Alessa Vino, 1/488 the entrance Road, Erina Heights (2026)

25/06/2026

Most people think all Italian sparkling wines are Prosecco... until they discover Pavana. 🌸🍾

One of the reasons I love importing boutique Italian wines is finding bottles with a story and Colesel Brosa Brut Rosato is exactly that.

Crafted in the hills of Valdobbiadene, this elegant sparkling rosé is made from the rare Pavana grape, an almost forgotten native variety that very few producers still grow today.

The result? Delicate aromas of wild strawberries, raspberries and fresh flowers, with incredibly fine bubbles, vibrant freshness and a soft creamy finish that keeps you reaching for another glass.

This isn’t a wine made by a large corporation. It’s a wine that reflects generations of family tradition, passion and respect for the land.

🥂 Perfect with: • Fresh oysters • Burrata and prosciutto • Prawn linguine • Grilled seafood • Or simply enjoyed as an aperitivo with friends.

As a French-Italian sommelier, these are the wines I love sharing with you—small-production bottles you won’t find on every shelf, each chosen because they offer something truly unique.
If you’re ready to discover sparkling wine beyond Prosecco, this is the bottle I’d open first.

🍾 Available now at Alessa Vino. Limited allocation.

23/06/2026

Have you ever heard of Fiano?

If not, you’re about to discover one of Italy’s most extraordinary white wines.

Don Chisciotte is made by Pierluigi Zampaglione in the mountains of Irpinia, Campania, a region considered by many wine lovers to be the spiritual home of Fiano.

Here, vineyards climb to almost 800 metres above sea level, rooted in ancient volcanic soils and cooled by mountain breezes. The result is a wine with remarkable freshness, tension and longevity.

What makes Don Chisciotte truly special is its winemaking.
Unlike most white wines, the grapes spend time on their skins before fermentation. This gentle skin contact creates texture, depth and complexity without the use of oak. Every layer of flavour comes from the vineyard, the grape and the vision of the winemaker.

In the glass, expect preserved lemon, chamomile, wild herbs, stone fruit and a beautiful mineral character that seems to go on forever.

This is not a simple aperitif wine.
This is a wine for the table.

A wine that evolves through dinner. A wine that changes with every sip. A wine that makes food taste even better.

Pair it with: 🦀 Spanner crab pasta 🐟 Kingfish crudo 🦞 Lobster 🍄 Mushroom risotto 🐔 Roast chicken with herbs 🧀 Aged pecorino

For me, this is the kind of bottle that reminds us why wine is so much more than a drink.
It’s a story of place, tradition and a passionate grower determined to express the true soul of Irpinia.

Limited allocation available.
🍇 Fiano 📍 Irpinia, Campania 🌋 Volcanic soils ⛰️ High altitude vineyards 🍷 Skin contact 👨‍🌾 Pierluigi Zampaglione
Discover one of Italy’s best-kept secrets.

22/06/2026

14 years together, and there was no other place we wanted to celebrate than LuMi Dining. ❤️

A heartfelt thank you to the entire team and Chef Federico Federico Zanellato for what can only be described as a truly extraordinary experience.

Every dish was an explosion of flavour, texture and precision. The seasoning, the balance, the creativity and the ex*****on were simply flawless. I know I’ll be thinking about that tartare, those agnolotti and the fish for a very long time. Those rare dishes that make you stop, look at each other and simply say, “wow”. Pure flavour, perfect balance and unforgettable textures.

This is fine dining on another level where beauty and perfection meet in every detail, from the plate to the service and everything in between.
And a very special thank you to the beautiful soul Angelo Cristella who looked after us and guided us through the wines. Your passion, knowledge and genuine warmth made the experience even more memorable. As someone who spends her life around wine, I can honestly say you introduced us to some truly special bottles. The wines, the conversation and your hospitality were every bit as unforgettable as the food. ❤️

Thank you for making our anniversary so special and for giving us a few unforgettable hours around the table. As people who dedicate their lives to hospitality, we know how much work, sacrifice and passion goes into creating experiences like this. Thank you for sharing yours with us. It was truly something special. ❤️🥂.

Grazie & Bravo to the entire LuMi team. ❤️🥂

FoodAndWine HospitalityAtItsBest

19/06/2026

5 wines. 5 regions. 5 reasons to open a bottle this weekend. 🍷

🇮🇹 Tenute Mazzolino Camara Chardonnay
From Oltrepò Pavese, one of Italy’s hidden gems for Chardonnay. Camara is elegant and refined, showing ripe stone fruit, citrus, gentle oak and beautiful freshness. Often a surprise favourite for Burgundy lovers.
🍗 Pair with roast chicken, lobster, creamy pasta, risotto or aged cheeses.

🇫🇷 Joseph Drouhin Chablis
Pure Chardonnay from northern Burgundy. Crisp, mineral, citrusy and driven by freshness.
🦪 Perfect with oysters, prawns, grilled fish, sashimi and fresh goat’s cheese.

🇫🇷 Le Clos des Garrigues Côtes du Rhône
A classic southern Rhône red packed with dark berries, herbs and spice. Rich enough for winter yet fresh enough for year-round drinking.
🥩 Made for steak, lamb, ragù, charcuterie and anything cooked over fire.

🇮🇹 Don Chisciotte Fiano
A benchmark southern Italian white with aromas of citrus blossom, pear and Mediterranean herbs. Richly textured while remaining wonderfully fresh.
🐟 Pair with grilled seafood, pasta vongole, roast chicken or antipasti.

🇮🇹 Conte di Lucca Montepulciano d’Abruzzo
Generous and approachable with ripe black cherry, plum and soft spice. The kind of red that disappears quickly once opened.
🍝 Perfect with pizza, lasagna, meatballs, bolognese and slow-cooked meats.

From Burgundy to Abruzzo, these are five bottles we keep reaching for time and time again.

Which one would you pour tonight? 🍷👇

16/06/2026

🍷 Pinot Noir drinkers, stop scrolling.

If you love Pinot Noir, but want to discover something new, these are the 3 wines I’d recommend next.

🇫🇷 **Domaine de la Bèche Beaujolais**
Made from Gamay, this is all about juicy cherries, wild berries and freshness. Light, silky and dangerously easy to drink.

🇮🇹 **Pollini & Rossetti Chianti**
Bright cherry fruit, herbs and classic Tuscan character. A little more structure than Pinot Noir, but just as food-friendly.

🇮🇹 **Segni di Langa Rosso**
A fascinating blend of Pinot Nero, Dolcetto, Barbera and Nebbiolo. Think red berries, spice, florals and incredible balance. If you’re ready to take the next step beyond Pinot Noir, this is it.

All three are available at Alessa Vino and regularly featured at Carne & Cucina.

Which one would you try first?

🍷 Shop online
🍷 Enjoy them in the restaurant
🍷 Or do both

FrenchWine WineLovers WineEducation CentralCoastNSW CarneECucina

15/06/2026

Happy Birthday to Nico! 🎉

The man behind every dish at Carne & Cucina.

While most people see the plates arrive at the table, few see the countless hours of thinking, tasting, testing, and creating that happen behind the scenes. Nico has an incredible ability to turn an idea into a dish, almost as if it appears straight from his imagination.

Always dreaming about tomorrow’s menu, the next flavour, the next experience. His heart will always belong to Naples and Puglia, and every dish he creates carries a piece of his heritage, his passion, and his love for food.

Thank you for the dedication, creativity, and hard work you pour into every service. We are lucky to have you leading the kitchen and sharing your passion with all of us.

Buon Compleanno, Nico! 🇮🇹🔥

May your day be filled with great food, good wine, family, and plenty of cake.

❤️ The Carne & Cucina Team

09/06/2026

🍷 You’ve probably enjoyed a GSM before… but do you actually know what GSM means?

GSM stands for Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre, three grape varieties that together create one of the most iconic red wine styles in the world.

In Australia, wineries often proudly write GSM on the label.

In France, however, it’s a different story.

The French traditionally focus on where the wine comes from rather than which grapes are inside the bottle. That’s why you won’t usually see GSM written on a French label. Instead, you’ll see names such as Côtes du Rhône, Gigondas or Châteauneuf-du-Pape.

One of my favourite examples is Le Clos des Garrigues from Clos du Caillou.

Located in the southern Rhône Valley, this wine is a beautiful expression of the region. The vineyards are surrounded by wild Mediterranean herbs known as “garrigue” thyme, rosemary, lavender and juniper which influence the character of the wines and give them a uniquely southern French personality.

The blend is predominantly Grenache, supported by Syrah and Mourvèdre. Grenache brings generous red berry fruit and warmth, Syrah adds spice and structure, while Mourvèdre contributes depth, savoury notes and complexity.

What I love about this wine is that it offers everything people enjoy about great GSM blends: ripe fruit, spice, elegance and incredible food friendliness, but with a true sense of place that only the Rhône can deliver.

Expect aromas of blackberries, cherries, dried herbs and cracked pepper, followed by a rich palate with silky tannins and a long, savoury finish.

This is the kind of wine that belongs around the table with slow-cooked lamb, wood-fired meats, hearty pasta dishes or a beautiful piece of aged cheese.

So next time you’re looking at a French bottle and wondering where the GSM is written, remember this:

The French don’t tell you the blend.

They tell you the story of where it comes from.

And sometimes that’s even more interesting.

Have you ever tried a Rhône GSM before?

04/06/2026

🚨 MOST PEOPLE STILL THINK IT’S ONLY 10% OFF...

Last week, this was the wine we poured at our special dinner at Carne & Cucina, and for good reason.

🍷 Don Chisciotte Fiano – Campania, Italy

Made by Pierluigi Zampaglione, one of the most respected producers in Campania. His small family estate focuses on traditional varieties and organic farming, allowing the vineyard and vintage to speak for themselves.

Fiano is one of Italy’s greatest white grapes. Unlike many aromatic whites that are best consumed young, Fiano has remarkable complexity and can age beautifully.

What makes this wine special?

✨ Grown in the hills of Campania on mineral-rich soils ✨ Hand-harvested fruit ✨ Slow fermentation to preserve freshness and character ✨ Extended lees ageing, giving texture, richness and complexity ✨ Minimal intervention winemaking, letting the vineyard shine

In the glass you’ll find: 🍋 Lemon zest 🍐 Pear and white peach 🌼 Wild flowers 🌰 Hints of almond and hazelnut ⛰️ A beautiful mineral finish

This isn’t a simple fruity white wine. It has weight, texture and incredible food-friendly acidity.

Why we matched it at Carne & Cucina
Fiano is one of the most versatile food wines in Italy.

Perfect with: 🐟 Seafood and shellfish 🦑 Grilled calamari and octopus 🦀 Crab and lobster pasta 🧀 Burrata and fresh cheeses 🔥 Wood-fired vegetables 🍝 Seafood-based pasta dishes

The richness of the wine stands up to food, while its freshness cleanses the palate after every bite.
It’s exactly the kind of wine Nico loves to serve: authentic, regional, made by a passionate grower, and created to be enjoyed around the table with great food and great company.

And because we made a mistake in our stories...

❌ We said 10% OFF ✅ It’s actually 15% OFF until Sunday night 8pm

🍷🇮🇹A wine we were proud to serve at Carne & Cucina, now available for your table at home. 🍷🇮🇹

WineDealsAustralia

01/06/2026

🍾 CHAMPAGNE 101 WITH LORENZO 🍾

Today Lorenzo asked me four questions about Champagne.
They’re actually questions that many wine lovers can’t answer...

1️⃣ How is Champagne made?

Champagne starts as a still wine.
A mixture called liqueur de tirage (wine, sugar and yeast) is added to the bottle before it is sealed.
This triggers a second fermentation inside the bottle, creating Champagne’s famous fine bubbles naturally.
The wine then spends months or often years ageing on its lees, developing those beautiful brioche, toast and pastry aromas.

2️⃣ Why is Rosé Champagne pink?

There are two ways.
🌹 The most common is adding a small amount of still red wine to white Champagne.
🌹 The second method is allowing the grape skins to stay in contact with the juice for a short period, extracting colour naturally before fermentation.
Both methods create Rosé Champagne, but often with very different styles and personalities.

3️⃣ Why are some Champagnes dry and others sweeter?

The sweetness level comes from something called dosage, added before the final cork is inserted.
Brut Nature = Very Dry
Extra Brut = Dry
Brut = Most Popular
Extra Dry = Slightly Sweeter
Demi-Sec = Sweet
The less dosage, the drier the Champagne.

4️⃣ Does Red Champagne Exist?

Not really.
Champagne is generally white or rosé, even when made from red grapes such as Pinot Noir and Meunier.

However, red sparkling wines absolutely exist.
Think of wines like Lambrusco from Italy, which is made from different grape varieties and produced using different winemaking methods.

So while Champagne isn’t red, sparkling red wines certainly have their place on the table.
Wine doesn’t have to be intimidating.

Sometimes all it takes is asking the same questions a child would ask.
Which fact surprised you the most? 👇

29/05/2026

He asked me what my favourite wine was at lunch today.

I said dry rosé.

Then he asked me how you make wine dry and honestly, it’s one of those questions that sounds simple until you explain it out loud.

Dry wine isn’t about removing something. It starts with the fruit. The natural sugars in the grape get converted during fermentation the yeast does the work.

When it’s done, there’s almost no residual sugar left. That’s what “dry” means.

No additives. No tricks. Just the grape, doing what it does.

The best wines don’t need anything extra. And apparently, neither do the best questions. 🌸

Sella & Mosca Anemone Alghero Rosato DOC 2024

This is the rosé I reach for when I want something genuinely dry and effortlessly elegant.
The Anemone comes from Sardinia made from Cannonau, one of the island’s most characterful native grapes and it shows.

Pale, delicate pink in the glass, with a nose that opens up with violet and cherry, then a palate that’s lively and fresh with excellent drinkability. Elegant acidity carries through to a clean, lingering finish.

No heaviness, no sweetness just the fruit, doing exactly what it’s supposed to do.
Rated 90 points by Falstaff 2025.

winelovers

Alessa Vino

25/06/2026

23/06/2026

22/06/2026

19/06/2026

16/06/2026

15/06/2026

09/06/2026

04/06/2026

01/06/2026

29/05/2026

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