NOVEL FUND-RAISER: DRINKING FOR CHARITY

YOUR FREE WEEKLY WINE COLUMN FOR W/B 13 OCTOBER 2008

wine with david ellis

A SYDNEY couple has launched an on-line wine-buying service whose profits will go to charity and not-for-profit organisations.

Damian and Terri Percy were respected ballroom dancers with over 45 national and international titles between them, but their lives took a totally new direction after the birth of their second son Callum 18 months ago: Callum was born with Down Syndrome.

“We’ve experienced first-hand the immense difficulties faced by charity and not-for-profit organisations to raise enough funds to simply stay afloat,” Damian Percy said. “So we decided to launch The Charity Wine Shop, with its initial beneficiary Down Syndrome NSW and ten others.”

Fine wine buyers have a choice of wines from six wineries that have so far teamed-up to supply to The Charity Wine Shop: buyers simply log onto www.charitywineshop.com.au to place their order and nominate the charity or non-profit organisation of their choice from an-already near-dozen on the site.

Wines are delivered free, have a money-back guarantee, and at least $20 a case goes to the nominated charity; wineries, charities or non-profit groups that would like to join-up can contact the Charity Wine Shop on 1300 854 707.

ONE FOR LUNCH: IF you’re having fun building up that wine cellar, make a note to invest in a couple of Penna Lane’s new-release 2006 Shiraz while its still just $25 – this is a ripper wine with a good ten years cellaring potential and will certainly only get more pricey in the years ahead (if not sold out first.)

Winemakers Ray Klavins and Stephen Stafford-Brooks used 100 per cent fruit from the Clare Valley to craft a wine that’s loaded with spice, cherry and dark chocolate flavours, soft tannins and cedary oak complexities. If you can’t resist the temptation to try it now, do so with full-flavoured beef or kangaroo dishes or a good cheese platter.

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[] DANCING to a new tune, the Percy family – Callum is with dad Damian.

[] ONE for the cellar, or enjoy now with hearty beef, kangaroo or cheeses.