Do you struggle to decide whether to enjoy your me-time at the end of the day with a glass of wine or a cup of tea? Well, thanks to Pernod Ricard and the popular organic tea company The Rabbit Hole now you can have both at the same time!
Tea & Wine is a new product that is made from Australian wine that has been infused with tea from The Rabbit Hole. The infusion process of the world’s two most ancient beverages is being kept under wraps, but The Plus Ones were invited to the official launch of the brands two new wines paired with a delicious vegan high tea at Alibi Bar at the Ovolo Hotel in Woolloomooloo.
The launch high-tea started off with a speech from the Tea & Wine spokesperson Helene Herges who introduced the two products: ann unoaked Chardonnay infused with organic Egyptian Camomile blossoms and a Cabernet Sauvignon infused with organic Sri-Lankan Chai. Tea Supplier and Co-Founder of The Rabbit Hole Organic Tea Bar Corinne Smith spoke about the bespoke tea blends from sourcing the four chamomile blossoms that are including the Chardonnay’s tea infusion and the handcrafted process of the unique Chai spice blend.
“It’s exciting to finally see tea innovation in the spotlight. Now more than ever we are opting for higher quality and more unique flavours, and there is so much to explore and enjoy with this versatility of tea,” she said in a statement.
Tea & Wine spokesperson, Helene Herges said “Infusion is when you carefully combine ingredients to enhance a base. In our case, the base is beautiful Australian Chardonnay and Cabernet grapes that we infuse with bespoke loose-leaf organic tea-blends to lift and intensify flavour and aroma.” She mentioned that during the years-long experimentation process, the winemaking team experimented with 40 wine varietals, various tea combinations and numerous infusion practises before finding the finished product. After revealing the product at the Sydney Tea Festival, the team discovered that the two most popular Tea & Wine products were the Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon.
The Tea & Wine team is crafted for a “me-time” experience. The brand has collaborated with Co-Founder and Director of Sydney’s Flow Athletic, Katye Kendall who shared her top tips for a more meaningful “Me-Time”. Her tips include “diarise & prioritise” for increased freedom and clarity; create daily rituals; when life feels “noisy” remember Silence is Golden and practise mindfulness; create “down dog dates” i.e. yoga classes with friends; and journaling.
L-R The Rabbit Hole’s Corinne Smith, Tea & Wine spokesperson Helene Herges, and Flow Athletic’s Kate Kendall at the Tea & Wine launch.
As a wine-lover, I was pleasantly surprised by the quality and taste of the finished product. The unoaked Chardonnay is perfectly combined with the chamomile tea and shows golden apple and citrus with a balanced sweetness and lemony notes. The Cabernet Sauvignon was a real hit on the day with one attendee comparing it to Christmas in a glass. It was super smooth delicately combined with the aromatic warm spices like ginger, cardamom, star anise and vanilla. True to the “me time” theme, the wine would be perfectly enjoyed after a long day relaxing either by yourself or with friends with some light snacks. These aren’t wines to pair with meals!
To celebrate the official launch of Tea & Wine, the Alibi Bar at the Ovolo Hotel will be hosting a very special “Wine Socie-Tea” high tea that includes sweet and savoury vegan eats paired with Tea & Wine for the month of September. Definitely not one to miss, the menu includes items like mixed berry cheesecake made with cashew cream, walnut terrine, caramelised banana mousse, whipped macadamia mini garden and much more. Although paired with a vegan high-tea, it should be noted that the wine itself is not vegan-friendly. Tea & Wine is available now from selected Dan Murphy’s at an RRP of $22. Cheers to relaxing “me-time” with friends!
F&B Specialist. Usually seen with a flat white in hand or on her way to a craft beer or whiskey tasting. Needs to stop buying books and start reading them.
Tea & Wine is available now from selected Dan Murphy’s stores nationally at an RRP of $22.00.
“Wine Socie-Tea” is available from 7-29 September 2019 from $40 per person. Bookings can be made at 02 9331 9000 or www.alibibar.com.au.
Alibi Kitchen & Bar,
6 Cowper Wharf Roadway,
Woolloomooloo NSW 2011.
