And today is .......

[Buttface]

International Merlot Day uncorks onto our calendars each November 7 to showcase the world-wide popular red wine grape variety..

The day is an opportunity to enjoy the luscious Merlot in various styles, from approachable, fruit-forward wines to more complex, aged versions, and to encourage people who are new to wine to try it.

Merlot is a popular red wine grape grown worldwide, known for producing approachable, medium-bodied wines with soft tannins and flavors of plum, cherry, and raspberry. It is a a dry red wine. Its plush dark fruit can make it seem rich, but the residual sugar is very low. The impression of richness comes from ripe fruit flavours and the smooth, round tannins rather than actual sweetness.

Merlot was first planted here in Australia in the 1960s and it’s a wine with many identities, from smooth and easy-drinking to something more complex. It’s often blended with other varieties, including in the famous Cabernet Merlot blend.

Australian Merlot is one of the country's most popular yet quietly underrated red grape varieties. Accounting for 8,477 hectares under vine (roughly 6.3% of Australia's total vineyard area), it is the country's third most-planted red grape. Often dubbed "Cabernet without the pain" due to its thinner skins, softer tannins, and plump, approachable fruit profile, it has historically played a supporting role in blends but is increasingly shining as a premium standalone varietal.

Australian Merlot generally splits into two distinct styles determined by the climate of the region where it is grown:

• Warm-Climate / Inland Style: Grown in bulk in regions like the Riverland, as well as premium warm areas like the Barossa Valley and McLaren Vale, these are rich, generous, and full-bodied. They offer ripe, plush fruit flavours of plum, cassis, and black cherry with velvety tannins and low acidity.
• Cool-Climate / Maritime Style: Sourced from regions like Margaret River, the Yarra Valley, and [This word has been automatically removed]awarra, this style is more precise, structured, and savoury. You will find notes of dark cherry, wild berries, and plum accented by complex undertones of earth, graphite, tobacco, vanilla, and cocoa. These cooler expressions possess brighter acidity and tighter tannin lines, giving them excellent cellaring potential.

Key Regions

• Margaret River (WA): Celebrated as a premier region for Merlot, particularly when married with Cabernet Sauvignon in classic maritime-influenced Bordeaux-style blends.
• [This word has been automatically removed]awarra & Wrattonbully (SA): The famous red terra rossa soil over limestone gives Merlot an intense, vibrant fruit character with a distinct earthy, ironstone complexity.
• Yarra Valley (VIC): Known for its elegant, fresh, and highly savoury cool-climate expressions.
• McLaren Vale & Barossa Valley (SA): Famous for fleshy, opulent, and deeply comforting single-varietal Merlots.

Blends vs. Single Varietals

While single-varietal bottles are widely available, Merlot truly thrives as a blending partner in Australia. It is most famously used to create the classic Cabernet Merlot blend.
In these wines, Cabernet Sauvignon provides the firm structural backbone, tannin, and high acidity, while Merlot steps in to "flesh out" the mid-palate, adding roundness, plum fruit, and instant approachability.
Today classic winemakers make premium wines while experimental producers breathe new life into the variety.

Best pairings:​

• Roast chicken and turkey: Merlot's soft tannins and moderate body are a near-perfect match for poultry, particularly richer preparations with herbs and pan jus.
• Lamb: herb-roasted lamb, slow-cooked lamb shanks, and rack of lamb all pair beautifully. The soft tannins work with the lamb's fat without overwhelming the flavour.
• Beef: Merlot with a slow-braised beef ragu or beef stew is excellent. Steaks work too, though the pairing is better with Cabernet Sauvignon for very lean, flavour-forward cuts.
• Pork: Roast pork, pork shoulder, and pork belly are all good matches. The low tannin level complements pork particularly well.
• Mushroom dishes: mushroom risotto, pasta with mushroom sauce, mushroom-based tarts. The earthy depth in Merlot finds its echo in mushrooms.
• Soft washed-rind cheeses and semi-hard cheese: Merlot's plush fruit complements creamy and moderately aged cheeses.

Australians love Merlot primarily because it is one of the most approachable, smooth, and food-friendly red wines available, offering a velvety texture that serves as a reliable "everyday" drinker and a perfect entry point into fuller-bodied red wines.

Aussies love a relaxed dining culture, and Merlot is the ultimate culinary chameleon. It has enough body to complement backyard barbecues and roasted meats, yet its soft nature prevents it from overpowering casual weeknight favourites like woodfired pizza, pasta dishes, or a sharp cheese board.


Not a moment to waste – raise a glass now!

"Stop and smell the Merlot".

“It’s wine o’clock somewhere.”

“Sip happens.”

“Vino vidi vici!”



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@Merlot
You got your own day!!!

Give us post to decipher.

 

[Merlot]

@Merlot
You got your own day!!!

Give us post to decipher.

arrgh -just pass me another bottle

 

[tiger_one]

Enjoy a cup of foamy deliciousness today because it’s Cappuccino Day!

Double espresso, steamed milk and foam. It’s amazing that these simple ingredients can make us so happy! This coffee drink is essentially a latte, but in Australia, it's topped with a dusting of cocoa powder. Yumm!!

Be it the mornings before work, catching up with old mates, or simply to satisfy your cravings, coffee is essential.

A classic cappuccino calls for 1/3 espresso, 1/3 steamed milk, and 1/3 foam. You can mix it up by using 2 or 3 tablespoons of flavored syrups or even different kinds of milk, like chocolate or vanilla. You can sprinkle some cocoa powder or cinnamon on top of the frothed milk for an extra touch of flavor.

Statistically, here in Oz, the most popular coffee orders are: Latte: 27% Flat White: 25% Cappuccino: 20% Long Black: 8% - it's time to redress this anomaly starting today!

Start the day with a steaming mug of frothy cappuccino, or wind down after dinner with a hot, relaxing cup alongside a rich dessert. Actually, enjoy it anytime.

Actually anytime means just that: early morning, mid-morning and late morning, pretty much any time between 7am and 11am; massive queues at cafes and coffee shops. People who happily line up for ten to fifteen minutes to get a takeaway cup of their favourite brew.

Work meetings won’t start until the coffee is served or at least ordered. Dedicated company coffee runs or coffee deliveries. Coffee here, coffee there, coffee everywhere. And mostly, the choice is a cappa!

So why is our coffee so good? What are we doing differently to the rest of the world? There are two reasons for the yummy coffee flavours. Number one: great beans. Beans are freshly grinded instead of the traditional filter coffee you find all around the world. Number two: great baristas. Making coffee is a form of (very tasty) art. You need to get it just right; the coffee to water ratio and the texture and temperature of the milk.

• More than a quarter of Aussies say that they can’t survive a day without coffee.
• An astounding (or perhaps not) 88% of us enjoy drinking coffee.
• Three in four of us consume at least a cup of coffee daily, and of those, 28% have three or more cups a day.
• Approximately 86% of us drink coffee on weekdays (which isn’t surprising considering coffee is a staple to kick-off our daily routines).
• And the mighty cappa stands tall among choice across the board.

Health Benefits Associated with Coffee
If you are an avid coffee person who love a cappa, drinking coffee also comes with health up-ticks:

• Lower Risk of Heart Disease

Coffee consumption has been associated with lowering heart disease.

This is because coffee improves blood pressure, reduces inflammation, and improve cholesterol levels.

In fact, some studies show that drinking two to three cups of coffee per day was associated with a 10% lower risk of developing heart disease.

• Reduce Risk of Type 2 Diabetes

Coffee has the ability to improve insulin sensitivity and glucose metabolism.

This results in reduction of type 2 diabetes risk.

• Lower Risk of Liver Disease

Coffee also has protective effects on the liver.

Studies have found that drinking coffee may lower risk of liver cancer, cirrhosis, and fatty liver disease.

This protective effect is related to coffee’s ability to reduce inflammation and improve liver function.

• Improved Cognitive Function

Coffee may have beneficial effects on cognitive function, including memory, attention, and alertness.

The caffeine in coffee is known to stimulate the central nervous system, which can improve mental performance.

Additionally, coffee contains antioxidants and other bioactive compounds that may help protect the brain from damage and reduce the risk of cognitive decline.

• Boosts of Energy

If you’re a coffee drinker, you know its energy-boosting properties.

The caffeine in coffee is a natural stimulant that can improve mental alertness and reduce fatigue.

Studies show it blocks neurotransmitters that promote sleep, and increases neurotransmitters that improve mood, reaction time, and cognitive performance.

And remember, taking lemon water provides a refreshing way to rehydrate before consuming coffee, which can be dehydrating. This lemon drink aids digestion, stimulates the digestive system, promotes better nutrient absorption and helps to jump start your metabolism.


"Cappuccino - a magical,frothy substance that turns “leave me alone” into “good morning honey!”
"Embrace the things that make you happy. So, drink another cappuccino."
"Take life, one sip at a time."
"Deja brew."
"Everything I brew, I brew it for you."
"Life is short, drink good coffee."