Alternative reds match the Australian wine zeitgeist

 

Calabria Family Wines is one of the big success stories of the Australian wine industry.

From small beginnings in the Riverina, Calabria has become a major player, expanding its footprint to the Barossa and unveiling several new ranges.

The third-generation Italian-Australian brand has just added three new wines to its Alternato range from the Barossa; Calabria Alternato Sangiovese 2020, Calabria Alternato Malbec 2021, and Calabria Alternato Montepulciano/Nero D'Avola 2021.

The wines have been released in response to increasing demand from Australian consumers alternative styles and varietals - particularly food-friendly reds.

The initial release in the range was Alteranto Red Blend (durif, nero d'Avola, montepluciano and shiraz) and it now has three companions.

"Our love for alternative Italian wine varietals has been passed down through the generations, starting with my grandfather Francesco," says Andrew Calabria, the sales and marketing manager.

"These varieties are shining in Australia right now as they pair beautifully with our climate in terms of both growing them, and enjoying them.

"The Barossa Valley has a somewhat Mediterranean climate, making it ideal not only for bold Aussie shiraz, but also for a wealth of alternative grapes and styles."

All three of the new wines come from Barossa vineyards - a region the Calabria family regards as its second home.

You won't miss the eye-catching packaging, or the short, stout bottles.

All three wines are very compatible with food - we tested them with homemade salami and mushroom pizzas. 

My preference was for the immediately approachable montepulciano/nero d'Avola blend, while my wife favoured the savoury malbec outlier, made from a grape originally from Cahors in the south of France that now thrives in Argentina.

The Alternato range retails for $45 from select retailers, or www.calabriawines.com.au.

Phuket resort showcases gender-fluid fashions

I stayed at Phuket's The Slate resort back when it was known as Indigo Pearl. A delightful spot, quite different from your cookie-cutter seaside hotel.

Conceived by Bill Bensley, the maverick architect and interior designer, this eclectic retreat is home to original installations and sculptures that reflect the area’s rich industrial heritage and tin mining past.

The Slate is a member of the Design Hotels collection and is again showcasing its creative credentials by collaborating with This Is Fred, an edgy London fashion label.

Crafted by British designer Frederick (Fred) Morrison, who has presented his collections at the Paris and Berlin fashion weeks, This Is Fred produces pioneering gender-fluid urban wear.

The Slate and This Is Fred have created this exclusive “THE SLATE X FRED” collection, which is influenced by The Slate’s architecture and interiors. Each hand-stitched item features black and white stripes that appear almost magically when the cloth is in movement. The unisex collection comprises trousers, tops, ponchos, jackets and more.

The collection is being exhibited at Shades, The Slate’s gallery space, and each piece is available for purchase at The Stockroom, the property’s online and onsite retail store.

“I discovered Fred in Shoreditch, a very creative and artistic area in East London where you can find one-of-a-kind vintage shops and independent fashion labels," said resort co-founder and owner Krystal Prakaikaew Na-Ranong (known to her friends as Khun Moo).

"I always prefer small independent brands to well-known international ones. His geometric cut and shape, use of materials and the gender-fluidity of the brand immediately reminded me of The Slate.

“This Is Fred has a similar brand philosophy to The Slate. Our brands have an avant-garde approach and a very bold way of thinking. 

"I invited Fred and his partner to stay at The Slate at the beginning of 2020, just before the pandemic, to discuss our collaboration. Fred was very much inspired by the resort’s architectural attributes and we decided to create THE SLATE X FRED collection together.”

The hotel has previously hosted “Artist in Residence” programs and one of Thailand’s most famous “Sak Yant” tattoo artists for a three-month residency, which allowed guests to get their own traditional tattoos.

Guests can also learn the art of flower arrangement and southern-style Thai cooking or enjoy a treatment at the Coqoon Spa.

Culture lovers can learn about The Slate's interiors and Phuket’s history on the Art Journey, a QR code-enabled tour that reveals the vision behind the resort’s artworks and sculptures.

See www.theslatephuket.com.

Menswear brand sets the [wine] bar high

 

Leading New Zealand menswear label Rodd & Gunn has launched itself into the the Australian wine bar space. 

Rodd & Gunn has just launched the The Lodge Bar Myer Chadstone in the Melbourne market. 

The Lodge Bar is located alongside the Rodd & Gunn concession at Myer Chadstone - a major shopping precinct - melding fashion, food, and wine. 

 

The menu was crafted by Kiwi chef Matt Lambert and "showcases the finest ingredients from local suppliers" (don't they all?). 

Beverages are being overseen by Master Sommelier Cameron Douglas, who has curated an expansive wine list. 

The list highlights multi-award-winning New Zealand wines benchmarked against varietals from Australia and around the world. 

The Lodge Bar offering also showcases an array of renowned New Zealand spirits, premium cocktails, and craft beer from Garage Project.

Shoppers will have the opportunity to browse the latest Rodd & Gunn collection while enjoying a beverage or two. 

Guests can also enjoy specialty cheeses from some of Australia’s best dairies supplied by Calendar Cheese Co, while breads, pastries and baked goods will be sourced from Melbourne suppliers Dench Bakery and Mabels. 

The 90sqm space features a terrazzo bar with seating zones.

The Australian debut of The Lodge Bar marks an impressive trifecta for the company, following two successful launches in New Zealand including The Lodge Bar Queenstown and The Lodge Bar & Dining Auckland. 

See www.roddandgunn.com/au/the-lodge-bar