08 February 2010

Ultimo Wine Centre: French Champagne and Imported Wines, Ultimo (6 Feb 2010)

99 Jones Street Ultimo NSW 2007

For lovers of fine wine

With Valentine's Day this Sunday 14 February just around the corner it's good timing to know about this boutique bottle shop if you're thinking of getting a quality bottle of champagne. The choices are extensive ranging from a reasonably priced staff recommendation of the Loire Valley's Monmousseau Cuvée J. M. ($25.95) up to the higher priced Cristel Louis Roederer Champagne for I think about $399 which is locked up in a glass cabinet. They also stock many imported and boutique Australian wines — it's definitely not your average mass-marketed Liquorland bottle shop. Staff are friendly and knowledgeable and you definitely need to be careful while walking through the displays of wines — leave your kids at home to avoid accidents.

I must give credit to the reader Gobsmack'd who mentioned this bottle shop to me on my post about the Food Bloggers Award Launch at La Mint. He suggested a few recommendations to try which I unfortunately didn't have on me at the time when I visited.

SNAPSHOT REVIEW:
PROS: Extensive range of International wines, knowledgeable staff
CONS: Don't expect to find Passion Pop or cheap wines by the cask
MUST TRY: Free tastings on Saturdays, Gossett Grand Rosé (staff recommendation)


Gossett Grand Rosé Champagne $119.95 (Staff recommendation)

Cristal Champagne $399 (I think)

Large variety of champagnes

Crates of French wines


1990 Hermitage $449

Be careful not to bump into anything

Afternoon snack


Cornichons, cheese and a bottle Monmousseau Cuvée J. M. $25.95




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Ultimo Wine Centre on Urbanspoon

12 comments:

Anna said...

Oooh I love a bit of bubbly for a special occasion, and what better occasion than Valentine's Day. There is a wonderful variety out there, and it doesn't have to be Bollinger/Moet Chandon to be enjoyable... My favourite at the moment is "Henkell Trocken Sekt" (dry sparkling), and retails for about $16!

Simon Leong said...

hi ladybird, that's one of my favourites as well. i find it quite creamy for some reason if that makes sense and not too bubbly/fizzy. i actually couldn't see any that day when i was searching through the shelves. i like how some bars sell the mini bottles :-)

john@heneedsfood said...

Ths place has such a great selection of wines. Shame I don't live two blocks away from it anymore!

Simon Leong said...

hi marion, thanks for following my blog and leaving your first comment. much appreciated! :-) thanks so much for the positive feedback. it's great to know your reading it :-)

hi john, i wished i lived close to it too. :-) i'd be keen to try their French wine tasting on saturdays

L and J said...

Hi Simon,

We've been following your food blog for a while now and have been inspired to start one of our own!
Here is the link to our blog http://nomnomnibblies.blogspot.com/
Please pop by when you have time!

Love, L & J xx
P.S We'never passed or heard of this place before - will definitely need to try the Saturday tastings sometime! :)

Anonymous said...

Hi Simon, You're welcome! Jon, Jason and Renee have got to be the friendliest wine shop people around! Which is not good for the hip pocket, I must say! I stocked up big on the Monmousseau for Christmas, so well done, Simon. During their Dec/Jan sale, I was a wee bit too late for Salon, a Champagne house that I have wanted to sample forever but sadly is waaaay out of my price range (at Ultimo, it starts from approx $600)but managed to snaffle the last bottle of Delamotte (from the house of Salon, its their second label, using leftover grapes from their Salon label). You must pre-programme a reminder to attend their Champagne tasting which is always held in November. Glorious! Gobsmack'd

Anonymous said...

PS Did you see the bottle of Chateau d'Yquem at Ultimo selling for $9995? Gobsmack'd

Simon Leong said...

hi L and J, thanks for following my blog and all the best with your new exciting blog. i look forward to reading it.

hi Gobsmack'd, OMG i'm now Gobsmack'd HEHE i missed seeing the Chateau d'Yquem for $9995 but i'd also probably be too nervous around it in case i knocked it. sounds amazing! if i visit again i have to get them to show me so i can photograph. it'll probably be the closet i'll ever get to it :-) i'll have to watch out for their sales too. sounds like really good bargains to be had.

kosher said...

thanks Simon for the link, its been a while since I'm looking for quality bottle of champagne near Ultimo.

Simon Leong said...

hi kosher, hope you find a good bottle that you're after :-)

Rocket French said...

Great selection of French Wines.
A French Champagne would make a perfect gift for Valentine's Day :)
Ultimo Wine Centre looks like a wonderful place to buy quality products. Nice review !

Cathy

Simon Leong said...

hi cathy, thanks for dropping by :-)

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