Newsletter #4 - May 2026

Hi all

The excellent beers and wines keep flowing at Slow Beer & Wine!

Use discount code WELCOMEBACK25 if you'd like to get $25 off your next order ($119 minimum spend ex. freight applies - note this is a one time order per user and this includes use before the date of this newsletter).

King River Brewing Doppelbock wins the 2026 AIBA 'Best Amber / Dark Lager' Trophy!!

To be honest I'm not that surprised. KRB have a mortgage on classic European styles in this country and the mortgage rachets up even more when you venture into Belgian and German territory. Well done Nathan, Sam and team!! Shop KRB Beers here

Marc Bredif Vouvray - 10 Vintages Now Available Online!

Without doubt Marc Bredif's 'Classic' Vouvray Chenin Blanc is one of my all time favourite whites. It was the first wine I ever tried over 50yrs of age (the 1959) and I have enjoyed vintages from the 70s and 80s over the years. We have assembled 10 different vintages (2006 through to 2024) and these are available for purchase via the Slow Beer & Wine website. All things considered these wines are remarkable value.

We also have each vintage available at our neighbourhood wine bar (The Grape & Hop in Montmorency) via drink in bottles or takeaway. We will honour the online price for takeaways.

Great article from Huon Hooke (The Real Review) regarding super old Vouvray here.

Very decent discounts including a number of wines at half price! Includes wines from Hewitson, Passing Clouds, Neldner Road and Terre a Terre.

Terre a Terre Cabernet Franc 2022 & 2023 (was $35 now $19) - By some margin this Croser Family 'project' is Wrattonbully's best red wine maker. Always (& strictly) traditional in the European sense - dry red fruits, long palate length and tannin driving a highly structured build.

Alkimi Syrah 2017 (was $39 now $19) - Mid weight Yarra Valley Shiraz with tangy spicy fruits. Plenty of buzz. Only 3 bottles left. Good winemaker this bloke.

Wild Duck Creek 'White Duck' Roussanne Viognier 2022 (was $45 now $35) - Made through the blending of Roussanne & Viognier, White Duck is full of texture and vibrancy. Fermented in 500L French oak barrels, it shows a lovely fusion of typical varietal characters. The Roussanne providing earthiness, roundness and fresh natural acidity, and the Viognier filling that palate with stone fruits and texture. Only 2 bottles remaining.

Thousand Candles 'Gathering Fields' Shiraz 2021 (was $36 now $29.50) - "Natural fermentation with 20% whole bunches, matured in older French oak. A super-bright crimson purple. Fully deserving of its gold medal at the 2022 Yarra Valley Wine Show, this opens with aromas of blackcurrant pastilles, boysenberries, black pepper, floral notes & a little charcuterie. Just as good on the medium-bodied, youthful and very well-balanced palate, which finishes with gently chewy, very fine-grained tannins and a little spice." 96pts | Phillip Rich | Halliday Wine Companion

New Beers

Kaiju Aftermath DIPA $9

If not proper core range it's pretty close and I'm not sure many other breweries in this country can carry a 9% DIPA with 90 IBUs in the range most of the year. A ludicrously hopped, American style double IPA with enough malt backbone to smooth out the assertive bitterness.

Banks 'Stout That Tastes Like Stout" Milk Stout 440ml $10.50

Rich chocolate and soft roast lead the way, backed by a smooth, slick mouthfeel. Brewed with 100% European malt for depth and full-bodied flavour, then rounded out with a measured touch of lactose for a gentle sweetness.

Balanced, classic, and easy to come back to.

JKB F-Wit 375ml $7

JKB Brewing is a slightly offbeat (refer IG vids) micro-micro-micro brewer that has made a great start in life knocking out excellent renditions of euro classics. This is a re-release of the Dark Wit that first did the rounds early last year. Uber smooth and friendly. We have a keg in the queue and expect it to go down nicely.

Cornella 'Annie' NEIPA $7.50

A good beer named after a good girl.  Juicy and double dry hopped with Citra & Galaxy.