Bargain bin

"SAVALANCHE" is fast becoming a term for the deluge of largely homogeneous Marlborough sauvignon blanc on our shores. It's a shame because sauvignon blanc is a wonderful, diverse wine, with Sancerre at its heart. But let's not forget Pouilly-Fume, Menetou-Salan and Quincy, three other Loire Valley regions that make excellent sauvignon blanc. In the latter, Domaine de Chevilly is a reliable producer whose wine you can now enjoy for a snip (normally about $38). It has an enticing green tinge, a spicy and herbaceous mid-palate and a refreshing minerally finish. A good match with oysters.

Former Premier On Corruption Charges

THE former West Australian premier and Labor star Brian Burke, his business partner Julian Grill and the former state Labor minister Norm Marlborough were charged with corruption yesterday.

Grape Expectations

3 Tales 2008 Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc $22.99 This is a new venture brokered by mates Darren de Bortoli and Brent Marris who studied winemaking together. The two winemaking families shared their skills to produce this sparkling Kiwi savvy with upfront tropical and passionfruit flavours, grassy characters, lively acidity and a crisp finish. Drink with fresh seafood.

Wine

Kono 2007 Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc

Bargain Bin

Marlborough is a hot spot for New Zealand sauvignon blanc but it's also home to a soft and pleasing pinot noir.

Michelle Pushes Through Pain Barrier To Rack Up A Milestone

VICTORIAN apprentice Michelle Payne achieved a career milestone when she piloted Leroy The Boy to victory in the $60,000 Marlborough Country Cup (2040m) yesterday.

Inner-west

LEICHHARDT 32/268-272 FLOOD STREET $550,000 DRUMMOYNE 23/35 MARLBOROUGH STREET $359,000

The Butler Did It - Or Was It The Maid, The Gardener Or . . . ?

Light-fingered staff see the aristocracy as rich pickings. Richard Baker reports from London. WHEN the staff of stately British homes are caught stealing from their employers, the pilfered goods that come to mind are small things, such as a case of quality grog, a silver candlestick or fine china. But John Spencer Churchill, the 11th Duke of Marlborough and owner of England's Blenheim Palace, has reported a far superior form of staff deception. Police are investigating claims that palace staff ...

Fine Kiwi Wines

IT is ironic that that a sauvignon blanc produced by Australian winemaker David Hohnen and not the pioneer Montana company first rocketed New Zealand's Marlborough area to international fame.

Marlborough Country

Downcast New Zealanders can still claim one ``world champion" tag, writes JOHN LEWIS.

A Wealth Of Passion And Politics

THE FAVOURITE: Sarah, Duchess of Marlborough By Ophelia Field Hodder & Stoughton, 560pp, $60

Odd Bins - What's Hot In The World Of Drinking / Tasting Notes

ODD BINS - WHAT'S HOT IN THE WORLD OF DRINKING Kiwis cut Boy, is New Zealand going to be miffed! After 10 years of being included in James Halliday's Wine Companion, it's gone. Not a Marlborough sauvignon blanc in sight in the 537 pages of the new 2003 edition. With the Kiwis out of the

Knowledge On Tap: Patrons Only Here For The Trivia

It is mid-week at Newtown's Marlborough Hotel and three teams - the Croakers, Cunning Linguists and the Committophobics - are running hot. What is is the highest order of chivalry in Scotland? In which book was Humpty Dumpty first mentioned?

Trainer's Weighty Woes For Prince

Jim Houlahan may not quite agree, but his latest star hurdler Classic Prince has been rated a one-kilogram better horse than his most recent Grand National Hurdle winners Moon Chase and Marlborough when weights for Saturday's National were released yesterday.

Phone Link To Rape Charges

A MAN charged with raping a woman he met through a telephone introductory service appeared in Parramatta Local Court yesterday. Joseph Anthony Slattery, 22, of Marlborough Street, Smithfield, was charged with two counts of sexual intercourse without consent and two counts of obtaining money by deception.

Marlborough Is Fit And Ready To Take On The World

The connections of Australia's finest jumper, Marlborough, had several reasons to be thrilled over the weekend, but it was the news yesterday that he had been selected to take on the world in April that prompted the biggest cheer.

Marlborough Jumps Into $2.7m Japan Spotlight

AUSTRALIA'S top jumper Marlborough virtually clinched an invitation to take on the world's best in Japan in April with a shock flat win in the Street Cafe Handicap at Sandown yesterday.

Bail On Rob Count

A 36-YEAR-OLD Rutherford man charged with attempted robbery was granted conditional bail yesterday to face Newcastle District Court. Matthew Blandford, jobless, of Marlborough St, is charged with attempting to rob Bar Beach Newsagency on July 4 while armed with a kitchen knife. Magistrate Mich

Order Breached

A MAN has told Maitland Local Court he did nothing wrong by breaching a court order disqualifying him from driving until August 2002. Garry John Mattiussi, 32, tradesperson, of Marlborough St, Rutherford, pleaded guilty yesterday to driving with a disqualified licence at Rutherford on August 19.

Mercy Flight Ends In Tragedy

A rescue flight taking a sick boy to hospital went horribly wrong early yesterday when a helicopter crashed in darkness and heavy fog, killing all five people on board. Running low on fuel and trying desperately to find a safe place to land, the helicopter slammed into a field near Marlborough