At David Hook Wines, we keep it simple – because good wine and good food should be easy and downright tasty. Meet our newest release: the 2022 Old Vines Pinot Noir. It's got that rich cherry goodness with a touch of earthiness. And guess what? It's the ideal partner for our Chilli Duck Salade. Think juicy duck, a bit of spice – basically, a taste explosion. Pair it up with our Pinot Noir for a down-to-earth, delicious combo.
Vermentino (pronounced ver-mehn-TEE-noh) is an aromatic Mediterranean white grape variety with origins in Italy. It can go by other names as well, depending on the country or even region of Italy. For example, it’s known as rolle in France, pigato in Liguria and favorita in Piedmont. Whatever its name, it often boasts flavours of lime, grapefruit, green apple, almond and daffodil.
It’s easy to roast duck in a sticky-sweet glaze of balsamic vinegar, honey and freshly squeezed lemon juice. But an even simpler way to enjoy roast duck with crispy golden skin is to roast the duck in the oven and then serve it with a drizzle of good-quality balsamic vinegar. You can also reserve the rendered duck fat from pan-frying the duck before roasting to make deliciously crispy duck fat roasted potatoes. Simply use it in place of olive oil to toss with the diced potatoes before roasting. Serve with a glass of David Hook Shiraz (see our wine pairings below), and you have the ultimate restaurant feast at home using just six ingredients.
You may have noticed the term ‘old vine’ on a wine label, but what does this mean exactly, and how does it translate to the wine itself? Age is a relative term, and definitions of what constitutes old vines vary across regions. Vines can live for over 100 years, but in places like Margaret River – where vines were first planted in the 1970s – what’s considered old may look a bit different.
Have you ever wondered why a varietal grown in one region can taste profoundly different to the same variety grown in another region? Or why do some people prefer the wines of one region over another? The answer most often comes down to climate. Wines are sometimes described as being ‘warm’ or ‘cool’ climate – but what does that really mean, and how does it affect the taste of a wine? Taking our new release regional Pinot Noirs as an example, let’s explore how climate affects wine.
The Hunter Valley is Australia’s oldest wine region, and a host of contemporary restaurants and luxurious new accommodation options mean you can explore this iconic NSW wine country in style. Here is our guide to the best places to stay and eat on your next getaway to wine country.
