Uncharacteristically, the bottles showed beautiful character and none of the expected after-effects of the travel within just a week of arrival!  This almost never happens, but who are we to look a gift horse in the mouth?  As a result, Louis is now an official Australian resident and the wines have gone on sale immediately.  Give us a call if you're wanting to try them.  You will not be disappointed!

We haven't been idle since adding the Bourgogne Chardonnays and Pinots of Marie André and Château de Savigny to our portfolio.  While we are currently looking at adding more of their superb wines, we have managed to put together a very exciting deal indeed!
    After meeting with the owners, a thorough tour of their vineyards and a comprehensive tasting at their Maison, we have secured a deal to import the exciting wines of Louis Max to Australia for the first time.
    This is a truly unique house in Bourgogne, with exquisite parcels of land that produce the most extraordinary organic wines.  But just as famously, they display an artistic individuality and quirkiness that will really make a mark here.  All labels of the Nuits-Saint-Georges winemaker are hand drawn and hand written, using the art of renowned French illustrator Pierre Le Tan, who has done work for Hermes, Coach and even New Yorker magazine.

We can't wait to get Louis Max here, and will bring more news to this page as we get closer to the Australian release.  But if you love Chardonnay and Pinot from the region that does them best, keep an eye out - or better yet, run Louis Max through your search engine!

Our big news this month is the arrival of stock from our agreement to import and distribute several of Corton André's great Burgundies!  As lovers of world class Chardonnays, we have a particular interest in Bourgogne blancs, and particularly Chablis, so we are quite excited to have products from two of Corton André's houses:  Marie André, and Chateau de Savigny.

From Marie André, we have secured 2011 Bourgogne Blanc, as well as their Grand Vin 2011 Chablis.  Both are exquisite wines, drinking perfectly already and despite recent currency moves (in the wrong direction!), represent extraordinary value.

But Burgundy is not known solely for its whites, and from Chateau de Savigny we have arranged a supply of of a very special Bourgogne Rouge, the 2011 Clos du Chateau.
    All these wines are now in our warehouses and will be available through our sales staff immediately.  And the good news doesn't end there.  We are still in negotiation with a couple of other Burgundy chateaux, so wath this space!

Vivace Restaurant in the Melbourne suburb of Brighton has somehow managed to talk David "Duck" Anderson into attending a special dinner showcasing his wines this month.
    This is such a rare occasion that if you have any interest in this iconic brand, you should rush to not miss out.
    The dinner is being held on August 14th at 6.30pm, where Italian head chef Davide Ferraro has planned a 4-course dinner to complement some of Wild Duck Creek's more interesting wines.  In addition to David's Little White Duck Viognier, the Yellow Hammer Hill Shiraz Malbec, "The Blend" Cabernet Merlot and premium Springflat Shiraz, David has promised to bring along "something special" from his cellar.
    With only 24 seats available and a cost per head of just $149, you'll need to call the restaurant asap on 03 95969511, or email on info@vivace.com.au right away!
    Vivace is located at 317 Bay Street, Brighton.

Over the next month or so we hope to receive our first shipment of wines from Burgundy.  Can't say too much just yet, but Woods Wines has been appointed to represent a very prestigious house, with our opening salvo to include (obviously) a Bourgogne rouge, a Bourgogne blanc and a Chablis.
    With quite a range of whites and reds from the region, we hope to add more wines in the future to flesh out the regional portfolio even more.  Stay tuned for news!

Robin Day, well known for his past work with Orlando Wyndham, Pernod-Ricard and his international wine judging and consultancy, is a champion of some pretty rare and unusual grape varieties.
    Grown on his own estate in South Australia's Mount Crawford region are the four now being added to the Woods Wines portfolio: Garganega (pronounced "ga ga ney ga"), Lagrein, Sangiovese and a quite exceptional Riesling.  His Garganega is actually the first planting of the variety anywhere outside of Italy's Alto Adige region, and only one grower has beaten him to plantings of Lagrein (also from the Alto Adige) in Australia.
    Both wines make a compelling case for further plantings, the white Garganega being a surprising combination of explosive fruit and satisfying minerality, while the red Lagrein is juicy, fruity and savoury with beautiful tannins and a wonderful compatibility with food.
    Sangiovese - Tuscany's primary grape variety - is becoming quite well known here now, and this is an excellent example.  You won't be disappointed by the Riesling either: James Halliday's Wine Companion 2013 has rated it 94 points, and it's destined to live and improve for at least another 10 years, assuming anyone can resist drinking it that long!
    If you're interested in getting to know any of Robin's wines, call us.  We'd be more than happy to talk to you!

You might have noticed that the Insalus water has disappeared from our website, and all our price lists.  Unfortunately, the costs of importing weren't being recovered by what could be charged (and we like to keep our prices under control!), so in the end a decision had to be made.  Everyone who had been taking the water has now been informed, so we apologise to anyone who was thinking of taking it on.  C'est la vie, unfortunately!

If you are a fan of one of the world's greatest white wine regions, this is great news.  Domaine Dussourt, from Scherwiller in Alsace, has joined the Woods Wines portfolio.  At present we are bringing in a small group of Reserve and Reserve Particulieres, including Rieslings, Pinot Gris, Pinot Blancs and Gewurtztraminers - and the quality is outstanding.  The 2009 Reserve Particuliere Pinot Gris for example was a Gold Medal Winner at the 2011 Concours Général Agricole in Paris while the Scherwiller Riesling 2010 Vieilles Vignes gained a Silver at the Riesling of the World in Strasbourg 2010 among others.  Ask Elizabeth, Simone or Elle for more information - or download the tasting notes on the French Wines page of this website!

It's finally arrived!  Available for order immediately, we have now placed stocks on the market - and already response is strong.
    If you would like to talk to one of our people about this extraordinary wine from Vertus in the Cote de Blancs, please contact us either through our website or by calling our office on 03 93812263.

Exciting news!  Just this week Woods Wines has come to an agreement to import and distribute Champagne Napoleon in Australia.  Based in Epernay, and existing under the Napoleon brand name since 1907, these wines include a Blanc de Blancs Brut, a Tradition Brut, a Rose Brut and a Vintage Brut (1998 is current).  We'll be bringing in all four, with the Tradition Brut likely to be available in sizes ranging from 375ml up to 6.00l.  Orders are being placed immediately, and we hope to have stocks on Australian soils in time for Spring.
    Meanwhile, Champagne Napoleon has been chosen as the Champagne to celebrate the French National Day by the French-Australian Chamber of Commerce at "Bastille Day Arty Aperetif", to be held at the National Gallery of Victoria International on Friday 13 July. The event coincides with the exhibition, "Napoleon, Revolution to Empire", which commences on June 2 and runs until October 7.
    We'll keep you informed of progress with the shipment as it happens, but already we are placing tasting notes and background on this website - so feel free to have a browse!