WHAT’S NEW...
Bass & Flinders Distillery celebrates 10th anniversary with limited-edition brandy blend
C el ebr ating 10 Ye ar s of Disti l ling on the Morning ton Pen i nsu l a
Bass & Flinders invite you to attend our Anniversary Soirée, celebrating 10 years of distilling on the Mornington Peninsula. Hosted at our distillery on Saturday evening, 16th November 6:30-9pm. Live Music / Four perfectly curated cocktails paired with matching canapés / Anniversary Cuvée launch event – a world-first brandy blend, produced in collaboration with renowned cognac house Normandin-Mercier. Visit https://www.bassandflindersdistillery.com/collections/ events for more information and to book tickets, $85pp.
Wine Food Music @ Mandalaye Park French Island
French Island, Vic Sunday, Dec 8th 2019 Adults: Seniors:
from from
$56.00 $30.00
westernportferries.com.au or call 03 5257 4565 PAGE 12
Western Port News
6 November 2019
ity - making the collaboration a match made in heaven. Usually, when blending, a distiller will reference from past blends and batches to draw inspiration from, but in this instance, they were working from a blank canvas and an idea. Before the two set to work, they established a few goals: the product would represent both styles equally, would only use natural elements (nothing artificial) and would achieve a full and broad reaching aroma. The creation was an iterative process of trial and error, working predominately with their noses to sort through the various layers and aromas that could meld together for the perfect blend. Holly brought several barrel samples with her to trial in various blends with the N-M cognac, and the pair selected their favourite of the B&F - N-M samples to create the base of the Anniversary Cuvée. “We went through barrel after barrel to nose each and every character and layer until we found some common threads that we felt would marry nicely in the collaborative blend, before settling on 2014 Petite Champagne cognac,” Holly said. Those lucky enough to nab a bottle of the single-release can expect a refined combination of aromatically sweet, expressive Chardonnaybased brandy, with the silky smoothness and floral delicacy of the Petite Champagne cognac on the palette. “It’s not too heavily oaked and will let the B&F brandy character and fruitiness shine through on the nose but has a floral bouquet that adds a unique accent to the blend,” Edouard said. Anniversary Cuvée is retailing for $250 for the 700ml bottles in market and will be available for purchase on the Bass & Flinders Distillery website.
Picnic in the Park @ French Island
Picnic in the Park Soak up the fresh air & beautiful country property for a day of food & wine, gardens & koalas. Grab a picnic blanket, dine alfresco, meet local producers at the pop-up providores store or taste the wines from French Island Vineyard. Ticket includes ferry sailing from Mornington Peninsula, 4WD transfer to Mandalaye Park, picnic platter & BBQ voucher.
TO mark the 10th anniversary, revered artisanal distillery Bass & Flinders Distillery (B&F) is launching a limited-edition FrenchAustralian brandy blend, in collaboration with renowned French Cognac house, NormandinMercier (N-M). Described as old-world tradition meets new world Australian creativity, ‘Anniversary Cuvée’ will be a specially curated blend of B&F Chardonnay-based brandy with N-M Petite Champagne cognac. The 330-bottle, single-release will be the world’s first French-Australian brandy blend. B&F Managing Director and second-generation Head Distiller, Holly Klintworth, has been working side-by-side with fifth-generation N-M Cellar Master, Edouard Normandin to bring this creation to life. The collaboration came to fruition after Holly connected with Edouard back in 2017 during a research visit to Cognac to explore the Charentaise distillation method (the method of producing grape based eau de vie through double distillation using an alembic pot still and open flame) – a technique which has inspired B&F’s distillation process since its inception in 2009. “As we approached the 10-year mark, I felt we had to do something special to commemorate the milestone, and what better way than with an exciting, limited-edition release like no other, an ‘old-world meets new’ brandy that encapsulates Bass & Flinders’ story and ethos,” Holly said. “I knew with Edouard’s family lineage, recognised as one of the most highly regarded cognac specialists in the region, that he would be the perfect craftsman to assist me executing my idea for this brandy blend, that honours the two worlds and family traditions.” Both distilleries have the same philosophy: nothing artificial, small volume and high qual-
MARK your diaries and make space on Sunday 8 December for a special new event coming to Mandalaye Park on French Island. Picnic in the Park promises to be a magnificent day of food, wine, gardens and music, so prepare your picnic blanket for an afternoon of alfresco dining in the grounds of this beautiful country property. The picnic will be set in and around Mandalaye Park Homestead & Gardens from 10am – 4.30pm. Western Port Ferries will be transporting guests to and from Stony Point on the Mornington Peninsula and Cowes, Phillip Island to experience a taste of life on this off the grid eco island. Once on French Island, transfers to Mandalaye Park will be provided by Naturaliste Tours, or guests can bring their bikes on board Western Port Ferries and ride the 3km to the venue. Once at Mandalaye Park, you will meet local makers, growers and producers at the pop-up providores stores and taste local wines produced
on the island. The Cellar Door Manager from French Island Vineyard will be on hand to discuss the fine art of winemaking with tastings of their boutique wines And local makers and producers will be showcasing delicious organic Island produce for purchase and tastings. Mandalaye Park Picnic Packs can be pre ordered when booking and there will be a bbq sausage sizzle from 2.30-3.30pm. Picnic in the Park all inclusive packages include return ferry transfers to and from Stony Point or Cowes, transfer to Mandalaye Park, picnic pack and bbq voucher. Priced from $56 for adults and $30 for seniors. Picnic in the Park bike package includes return ferry transfers to and from Stony Point or Cowes for passenger and bike, transfer to Mandalaye Park, picnic pack and bbq voucher. Priced from $54 for adults and $28 for seniors. To book online visit www.westernportferries. com.au/picnic