THE WINES
4 WEEK WINE KITS
FONTANA International , Sterile Must
23 LITRE WHITE WINES
CHARDONNAY
Buttery with oaky overtones and fresh fruit flavours such as apple, pear, citrus, and melon, Chardonnay is extremely versatile. One of our most popular
varieties for its richness and easy drinkability, this wine is best
enjoyed in cooler weather with upscale meals. Full-flavoured dishes
which have been grilled, roasted or sauteed pair well with this wine. White meat, seafood, cream sauces and cheeses including Provolone, Gruyere, Brie, and aged Cheddar accent this Chardonnay nicely.
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FONTANA International:
Fontana International, Sterile Must is a perfect way to taste the wine of the world with no need to add water.
(23 Litre Kits)
CHENIN BLANC
Chenin Blanc's light to medium body features notes of pear, cantaloupe, green melons, lemons, nuts, figs, brown sugar, toffee, and faint hints of cinnamon and candied apples, but don't let the flavour profile fool you. This wine is a real treat, on a cool evening, at a dinner party or a small gathering, with food or on its own. It is deep and succulent enough to fare well against cream sauces and cheeses such as Provolone, Gruyere, Brie, and aged Cheddar. Chenin Blanc is also good accompaniment to most white meats and sea foods.
GEWURZTRAMINER
Lightly-oaked with whispers of rose, tropical fruit and spice, this medium-to-full bodied wine has a slightly sweet mouth offset by a soft, dry finish. Elegant with a refreshing quality, Gewurztraminer is perfect for warm or cool evenings. This wine complements a range of foods. It goes well with fresh fruit, chicken, well-seasoned fish, and many ripe cheeses including softer cheeses such as Brie or Feta and semi-soft ripened varieties, such as Mozzarella and Muenster.
LIEBFRAUMILCH
Liebfraumilch is a sweet, gentle blended wine made from a selection of Kerner, Muller-Thurgau, Riesling and Silvaner grapes. Sweet and full-bodied with a medium oak, this is a fresh and fruity wine. Serve this well-chilled with a Pungent cheese and crisp fruit, such as apples or pears. A good entertaining wine, Liebfraumilch is best suited for sipping and conversation, such as before or after a meal.
PINOT GRIGIO
A fantastic summer wine, Pinot Grigio is light-bodied and dry with the crisp flavours of honey, wildflower and smoke. It is perfect for casual entertaining and light Italian foods. This wine is particularly unique because, although a white wine, it possesses many characteristics of red wine on the dinner table. Pinot Grigio pairs well with traditional white wine fare like seafood or chicken, but it can be served with so much more. Veal, pasta and soft cheeses all make fantastic accompaniments to this wine. Camembert, Feta, Oka, and Swiss are especially nice.
RIESLING
Rich and sweet, Riesling boasts the intense flavours of fresh pear and apricot offset by bold floral and honey undertones. Perfect to serve at casual gatherings or as a sipping wine, this wine is a perennial crowd pleaser. Riesling also makes a good dessert wine as it is one of the few whites that pairs well with chocolate. It works well with most bold cheeses, from the rich tanginess of Havarti to the sharp, blue-veined profile of Stilton.
SAUVIGNON BLANC
Crisp and clean, this wine combines the smoky flavours of apple, grass and olive with a bright acidity. A medium-to-full bodied dry wine, Sauvignon Blanc can be heavy or light. It is similar to Chardonnay, but leaner. Its acidity lends it a certain versatility that allows it to pair just as well with thick stews and sauces as it does with fresh salads, spicy foods and cream sauces.
CORVINA (AMARONE)
Juicy plum, cherry and raspberry married with vanilla, spice and heavy oak in this hearty Italian wine renowned for its big, velvety elegance and slightly sweet finish. Perfect for formal dinner parties and heartier meals, a dry and full-bodied Amarone is best when paired with bold flavours such as braised red meats, rich red wine sauces, wild game and ripe hard cheeses.
4 WEEK WINE KITS
FONTANA International , Sterile Must
23 LITRE RED WINES
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NEBBIOLO (BAROLO)
Dry and full-bodied, Barolo has dark earthy and floral beauty, bursting with intense flavours of violet, rose, red cherry, truffle, and liquorice mingled with traces of tar, tobacco smoke and toasted oak with firm acidity. Good for hearty, sit-down meals on cold nights, Barolo pairs perfectly with rich, fully flavoured, earthy foods like thick beef and lamb stews, rich mushroom sauces and strong aged cheese, such as Cheddar or Stilton.
CABERNET FRANC
Deep and medium-to-dark bodied, Cabernet Franc is a forerunner of Cabernet Sauvignon, so expect some of the latter's lush flavours of plum, blackberry, raspberry, blueberry, sage, bay leaf, rosemary, tobacco, bell pepper, violets and eucalyptus to appear center stage. This wine is not heavy but extremely full-flavoured and almost velvety. The combination makes Cabernet Franc perfect for casual dinners and friendly entertaining, and suitable to serve with or without food. Pair with grilled meats and other simple bit flavourful fare to bring out the depth and richness of this often overlooked varietal. Ripe or aged cheeses, such as Brie or Cheddar, are also a good pairing.
CABERNET SAUVIGNON
Cabernet Sauvignon is a full-bodied, dry wine with very little oak. Flavours of cassis, dark red berries, cedar, oak, violets, vanilla, and sometimes chocolate makes Cabernet Sauvignon the most popular red in the world. Ideal for formal sit-down dinners and cooler temperatures, Cabernet Sauvignon pair well with full-bodied flavours such as roast lamb and wild game, sauces such as mustard, pepper or red wine, and firm, ripened cheeses such as Edam, Cheddar and Gouda.
CABERNET SAUVIGNON MERLOT
Flavours of cassis, dark red berries, cedar, soft oak, violets, vanilla, and sometimes chocolate come together in this Cabernet Sauvignon/Merlot blend. Adding Merlot introduces hints of blackberry and a long, complex finish. Cabernet Sauvignon/Merlot pairs well with hearty meals, strong spices and full-bodied tastes, such as red meats, pepper sauces and tomato-based fare, much like a full Cabernet Sauvignon. However, given this slightly different flavour profile, you can pair this wine with more pungent flavours, like aged Cheddar and Stilton.
SANGIOVESE/CANAIOLO (CHIANTI)
Rich, spicy and complex, this classic Italian red is medium-bodied and dry with heavy oak and a velvety texture. Chianti is a complex wine with hints of ripe cherries, with enough acidity to give it a bright flavour and a soft tannic backdrop. Perfect for parties, heavier meals and barbecue, the clean, crisp spiciness of this wine suits Italian food exceptionally well, highlighting tomato-based sauces with style, whether heavy in cheese, like lasagne, or bursting with vegetables, like the sauce used in Chicken Cacciatore. This Chianti also goes nicely with the flavours of roast beef and lamb stews, as well as soft, ripe cheeses such as Brie and Camembert. Chianti needs a bit of boldness to bring out its unique palate.
GAMAY/PINOT NOIR (B-jolais)
Juicy with flavours of cherries, berries and plums, Bergamais is a dry , light wine with a medium to full body and medium oak. High in acid and low in tannin, the combination makes it perfect to enjoy and is well suited to the sorts of foods that are usually in the province of white wines, provided they are not too sweet or spicy. Serve this Bergamais lightly chilled at casual dinner parties and when entertaining informally. It is ideally matched with rich white meats like pork or duck. Light tomato sauces also pair very well with this wine as do creamier cheeses such as Brie, Camembert and Goat cheese.
MALBEC
Full-fruited and rich, Malbec offers a rich character of lush plums, dark cherries and hints of espresso. It also may have hints of vanilla, cedar, and tobacco. Jam-coloured and juicy, this red wine has a velvety texture that makes it well-suited to romantic dinners and evenings by the fire, with food or without. In any case. serving Malbec with a meal or appetizers is exceptionally easy. Its deep fruit character and mild acidity provide a perfect complement to a range of foods, including roasted red meats, tomato-based dishes, mushrooms, and duck. Mild cheeses, peppers, and mustard can also accent Malbec's unique profile.
MERLOT
Fruity and rich with flavours
of black cherry, plum, vanilla, oak, violets and hints of cedar, Merlot
is a juicy, but dry wine with a velvety texture that makes it extremely
friendly and easy to drink. Suiting a wide range of palates, this wine
is perfect for romantic dinners, informal gatherings and cocktail parties. Serve this versatile wine with roasted red meats,
salmon, duck and mushroom dishes. Pasta with red wine and tomato sauce
goes equally well with Merlot, as do mild cheeses. Both complement this
wine's smoothness very nicely.
MONTEPULCIANO
Deep red with an intense nose of strawberries, ripe plum, peaches, and cherries with hints of leather, tobacco, and fading red flowers. Montepulciano is warm, smooth and fresh from the onset, making it a good choice for young drinking. This medium to full bodied wine is a perfect accompaniment to heartier fare. Serve Montepulciano on a cool night with a thick stew or casserole. It goes particularly well with tomato-based sauces and aged cheeses such as Stilton, Roquefort and Gorgonzola, but it is versatile enough to accompany most full-course dinners.
PINOT NOIR
Full-bodied and smooth with a velvet texture, Pinot Noir is deep and dark with hints of cherries, raspberries, strawberries, plums and spice. Juicy but dry this wine is perfect for intimate gatherings or romantic dinners. Given its unique flavour pattern, Pinot Noir is an excellent accompaniment to game birds, poultry, mild red meats, and oily fish such as tuna and salmon.Strong and flavourful cheeses such as aged Cheddar and Stilton also complement this wine nicely.
RIOJA
Rioja is potent and fruity with a sharp tang that makes it distinct. The flavours of this full bodied deep red come through in layers, progressing from the simple fruit flavours of cherry and blackberry, to hints of vanilla and clove, finally finishing with notes of pepper and mint. Rioja is a vibrant wine as its complex flavours combine the enthusiasm of youth with the grace and generosity of age. Perfect for dinner parties, this wine is best served with tomato-based or spicy foods such as those found in Spanish, Mexican, and Indian cuisines
SHIRAZ
Flavours of mixed berries, black pepper, anise and vanilla tannins are tempered with a heavy oak in Shiraz. Spicy and dense with highlights of mint. This wine is an intense and full-bodied gem with a bold colour and full- fruit mouth that is especially well-suited to formal entertaining on cool evenings or dinners by a fire. Shiraz is best matched with foods that are just as bold as it is. Aged cheeses, hearty stews and roast meat are ideal companions.
CORVINA/RONDINELLA (VALPOLICELLA)
Valpolicella is a medium to full bodied red with medium oak. This wine combines the deep flavours of tart cherries and other dark fruits with toasted oak and firm tannins. Perfect for summer drinking and enjoying outdoors. Valpolicella has smoky undertones and a refreshing acidity that goes very well with foods that have a similar profile. Pick dishes such as baby back ribs, pepper steak and well-aged cheeses to complement this wine.
GRENACHE/SYRAH (CH Du Pape)
Full-bodied yet surprisingly soft, Vieux Chateau du Roi is quick to mature and aggressive. A deep red hue, this wine is very complex. Flavours and aromas of ripe fruit, berries, plum, spice and oak seems to reveal themselves in layers. Vieux Chateau du Roi is best suited for entertaining when the weather turns cold and menus shift to richer foods. Serve this fruit-forward wine with deeply-flavoured dishes, such as grilled meats, strong cheeses and rich fish.
RED ZINFANDEL
This Red Zinfandel has a rich character and a soft ruby, almost jewel-toned hue. It combines brambly raspberry and blackberry flavours, a savoury spiciness, and hints of chocolate and violets into a full-bodied dry wine with little to no oak. The combination is perfect for hearty meals like barbecued fare, but goes equally well with formal dinners, so long as the food is as intense in flavour as this wine is. Red Zinfandel goes especially well with full-flavoured, spicy, or fatty dishes - think beef in black pepper sauces, pork, spicy sausage, and saltier cheeses like Blue cheese or Feta.
4 WEEK WINE KITS
FONTANA International , Sterile Must
23 LITRE BLUSH WINES
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PORTUGUESE ROSE
Rose wines offer the rich berry flavours common to red wines while still offering the brightness usually reserved to white wines, and this Portuguese Rose is no exception. It is a highly versatile wine that is very easy to drink and even easier to pair with foods. Generally more juicy than dry, rose is a good choice for informal gatherings and summer entertaining. However, unlike many other rose wines, Portuguese Rose is a little deeper and more full-bodied. Serve this wine with light fare that has bold flavours, such as charbroiled chicken, grilled shrimp, spicier dishes and strong cheeses.
ZINFANDEL BLUSH
Light, crisp and refreshing with a pale rose hue, Zinfandel Blush combines the delicate flavours of strawberries and raspberries with sharp floral notes and a hint of spice to make a wine that is easy to drink and perfect for warm weather entertaining. Serve Zinfandel Blush with fruits, olives, seafood, shellfish, poached fish, steamed chicken, and salads to complement its flavour best. Mediterranean foods and other similarly spiced flavours also accent this wine nicely, as do soft, slightly sweet cheeses such as Brie.
Price range:
$89.99 - $96.99 (no tax)