Thyme to Taste Emporium: Supporting Local Wineries with Unique Tasting Experience

Murrumbateman, NSW : Wine lovers in the Canberra District rejoice! Thyme to Taste Emporium, a beloved local bottle shop in Murrumbateman, is now offering its space as a cellar door for smaller wineries in the region that don’t have their own tasting rooms.

This exciting initiative aims to give these hidden (and not so hidden) gems the chance to showcase their exceptional wines to a wider audience. Starting on Saturday 29th, wine enthusiasts can visit Thyme to Taste in Murrumbateman (Fairley Square Shops) from Thursday to Sunday each week to experience tastings led by their knowledgeable staff.. 

Ravensworth and Mallaluka are pioneering this exciting new service, becoming the first wineries we’ll be offering it to. Ravensworth, a recognized name, has established itself as a leader in Australian winemaking. Mallaluka, a rising star, is lauded for its commitment to crafting exceptional natural wines. Both wineries share a dedication to quality and innovation, making them perfect partners for this groundbreaking initiative.

“We’re passionate about supporting local wineries and providing a platform for them to share their stories and wines with the community,” says Lee-Ann Sutton, Owner, from Thyme to Taste Emporium. “This initiative allows us to celebrate the incredible diversity of the Canberra District wine scene and offer customers a truly unique tasting experience.”

About Thyme to Taste:

Thyme to Taste Emporium is a warm and welcoming bottle shop located in the heart of Murrumbateman, the Canberra District’s premier wine growing region. We offer a carefully curated selection of local wines, alongside a range of independent beers labels and gourmet products. Our knowledgeable staff is passionate about wine and happy to help you find the perfect bottle for any occasion.

Contact:

Lee-Ann Sutton 0414605086

Andrew Dodds 0403999899

Thyme to Taste Emporium – Murrumbateman

Fairley Square Shops 3:47 Rose St Murrumbateman

info@thymetotaste.com.au

Hops: Because Life’s Too Short for Boring Beer

Campers and beer drinkers, gather around! Today’s lesson is all about the mighty hop cone, the tiny flower with a titanic impact on your favourite brew. Forget that old rumour about hops being male cones – they’re all female, and they pack a serious punch of flavour and aroma.

These little green grenades, technically from the Humulus lupulus plant (say that five times fast or after five beers), are the secret weapon of brewers. They’re like the spices in your grandmothers secret biscuit recipe, they create a symphony of deliciousness.

Hops: The Triple Threat

Hops are like a three-in-one brewing tool. They can bring the bitter, the flavour, and the aroma, depending on when they’re tossed into the boil. Early additions create that balancing bitterness that keeps your beer from tasting like straight-up malt syrup. Later additions unleash a wave of flavour, anything from citrusy to piney to downright tropical. And dry hopping, where hops are added after fermentation, is all about maximizing those intoxicating aromas.

Think of it like this: hops are like the actors in a play. Some are leading roles, delivering powerful bitterness. Others are scene stealers, bursting onto the stage with flavour. And a few are the dramatic whisperers in the background, hinting at citrus or spice with their aroma.

Hop Varieties: A World Tour (Without Leaving Your Barstool)

The world of hops is vast, my friends, with new varieties popping up faster than you can say “IPA.” But let’s meet a few all-stars:

  • Galaxy: This Aussie hop is a fruity rockstar, bringing citrus, peach, and passionfruit to the party, a tropical paradise in a glass.
  • Citra: This American up-and-comer is all about the citrus explosion – think lime, orange, grapefruit. It’s a hit in pale ales and IPAs.
  • Amarillo: This West Coast wonder is Citra’s partner-in-crime, adding another layer of citrusy goodness. Together, they create flavour bombs.
  • Saaz: This European hop is a true OG, a key ingredient in those classic Pilsners. It’s a bit more subtle than the new-school hops, offering earthy, spicy, and herbal notes that make it a brewer’s favourite
  • Cascade: A true craft beer pioneer, Cascade is a staple in pale ales and IPAs.
  • Mosaic: Now, let’s not forget this Mosaic masterpiece! This American-bred hop is a chameleon, offering a kaleidoscope of flavours and aromas. Imagine a tropical fruit salad with a hint of blueberry and pine – that’s the magic of Mosaic. It’s a superstar in IPAs and pale ales, adding complexity and depth to any brew.

The Takeaway: Hop on Over to Flavourtown!

The world of hops is deep, but you don’t need a PhD in botany to appreciate them. Just knowing a few basic hop facts can transform your beer-drinking experience. Next time you grab a craft brew, see if you can pick out the citrusy notes of Citra or the earthy whispers of Saaz. With a little practice and a lot of tasting, you’ll be a hop connoisseur in no time! Now get out there and join the Cheers to 100 Beers program , only at Thyme to Taste Emporium, a place to discuss your favourite craft beer – cheers big ears!

Thyme to Taste Emporium
Now in two locations
62 Comur St, Yass
Shop 3 Fairly Square, Rose Street, Murrumbateman

FOr further reading https://www.beercraftr.com/hops/

Thyme to Taste Newsletter -16th Nov 2023

IT is THYME TO TASTE

Beer Cases At Thyme, we have a unique twist on 16 can beer cases. They’re priced individually, giving you the freedom to mix and match. Pick any combo of 16 beers, ciders, or ginger beers, and we’ll pack it up for you with a sweet 30% off. It’s a pretty awesome deal, especially as we have a fantastic range of craft beers .Selection of craft beer at Thymw to Taste

Wine Promotions Buy six wines of any variety and get 10% off.Thyme to Taste wines are top-notch, and we’re pretty proud of it! Whether it’s a regular day or a special celebration, you can always rely on us for some fantastic wine. Cheers to quality sips! 🍷 Buy mixed half dozen of wine and receive 10% off

Gift Hampers! Tailored Just for You: From Wine & Sweets to Savory & Beer, We’ve Got Your Perfect Gift Hamper for any Budget! See the delight on the recipients face when you hand over a custom packed gift from Thyme to Taste. Gift Hampers

ADD TO YOUR DIARY
Friday 24th November – Norton Road Wines will be in the Thyme to Taste Murrumbateman from 3pm to showcase their wines. Come on down.

25-26 November – The Makers of Murrumbateman haveanother weekend full of events like craft, yoga, tastes and enjoyment. See website for details.https://makersofmurrumbateman.org.au/flourish-festival/Thursday .

14th December – Christmas Parade in Yass Town. There is a street parade, market stall and late night shopping. IN the Thyme to Taste Emporium Yass store we will have local wine and gin makers for tastings and you can discuss the finer points of life. From 5.30pm till 7.00pm

Norton Road Wines

Organic, Biodynamic and Natural Wines… What’s the Difference?

There are lots of labels thrown around in the wine world these days…organic…biodynamic…natural… but lots of wine drinkers are confused. If your eyes have already glazed over with the complexity of the wine vocabulary, more technical terms can feel like an overload. So, let’s get clear and simple. In general, all of these terms refer to using less intervention in the vineyard and in the cellar and to protecting and enriching the soil. For simplicity sake, you can think of “organic” to “natural” as a range with “biodynamic” somewhere in the middle even though there can be overlap. (Some wines are organic, biodynamic and natural all at once.)

Choosing the Right Wine Glass

In the world of wine, you may be surprised to learn, not all glasses are made equal. If you want to get the best out of your red, keep the bubbles in your champagne or give your next rose the respect it deserves, you may well need to pay more attention to the glass you decide to use. Here’s our quick guide to four glasses that should just about cover everything and should be in your cupboard. One rule you should always observe, first of all, is to buy wine glasses that taper inwards towards the top.

Sommelier Tips: Choosing Wine for a Dinner Party

It’s customary when you’re invited to a dinner party to bring something along as a gift. For most people, traditionally this usually means buying a bottle of wine. This can cause all sorts of problems, especially if you want to impress but don’t know your fellow guests very well. Different wines go with different meals and some people prefer reds to whites and vice versa. Ideally, you don’t want to head down to the supermarket and choose the cheapest bottle of plonk you can find (unless you’re a student). So what’s the best thing to do?

Pairing Wine With Fish: It’s Not All About White

Pairing wine and food is easy, right? Red wine with red meat and white with chicken and fish. While those often repeated ‘rules’ might hold true in most cases, there is a little more to it.  There are many white wines that are perfect for fish and seafood dishes. For example, you can’t beat a crisp Muscadet and moules marinières, or a lemony Picpoul de Pinet and oysters. Even richer Chardonnays can work wonders when paired with hearty dishes like fish pie. But there are so many delicious red and rosé wines out there that make for surprisingly tasty pairings.

A Quick Guide to American Wine

Did you know that Americans have been making wine for centuries? Vines were first planted in the 16th century by European settlers but international acclaim for American wine is fairly recent. A major event in 1976, known as the Judgment of Paris, changed it all for American wine. Bringing together the crème de la crème of the French wine establishment, the blind tasting put Bordeaux’ biggest names and top Burgundies up against Californian Cabernet Sauvignons and Chardonnays. To the surprise of all judges, a Californian wine took the top spot in each category. This amazing result changed the course of American wine forever.

How to Drink Wine Sustainably? Cans, Pouches & Boxes

While glass bottles can be recycled, there are other options with eco-credential that you may not have thought about. From bag-in-box, to bagnums and cans, here’s our round up of some green packaging alternatives you should consider.  Often conjuring up images of student parties or music festivals, bag-in-box wine is going through a change and deserves a rethink.  Synonymous with cheap wine in the eighties, the quality of boxed wines has come a long way since with more choice available than ever before.

The Do’s and Don’ts of Storing Wine at Home

Everyone knows that wine gets better with age, right? What many people don’t know is how to properly store wine so that it actually does improve with time — and doesn’t turn into expensive vinegar. In an ideal world, you’d have access to a wine cellar for your precious bottles. But since most people don’t — and, let’s face it, even the most avid wine collector probably doesn’t have enough to fill a cellar — you’ll have to find ways to store your wine at home. Read on for the do’s and don’ts of storing wine.