How Manu can help save you a mini motza

Manu Feildel was one of the best chefs in Australia - helping steer Bilson's in Sydney to three hats and much acclaim.

Nowadays he is a ubiquitous media personality, starting on Ready Steady Cook and MasterChef Australia, followed by My Kitchen Rules, then branching out into Dancing With The Stars, My France with Manu and as judge on Australia's Got Talent and then Plate of Origin.

He doesn't do that much day-to-day behind-the-stoves cheffing right now, but he's certainly one of the most recognisable faces in the media.

Now Manu has a a new gig as official brand ambassador for LeCavist, a French company specialising in premium wine storage solutions.

And that news might just be able to save you some money, whether you are a Manu fan, or not.

Here's the spiel: "LeCavist has chosen him as the perfect ambassador to champion their mission of elevating the enjoyment of fine wine in Australian homes.

"In this partnership, Chef Feildel will collaborate closely with LeCavist to emphasise the unparalleled quality and craftsmanship of their wine fridges. He will offer valuable insights into the art of wine and food pairing, demonstrating how LeCavist’s cutting-edge wine storage solutions can enhance any dining experience."

Alexandre Clerch, director of LeCavist, oozes enthusiasm: “We are delighted to welcome Manu Feildel to the LeCavist family. Chef Feildel’s commitment to culinary excellence and his unwavering dedication to quality resonates perfectly with our brand values."

Here the good bit: LeCavist is offering a special promotion for Australian customers. 

From now until October 15, enjoy a 10% discount on a range of wine fridges by using an exclusive promo code at checkout. 

Simply enter MANULECAVIST on the LeCavist website to receive your discount. Message delivered. 

Special offers pile up if you are a wine lover with a credit card

Wine is big business. And there are a plethora of sellers - big and small - offering "special" deals to anyone with some cash to spend right now. 

My monthly email from American Express lists no fewer than four special offers from wine sellers - each slightly different. 

All are designed to offer extra value top cardholders, but you have to wonder just how all these discounts are feasible.

Splash out, by all means, but remember your local liquor store offers free advice when you buy face to face; and the big outlets often have great deals on some of the big names. 

Here are the offers I have to choose from right now: 

Pendolino Wine Shop. Spend over $500 get $125 back  "Receive $125 every time. Exclusions apply." So perhaps not every time then. 

Just Wines. Spend $250 or more, get $50 back. But this is limited to the first 10,000 cards to sign up. 

Vinomofo. Spend $299 or more, get $70 back. This one is limited to the first 30,000 cards to sign up. 

Liquorland. Spend $100. Get $10 back. Exclusions apply.

# Just as I was writing this another email landed from Virgin Australia, urging me me to: "Get up to 3,000 points & gifts up to $160 with Virgin Wines".

And I haven’t checked the post box yet. 

Check 'em all out for sure. But caveat emptor should be be your watchwords.   

Celebrating 170 years of winemaking in style

Sevenhill Cellars, the founding winery of the Clare Valley, celebrated its 170th birthday this weekend with a party, a new-look label, a new range and a new direction.

Established in 1851 by Jesuits escaping persecution in Europe, Sevenhill has for decades been a quiet achiever in the Clare region. 

It has a fascinating history, compelling cellar door experiences and maintains its Jesuit links. The first seven winemakers at Sevenhill were all Jesuits. 

With a dynamic new general manager in Jonathan O’Neill, and experienced winemaker Will Shield on board - joining a team including two decades plus of viticultural experience in Craig Richards - Sevenhill is being propelled into the modern era. 

Religious labels and some old-fashioned styles are standing aside for exciting new modern branding.

The Sevenhill fruit has always been high quality - with grapes sold to Penfolds for wines including Grange and St Henri - and now there is a look to match. 

The entry level Inigo range and the premium new Sevenhill range feature a journey line over 170 years to the current vintage, linked by what appears to be a vine tendril. The designs are by Scott Carsdale and his team at Voice Design in Adelaide. 

The Inigo range ($25-$28, above) comprises a vibrant 2021 Riesling; a 2021 Pinot Gris; savoury 2019 Barbera; smooth and stylish 2019 Merlot; 2019 Shiraz and 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon. 

The riesling, barbera and merlot all offer excellent value, and all but the pinot gris are estate grown. 

The new Sevenhill range (below) consists of a 2021 27 Miles Riesling, 2020 Spire’s Lament Viognier, 2020 Open Range Grenache, 2020 Thatch and Clay Touriga and the 2019 Quarry Road Cabernet Malbec: all retail for $45-$50 except the greanche - made from 100-year-old vines - which comes in at $80 but offers a special experience. 

The grenache and the touriga were my standouts with the riesling potentially very long lived. 

Birthday party guests also got to try gems including the 2005 St Aloysius Riesling, a Classic Topaque and a Fine Old Tawny. 

Readers of this blog can sample the new releases with a very generous 20% discount by using the code 170Years with their online or cellar door orders before the end of the month. 

“It is a very exciting time for Sevenhill,” says GM O’Neill. “We’ve been a sleeper but are ready to move into the future. The fruit is on our doorstep and we are ready to spread the word about the strides we have made. 

“We hope the new Sevenhill range will change perceptions about our wines. We have small parcels of premium fruit, new labels, and are showcasing some different varieties.”

Experienced winemaker Shields (above) echoes those thoughts. 

“We are now making small-batch contemporary styles along with the more traditional styles or which Sevenhill is best known,” he says. 

To find more details, or order with the discount, visit www.sevenhill.com.au. But be quick.