslings.

What we do know for sure is that by the 1850s, riesling had become a very fashionable wine, thanks to its popularity with German nobility. 

Riesling in Australia

Riesling came to Australia in the 19th century with the first planting at Camden Park near Penrith in New South Wales. It then spread throughout Australia, especially to South Australia in the hands and hearts of German settlers. 
According to Wine Australia, riesling is one of the most underrated wines in Australia. However, as of late, it is definitely on the rise in popularity, as it was in the 1960s and 70s.

The two most popular riesling regions in Australia are the Clare and Eden Valleys in South Australia. Here, their riesling is bone-dry with distinctive lime, lemon and grapefruit flavours.

But of course, we find ourselves in the Canberra district! Australian cool-climate rieslings are dry and complex, typically associated with tight, crisp finishes. 

You read that right - rieslings are not always sweet; they can be dry. 

Sweet riesling vs dry riesling

The most common misconception about riesling is that it is always sweet - and that it always tastes like that sugary, white cask wine (which in our opinion, shouldn’t really be called wine at all).

Riesling-Contentious Character - wineries near Canberra & NSW

But riesling can also be dry and in fact, Australian cool-climate rieslings (i.e. the rieslings you’ll find out of the Canberra wine region) are known for their crispness. Dry rieslings can have notes of apple, pear, lemon, pineapple and even rockmelon. 

Our 2015 Riesling, for example, is a bright riesling, with abundant fresh citrus aroma, and crisp finish, thanks to an acidity that's friendly, but firm. 

BUY 2015 RIESLING

Sweet rieslings typically have flavours of fruit and a lasting, sweet honey finish.  

But rieslings can’t just be broken down into ‘dry’ and ’ sweet’. The riesling grape is very versatile; it is complex and has excellent ageing potential where the flavours can mellow and develop over time. In fact, it’s one of the few white wines that can be aged for decades. Knowing this, it shouldn’t surprise you that rieslings can be also be dessert wines or sparkling wines!

Serving and pairing riesling wine

Because riesling wine is so diverse (thanks to its high acidity), it comes down to selecting the right riesling to pair with your meal.

Dry rieslings are great with seafood, curries and other Asian dishes. 

Sweet and aged rieslings match deliciously with rich cheeses, salty cheeses and even fruity desserts.

Contentious Character - wineries near Canberra & NSW

So to celebrate Riesling Day, start with a crisp, dry riesling and a zesty ceviche. Our 2017 Riesling, ‘Come The Raw Prawn’, features lemon and lime with a floral twist combined with a crunch green apple texture and hints of tangerine make for an enjoyable finish. As the name suggests, our 2017 Riesling works wonderfully with prawns or any seafood for that matter. 

BUY 2017 RIESLING

Then, follow up with a richer, dry riesling with an Asian dish (think a curry or even Korean fried chicken). Our 2019 Riesling, ‘Crisp In Your Cakehole’, is a delicate riesling with citrus and cut hay aromas, underpinned by rich lemon flavours; we love to match it with an Indian fish curry!

BUY 2019 RIESLING

 

 

 

Finally, finish off with an aged riesling with a cheese and fruit platter. Our 2005 and 2006 Founder Museum Collection rieslings were showered with awards and are now drinking their best, with rich honey-lemon flavours. 

And if you’re looking for a rounder Australian riesling, here are our tasting notes for our 2020 Riesling, ‘No Riesling to Worry’. 

BUY 2020 RIESLING

As a general rule of thumb, serve your riesling at 8 degrees.

Contentious Character rieslings

If you’ve been paying attention, you might’ve noticed that our riesling range spans over a decade, from 2005 to 2020!
Come visit our cellar door and book a wine tasting to sample some of our Australian cool-climate rieslings and experience the best of the Canberra wine region.

Here’s to a delicious Riesling Day on 13 March!

CHECK OUT OUR MENU

BOOK WINE TASTINGS, LUNCH & DINNER



 

Time Posted: 05/03/2021 at 8:57 PM Permalink to Riesling Day: Everything You Need To Know About Riesling Wine Permalink
Contentious Character
 
16 January 2021 | Contentious Character

Why Everything You Thought You Knew About Wine Is Wrong

Unless you’re James Halliday or a proper wine snob, you’ve probably got the wrong ideas about wine. 

Because we like to be contentious here at Contentious Character, one of Canberra's wineries serving up the best Australian wine (no contention about that), we’re going to explore some of the things people often get wrong. 


PICTURED: One of our two pavilions; perfect for your small group celebrations. Book here.

“Wine is bad for you”

Says who? It turns out lots of people say this...but that doesn’t mean they’re right.

Hippocrates, famous for his early medical practices, recommended wine as part of a healthy diet. He said you could use it to disinfect wounds, ease diarrhoea and reduce the pain of childbirth. 

In 1991, a study found regular red wine drinkers had better cholesterol. According to the French Paradox, French people can eat more saturated fat, thanks to the resveratrol in red wine. In 2008, resveratrol was said to protect against dementia, fight obesity and Alzheimer's, lower lung cancer risk, and keep hearts “young”.

The British Heart Foundation and University of Cambridge upset the wine cart when they said drinking ten glasses of wine a week can shorten life expectancy by two years.

Meanwhile, a Spanish man then died in northwest Spain after a lifetime of drinking four bottles of homemade red wine every day...at 107 years old.  He never drank water.

The answer is clear: make up your own mind. 

“White goes with fish, red goes with steak”

This is one of those aphorisms that get wheeled out in restaurants all over Australia and perhaps the world. We may even learn it slightly before we’re even old enough to drink the stuff. But it’s wrong! It’s out of date.

You have to look at the cooking technique and the sauce before choosing a wine – not just whether it’s fish or meat. For instance, steak tartare or steak with béarnaise sauce goes very well with white Burgundy.

Another thing to consider is texture. If a fish is grilled, the smokiness passed on in the fish is often best paired with a red. 

It is also a matter of complementarity. A seared tuna steak with red wine goes with a Pinot Noir and a meat carpaccio with capers and citrus goes with Sauvignon Blanc. 

So just don’t say it again. It makes you look old.


PICTURED: Our vines looking lush!

“Organic wine is healthier”

The debate about organic versus non-organic rages in the food sector so why not the wine industry? You’ve seen those wholesome looking bottles of organic wine - you know the type where even the labels look healthy enough to eat. 

The arguments for organic wine are much the same as for organic food: fewer pesticides and heavy metals, more omega-3 fatty acids, more antioxidants, no antibiotics or synthetic hormones. 

But the real “problem” in conventional wine is sulphites. These are preservatives added to wine to prevent it from spoiling, oxidising or aging too quickly. Wine made with organic grapes can have sulphites up to 100 ppm, but conventional wine can have up to 350 ppm.

Unfortunately, it’s difficult to make wine that smells, looks or tastes like what people demand, without them. Very few people are actually allergic to them.

In this case, rather than be contentious, we take a balanced approach to the addition of sulphites.

“Only men like big reds”

It’s true; some men like big reds, because they enjoy admitting to liking things that are big.

But there are women who like them too. And the converse; that women only like soft, subtle reds like pinots or whites like chardonnay, is wrong too. Apparently, women have more sensitive taste buds so they tend not to like highly tannic or highly acidic wines. 

Men like to show off and boast with highly regarded and competition-winning wines. Now that is surprising (sense our sarcasm here please). 

At Contentious Character, we don’t succumb to these generalisations. We know all types of people like all kinds of wine. So that’s why we grow all kinds of wine for all kinds of characters. 

“Canberra wine is only for politicians”

Wow, you did not! How contentious. Our Australian wine at Contentious Character is too good to waste on just one small segment of the population, no matter how discerning they are. We are very inclusive and we welcome everyone, even if everything they think about wine is wrong!

Book a wine tasting, lunch or dinner today and come taste our wines and share our views (of the rolling hills of Wamboin - not political!) 

BOOK NOW

Time Posted: 16/01/2021 at 8:48 PM Permalink to Why Everything You Thought You Knew About Wine Is Wrong Permalink