There are so many accolades and praises to pour onto the wonderful human that is Andrew Guard. A former high-end sommelier, Guardy turned his hand to importing with a portfolio that has been pivotal in a generational shift of Australian wine culture. He introduced us to Overnoy, Ganevat, Cotat, Gramenon, L’Anglore/Eric Pfifferling, Pacalet and more, while drawing our gaze to natural wine through the lens of high quality wines. He took us to Jura, parts unseen in Rhone, unique vineyards in Mosel, drew out the legendary organic and biodynamic vignerons. His portfolio is legendary, as is his generosity in deeds and spirit.
Guardy is a man who has shaped the way we drink in so very many ways, and opened the door for so many to follow, with inspiration and encouragement close at hand. While his quarry is mostly the best restaurants and bars of Australia, P&V is steadfast in support of his work, and are proud to present something like an ‘Introduction To The Guardfather’ six pack that showcases some of his beautiful, seasonal wines.
This pack contains gems from Domaine de la Pepiere with a light but textural Muscadet that is a perpetual favourite ‘seaside white’. Alongside this, there’s a rarely seen cuvee from Domaine Belle-Vue – an orange wine shimmering in amber hue, lively with clove-spiked orange fruit character and chewy tannins. Harkham’s rosé wine pushes complexity into the pink wine agenda, while cult, younger generation Beaujolais producer, Jules Metras, gifts us his slinky ‘Bijou’ gamay. Rioja firebrand Olivier Riviere brings us a vivacious and fleshy red, while Roucas Toumba’s Les Grands Chemins is a fireside wine of hazy texture and warming, dark fruits and spice. It’s a pack rich in diversity and splendour, and, as always with Guardy, value.
