Winter in the Valley
Hope you're all loving the cooler weather, nothing better than curling up on the couch with a good glass of red when the rain is coming down.
Recent tour guests are loving the opportunity to try some brand new wines with the young, fresh whites and rose beginning to hit the shelves. The 2010 vintage has already turned out some brilliant wines and by all accounts we can expect to see more over the coming months.
These cooler days make for some great tour experiences. In the valley the leaves are changing colour creating some spectacular photos as the vines begin to shut down for the winter. In the restaurants we are tasting some delicous slow cooked meals. The current menus at both Chester's and Riverbank are impressing all our guests.
If you're a new member to Fat Decanter you will have recently received a $100 voucher that can be put towards any of our tours. Don't worry about putting a big group together, two, three or four guests is just fine for a day in the valley and with door to door transfers in the metro area we take the hassle out of touring the Swan Valley. You do the tasting and we'll do the driving!
Thanks for your support.
Matt & Maria
Sunday Times Review
 Gail Williams food writer for the Sunday Times recently wrote a great article on Fat Decanter. If you didn't catch it click the link below and check out my beautiful wife Maria. Can't say I look quite as pretty but we did enjoy the photo shoot at Jane Brook Winery.
Sunday Times Review
Delicious Desserts at Riverbank Estate Winery
Diaries of a Wine Tour Guide
Last night Maria and I went to the graduation dinner for the wine course we have been doing at WIAWA. After eight weeks battling through wine tasting and lectures my darling wife pipped me at the post receiving the Dux of the class and I ran in a lowly second. Apparently it pays to study before an exam. Anyway it appears I am now obsolete and Maria will have to take over the wine tours leaving me to play golf and be a stay at home Dad when the time comes... Haha. For your information the courses at WIAWA are great fun, educational and an awesome way to meet new people. I urge everyone to sign up and educate their palates. WIAWA
For the first time in Fat Decanter history we toured with a green clay humanoid figure named Gumby. He had a fantastic day of wine and food tasting throughout the Swan Valley and particularly enjoyed the red wines. Unfortunately due to quarantine issues we had to leave his sidekick "Pokey" the pony on the docks but thankfully did not run into his mortal enemies the "Blockheads" allowing us to avoid any drunken clay animated brawls. More information on Gumby.
Fat Decanter Wine Tours- Gumby on the booze!
Free Membership Now Available
If you haven't already joined Fat Decanter Premium Wine Tours now offers FREE membership. Join the club and take advantage of these great benefits.
5 Ways Fat Decanter Membership Rewards You
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$100 annual credit given on anniversary of membership. Can be used on any standard Fat Decanter Wine Tour.
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Free subscription to our E-newsletter "Chew the Fat".
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Ongoing discounts and monthly specials for Fat Decanter Tours and Wine Tasting Sessions.
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Wine discounts from our featured winery of the month.
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Food and wine matching with a monthly recipe.
To join simply reply to this email with the following details and we will post you out your membership pack.
- Full Name
- Address
- Phone Number
- Birthday
Wines to look out for.......
 As one of my favourite stops in the Swan Valley, Jane Brook Wines always impresses. Below is an offer they have put together excusively for Fat Decanter customers. To take advantage call the cellar door on 9274 1432 or email pr@janebrook.com.au
Jane Brook’s much-loved 2008 Plain Jane Chardonnay-Chenin Blanc is being offered at the very best price ever at only $78 per dozen (which is $6.50 per bottle, normally $15 per bottle). Jane Brook has just released the new Plain Jane Classic range (White, Rosé, Red) and they need to make some room in the cellar door. This means that you, our valued Fat Decanter customer, gets the bargain of the current financial year. This is the wine you love - it’s fresh, fruity, vibrant and easy drinking which means at this amazing price that you can open a bottle any time you wish. Order now before it’s all gone.
That’s $78 per dozen - a bargain!!
Recipe of the Month
At this time of year there is plenty of Pumpkins available so why not try this simple side dish using Verjuice which you can pick up from Jane Brook Estate Wines while on tour with me.
Roasted Pumpkin on Rocket with Pumpkin Seed & Jane Brook
Verjuice Dressing
Roast 500g pumpkin on baking tray sprinkled with olive oil, salt & pepper for 20 mins at 250C until tender & slightly caramelized.
Spread rocket leaves on a flat platter & top with roasted pumpkin chunks. Blend pumpkin seeds, oil & Jane Brook Verjuice & drizzle over pumpkin chunks & rocket.
Scatter 2 tblspns of toasted pumpkin seeds over (toast separately while roasting pumpkin) & sprinkle with sea salt & freshly ground black pepper. Enjoy!!
Wine Tasting Sessions in the Home or Office
If you don't have the time to spend a day in the Swan Valley for your next staff function or private party let Fat Decanter bring the wineries to you. We can organise and conduct wine tasting sessions in your home, office or chosen meeting space. The tastings are fun, informative and relaxed. If you would like we can create a little competition amongst guests and organise the wines to be tasted blind giving everyone a chance to guess the wine variety. This a great team building event or just a perfect way to wind down after a tough week at the office or to reward your valuable employees for all their hard work.
Cost
Key cost variables are the number of people, cost of the wine and type and duration of the event. One bottle of wine serves 15 tasting portions and anything from 4-10 wines can be shown.
Duration
Typically, a wine tasting lasts for about 2-3 hours but it really depends on your brief – it can be shorter or longer. It can be delivered at any time of the day, although for obvious reasons evenings are more popular! |
