Harper's

20th February 2004

Aussie Duo Joins the Alliance

Alliance Wine has added three new agencies to its Australian portfolio, building on the successes of Stella Bella/Suckfizzle and Two Hands.

Majella Estate, run by the ebullient Brian "Prof" Lynn, is one of the leading estates in Coonawarra and currently the most awarded. The estate is one of the oldest in the region and used to be a source of high quality fruit for famous players such as Wynns. In the early nineties, the Lynn family began bottling under the Majella label and have never looked back. Rated as a 5 star producer by Halliday, the wines display immense concentration, ripeness and consitency of style. Previously unavailable in the U.K, Alliance will be offering the 2001 Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon to those buyer who are quick off the mark.

Domaine A, the much talked of Coal Valley producer, has also joined the Alliance having been previously distributed by Bonhote Foster. A producer of world class Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot and Sauvignon Blanc, Domaine has recently received attention from some high profile journos. Matthew Jukes described them as "the most gob smacking range I have ever tasted" whilst Halliday stated that the Lady A Fume Blanc is " the best oaked Sauvignon Blanc I have tasted, Didier Dagueneau not excepted".

No good Australian wine tasting is complete without a drop of the amber nectar and so Alliance have completed the recent range extension with Little Creatures Pale Ale! The champion beer of Australia and the favourite of many visiting U.K journos, this Fremantle based operation has a very wine related background. Set up by Phil Sexton of Devil's Lair fame, Howard Cearns (who designs labels for the likes of Stella Bella) and brewed initially by Janice McDonald (of Suckfizzle/Stella Bella fame), it is a fabulously fruity, aromatic ale with crisp hoppy finish.

Giles Cooke MW, Wine Development Director for Alliance, believes that the continued interest in regionalisation of Australian wine is vital to the growth of the sector and to Aussie wine in the on trade. " the relatively poor showing of Aussie wine in the on trade until now could be blamed on limited space given on wine lists; the breaking down into regions not only gives more space and impact on a list but allows for trading up and realisation on the part of the comsumer that certain areas just make better wine. The addition of Majella and Domaine A is tremendously exciting for our customers and further strengthens what is one of the most dynamic portfolios in the market"