Sarantos Christmas Cheer

Here at Sarantos, at Christmas food and wine go hand in hand. Due to the multi-culturalism in Australia food can vary tremendously within families. Would it be too bold to say that Christmas meals are centred around the traditional hams, turkey and plum pudding? Often these dishes are cooked earlier and served cold, due to the hot weather experience in Oz during December. Seafood, salads and other summer foods are present as well as foods from other cultures. Of course, there are still the traditionalists who like to search a hot roast with all the trimmings.

It’s funny how certain foods can bring to mind such wonderful memories and Christmas is no exception. It helps us to remember people who may no longer be with as we enjoy what was their favourite cuisine. Just the smell of some foods brings back memories of times past. The taste of some wines, brings back memories of bottles shared.

Often we over indulge at Christmas time, stuffing ourselves with too much food and then lie around groaning, or if you are lucky enough grabbing an afternoon nap. Then when the sun sets, we stuff ourselves again. But I couldn’t imagine it any other way.

Whatever it is you do for Christmas, it seems that having young children around means the magic never ends, but the most wonderful gift of all is spending time with special people in your lives, sharing some wonderful food and drinking some lovely wine.

Sarantos wishes you all a very merry Christmas and a happy and safe New Year.

A toast to affordable luxuries!

With whole sectors, previously ‘safe’ markets and regions on the skids, you’d be forgiven for thinking that the entire world is about to suffer a financial meltdown the likes of which have never been seen ... is this the end of consumerism and capitalism, of society as we know it? Not even real estate provides any guarantees anymore!

But certain industries, products and services inevitably thrive in tough economic times and there are businesses quietly making a killing right now – which is good to know. Perhaps it’s a case of swings and roundabouts, or just human nature , but at times like this it can be interesting and quite revealing to see the kinds of activities and products people gravitate towards and the way our priorities change.

Unsurprisingly, all forms of DIY do well in recessions. People tend to renovate rather than build, recycle, fix and make do, rather than buy new. All forms of escapism also thrive – comedy, movies, travel (for those that can still afford it) to exotic and unusual destinations, spa treatments ... anything that provides light relief or takes people out of their heads, even for a short time, is in demand. Affordable luxuries and vices, such as chocolate, coffee and you guessed it, wine, do well – after all, the human desire for comfort and pleasure does not diminish with the value of currencies and stock markets, and there are some things we are simply not prepared to do without! OK, so we may not be able to justify that $300 pair of shoes or handbag right now, but the feel-good experience of a glass of wine with a friend in a bar with ambience or a view? Yes – that we can afford, and it’ll be worth every cent.

And while many retailers are doing it tough, discount outlets and anything to do with recycling and second-hand goods will be going gang-busters right now, so there is still some retail therapy to be had.

So it looks like it might be a lean Christmas for some parts of the world, and closer to home, for some sectors of the community. I for one will be trying to keep my Christmas spending much more moderate this year – and to ensure some of my reduced but still spare capacity goes to charity/aid organisations. But I’ll also be buying some good wine to go with the excellent food I’ll be sharing with my dear ones. Because living well, even in tough economic times, doesn’t have to cost an arm and a leg, and it certainly makes a difference to how you feel!

To Tweet or Not to Tweet

It’s here, it’s not going away, and it’s a global phenomenon!

The age of Social Media – are you on Facebook or Twitter yet?

If you are then when is it ok to tweet/update your status and what is the etiquette?

Can you be relevant without being a total narcissist? What do your friends want to know about you or are we boring them with selfish opinions?

This is my dilemma! 40 something and I am embracing this technology but sometimes I am not sure how it makes me look? Articulated or just plain snobby?

Let’s face it, it’s here to stay! Social media is now an integral part of our life. People want to research online, ask their friends, read reviews, articles and blogs to help them decide what they want and why not? Surely the more research we do the happier we will be with our purchase! It’s not just one person in the form of an advertisement telling us what we want anymore, its tweets, likes and retweets and opinions bombarding us with reams of information that any researcher would delight in.

It’s all there for online communities, politics, religion, gossip, celebrities, charities and the downside of course is the cyber bullying and yet we are all there! What do we say that has relevance to the world at large? I ask you?

All I have been able to determine is to follow your conscience, be true to yourself and keep a little back, “Like” what you know to be true and abstain when you don’t! For now, I personally “Like” the new 2011 Sarantos Sauvignon Blanc, and think I will go have a glass and tweet about that!

Cheers…

Hope Springs Eternal

Here comes Spring again, that time of renewal and regeneration. Not a moment too soon either – this has been a particularly difficult winter for us, and I’m not just talking about the worse-than-usual spate of colds and flu viruses! Global economic uncertainty and turmoil, civil strife in various parts of the world, mass murder in the unlikeliest of places .... I’m sure I’m not the only one hanging out for a literal and metaphorical dose of sunshine, along with the warmth, blossoms, bright new growth, longer days and the sense of optimism that comes with the freshness of Spring. It’s a reminder that nature, while cruel at times, is the source of great abundance, beauty and fertility, and can also be gentle and benign.

In the context of doom-and-gloom predictions about environmental degradation and climate change, it’s also comforting to observe life unfurling and burgeoning once again, just as it has done for millenia. The world strikes me as a bit short on hope right now, and Spring is just the tonic we need!

So what can we do to maximise the benefits of this time of the year and use the gift of Spring to help ourselves and others feel better?

Something as simple as a good all-over exfoliation, or treating yourself to some new bedlinen, can give you a boost and a feeling of ‘fresh start’, but it’s also worth reflecting on this question a little. Are there things in your life you’d like to get rid of or change? How about combining a spring clean with donating your unwanted goods to charity, so others who are doing it tougher can benefit?

While you’re thinking about it, open a bottle of one of the Spring-friendly Sarantos white wines – their gorgeous floral and fruit characters on both nose and palate will soon lift your spirits and inspire you to wander outside, glass in hand, to check out the action in the garden. The birds and bees have got Spring well in hand, and all we have to do is appreciate the bounty.

Hooray for Chardonnay!

In spite of doom-and-gloom predictions for the wet 2011 vintage and the impact of the exchange rate on our exports, the Australian wine industry remains in pretty good shape. And even with NZ Sauvignon Blancs flooding our wine retailers and restaurant wine lists, we Aussies can feel confident that our wines have a firm and enduring place in the hearts, minds and cellars of the wine drinking world. There are many reasons for this, and plenty of cause for domestic consumers to celebrate – never has there been so much quality wine available at such reasonable prices!

However, I guess the success of NZ Sauvignon Blanc could be seen as a lesson in sticking with what you’re good at, and doing it well. And in Australia’s case, that is our big, bold, gutsy Shiraz wines and that most versatile of varieties, Chardonnay. 

Luckily for us, and for wine drinkers everywhere, these are the two most commonly planted grape varieties in Australia, and many of our wine regions are justly famous for their particular ways with these mainstays. Chardonnay in particular, does well in a wide range of climates and settings, is great on its own, oaked or un-oaked, is incredibly food-friendly, blends beautifully with other white varieties in dry and interesting styles and is even made into high quality sparkling wine! What more could you want from a single grape variety?

The soft-press Sarantos Chardonnay is equally versatile, guaranteed to please and represents excellent value for money. Try it with warm chicken salad or a seafood risotto/pasta dish, preferably while you kick back with friends and enjoy some good conversation. 

Life is too short to drink bad wine, so hooray for Chardonnay, in all of its many guises. It might be considered passé by wine snobs or those looking for the next bandwagon to jump on, but we love it!

Becoming a Princess

What young woman hasn’t (at some stage in her life) indulged in the daydream of becoming a princess? It’s the quintessential fairytale ... Cinderella, Beauty and the Beast, Sleeping Beauty, Snow White and many others are all variations on the theme of the beautiful and good girl winning the heart of a prince. She often triumphs over adversity and injustice in the process, overcoming the tricks and evil schemes of greedy relatives to reclaim her birthright. Her weapons are nothing but her charm, beauty and goodness. Her allies in this quest? Dwarfs, animals and fairy godmothers.
Yet even in the cynical reality of the modern world, it seems it’s still possible to become a princess. The recent marriage of ‘commoner’ Kate Middleton to Prince William may have fanned that faint hope for a multitude of would-be princesses. And who could forget the delightfully unpretentious and chance ‘love-at-first-sight’ meeting of our own Mary Donaldson and Prince Frederick in a Sydney pub?
So how does a girl catch the eye and win the heart of a prince? Beauty, a good education, manners and social poise/charm would have to be considered essential prerequisites – those without this combination of attributes need not apply. Fertility, the ability to bear a future heir to the throne is no doubt also a factor, along with a squeaky clean past and the willingness to give up one’s privacy and anonymity forever.
Still in the hunt/interested? If you can tick all these boxes, it then comes down to two things – being in the right place at the right time, and the X-factor, that unpredictable, instant and amazing thing we call ‘chemistry’ that can occur between two people.
Clearly Kate’s see-through sashay along the catwalk at an event attended by the Prince didn’t hurt in terms of getting her noticed. But girls, before you start hitching up your skirts to dance on bars in the hope there might be an incognito prince on the premises, remember that what Kate and Mary have in common, apart from their long dark tresses, is elegance, an attribute that no amount of money can buy. These classy ‘commoners’ didn’t need to be born into privilege or royalty themselves to win the attention and hearts of their princes.
So, while it’s certainly possible to meet and marry a prince, it’s hardly likely. If your dream is more about becoming a princess than climbing the corporate ladder or owning your own company, you’re in the minority of modern women, but good for you ... just be prepared to kiss a lot of toads and have a Plan B up your sleeve!

Put on your dancing shoes

What about all the dance forms we’ve got to choose from these days!? Some of them are perennial favourites that have been around forever; others could only be called crazes or fads. But there seem to be more of them than ever … in 2011, it’s not just Belly Dancing, but ‘Belly Funk’, ‘Bollywood’ and ‘Tribal’ variations. Then there’s the Zumba phenomenon, derived from the Brazilian Samba, which blurs the line between dance and exercise. And who could forget Pole Dancing, which was sooo huge a few years back … hmm, kind of blurred the line between dance and outright titillation! Whether it’s Ballroom Latin, Rock ‘n’ Roll, Funk, Hip-Hop, Flamenco, Ballet, Line Dancing or shimmying up and down a pole, there is definitely something for everyone out there.

Dancing is surely one of the most primal, joyful and instinctive of human activities. Want evidence? Play a hypnotically rhythmic beat (with or without accompanying melody), and people of all ages, cultures, walks of life and levels of physicality will start tapping their feet, subtly moving their heads, hips, shoulders … often without even realising it! It’s clearly something that’s evolved from the deep, dark past. And guess what? It’s also socially acceptable (for all except a few extremist religions), and how many things can you say that about? Both primal and acceptable? Woo hoo! In a complex, fraught modern world swamped with artificiality, isn’t it refreshing to be able to enjoy something so simple, so basic, and so good for you?

Dancing must be the number one feel-good tonic for the whole body and a more fun form of exercise would be hard to find. And it’s not just the calorie-burning benefits that keep generations shaking a tail feather either. Whether you do it alone, with your significant other, with a bunch of girlfriends or with people you’ve only just met, to let go of sel-consciousness and inhibitions and really move your body to music and rhythm is to tap into something amazing! Life is not a competition or a beauty contest, and it’s only when we can let go of those hang-ups that we can begin to reap the benefits of dancing. So let’s stop worrying about what we look like and whether we’ve got the right moves – just feel the music and do what comes naturally.

I mean, who doesn’t want a boost to their physical fitness, sex appeal, confidence and endorphin levels? The physicality of dancing can also fan that crucial spark in intimate relationships and break the ice on social occasions … plus, it’s free! But why do we need to justify something so natural and instinctive? No reason is sometimes the best reason of all.

Wine, Women & Laughter

Wine, Women and Song … this combination of three of the finer things in life and more appealing features of the ancient world was considered to be man’s ultimate haven and respite from the brutal business of being a man. War, politics, conquering barbarian tribes and expanding empire, knowledge and commerce … it’s thirsty work, and apparently also left a man craving physical pleasure, comfort, refinement and artistic fulfilment. Understandable enough, I suppose, as an antidote to the rigours of the outside world.

We’d like to propose a new maxim though – Wine, Women (friends) and Laughter – an equally therapeutic combo for modern women leading busy, multi-tasking lives. Enjoying a couple of glasses of wine in the company of female friends is usually a recipe for laughter anyway, but these three can add up to a form of health insurance for women. Along with the obvious basics such as a balanced diet and regular exercise, feeling supported by and connected to our women friends is actually critical to our wellbeing and longevity. And let’s face it, these friendships can often outlive our relationships with men!

Laughter too, is well known for its endorphin-inducing and blood pressure-lowering benefits – it’s exercise for your insides, and we all know how enjoyable it is … a good belly laugh is a brilliant pick-me-up!

And wine? Well, a couple of bottles of chilled Sarantos whites will get the party started. In moderation, wine has similar kinds of health benefits – lowered stress levels, anxiety and blood pressure.

But it’s the triad that seems to magnify and enhance the effects of each element. Some of our best and most treasured times/memories can and do arise from this combination of wine, women and laughter.

After all, why should men be the sole beneficiaries of what we women represent and all that we have to offer? Let’s save some of it for ourselves and each other.

French vs Australian femininity

French women are an inspiration, aren’t they? Such elegance and femininity … they make it look effortless. And timeless too – they generally age extremely well. They also have to enjoy one of the richest cuisines and wine-friendliest cultures in the world. So how do they do it?

Well, we’re talking major restraint and tiny portions. There’s a high price to pay for such couture, coiffure and bel figure … imagine the financial cost, self-sacrifice and discipline (not to mention anxiety and unhealthy habits such as smoking) involved in staying that slim and well-groomed through the decades …?

The Australian way is more about living a healthy, balanced life - to the full! At Sarantos, we prefer to eat and drink well, though always in moderation. Yes, it gets harder with age to maintain slenderness, but we Aussie women tend to prefer indulgence balanced by exercise and a healthy outdoors lifestyle to the semi-starvation practiced by our French counterparts.

Regular exercise has enormous benefits for both body and mind … longevity, health, appearance – all are boosted by cardio-vascular and resistance (weights) exercise. And what we Aussie women are known worldwide for is our sun-kissed, healthy glow and a more natural, laid-back and robust kind of beauty.

In the eye of this beholder, if you take away the trappings of exquisitely stylish clothing, hairstyles and makeup, a healthy, relaxed and confident woman carrying a few extra kilos is far sexier and more beautiful than an anxious, slender and not-so-healthy one.

So indulge yourself, guilt-free …. you can always hit the gym tomorrow!

New Year, same old resolutions

So, how are those New Year’s resolutions coming along …?

It’s usually about now, a couple of months in, that we realise despite our best intentions and all the ‘fresh start’ impetus of a new calendar year, that nothing’s really changed. We’re still the same people we were, usually in the same relationships and jobs, occupying the same grooves and patterns of thinking and behaving … it turns out it’s harder than we think to make changes to our habits and routines, even when we know we should or these changes are good for us.

And let’s face it, so many of our New Year’s resolutions are just plain boring or are about making sacrifices - eating more vegetables, car-pooling, getting more exercise, losing weight, giving up smoking … no wonder most of them are broken or forgotten by the end of February!

Wouldn’t it be better to have a realistic and moderate approach to everything that can be maintained all year round without feeling like we’re missing out, and without the overdoing it that leads to these silly, corrective resolutions in the first place?

That would free up the headspace to make really positive and fun resolutions, like “I’m going to learn more about wine and find out what styles I like best” or “I’m going to see more of my friends this year” or “I’m going to learn to speak Spanish” ….

Let’s learn to be happy with what we are and what we’ve got, and then direct any impulse to change towards living a little bigger and better. Each New Year from now on, rather than resolving to alter something we’ve been doing, let’s choose to enhance our lives with some NEW skill or experience. New ground, new patterns, new skills ….let’s not waste our energy on trying to change what’s already been and done.

More Me Time ...

In a 2010 poll of 24,500 women, respondents reported an average of just 3.74 hours of leisure time per week.*

Does this sound like you? Working full-time, commuting, social and family obligations, the grind of domestic/household chores … even when you’re organised and high in energy, the pace and demands of our modern, multi-tasking lives can be exhausting.

Down time, me time, leisure time – whatever you call it, it’s critical to physical and mental health, relationships, overall productivity, creativity and happiness. Wait, hold the phone … isn’t that a list of pretty much everything that makes for quality of life?

Hmm, perhaps we should prioritise it then, factor it into the mix of our daily and weekly routines …? I suggest you get a pen, some paper, a good friend and a bottle of Sarantos out right now, and make yourselves a list of things you enjoy doing, find relaxing and would love to have more of … book a massage or pedicure, plan a long walk on the beach followed by lunch at that café you’ve been meaning to try, grab a book and head for the hammock … leisure and relaxation come in many different forms, and there are no rules. Go on, you can do it - take your foot off the accelerator, and head off road!

Life is to be enjoyed, and it’s so precious, fragile and short, that letting weeks, months, even years of it speed by without stopping to reflect on what really matters, counting our blessings and just being in the moment enjoying simple pleasures … well, it’s just a pointless waste, isn’t it? Why hurry getting to that finish line?

So put a little extra ‘me time’ on your ‘must do’ list and enjoy.

* Marie Claire, February 2011

Summer? Bring on the tapas!

Tapas-style eating, grazing on small serves and enjoying a variety of taste sensations, preferably outdoors, must be the perfect way to dine and entertain in the heat of summer. It’s no surprise that this style of eating and serving food originated in Mediterranean countries like Greece and Spain, with climates much like ours. Long hot afternoons and evenings were made for sharing food this way!

It’s a cinch to throw together platters of staple cold offerings such as cured meats, cheeses and smoked salmon – and depending on how much trouble you want to go to, these can be enhanced with garnishes/extras such as onion rings, capers, wedges of lemon, dolmades, cubes of fetta, crusty bread or crackers, olives … the list goes on. There are also a plethora of light, healthy, vegetarian and meat-lover options that are great as part of a tapas ‘banquet’ or in combination with the above. Try a white bean, tomato, garlic and parsley salad dressed in olive oil and lemon juice, or an avocado, tomato and coriander salsa with a drizzle of fresh lime juice, or spicy minced lamb meatballs with a yoghurt and mint dipping sauce … there are no hard and fast rules – as long as it’s flavoursome and finger, toothpick or fork-friendly, it’s on the menu!

Here are a few further suggestions to inspire you …

Dips – easy and more-ish, these are a must in a tapas-style spread … my personal favourite is Guacamole – it’s great served as a dip with corn chips, in combination with smoked salmon or as the crowning glory of nachos (surely the best party food ever invented!).

Warm/room temperature ‘salads’ featuring veges – try roasted pumpkin and crumbled goats fetta, sprinkled with toasted pinenuts.

A carb/filler with more subtle flavours is always a good idea – try something like arancini (risotto) balls.

A fresh salad, something simple with green leaves, fresh herbs and firm ripe tomatoes, goes down well as a foil for richer and stronger flavours.

Kebabs and/or meatballs are always a winner – very satisfying and great for dipping and eating with toothpicks or fingers. Try chicken mince with Thai spices for a lighter, fresher version.

‘Devils on Horseback’, smoked oysters and/or prunes wrapped in either bacon or Virginian ham and secured with toothpicks and browned on the BBQ or under the grill are a taste sensation.

The best part of tapas-style entertaining is that many of these kinds of dishes can be prepared in advance or are very simple to put together, meaning less fuss, dishes and stress. And let’s face it, isn’t that what we want at this time of the year? Isn’t it time you sat down and relaxed with your friends to enjoy some good food, conversation and a toast to the new year?

You can count on the fresh, soft and delightfully drinkable wines of the Sarantos range to provide the perfect match for food and occasions like this … enjoy!

To tan or not to tan …?

Combine the warmer weather, our national obsession with the beach/great outdoors, and the desire to look good wearing barely-there swimwear and filmy, floaty summer fashions, and what do you have? A great deal of energy directed towards (and activity around) achieving the body beautiful, that’s what!

Gyms and beauty salons do a roaring trade at this time of the year as we turn our attention to forthcoming summer holidays … and reversing the ravages of winter! Horrified at those extra kilos that somehow crept on to our thighs and butts during a winter of comfort food on the couch, we hit the treadmills and stairmasters in droves. The exercise binge is usually followed by serious waxing or other means of body hair removal, revealing skin that hasn’t seen the light of day in some months.

But for those lily-whites and pale-faces among us, there’s a further hurdle to cross before we dare to bare … to avoid blinding fellow beach goers and/or looking like a skinned rabbit, the essential finishing touch is a tan.

There’s no doubt a light tan makes the skin appear smoother and the body slimmer, does wonders for a girl’s confidence and looks great, especially against those gorgeous peach, sand and nude colours that are hot right now.

Given the well-documented dangers of excessive sun/UV exposure, a tan is necessarily now a chemical affair. But, oh, what a palaver! The pitfalls include the horrid chemical smell of these gels, lotions and sprays as they do their thing over a day or so, the tell-tale tide marks, creases and streaks they can leave, the hit-and-miss colour results … personally, I think there are few sights more garish and unattractive than an orange person (and I don’t mean a Rajneeshi or Tibetan monk!) … the result of a spray tan gone wrong.

At an average of $35 a go, and lasting perhaps 7-10 days before fading (hopefully evenly) back to pale, a spray tan seems like an expensive (not to mention somewhat embarrassing) way to achieve the sun-kissed look. Besides, standing naked in front of strangers while you’re hosed down with a brown chemical is not my idea of fun … thanks, but I’ll stick with the stinky tanning lotion I apply in the privacy of my own bathroom.

Oh it’s all too hard sometimes, this being a woman business … so while I decide whether or not I will bother with the tanning lotion this summer, I plan to enjoy the sun-kissed, light bronze-coloured Sarantos Pinot Gris, chilled of course, as I recline by the pool in my new cozzie. Perhaps after a glass or two of this gorgeous wine, I’ll worry less about how my skin looks and whether my thighs are slim enough, and just appreciate the sensuality of being in a healthy female body at this glorious time of the year.

What’s in a name?

I don’t know about you, but I find perfume shopping a bit of a trial … too many choices! How to make a decision? My sense of smell quickly reaches saturation point, usually at the same moment I realise I’ve forgotten which card had which fragrance sprayed on it. I end up leaving the store in a cloud of three different perfumes, one on each wrist and another on my neck, smelling fabulous, but with no idea which suits me or which I like best.

The array of fragrances available these days, on extensive display in department stores, chemists, perfumeries and duty free outlets world-wide, is simply mind boggling! Among countless others, each of the big designer house/labels boasts a range of at least three or four different perfumes. For example, Chanel has not just the classic #5 and #19 (doesn’t this make you wonder what happened to all the numbers in between …?), but ‘Coco’ (both the original and ‘Mademoiselle’), two versions of ‘Chance’, ‘Allure’, and more.

So I’ve decided that buying perfume should be like betting on a horse – yep, go for the name! In fact I like some of the names of perfumes almost as much as the scents themselves.

There seem to be a few major themes:

1) Names that are suggestive of passionate, even illicit sex - ‘Seduce’, ‘In2U’, ‘Heat’, and the new Gucci offering, ‘Guilty’ … will buying and wearing one of these perfumes lead to rampant coupling? Who knows … give it a try, preferably teamed with a ‘bring it on!’ kind of attitude and see what happens!

2) A lighter, more youthful and spontaneous vibe – ‘Play’, ‘Loud’, ‘Bright Crystal’, ‘Pretty’, ‘Lou Lou’ … for the young, and young at heart, though perhaps not for mutton dressing as lamb ….

3) Names that evoke a landscape, a mood, a place or time – ‘Dune’, ‘Escape’, ‘Roma’, ‘Midnight in Paris’ …. great, as long as it’s somewhere you’d want to be. (Um, do I really want to be on a sand dune?)

Then of course there are the fragrances that are named after, designed or inspired by celebrities, including our Kylie. You’d need to be a pretty big fan though, wouldn’t you?

Yes, there’s something for everyone … it’s nice to have choices, and there’s nothing like a heavenly perfume to lift your mood or put you in the mood for ‘Amore’, ‘Passion’, or whatever else is on your agenda.

My all-time favourite perfume though, is the peach-and-honeysuckle aroma of the Sarantos Chardonnay. No need to spray it on a card, just inhale it from your glass and enjoy. For best results, combine with number 1 above.

Spring is the time to ...

* Get out in the garden. Enjoy the crazy new growth and the fragrant blossoms and blooms of various plants while getting back to nature – either getting your hands dirty doing some planting or tidying up of weedy areas, or just reclining on a rug or comfy chair to soak up the sunshine and balmy air. The latter is best done with a couple of friends and a glass of Sarantos wine in hand, of course.

* Enjoy the longer daylight hours. For more of everything that makes life worthwhile.

* Spring-clean! Clear the decks for a fresh new start. Dealing with those long-ignored and overflowing drawers, cupboards, wardrobes and miscellaneous domestic spaces is sooo satisfying!
* Indulge your senses. Some suggestions - have an aromatherapy massage or use essential oils in an oil burner at home; cook and eat fresh, simple and seasonal; buy some new linen or towels to replace frayed, threadbare ones (see spring cleaning, above); listen to uplifting or feel-good music, sing out loud and get that body moving.

* Spruce up with a new look. A new hair style or colour, a fresh approach to makeup, a couple of new items of clothing to update your wardrobe – all are guaranteed to pay dividends for self esteem and to banish that stale, ‘same-old, same-old’ feeling we often have after a long cold winter.

* Exercise! With beach weather and more revealing clothes on their way, spring is the last change to whip those abs or thighs into shape after all that winter comfort food. Happily, the warmer weather also gives us the burst of energy needed, and goodness knows the dog is probably desperate for a walk!

* Al fresco everything. Do as much as possible ‘al fresco’, out in the open air. Eating al fresco is a joy in spring – do it before the mozzies descend and while the jasmine is in blossom.

And last but not least …

* Welcome back cold, crisp white wines! A bottle or two of Sarantos Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Pinot Gris or Moscato will complete the al fresco, enjoy-Spring-to-the-max experience.

Asking for that well-deserved pay rise

A recent article* highlighting the fact that 40 years after the ‘equal pay for equal work’ ruling, the average full-time earnings of the Australian woman are just 82 per cent of those of her male counterpart, provided food for thought.

One of the factors feeding into this knotty issue is that women are much (as in 8 times!) less likely to ask for a pay rise than men, so it’s fair to say that part of this gender salary inequity is down to a general female reluctance and lack of confidence in negotiating situations.**

In most instances women tend not to push as hard as men, fearing they’ll be seen as overbearing, greedy, or ’rocking the boat'. Women are also more likely to doubt themselves and assume that even obvious inequities are somehow performance-based rather than discriminatory. So rather than bitch and moan about the injustice and discrimination inherent in the gender pay gap, let’s get women paying attention to the one part of this crappy situation they can be directly addressing – learning to talk up their own skills/value and negotiate for a better deal!

So get to it girls! Being a woman is an expensive business, and spiralling living costs mean our budgets are inevitably tight. If you think you are being paid less than you should be, speak up!

The trick is to be well-prepared and build your case. Yes, you could say you need a pay rise because your hairdresser has put her prices up, or because wearing Simone Perele lingerie to work every day is costing you a fortune, but we suspect that’s unlikely to achieve the outcome you want!

Here are a few tips to get you started …

1) Do some research and find out what others in similar jobs elsewhere are being paid. The more evidence you can find that you are being short-changed, the better your chances of getting the nod. Award rates for various occupations are publicly available and provide a useful benchmark. Government salaries and job descriptions are also public knowledge, and trawling the on-line job advertisements will also give you a good idea of the salary range you should be in.

2) Come up with some examples of where you have performed above your level, above and beyond expectations or received great feedback. These are also useful for job interviews, so it’s a good idea to keep a ‘brag file’ that you can add notes or examples of your work to. Use these in your negotiations – recognition of your achievements, responsibilities, workload and value to the company is a reasonable basis on which to request a pay rise, but you need to be able to substantiate your claims.

3) If you’re feeling panicked at how to even raise the topic, get yourself onto a negotiating skills course – there are plenty of one-day workshops around – or buy a self-help book. Handling difficult people and a range of potentially tricky conversations well is an invaluable life skill.

4) Be aware of the context, such as your company’s financial position and any downturn in your industry resulting from the global financial crisis etc. If you can be ready to counter any brush-offs your boss uses based on these with well-reasoned arguments of your own, all the better.

5) Set a meeting time in advance and let your boss know that you would like to talk about your remuneration/conditions – this will give both you and him/her the time to prepare for the discussion.

6) Be reasonable about the increase you are seeking, but aim at the high end of what you know is the fair range.

And if you’re knocked back? Well, at least you’ve tried, and you will also have gained a clearer idea about how your boss and/or company see you. If they do not value you sufficiently, then maybe it’s time to look for a new job and try out those negotiating skills on your next employer!

* Marie Claire, August 2010
** ‘Women Don’t Ask: Negotiation and the Gender Divide’ by Linda Babcock and Sarah Laschever

Bling, bling and more bling...

If the gorgeous holographic and silver labels of the Sarantos range aren’t enough bling for you, we’ve thought of a few ways to bring more bling into your life …

There’s no denying we women love to a) shop/buy and b) enjoy quality girl time together, so it’s not surprise that there’s a party plan option for just about everything these days. From Tupperware to pampering body products, lingerie and aromatherapy … there’s something guaranteed to lead you and your girlfriends to buy under the influence! So if bling is your thing, why not try a costume jewellery party? As long as you don’t mind your dining or lounge room disappearing temporarily under a sea of trinkets or looking like a market stall, this is a great way to check out the latest styles, try things on and generally have a good time with the girls. Put on some delicious finger food and a few bottles of Sarantos and settle in for a fabulous afternoon or evening of bling and girlie fun.

Treating yourself to a special item of jewellery is the ultimate in feel-good indulgence – and once in a blue moon, it’s worth splashing out a little on something of quality that will last and get a lot of wear. Gosh, don’t wait for a man to buy you jewellery – you may die of old age in the attempt! Besides, nobody knows what you like better than you do. Can’t find what you like? Commission a piece of jewellery to your very own design and requirements – there are loads of jewellery designers and makers out there and their prices are usually very reasonable. For the same or less than what you would pay in a shop, you will get a one-off, totally unique piece and support a local artist or small business owner in the process. Depending on your designer’s suppliers, you may even end up with a better quality gem stone for the same price. Surf the ‘net – most jewellery designers/makers will have pics of past creations you can browse. What better way to celebrate your new job (and higher salary) … or do it for no reason at all!

Got a special birthday gathering or other celebration coming up? How about making it a bling-related theme, such as a 007 or movie star party … if you’re feeling life is a bit humdrum of late, what better way to add some bling than to dress up to the nines in your most flamboyant and sexy clothes, your fave stilettos and lashings of jewellery? An ‘up do’ and long drop earrings are guaranteed to make you look and feel glamorous. Your friends will no doubt also appreciate the opportunity to dress up, see and be seen.

Of course, at occasions such as this and many others, Sarantos wines are doing their bit to add some bling, their silvery caps and labels and pearlescent frosted glass shimmering away in the ice bucket or on the table … enjoy!

Screw caps rule

Of all the forms of wine bottle closures, the humble aluminimum screw cap, of which the 'Stelvin' seal is one of the better known brands, has been shown to offer the best long-term protection against oxidation (oxygen permeation) of wine.

We at Sarantos love the screw cap and its benefits for bottled wine - and for women! Here are the top five reasons we appreciate it and think it's girl friendly.

1. No more nasty 'corked' wines - the chance of cork taint, that musty hessian bag smell and taste, is elminated. Extensive quality tests have also shown the screwcap forms a tighter seal than cork and is the best closure for preserving the aromatic freshness of wines.
2. We girls can open them, every single time, without having to ask for help from the nearest bloke. Independent women are always more interesting to men than damsels in distress!
3. The instant and easy re-seal is a real advantage for girls - not all of us can (or want to) drink a full bottle in a sitting and it's great to able to simply put the cap back on, knowing the wine will be in good shape for a further day or two.
4. You don't have to sit kicking your heels in a BYO restaurant with your bottle and the empty glasses there in front of you until a waiter turns up with a corkscrew. Crack the seal yourselves, and you're away!
5. The hassles of fishing broken pieces of cork out of the wine, or having to push the cork all the way into the bottle are no more.

OK, I admit there's something appealing (and perhaps romantic) about the ritual of removing cork, and particularly the satisfying popping sound it makes as it's pulled or levered from its snug position in the neck of the bottle.

Apparently the proper technique for removing cork from a bottle of champagne or sparkling wine makes a sound "like the sign of a satisfied woman" rather than a loud pop. Well, next time I hear that at an adjacent table in a restaurant, I'll be sure to order along the lines of "I'll have what she's having!".

So maybe the crack of a screw cap doesn't quite cut it in comparison ... but either way, it's still followed by the best sound of all - the wine being poured into the glass. Ah, the anticipation ...

Spoiled for choice - sweet or dry?

Have you tried the new Sarantos Moscato yet? It’s a sweet tooth’s dream. Who needs dessert with this soft, ripe fruit and blossom-laden wine in your glass!? It’s perfect served ultra-chilled with everything from Asian-inspired finger food to ice-cream! In fact, you could pour a dash on your vanilla ice cream and make it part of your dessert!

 

It’s thought that our palates and taste preferences change as we mature and also as we gain wine knowledge and experience. As with food preferences, it’s commonly sweeter wine styles that we find appealing first, coming to appreciate more subtle, dry and crisp flavours later. This is just a general rule though – for some of us, a sweet tooth is a life-long companion!

 

Just as an individual’s tastes and preferences can change and become more discerning over time, it seems China, as a nation quite new to wine drinking, is on the fast track to developing a more sophisticated collective palate as they explore the varieties and styles produced around the world. French and Australian wines are very much on their radar, which is great news for Australian producers able to gain a foothold in such an enormous potential market.

 

Interestingly, two out of three Asian women prefer red wine to white, partly for its perceived health benefits, while in the west, it’s clear that women tend to prefer white wine.

 

While the jury is still out on gender differences in terms of taste preferences, women do apparently prefer softer, less structured, sweeter styles. We also do most of the wine purchasing, and apparently we are more willing to seek advice and recommendations than men in the decision making process.

 

Vive la difference, we say … what a boring world it would be if we all liked the same thing!

 

The Sarantos Moscato is for devotees of the sweeter things in life, yet it still has the clean, fresh, lively and balanced characteristics that are the hallmark of the Sarantos wines.

 

And for those that are already sweet enough, there’s the Pinot Gris, the Sauvignon Blanc …. Happily the Sarantos range caters for the full gamut of taste preferences. And colours too.

 

Beach holiday escapes from the winter blues

Are you simply longing to exchange your thermals for a bikini? Craving some vitamin D and the feel of sand between your toes? Just do it!

While Europeans traditionally head south for the winter, or at least the week or two they can afford, to sun-kissed places like Majorca, Malta or the south coast of Spain, we southerners look north to the tropics for an escape from the winter blues.

Our southern-most cities are cold, wet and grey right now, but we’re lucky here in Australia to have an enormous range of climates and many gorgeous locations to choose from all year round. If your ideal beach escape also involves duty free shopping and a change of culture, Fiji, Bali and Thailand are just a bit further afield … but let’s look at what’s in our own backyard, because we really are spoiled for choice, and by spending our holiday dollars here, we’ll be doing our little bit for the economy in these tight fiscal times.

Check out sites like Wotif, Need it Now, Lastminute.com – there are plenty of discounted flights and hot package deals currently on offer. Whatever your budget, there is a destination involving sunshine, sand and surf to suit your taste, most of them within two hours flying time. Which of course means that even if you only have a long weekend, a beach getaway is still do-able.

Sarantos recommends: the NSW north coast for a relaxed and boho vibe; the Gold Coast for glitz, family fun and that slightly surreal combo of city and surf; Broome and/or the Kimberleys for timeless natural wonders; Darwin for a multicultural mix of city and outback (although you may want to stick to the hotel pool to avoid unwanted contact with crocodiles!); Port Douglas for upmarket chic, and … well, where do you start with all those other Queensland destinations, including a dozen or more islands (catering to every budget and style of traveller), Hervey Bay, Cairns … the list goes on!

Ahh, the beaches in some of these places … wouldn’t it be great to be a beach bum, just for a year or two? Imagine travelling from one beach to the next, in all their variety – wild, pristine, sheltered – and doing nothing but enjoying both the best nature has to offer and the local vibe. It’s the dream lifestyle of many, whether on the cheap (think surfie chick, youth hostels, gorgeous guys from all over the world in various states of undress) or in style (resort hopping, hobnobbing with the rich and famous) …. Australia has it all!

But if both time and money dictate that a beach holiday is simply impossible right now, you can always fake it at home with your very own beach party …. OK, sand inside the house may not be an option, but here are a few suggestions for a surreal and hilarious mid-winter beach party:

• Turn the heating up full bore so you and your friends can comfortably wear your beach gear - cossies, sarongs, boardies etc are the mandatory dress code. (Just seeing your friends peel off winter coats and woollens to reveal beach attire will be a giggle in itself!).
• Have a few bottles of Sarantos on hand, preferably on ice – it’s THE perfect wine for a beach setting!
  Decorate the place with as much beach paraphernalia as possible – eskies for the drinks (handy to sit on as well!), towels, a bucket and spade set, fishing rods, beach umbrellas, etc.
• What to eat? Send one of your mates out for fish and chips, and have ice-creams tucked away in the freezer. Or spread out rugs and towels on the floor and get everyone to bring picnic-style food to share.
• Let the Beach Boys and other (retro?) beach party music help set the mood.

Get into the spirit of it, and have fun. Life’s a beach … especially with Sarantos!

The best (and worst) of reality TV

So what’s with this Master Chef craze taking the country by storm? Grandparents, kids and plenty of us in between are talking about it, and you can hardly miss the associated advertising blitz and the numerous food products being repackaged to take advantage of its popularity.

 

Why are we so easily hooked on reality TV shows anyway? With the exception of a few long-running standouts, we know most of them are crap, but somehow we just can’t help ourselves. They come and go, like fashions. Coming soon, apparently, is a reality show called R.B.T. (and yes, that does stand for Random Breath Testing) …. for pity’s sake!? Surely that’s one only the dedicated couch potato who likes to gawp at the humiliation of other people could enjoy! Some of us have better things to do.

 

Much of the appeal of reality TV is that the people appearing in these shows are ‘real’, ordinary punters plucked from obscurity, people much like ourselves. This gives us the thrill of voyeurism, an edge of immediacy and heightens the degree of empathy we feel for them. We can imagine being in their shoes … and the possibility is actually real too of course – for those among us craving that 15 minutes of fame, there are bound to be websites out there where you can register for the more structured, contestant-format programs. Who knows, it could be you featuring in a future episode!

 

The Master Chef phenomenon is certainly easier to like and has more going for it than most reality TV shows. Following on from a spate of renovating, gardening and home improvement shows, the last few years have largely been about celebrity chefs and cooking, reflecting a general surge in interest in all things food-related. Many of us fancy our culinary prowess in the kitchen at home, but how would it hold up under the intense pressure generated by the Master Chef format and the scrutiny of both the expert judges and the national viewing public?

 

We at Sarantos love the way Master Chef is inspiring lazy cooks to put a little more thought and effort into their preparation and presentation of food, as well as the ‘eating well on a budget’ approach associated with it. OK, so not all of us aspire to preparing meat to look like fresh fruit, but raising awareness of different styles of cooking and inspiring people to try new ingredients and combinations of flavours has got to be a good thing.

 

The current focus on food is also great for the wine industry … with a little luck, many of you budding master chefs out there will discover (or rediscover) the delightfully food-friendly wines in the Sarantos range – the perfect accompaniment to your next gourmet meal, presented to acclaim and record high scores from your friends and family!

What's the most fun you can have with your clothes on?

This is a question we at Sarantos hasve pondered long and hard … ‘cos let’s face it, ‘clothes off’ is not always do-able!

We’d love to hear your recommendations, so feel free to write and share with us your most life-affirming, hilarious, rejuvenating and uplifting experiences. Maybe you’ve sky-dived and nothing else will ever come close to the rush you felt; maybe you’ve had an amazing experience while travelling; maybe it’s simply hanging out with friends that make you laugh ….?

Here are a few suggestions to get you thinking about what you really get a kick out of and what you might be able to factor in a bit more of - cheaply, easily and with a view to enriching your life.

1. Dancing
Most women move well – it’s a fact. Really feeling the music and moving your body can be incredibly sensual, and it releases tension. It can also be great fun, especially in the company of other women … why not take up a belly dancing or pole dancing class - imagine the mileage you’ll get out of it at the pub the following week! If learning a new dance form in a class setting is not your thing, then get some girlfriends over, open a few bottles of wine, pull back the coffee table and put some great old songs (the kind you can’t help singing along to) on the stereo, and see what happens. We girls just can’t help ourselves! Laughter guaranteed.

2. Dinner parties or long lazy afternoons grazing with good friends
Serve some simple fresh food that’s a cinch to prepare with easy-drinking Sarantos wines, get some fresh flowers, perhaps some comfy cushions and a few candles or a tea-light oil burner to help set an indulgent mood, then kick back. A grazing lunch is best, weather permitting, in an al fresco garden setting – try platters of market fresh dips, smallgoods, cheeses and breads for the ultimate in relaxed entertaining. Alternatively, get each of your friends to bring a dish (everyone’s got a specialty!) to share and enjoy a buffet style meal without the work and stress.

3. A girls night out bar hopping
Enjoy the plethora of new wine bars, tapas bars and clubs offering bar snacks and a variety of tempting tipples. Live music optional. Dress up, get out, see and be seen. This is particularly enjoyable in the context of a festival and/or local event – a live comedy show is a great way to start an evening out!

4. A spontaneous holiday
Grab a discount package deal, pack light, get on a plane and go somewhere exotic or different! Whether it be on your own or with a partner or girlfriend, travelling offers a dizzying array of fun experiences. Depending on what floats your boat, you might choose to try an adventure sport (paragliding looks like fun, and it can’t be that difficult …?), shopping, eating the local specialties, partying, exploring the locale and sightseeing, or simply relaxing on a gorgeous beach or by the hotel’s pool … go with the flow, make the most of every moment, and you’ll come back refreshed, recharged, and with memories that will last a lifetime.

Sarantos says it’s important to live in the moment, do plenty of what makes you feel good, and as much as possible in this crazy world, keep it simple!

Looking good on a big night out!!

Got a big social occasion or hot date coming up? Want to look good over a period of hours and make the best possible impression, whilst still enjoying yourself and having a few beverages? Here are our top 10 tips for putting your best face forward and avoiding some common pitfalls ….

1) Drink in moderation. Staggering, slurring drunk is never a good look.

2) Avoid stains on your teeth and lips by drinking white wine rather than red. It can take as little as one glass of red wine to darken the pearliest whites. If Sarantos Merlot is your thing then you may consider, packing a toothbrush for a quick brush at some stage during the evening. (A child’s toothbrush will do if you need to fit it in a small evening clutch bag.)

3) Invest in and wear a good quality lipstick with staying power, and blot it so that you don’t leave it on your wine glass, friends’ cheeks, and so on – you want it to stay on your lips! A darker colour (or the classic siren red!) is best for evenings.

4) Wear something you feel really comfortable and attractive in – it will boost your confidence and reduce the likelihood of wardrobe malfunctions. You’ll be more relaxed if you’re not constantly adjusting a loose strap, a gaping neckline or a hem that keeps riding up!

5) If you're planning on dancing the night away then steer away from those tight, sky-high or blister-inducing shoes and go for the old faithfuls. Towering stilettos may look great, but they are not conducive to a relaxed, comfortable and unselfconscious evening. You want to be able to concentrate on the company and conversation without being distracted by how much your feet are hurting. Besides, walking (and dancing!) like a duck is not that sexy.

6) Don’t forget to pack your makeup essentials. It only takes a minute to check/freshen up your makeup around the halfway point and bring you back to that smashing look you left home with.

7) Sore, dry or red eyes? Visine or similar in each eye can make all the difference.

8) Drink plenty of water … hydration is important for general health, wellbeing and beauty, and it also helps counteract the diuretic effects of alcohol. Drink at least one glass of water for every glass of wine, and you’ll reduce both the immediate and potential after-effects of a big session.

9) Keep some breath-freshening mints in your handbag … wine, cigarettes and spicy food (especially in combination!) can cause bad breath, so a well-timed mint can make a huge difference to the impression you make if you are getting up close and personal.

10) Quit while you’re ahead …. There’s a lot to be said for the ‘leave ‘em wanting more’ approach. It may have been invented in relation to entertaining an audience, but the same principle applies in social situations, especially where there’s someone you’re wanting to impress. You’re more likely to leave a positive impression if you leave on a high note, still gorgeous and on your own terms, than if you hang in until the bitter end. Let’s face it, things often deteriorate and fall flat late in the piece anyway, so you won’t miss much. Go home before it comes to that and catch some beauty sleep. There’ll always time for some more partying tomorrow!

Sarantos Merlot - a winter warmer

With the temperature dropping and daylight hours shortening as we head into winter, it's time to get the fire or heater going, break out the woollies, cook up some nourishing comfort food and enjoy being at home.

Winter is the perfect time for us to recharge the batteries, take stock, relax and indulge ourselves.....read some of those books we've been meaning to get to, enjoy a bubble bath, catch up on some sleep and spend quality time with those closest to us.  It's an opportunity to rest and reflect, but it's amazing how difficult many of us find it to spend an entire weekend in your pyjamas and enjoy it, guilt-free!

Having said that, winter doesn't have to mean hibernation.  Why not knock up a delicious warming risotto, pasta, a slow cooked roast or casserole and invite a few friends over to share a cosy night in?

Winter is naturally more conducive to drinking red wine than white, so Sarantos Merlot is the perfect choice to accompany the comfort food on so many menus at this time of the year.  It's a soft, mellow and approachable wine with abundant plummy fruit flavour and a smooth French oak structure - and versatile enough tot drink with anything from roast chicken to lamb shanks.

Good wine and food, good friends and good conversation around the fire - what better way to warm up a cold night!?

Sarantos Declares Open Season on Flavour

It's that great time of year when our new vintage Sarantos Sauvignon Blanc is released.

This flavour bomb of the wine world - fresh and vibrant, expressive and mouthwatering delicious - is just so zesty and is truly amazing when matched with the right foods.

You don't have to be a sommelier to match food with wine. There's a simple three-prong formula that's pretty easy to follow. You match the weight, acidity and intensity of Sarantos Sauvignon Blanc with food.

Taking Stock of our Aussie Blessings

The end of the financial year is nigh, and here at Sarantos that means stocktake. But a few of us are counting ourselves lucky that we've got out of the whole yawningly boring process. So be thankful for not having to tally up our bottle booty we decided to do a stocktake of our own - on the year so far. So what have we got to count? Our Blessings.