LIVIN THE DREAM (Feeling Spritzy)
by Daniel Long
·
Source note: This post is adapted from Parched's July 9, 2026 newsletter
G’day,
How’s it? Balmy! I’ve been cruising around the warehouse this week, so I am fully on top of what is good.
And how about that VIP chat, because who doesn’t want top tier status?
It could be the wine coursing through my veins but it seems last nights first VVIP dinner went down pretty well. Side Piece was full, the Jura was flowing and everyone left satiated and stoked. Win Win. I could be wrong but it feels appropriate to launch the next one immediately.
This week I received the long awaited email notification my friends at Hillebrand that a container has arrived in London from Adelaide - happy days. There’s unfortunately no West End Draught in this one, but there are the wines of Jordan Hein and his singular project, Moorak, based down in the Vale.
One of the best things about the industry is that it is full of good people, hard working, chilled out, happy go lucky people who base their livelihoods on the whims of the weather and market but generally seem to be at peace with having zero control of things. Truly admirable.
He’s just ventured down the sparkling wine spiral, perhaps one too many life affirming bottles from Selosse et al are to blame, but we are the beneficiaries. We received a small allocation from his new range, as well as a couple of new still wines (tis’ rose and textural white season after all), which we’ll be pouring on the night.
The special menu will lean Australia - think Women’s Weekly from the 70’s but with less Pineapple w Chicken Mayo on the menu. Should be a vibe. Spaces limited to 12. Do your thing.
Still reading? On ya.
We’ve the usual array of fresh arrivals and re-ups over at the depot. Here are my highlights in the land of sparkling.
PREVOST!!!!!! - let’s start at the top… we cleared the board with a mixture of cuvées - including some Fac-Simile… from good old Jerome. MY favourite producer to drink. The best thing about owning a wine business is the wastage…. hi hmrc! As you’d expect, these are both expensive and limited.
DELINQUENTE - Con-Greg is likely Australia’s finest pet nat producer, somehow marrying the enviable combination of price and thirst quenching in a way few others can. A big top up arrived this morning and I can think of few better things to do than immediately put them into boxes and into the back of another van. Send them home!
HOFGUT / WEINGUT - natty fizz from the best producer of natty riesling? Sign me up. All their still cuvées are very much drink on sight, and as those of you who have dined at Tempo will know, we have them all. Here’s something with bubbles to drink whilst you wait for your Palm or Gisela to cool down. Bottom’s Up.
FINALLY GROSS BUT NOT GROSS - our very own Vincent has sent us new wine, not just iconic macerations but iconic Cremant. This is how the family got their start a coupla hundred years back in Alsace, so it’s fair to say there’s some pedigree here. Prelude is easy-peasy, and Louis enters top end Champagne areas. You’re welcome.
So much writing, I need a nap.
xoxo
Dan