A lighter shade of gin
tread softly pink gin, distributed by Fourth Wave Wine, 37%, 700ml, $59.99
In the ever-evolving world of gin, this pink gin knows exactly what it's about. At 37 per cent, it's a little lighter than the average gin. Yet taste is a primary consideration: if pink was a flavour, it would smell like this gin. From the moment you pop the t-top stopper, the sweet, flower aroma jumps out of the bottle (the bottle is a keeper, by the way, the floral pattern will suit further uses). It's a juniper gin for sure, but there are citrus and hibiscus flavours, too. It's light enough to drink on the rocks, with tonic or other mixers. And it's pretty in pink.
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Jim Kellar
One to remember
Kanguru, Hoppy hefe, Foghorn Brewing, 5.8% $27 growler fill
Quiet achievers by their nature sometimes don't get the credit they deserve. Foghorn, who have become a landmark in Newcastle with a steady menu, have rarely chased the style of the moment. Instead, they focus on doing what they choose to do well. The result is a beer like recent limited Kanguru, a hoppy Hefeweizen that drew plenty of buzz in a small batch. Wheat beers haven't disappeared, but the style certainly isn't as prominent as just a few years ago. As with all things though, if you do it well it can be a true delight regardless of whether it is fashionable. Peaches, mango and coconut meet the mandatory wheat bear banana flavour, which is pushed back to a grace note. The result is an easy-drinking drop that largely dodges the cloying sweetness that can creep into the style.
Matt Carr
Classy bubbly returns
Champagne Deutz Non-Vintage Brut Classic; $90; 5 stars (out of 6)
Champagne Deutz is among France's foremost Champagne houses. It was founded in 1838 in the Ay Region by two young entrepreneurs William Deutz and Pierre-Hubert Gelderman. It is now controlled by the Rouzaud family, owners of the Louis Roederer brand. Thanks to a distribution deal with the Calabria Family Wine Group, Deutz is now making a welcome return to the Australian market. This classy sparkler is a base blend of 33% each of chardonnay, pinot noir and pinot muenier and has straw hues, tiny persistent bubbles and apple strudel and flinty aromas. The front palate displays Granny Smith apple flavour, the middle palate nectarine, mineral, nougat and baguette characters and a finish of steely acid. Great with canapes and cellar for nine years.
John Lewis
Jaunty rosé sparkler
Champagne Deutz Non-Vintage Brut Rosé; $90; 4.5 stars
Based on pinot noir with a dash of chardonnay, this jaunty rosé champers has fine busy bubbles and is watermelon pink in the glass. Rose petal scents feature on the nose and the front palate has expressive strawberry flavour. Cherry, apple peel, spice and brioche elements combine on the middle palate and slatey acid refreshes at the finish. Its an ideal partner for tapas and will cellar seven years. It's at bottle shops and kemenys.com with the Deutz Non-Vintage Brut Classic, selling at $90 a 750ml bottle and $45 a 375ml. The Deutz Australian partnership is the latest expansion by the Calabria Family Group, which in 2021 made a $32.25 million takeover of McWilliams Wines and recently began distributing a diverse range of Italian wine.
