Hi,

Today's topic is about an interesting winery in Yarra valley, Victoria, Australia. The Domaine Chandon Green Point. The winery is just a short drive from Melbourne. My friend, Keng Hsin made sure that it is one of those most visit winery when he went there for holidays with his family.

In his words, the place is more beautiful than what we saw in the website and TV. The winery is famous not for its still wines but its bubblies - sparkling wine. The winery is established by Moet & Chandon in 1986. The Moet & Chandon from France. As you would have expected, the company transferred their wine making techniques from France to their subsidiary in Australia and produced a very interesting and fine bubbly that oozes French artisan style and reflects the terroir in Yarra.

You would be disappointed if you were to compare this bubbly with its French cousin in Champagne. In fact, that would be a tad unfair to the Chandon Green Point. Last Friday, when Brian , Keng Hsin and I gathered to share our wine, Keng Hsin uncorked the bottle that he lugged back from Australia. Just like Brian, he resisted the temptation of uncorking it before we met and I am fortunate to have a drink of this excellent bubbly. Apologies to Keng Hsin. I was so overwhelmed by Brian's Villa Maria that I have not spent time writing about this wine.

Here it is. The wine glittered in the afternoon sun in beautiful light gold accompanied by strings of pearly bubbles. I could smell the wine at a distance as it flooded the whole room with sweet scent of floral and fresh apple aromas, the most unusual thing. The slight sweetness followed through on the palate without becoming overbearing and balanced with a clear, crisp acidity at the back palate that gives this wine the its back bone.

Make no mistake, this is a very good bubbly. It is more like a very good Prosecco than a Champagne. I think Keng Hsin liked it but I think he probably prefers it to be more like a Champagne.

Anyway, the bottle that he brought back to Singapore is only available in Australia. The one you get in Singapore is one level lower than this. So next time if you are in Melbourne you may just wanna swing over to Green Point, pick up a bottle and have a nice picnic at Green Point.

Salut

Sam