Passport Series 2017

Labels Included 8 Weeks 18L (23L of finished wine)

Passport Series™ celebrates premium wines from some of the most prominent and respected wine growing regions, and each year features a unique and exciting new selection of world class wines. Available for just a short time and by reservation only, the exclusive Passport Series™ is a highly sought-after one of a kind wine experience.

New for 2017

Passport is excited to introduce a rosé to this year’s line up of limited release wines. Rosé’s popularity has been steadily increasing over the last ten years and it has become a must-have on wine lists year-round. Their surging popularity and the proliferation of unique varietals and blends make rosé a natural— and exciting—addition to this elite collection.

Available by RSVP Only

To reserve your kits, please complete and submit the form at the end of this page before November 5th, 2016. In the past, these kits have been in high-demand – unfortunately we cannot guarantee availability of non-preordered kits.

Pre-order here.

Syrah – Languedoc, France – Limited Quantities Remain

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THE WINE
Signature peppery bouquet, with raspberry and earthy notes; this classic varietal from Southern France is complex and harmonious with soft tannins. Flavours of blackberry and black cherry are accented with spicy black pepper and oak, hints of mint, herbs, mocha, and faint licorice on the finish.

THE REGION
The Languedoc region hugs the Mediterranean coastline of France and has been planted with vineyards since the 5th century BCE. Vineyards here are generally planted in the coastal plains of the Mediterranean, known to be some of the hottest, most arid regions of France. With an average of 300 days of sunshine per year, low rainfall, and temperatures regularly above 30C, the weather provides excellent growing conditions.

THE FOOD
Serve with thick homemade burgers with aged cheddar, slow cooked lamb, or other grilled or roasted red meats. Try with hearty casseroles and pepper steaks. Hard, matured cheeses and 70% dark chocolate also pair well.

COMPARE WITH
Similar in flavour profile and structure to Fat Bastard Syrah Pays D’Oc ($14.95)

Sweetness:  Dry Alcohol:  13.5% Body:  Med.-Full

Riesling – Clare Valley, Australia – Limited Quantities Remain

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THE WINE
Citrus aromas with underlying floral notes make for a fresh and vibrant aroma. Juicy lemon-lime flavours fill the palate, accented by orange blossom and apple notes, mineral tones, and a backbone of crisp, energetic acidity. The subtle sweetness really makes the citrus sing in this succulent & refreshing white.

THE REGION
Located in the Mount Lofty Ranges, most of the region’s vineyards are planted at elevations between 400-500m. The climate is moderate-continental with long, warm summer days and cool to cold nights. The higher altitude of the region ensures these colder nights, slowing the ripening of the grapes and allowing the fruit to ripen more evenly, retaining crisp acidity. Clare Valley is known for its Rieslings, and wines grown here are heralded for their hallmark Riesling flavours – citrus, lime, apple, with mineral notes and crisp natural acidity.

THE FOOD
This Riesling’s sweetness and acidity make it an easy pairing for a variety of dishes. Try with lightly to moderately spiced Asian-inspired dishes, pad thai, or Tex-Mex dishes with cilantro & avocado. A fantastic pick for cheese fondue and creamy cheeses.

COMPARE WITH
Similar in flavour profile and structure to Trius Riesling ($13.95)

Sweetness:  Off-Dry Alcohol:  12% Body:  Med.

Nero D’Avola – Sicily, Italy – Limited Quantities Remain

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THE WINE
A lesser known Italian red wine grape, Nero D’Avola has long been a prized varietal in its native Sicily and in the last decade has been gaining favour in the rest of the world as a serious red, joining the ranks of big Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz. Nero D’Avola offers aromas of ripe black fruit with notes of vanilla and smoke, and abundant flavours of ripe black cherry & plum with spicy accents, velvety tannins, and a long finish.

THE REGION
Situated just off the ‘toe’ of Italy’s boot, Sicily is home to a number of active volcanoes, which create rich, fertile soils ideal for agriculture. The largest of the Mediterranean islands, Sicily enjoys a typical Mediterranean climate with mild, wet winters, and hot, dry summers with consistent sunshine. This combination of mineral-rich soil and reliable weather create near perfect conditions for growing wine grapes.

THE FOOD
A great wine to match with rich meats. Try with beef stews, game meats, or barbecued Angus burgers topped with bacon. Black bean or shiitake mushroom based dishes also make for excellent matches.

COMPARE WITH
Similar in flavour profile and structure to Cusumano Nero D’Avola Terre Siciliane IGT ($12.95)

Sweetness:  Dry Alcohol:  14% Body:  Full

Cabernet Sauvignon Rosé – Sacramento County, California – Available Now

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THE WINE
Fresh strawberry on the nose, with watermelon and cranberry accents. This crisp, fragrant rosé carries juicy strawberry flavours and tart red fruit notes on the palate. Balanced and refreshing, with crisp acidity and a subtle minerality.

THE REGION
Sacramento County lies in the middle of the Central Valley, California’s prime agricultural region. It extends from the low delta lands between the Sacramento & San Joaquin rivers to just north of the state capitol of Sacramento, continuing east to the foothills of the Sierra Nevada mountains. Sacramento County is graced with a hot Mediterranean climate, and receives an average of just 350mm of precipitation per year. The moderately rocky nutrient-rich clay loam soil retains moisture while allowing excess water to drain away, creating fertile grounds for the vines to thrive in the hot California sunshine.

THE FOOD
Turkey burgers, meat pies, tourtière, and cured sausage platters are great matches, as are light summer salads, Greek salads, tapas, and feta cheese. Enjoy with practically anything off the grill or serve on its own lightly chilled.

COMPARE WITH
Similar in flavour profile and structure to Peninsula Ridge Beal Vineyard Cabernet Rosé 2015 ($13.75)

Sweetness:  Dry Alcohol:  13% Body:  Medium

Kookaburra Red – Riverland Region, Australia – Available Now

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THE WINE
A bold, charismatic blend of Grenache, Shiraz, and Mataro loaded with raspberry, blackberry, spice, and a supple finish. Grenache brings ripe, jammy fruit flavours and hints of cinnamon spice. Shiraz provides a punch of blackberry, and plum flavours with elements of black pepper spice, while Mataro brings savoury, earthy notes, spicy elements and texture.   *Kit includes grape skins

THE REGION
South Australia’s picturesque Riverland region boasts over 300kms of the River Murray running through it, and wildlife is plentiful in the area. Kookaburras, native to Australia, are abundant here and their ‘laughing’ call is a common chorus along vineyards and riverbanks. With the hot, dry continental climate and minimal rainfall, the river provides much-needed water to the area’s vineyards. The Riverland’s flat terrain and long hours of sunshine mean the vines here receive consistent, quality sunlight, greatly reducing their chance of disease and ensuring fully ripe, flavourful grapes.

THE FOOD
Drink alongside braised meats, grilled lamb with rosemary, meaty pasta dishes, and mushroom stews. Try with earthy dishes like spicy, hearty stews with red meat and root vegetables, mushroom risotto, or eggplant lasagna.

COMPARE WITH
Similar in flavour profile and structure to Rolling Grenarch Shiraz Mourvèdre ($15.90)

Sweetness:  Dry Alcohol:  14.5% Body:  Full