Aug 23, 2023

Partnership with Byrne Vineyards

Want 10% off some excellent Riverland wines? Read on!

I'm super excited to tell you about this new partnership with Byrne Vineyards. Recently, they sent me 2 bottles from their Flavabom range - The 2022 Field White, and the 2022 Fresh Pick Shiraz. I was so keen to try these! And how cool are the labels??

Below is everything you need to know about each wine - tasty tasting notes on the White, and an amazing food pairing for the Shiraz - plus some info on the Byrne team too.

The Riverland wine region was established in the 1800s, and vines were first panted on the Byrne property in the 1920s. It's truly a family business - today, Rob Byrne, his daughter Petria, and her son Will, maintain the family's passion for good wine and sustainable viticulture.

Byrne Vineyards is a proud certified member of Sustainable Winegrowing Australia. They advocate for sustainability in all winegrowing & viticultural practices. They aim to minimise harm and maximise benefits to their environments and communities. You can read more about Byrne's sustainable practices here.

I really love partnering with small, family-owned and run Aussie wineries. And if they have a commitment to sustainability, then that's a bonus. Plus, they also need to make delicious wine. Byrne ticks all those boxes... and more!

So, let's get to the good stuff.

2022 Field White

A zesty blend of semillon, chardonnay and riesling, this is a gutsy white. It's got lots of body (the chardonnay in particular pushes through) but there's some nuttiness from the semillon, and the riesling gives a mouthwatering acidity.

It's a medium bodied white, something you could drink in the cooler months. Peach, melon, honey, white flowers and citrus all play nicely together in the glass.

Food match: Lemon chicken & fried rice, with a side of crispy spring rolls just for good measure.

Music match: London Grammar sets the perfect tone.

Occasion match: It's a cool Spring night, the firepit is roaring and you've got your best people around you. Chinese takeaway has been ordered, the wine glasses are full, and the vibes are immaculate.

2022 Fresh Pick Shiraz

This shiraz pretty much tells you what it's like on the label, so joke's on you if you're expecting something different! This red packs a flavour punch. It's fresh and refreshing, with bold red fruits, vibrant acidity and only a teensy bit of spice. It's surprisingly light for a shiraz, and I do love a surprise

I decided to pair it with a stunning comfort food dish from my friend Mel over at @frommylittlekitchen (make sure you check her out - her recipes are so delicious and full of nutritious goodness).

Slow Braised Beans & Sourdough + Flavabom Fresh Pick Shiraz

Mel says she swears by this dish when she's working long hours and juggling multiple projects, because it's so simple, and can be made in big batches. It's also ultra comforting - warming, spicy and can be served with crispy, buttery sourdough. YUM.

I chose to pair this recipe with the Fresh Pick Shiraz because I knew the flavours would pair beautifully. And I was right!

Let's sip & cook!

What you're gonna need

1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
1 brown onion
6 garlic cloves, crushed
1 tbsp nduja
1 tbsp tomato paste
1 can crushed tomatoes (then fill it halfway with water)
1 drained & rinsed can of cannellini beans
1/2 cup chicken stock (or 1 stock cube)
feta
handful of parsley
salt & pepper
sourdough
butter

Method

Place a heavy based saucepan on medium heat
Sauté onion in the olive oil for 5 minutes, stirring until translucent
Add minced garlic cloves and sauté for 1-2 mins until fragrant
Add the nduja and stir, then add tomato paste and stir again for 1 minute
Add crushed tomatoes, then fill the can half with water and add that in
Add cannellini beans & chicken stock
Stir and bring to a simmer - simmer it for at least 30 mins but if you have time, you can leave it for 1-2 hours
Crumble some feta over the top, then sprinkle some chopped parsley
Add salt & pepper to taste (although I didn't add anything - it was so good as is!)
Serve with buttery, panfried sourdough and a glass of Flavabom Shiraz
Enjoy!

This really is an awesome pairing. The spicy, tomato-y, garlicky beans are a beautiful match for the fruit freshness of the Flavabom Shiraz. What a win!