November 2008 - Jordan Wine
Melbourne and the Yarra Valley Wine Tour: A Traveler's Guide to Victoria
A few weeks ago, I had a month-long vacation in Australia, mostly in Melbourne. It was my third trip to this city and the best one yet. It seems like every time I visit Melbourne, I always discover something new and this time, it was the excellent wineries in the area. I was virtually raving to my friends about all the fine wines I had tasted on my visit. Hence, at their urging, I am writing this traveler's guide to Melbourne, with a special eye on its delightful wine.
Firstly, on any visit to Melbourne, I strongly suggest that first-time visitors take a day or two to explore this magnificent city. Among all of Australia's major cities, this is the one that will likely have that special attraction to even the most jaded, well-traveled and world-weary tourist. As the locals say, Melbourne can mean different things to different people. It may seem foreign at first but there is always something that is strangely familiar and which, on some level, reminds the globe-trotting visitor of home. I guess that's why they call Melbourne a chameleon city.
Melbourne is a city of diverse cultures and remarkable contrasts. Here, different groups have learned to co-exist comfortably with one another. For instance, the Italian neighborhood and the Chinese neighborhood, which are side by side.
Whether your lifestyle is beachside or bohemian, Melbourne has something that will appeal to you, be it the food, wine, art, style, customs, nightlife, businesses or beliefs.
Once you're ready to start your wine tour, the place to begin is the Yarra Valley, a prime wine-growing district that began making wine in the late 19th century. Its cool climate and rich soil are ideal for producing dry red wine, chardonnays and pinot noirs. Among the excellent small wineries are Yeringberg, Yarra Yering, St. Hubert's, Seville Estate and Coldstream Hills.
Sample the offerings of wineries such as de Bortoli, Yarra Yering and Domaine Chandon (sparkling wines). You can have lunch at one of the wineries and spend the night in the area where there are a number of first-class hotels with luxurious accommodations.
On your second day, begin with a hefty breakfast (Yarra Valley offers the popular option of having breakfast on a hot air balloon as you cruise the sky, interested?) before heading to Healesville Sanctuary to view the indigenous koalas, kangaroos, wallabies and platypus. A little way further will take you to the Mornington Peninsula and its 30 wineries. There are excellent accommodations in the area for an overnight stay.
On your third day, have breakfast and taste the wine at Karina Vineyard then head to Dromana Estate for lunch and more wine tasting. The combination of the sea, cool climate and the area's excellent volcanic soil all contribute to the production of exquisite chardonnay and pinot noir. Spend the night in the vicinity.
On your fourth day, with your wine tasting tour over, you may want to ride the ferry to Queenscliff for a tour of the Great Ocean Road before heading back to Melbourne.
If you're visiting Melbourne in Victoria Australia - be sure to also take the time to go and check out the Yarra Valley. Home to more than 55 wineries plus some amazing restaurants, you can find plenty of great luxury Yarra Valley accommodation - chateaus, bed and breakfasts, retreats, estates, lodges and so forth. To see the full range of luxury accomodation reviews, visit Simply Lush at http://www.simplylush.com - and see the luxurious Melbourne hotels and Yarra Valley accommodation spots you can spoil yourself at. |
Thoughts about Jordan Wine
Melbourne and the Yarra Valley Wine Tour: A Traveler's Guide to Victoria
A few weeks ago, I had a month-long vacation in Australia, mostly in Melbourne. It was my third trip to this city and the best one yet. It seems like ...
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Recommended Jordan Wine Items
Laguiole Flatware Set Black
French artistry and craftsmanship at their very best The trademark 'bee' on every piece of flatware assures you that this set is crafted in France according to a centuries-old tradition. But the sleek shape impressive heft and gleaming stainless steel construction help to make it appropriate for contemporary tables too. Marbelized ABS handles are reminiscent of precious ivory and ebony. 25-piece set includes a storage chest and 6 each: dinner fork knife soup spoon and French teaspoon. Dishwasher-safe.
Price: 149.95 USD
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MPs set to demand cheap booze ban and drinking age of 21 to curb street violence of 'Binge Britain' (Daily Mail)
Sun, 09 Nov 2008 18:21:57 -0800
A ban on cut-price beer and wine and a higher drinking age may be needed to curb alcohol-related public disorder, MPs will say today.
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Yes, you can order red wine, may be others will think that you're drinking the wrong wine but it is does not matter. There is another thing you should know about white wine and fish pairing.
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This is a great recipe for a make ahead beverage mix that you use to make hot or cold mulled drinks. You can use it to make mulled apple cider, mulled wine or mulled cranberry juice cocktail. Serve your mulled beverages cold or hot. Mmmmmmm... hot mulled wine chases away the chill. Great for holiday entertaining.
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