Search

A guide to pairing wine and food

When it comes to selecting wines for to go with your meals, there are no absolute rules – the only expert opinion that matters is your own. That said, there are definitely choices that pair better with certain dishes. Pairing wines to a rich, complicated supper is not as difficult as it may seem. In fact, choosing wines to go with your winter meals can be among the most enjoyable and more relaxing stages in planning the dinner. At a minimum, you want to provide refreshment – water and wines – that flatter the meal's flavours. In many cases, a good-quality, medium-bodied red wine is a great choice with a lot of winter dishes. Welcoming guests and relatives with flutes of crisp, sparkling wine always creates a nice sense of occasion, whether your hors d'oeuvres are just some biscuits and dips or a lavish selection or meat and cheeses. And if you’re thinking of serving bubbles throughout an entire meal, you might be onto something. Although a soup or shellfish starter might be its ideal partner, the sparkling's bubbly assertiveness allows it to hold its own with more robust dishes. A traditional roast dinner – a popular meal choice in winter – that comes with baked vegetables, tests the liveliness of a single wine, and so often it makes sense to offer two or more that way guests can sip from whichever glass suits what they are eating. A red wine made substantially from pinot noir grapes is a fine partner for the distinctive taste of dark meat, and the black cherry-like character of many pinot noirs, will evoke the yummy berry, rich sauces that are popular throughout the cooler months of the year. With the broad range of flavours in your meals, you may want to consider introducing maturity and complexity in your wines. Try either the sun-baked earthiness you find in an shiraz or a rioja, or a hint of mellow age, such as that found in many wines older than four or five years. A well-crafted white wine can be a star of a winter dinner table, especially if it picks up on the citrus tones that are often present in sauces and garnishes of meals. Rich, concentrated white wines, such as a viognier or a chardonnay, with higher alcohol and a wisp of butterscotch sweetness, can enhance white meat. If the white is elegant and floral enough, it can be the perfect chaser for more herbal dishes, too. With very little legwork, you can find wines like these in every price range, so once you’ve decided on your menu and before you commit to certain wines, sample a few options. Image credit: Shutterstock

Food & Wine

A quick guide to shiraz

A good shiraz is the perfect winter drop but how do you choose one and what is it like to drink? Here’s a few things to look for when choosing a shiraz. Winter may bring cold wind, rain and even snow depending on where you call home, but one great thing you can indulge in during the colder spell is a good red. With its strong, full-bodied flavour, a hearty shiraz is just the ticket to take the chill out of your bones. Shiraz is also known as syrah, so if you ever get over to Europe and feel like an intense red tipple, always ask them for a glass of syrah since the serving person may not know of it by another name. When poured, the colour can be anywhere between a medium red through to a rich purple/red to even a black in some varieties. Mint, spice, blackcurrant, aniseed, plum and chocolate are just some of the primary fruit characters you’ll be able to detect with shiraz. As the wine ages these flavours will evolve into more complex notes. Young varieties will often have a firm tannin taste, which means it tastes dry and comes out strongest around the middle of your tongue. For older wines, the tannins will be a little finer. Shiraz goes perfectly with red or game meat, so if you’re planning to have a big, juicy steak for dinner then pair it with a full-bodied glass of shiraz and you won’t be disappointed. Australia produces great reds, especially shiraz. South Australia’s Barossa Valley and McLaren Vale have made steady names for themselves as regions which produce some great tasting reds. Gill Radford, co-owner of Barossa winery Radford Wines, reveals that while shiraz can be a great wine all-year round, it’s extra special in winter. “The colder months do create a lovely romantic notion of great, slow braised dishes, roaring fires and a feeling of nourishment and contentment that can only be appreciated with a great glass of red,” she says. When it comes to choosing a good shiraz, she said it will come down to personal preference in terms of palate and what you enjoy. However, it’s good to keep in mind the different varieties of shiraz depending on where it was produced. “Shiraz differs from region to region. For example, the Barossa makes really inky, deeply concentrated wines while Eden Valley (in the Barossa Ranges) tends to be more elegant and refined, while still harnessing its intensity,” she explains. Generally the cost of a bottle of wine is indicative of its quality, so more expensive wines tend to be aged longer in barrel. Younger, full-bodied varieties tend to have higher tannins and alcohol content. When it comes to pairing a shiraz with a meal, Ms Radford recommends a tasty French dish. “I’ve been known to go a little crazy for cassoulet – it’s a fabulous peasant dish that is really labourious but worth the effort,” she says. Image credits: Getty Images

Food & Wine

Amazing audio of Cleo's rescue, plus Premier owes her a new pair of shoes

WA Police have released audio of the moment 4-year-old Cleo Smith was rescued. One officer can be heard reassuring Cleo as they pick her up, saying “I’ve got you bubby”, while another asks Cleo, “What’s your name, sweetheart?” To this, she responds, “My name is Cleo”, to which the officer responds, “Your name is Cleo”, while another says “Hello Cleo”. It’s a heartwarming moment, as is the moment Cleo is carried outside the house she was found in, which police released video footage of on Wednesday soon after announcing she had been safely located and returned to her family. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> "My name is Cleo." <a href="https://t.co/xiy59x4kjP">pic.twitter.com/xiy59x4kjP</a> — WA Police Force (@WA_Police) <a href="https://twitter.com/WA_Police/status/1456102974502047744?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 4, 2021</a></blockquote> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> The moment Cleo was rescued 👏 <a href="https://t.co/arusYi9kCa">pic.twitter.com/arusYi9kCa</a> — WA Police Force (@WA_Police) <a href="https://twitter.com/WA_Police/status/1455784205548359682?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 3, 2021</a></blockquote> In a press conference earlier today, Detective Senior Sergeant Blaine said that Cleo was found awake in a room with the lights on, playing with toys. The home was in Carnarvon, the Western Australian town where the Smith family lives. She had been missing for 18 days when she was finally found around midnight on Wednesday. Blaine said that Cleo appeared to be in good spirits, "From our point of view, I'm amazed she seems to be so well-adjusted and happy, it was really, heart-warming to see. “She is playing in the backyard, exactly how you would expect, like how my daughter did when she was four-years-old." Premier Mark McGowan had the opportunity to meet her on Thursday, bringing with him two teddies – one for Cleo, and one for her younger sister Isla. They named the teddies Cameron and Rod, after the detective who rescued her and the lead investigator on the case, but he wasn’t sure if those names would stick, joking to reporters that “Cleo didn’t seem too enamoured with those names.” McGowan also revealed an embarrassing moment that transpired during the meeting. “I unfortunately trod on her new Barbie shoes and broke one of them, so I owe her a pair of shoes,” he said. Despite that unfortunate incident, the Premier said she was a “very bright, upbeat, sweet little girl” and described the Smith family as “very humble” and “very well adjusted” considering their ordeal. “It was a lovely experience to meet her. She was, I thought, very well adjusted considering and the family were very appreciative of everything that has been done for them. They’re ... fundamentally decent, honest human beings ... they’re really lovely people and it’s great to meet them and acknowledge what they’ve been through. “Obviously, there’ll be a way to go from here but they’re certainly on the right pathway.” Image: WA Police

News

Fashion conspiracy: Does Prince Harry only own one pair of shoes?

The Duke of Sussex has had a busy few months in the spotlight since the birth of his first son, Archie. However, it seems not even a swarm of cameras could pick up this odd fashion choice by Prince Harry that has seemed to be a constant for the royal for the last few months. Royal fans noticed something strange about the Duke of Sussex when a beautiful photograph of him and his family at the christening of first son Archie’s baptism was shared. It wasn’t just the adorable photo of Archie that kept fans on their toes, or the beautiful smile that graced Harry's wife Duchess Meghan that got people talking – it was a pair of suede brown brogues that was spotted on the Duke’s feet. On Twitter, fans pointed out Prince Harry had been wearing the same particular pair of shoes for the past few months. “Prince Harry’s offhand manner of dressing for his son and heir’s first official outing. Is this the exact same suit and suede shoes he wore when he showed the world his son?” one eagle-eyed fan wrote. Another tweet read: “Prince Harry is wearing exactly the same suit, brown desert boots, white shirt as he wore to present Archie.” “On an unrelated note, could the Duchess of Sussex do something about how sloppy her husband Prince Harry looks?” a snarky comment read. “Start with burning those ugly a** worn out brown shoes.” It appears Prince Harry has been wearing the same brown pair of shoes for a while now – dating back to October 2018 when he visited Sussex with his wife. The Duke was also spotted in the shoes when he and Duchess Meghan touched down in Casablanca airport in February. A few days later, the royal member was sporting the brogues again while the couple visited Rabat in Morocco. The royal has proven a pair of shoes can take you a long way. Scroll through the gallery above to see the number of times Prince Harry has been spotted sporting his favourite brown pair of shoes.

News

Wimbledon's chicest pair: Duchess Kate and Duchess Meghan's winning looks

Royal fans were treated to an extremely rare outing by the Duchess of Cambridge, Duchess of Sussex and Pippa Middleton for the Wimbledon women’s single final of 2019. It’s the second time both Duchess Kate and Duchess Meghan have attended the event together and this year was made all the more special as they watched and cheered Serena Williams on alongside Duchess Kate’s sister, Pippa. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"> kate and meghan greeting the duke of kent ❤️ <a href="https://t.co/JkxpPee68Q">pic.twitter.com/JkxpPee68Q</a> — barb (@daernerys) <a href="https://twitter.com/daernerys/status/1150094351470604289?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 13, 2019</a></blockquote> While it is not the first time the royals have spent a day out together, it is not often the public get to see the duo out and about – <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/news/news/archie-s-first-official-outing-the-royal-babies-steal-the-spotlight-from-their-dads" target="_blank">especially just days after a fun day out with family</a> at the polo. The Duchess of Cambridge donned a Dolce & Gabbana green crepe dress with a row of gold buttons and simple bow. The gorgeous frock is recycled by the royal – worn back in 2017 during a visit to Vancouver. However, this time the stunning, figure-hugging outfit was paired with a Dolce Sicily shoulder bag, adding a perfect touch to the regal look. The Duchess of Sussex looked equally as beautiful in a chic tennis look for the special outing with her sister-in-law and Pippa. The royal wore a crisp white Givenchy shirt and a blue and white patterned skirt from Hugo Boss, which featured a stroke print and gorgeous plissé pleats. The new mother to Archie added classic touches from her elegant jewellery to sleek pulled back hair, but this time she added a micro bag – a cream Stella McCartney Grace clutch. Earlier this week, the Duchess Meghan was spotted cheering on her close friend Serena Williams in a surprisingly casual yet chic ensemble – a white blazer, black top, jeans and a thick rimmed pair of sunnies. A body language expert deemed the royal members to be like “three sisters sitting together” alongside Pippa. Judi James told <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.thesun.co.uk/fabulous/9500171/kate-meghan-wanted-appear-friendly-wimbledon/" target="_blank">The Sun’s Fabulous</a>: “Sitting Meghan in between Kate and Pippa looks like a very active attempt to both host her and include her in a way that hasn't quite occurred since she married Harry." James added, “There is a lot of eye contact between the sisters-in-law here too, which, along with the laughter, should be seen as a sign they want to be seen as friendly together.” Scroll through the gallery above to see the Duchess of Cambridge and Duchess of Sussex’s special day out together. To end her Wimbledon style streak, Duchess Kate attended the men’s final the following day, where Novak Djokovic defeated Roger Federer in a nail-biting match. This time, however, the royal switched out her two 'royal' sisters and finished off the closing event with her husband Prince William while wearing one of her favourite designers, Emilia Wickstead. The the mum-of-three kept is simple, chic and summery in a blue below-the-knee frock with capped sleeves and a delicate bow, but her choice of footwear is what really surprised royal fans. The Duchess usually opts for hefty summer wedges, however, she chose a nude ankle-strap pump with a thick heel instead for her tennis outing.

Beauty & Style

Twin pair: Melania Trump wears similar look to Princess Diana

First Lady Melania Trump has touched down in the UK with her husband, US President Donald Trump for a special three-day state visit. Melania adorned a crisp white Dolce & Gabbana dress with a navy collar along with a matching broadbrimmed Hervé Pierre hat and Manolo Blahnik navy shoes. The First Lady greeted Queen Elizabeth while donning the chic ensemble however, that was not what sent tongues wagging. The 49-year-old’s outfit looked eerily similar to a white and navy outfit that royal icon, Princess Diana wore over 20 years ago. Royal insiders cannot be sure if the First Lady wore the outfit to pay tribute to the beloved Princess Di, who wore it on the 50th anniversary of VJ Day in 1995. Princess Diana, who passed away in 1997 wore several immaculate white and navy outfits throughout the ‘80s and ‘90s and was considered a fashion icon throughout her time. Other royal insiders noted that Mrs Trump may have taken fashion inspiration from two other “English roses”: Audrey Hepburn’s character, Eliza Dolittle in My Fair Lady; and Kate Winslet’s character, Rose from Titanic. The Trumps enjoyed lunch with the Queen at Buckingham Palace to mark the start of their three day state visit, The President and Mrs Trump were greeted outside the palace by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall. Scroll through the gallery above to see Melania Trump’s display of fashion since touching down in the UK.

Beauty & Style

Obsessed much? Celine Dion stores 10,000 pairs of shoes in Las Vegas warehouse

Most people usually have a few pairs of shoes. Some for going out and some for everyday wear. But if you’re Celine Dion then you’re most likely going to need an entire warehouse to store all of your footwear. The singer, who has a residency at Las Vegas’ Caesar’s Palace, let James Corden in on her obsession with shoes during a Carpool Karaoke segment last week. When originally asked the question, Celine admitted to owning 3000-5000 pairs of shoes, but after a bit more heckling, she finally gave away the correct number. Corden went on to say that he had heard a rumour of the performer owning up to 10,000 pairs of shoes, to which Celine said was possible. “Maybe. I didn’t want to say it,” she admitted. But the question on everyone’s minds was: Where does someone with that many pairs of shoes possibly keep them? “I have a place in Las Vegas … let’s call it a warehouse,” revealed the 51-year-old. And while having a separate property just for shoes seems extravagant, Dion went on to explain that her former home in Florida had an entirely computerised system to help categorise her shoes. “I had a system, it was computerised, and I would press, and the door would open,” she revealed. “I would press another button and they would turn.” She said that the shoes were colour coordinated to make it easier for her to pick and choose between them. The chosen pair of shoes would then be presented on a thick glass counter, filled with crushed diamonds – but while it seems over-the-top, it isn’t as lavish as you may think. “Not real diamonds, just to make sure that you don’t think that I’m loco,” Dion said. In 2017, the My Heart Will Go On singer spoke to <a rel="noopener" href="https://wwd.com/" target="_blank">WWD</a> about her hoarding habits, saying she finds it difficult to throw things away as they hold sentimental value. “They’re part of every step that I take, and I have an attachment to it,” she told the publication. But during the hilarious Carpool Karaoke segment, Dion didn’t seem to have a choice as she was forced to part ways with her favourite pairs of shoes by giving them away to strangers along the Las Vegas strip. Despite being reluctant, Dion managed to give a few pairs away to lucky walkers-by. But while it seemed to be in good fun, it doesn’t look like the performer will be downsizing her collection anytime soon.

Music

7 secrets to finding the most flattering pair of jeans

When you think about the cost per wear of your jeans, you can see why it pays to invest in a good pair. But it’s not enough to just go out and buy a well-known brand of jeans and expect them to be the perfect fit. There are a lot of elements that are important to take into consideration when choosing the best denim for your body shape. 1. Allow for some movement It’s not a great option to have 100 per cent cotton jeans as they don’t have enough ‘give’. Go for jeans with a little movement (usually known as elastane) and this will also help with the fit, as they won’t be so tight on the waistband. 2. Forget the zips to reduce a belly If you want to flatten your stomach, go for jeans without a front zip. Instead, find some with a higher stretchy waistband that you can just cover with your top. 3. Be mindful of faded colours It’s common to find that jeans have patches that are lighter than others. It’s best to avoid any that have faded space in your problem areas, as this will draw the eye to them. Same goes with rips and tears – less is more. 4. Go for less fiddly bits Flaps, sequins, dangly bits – all of these add bulk to your jeans, making the area where they are placed (usually waist or butt) look bigger. Keep things clean and simple to downplay any areas you are worried about. 5. Try them on with heels Jeans always look better with heels on, so it’s important to try them on with your favourite shoes. Heels make your legs and butt appear more toned, which is always a good thing. 6. When in doubt, choose boot cut If you’re not sure where to start, reach for the boot cut jeans. These suit most shapes, and unlike some slim fitting jeans they are quite flattering for nearly everybody. 7. Double up when you’re sure Found a pair you adore? Why not buy two pairs – say one dark, one light? Then you don’t have to head back to the shop too soon. What are your tips and tricks for finding a flattering pair of jeans? Let us know in the comments below.

Beauty & Style

Summer-perfect wine pairings

Summer is on the way. From BBQs to picnics in the park, we can’t wait for the chance to have lighter, fresh and flavoursome meals from morning to night. This hot weather-style of eating brings with it endless opportunities for matching lighter, refreshing wines with simple with your easy-to-prepare foods. And while pairing your favourite summer dish isn’t any different from other food and wine pairings, there are some tips to make the food and vino experience even more delightful. When it comes to picking wine for the warmer months, simply go for something you like, but if you ever need guidance, follow the food and wine pairing principles to get a good idea of which wines pair nicely with flavours of the dishes on the menu at each meal time. One thing that is different come summer dining and wine, is the serving temperature of your wines. While this is by no means a hard and fast rule, we’re sure you’ll agree that having a well-chilled wine is absolutely delightful in the heat. With salads a fixture at meal time in summer, selecting an ideal wine to pair with these healthy spreads very much depends on the dressings and ingredients. A salad full of meats, nuts and cheeses is very wine friendly and can be paired with a good variety of wines. When it comes to salads full of crispy raw vegetables, things can be a little bit more challenging. Raw leaves, for instance, can make wines taste bitter. In this case pair wines that are round and with a bit more texture. Again reds (that chill nicely), whites with great acidity and fruitiness are great options for salads, but if you are ever unsure, a delicious bubbly is the perfect accompaniment that will always go well on a summer’s day! Asian-inspired dishes are another summertime favourite. If you dine this style, go for the classic aromatic wines for pairing – again have them chilled beforehand to bring absolute satisfaction in the boiling summer. Wines such as tart whites, light and fruity reds, rosé and sparkling are great choices. Great examples include sauvignon blanc, riesling, pinot gris and non-oaked chardonnay for the whites; dry and off-dry rosés; fruity reds that are nice chilled and sparkling.

Food & Wine

How to pair wine and food infographic

On the way to a friend’s house for a dinner party and you stop off at the shops for supplies. You call them and ask, shall I bring anything in particular, wine perhaps? They thank you and say “That would be wonderful, we’re having salmon for dinner”. You know this is supposed to be a hint, but you have not a clue what it means. Whether you are attending or hosting, knowing the basic of food and wine matching is invaluable to the success of a meal. Use this clever infographic below that explains what varietals match what food types. <img width="544" height="799" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/17301/wine2_544x799.jpg" alt="Wine2"/> Related links: <a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/lifestyle/food-wine/2016/02/what-your-wine-choice-says-about-you/">What your wine choice says about you</a> <a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/lifestyle/food-wine/2016/02/herb-baked-salmon/">The perfect herb-baked salmon</a> <a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/lifestyle/food-wine/2015/12/how-to-cook-the-perfect-steak/">How to cook the perfect steak</a>

Food & Wine

Over 60

News

Shop

Catalogues

Travel

Health

Lifestyle

Finance

Entertainment

Property

Information

Keep up to date

Search

A guide to pairing wine and food

A quick guide to shiraz

Amazing audio of Cleo's rescue, plus Premier owes her a new pair of shoes

Fashion conspiracy: Does Prince Harry only own one pair of shoes?

Wimbledon's chicest pair: Duchess Kate and Duchess Meghan's winning looks

Twin pair: Melania Trump wears similar look to Princess Diana

Obsessed much? Celine Dion stores 10,000 pairs of shoes in Las Vegas warehouse

7 secrets to finding the most flattering pair of jeans

Summer-perfect wine pairings

How to pair wine and food infographic

News

Shop

Catalogues

Travel

Health

Lifestyle

Finance

Entertainment

Property

Information

Keep up to date

Search

A guide to pairing wine and food

A quick guide to shiraz

Amazing audio of Cleo's rescue, plus Premier owes her a new pair of shoes

Fashion conspiracy: Does Prince Harry only own one pair of shoes?

Wimbledon's chicest pair: Duchess Kate and Duchess Meghan's winning looks

Twin pair: Melania Trump wears similar look to Princess Diana

Obsessed much? Celine Dion stores 10,000 pairs of shoes in Las Vegas warehouse

7 secrets to finding the most flattering pair of jeans

Summer-perfect wine pairings

How to pair wine and food infographic

Join Over60