Latest news with #Valli
The Hindu
02-07-2025
- Health
- The Hindu
State government launches door delivery of essential commodities in Chennai, nine districts on a pilot basis
73-year-old R. Rajeswari, a senior citizen residing in Velachery, was spared a walk to the fair price shop as a truck brought the essential commodities to her street on Wednesday afternoon. The initiative is part of a pilot project by the State government to provide essential commodities to beneficiaries of the public distribution system (PDS). A total of 10 vehicles attached to as many shops in south Chennai went to the residences of senior citizens and persons with disabilities (PwDs) on Tuesday. A shopkeeper was travelling on each of these trucks with the commodities, a weighing machine and a palm reader. A.N. Valli, another senior citizen who benefited from the initiative, said she was told that the mobile shop would visit her locality the following day, too. 'Even though the shop I normally visit is only two streets away from my residence, this arrangement of door-delivery will be very convenient for me and other senior citizens. I appeal to the government to continue the measure,' Ms. Valli said. The mobile shops are expected to cover parts of north Chennai on Thursday. 'The idea is to ensure that those aged 70 or above, PwDs, and persons in need get essential commodities at their doorstep,' a top government official said, pointing out that it was the State government's own initiative. Around 5,000 beneficiaries are likely to be covered during the ongoing drive. Apart from Chennai, the pilot project covers Cuddalore, Ranipet, Tirunelveli, Erode, Sivaganga, Nagapattinam, Dharmapuri, Dindigul, and the Nilgiris. The coverage will be comprehensive — rural, coastal, hilly, semi-urban, and urban. Launched on Monday, the study is being conducted through the cooperative societies running the fair price shops. It will be completed by Saturday (July 5). After assessing the pilot project, the government will take a call on further course of action, the official said. Chief Minister M.K. Stalin will make a formal announcement. Consumer activist T. Sadagopan said the government could have issued a press release before launching the pilot study. 'A few days ago, some officials were seen going from house to house, seeking details of the elderly and PwDs. As many PDS beneficiaries are not aware of the government's initiative, they are reluctant to respond to calls or speak to unknown persons — a situation that could have been avoided easily,' he added.
Otago Daily Times
17-06-2025
- Business
- Otago Daily Times
Marvellous opportunity to be seduced
Today, a marvellous opportunity awaited in the guise of four sub-regional expressions of pinot noir by Valli and two newcomers from Domaine Thomson. The Pisa is a new offering in Valli's sub-regional portfolio, so I'm still getting my head around its style parameters, whereas the sumptuous, perfumed Bannockburn; dark, powerful Bendigo and bright aerial Gibbston have passed my way often. Was I seduced by the power of Bendigo this year? Perhaps, but I must doff my cap to it. Nice to try biodynamic producer Domaine Thomson alongside: their new Aspiring cuvee and the youthful Surveyor Thomson struts its potential. 2023 Valli Pisa pinot noir RRP $85 Price Rating Excellent to outstanding Youthful, a dusty, stony quality, lead pencil, hints of rose petal florality, wild herb, ripe fruit/berry compote happily in support. Peeling back layers of flavour as it unfurls, now fruit, now herb, now schist, now savoury aspects, all neatly wrapped in a corset of tannic grip yet drinkability too. Aerial, a lightness of being, fresh, youthful and lip-smacking. 2023 Domaine Thomson Single Vineyard Aspiring Central Otago pinot noir RRP $45 Price Rating Excellent A wilder nose at first, freshly turned humus evolving to blood and iron filings, reminiscent of syrah, a brooding, darker fruited register. perhaps plum. The palate brings in red fruits too, a humus/ clay like note, chewy tannins and a sense of weight that fills the mouth giving generosity to the wine. Already in a nice place to enjoy now. 2023 Valli Gibbston pinot noir RRP $85 Price Rating Outstanding Bright nose, touches of wood smoke, cranberry, raspberry, bramble, wild herb, something floral, rather beguiling. Fresh, lively in the mouth, nice energy, the tannins jousting with the bright acidity. Ripe fruit, a wonderfully long, dry finish, now blueberry and lavender, developing almost a tingliness as it dances in the mouth. Fine, elegant, great complexity. 2022 Domaine Thomson Surveyor Thomson pinot noir RRP $55 Price Rating Excellent to outstanding Schisty minerality, cracked pepper and spices, florals, savoury nuances appearing, ripe fruit in support. The palate belies the paler colour, powerfully chewy and structured, yet elegant rather than a fruit bomb. Spice and savoury notes frame the palate flowing to a lovely, long, dry close. Surprising power here, potential to unlock further with extra time in bottle. 2023 Valli Bannockburn Pinot Noir RRP $85 Price Rating Excellent to outstanding Bolder, really fragrant nose, perfume, wisps of mushroom, a sense of sweeter fruits underlying it. Really juicy and vibrant, sweetness, generosity to the fruit yet there's freshness too, underpinned by an earthy, stony quality and fine tannins. With air this is a more tightly wound, showing its youth, several re- visits see it hinting at what is to come, I'll score on its potential. 2023 Valli Bendigo Pinot Noir RRP $85 Price Rating Outstanding Deeply coloured and brooding, exuding richness without straying to overt sweetness. Flirts with humus, shifting to wild herbs, spices and savoury notes. Rich, dry, yet velvety texture, powerful tannins matched by the fruit depth. Almost crunchiness, lovely vitality and brightness that lifts it above the sheer power it possesses. Long, long dry finish. Superb.
West Australian
13-06-2025
- Entertainment
- West Australian
Telethon bake sale back this July with West Australians urged to whisk up some dough for sick kids
The perfect recipe to raise money for sick kids across the State is back this July — the Telethon Bake Sale. For the past six years, a group of cousins have turned their front yard into a pop-up cafe, all in the name of raising money to help other kids. The Telethon cafe came to life after Valli Della Vedova, 10, endured multiple hospital visits when she was four. She resolved to help those kids whose hospital stays were far greater than hers. The pool of 13 cousins, who call their bake sale Cousins for Kids, raised almost $11,000 through the cafe in 2024 — taking the total they've made for Telethon to nearly $34,000. The group have already started receiving orders for their fan favourites including caramel slice and sponge cake. For this year's bake sale, the kids are planning on adding a sideshow alley. Valli and Raphael's mother, Bianca Bellini, said the day had become a special tradition for the whole family. 'I think it's so special for the children to know that even though they're young, they can make a difference,' she said. 'The children, very much, are behind it. They love to give back and make a difference to kids and they can see that if you reach out to your own community and you ask for help and support, there's a lot of people that want to support you along the way. 'It's a very proud day for the family, where we can all get together and make a difference for Telethon.' Everyone from budding bakers, to a school group, or those hosting a workplace feast are invited to host a bake sale or morning tea before July 30. For those who register early, Woolworths will give $100 to cover the cost of ingredients. To register visit this link .
Perth Now
13-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Perth Now
Whisk up some dough for Telethon at this year's bake sale
The perfect recipe to raise money for sick kids across the State is back this July — the Telethon Bake Sale. For the past six years, a group of cousins have turned their front yard into a pop-up cafe, all in the name of raising money to help other kids. The Telethon cafe came to life after Valli Della Vedova, 10, endured multiple hospital visits when she was four. She resolved to help those kids whose hospital stays were far greater than hers. The pool of 13 cousins, who call their bake sale Cousins for Kids, raised almost $11,000 through the cafe in 2024 — taking the total they've made for Telethon to nearly $34,000. The group have already started receiving orders for their fan favourites including caramel slice and sponge cake. For this year's bake sale, the kids are planning on adding a sideshow alley. Valli and Raphael's mother, Bianca Bellini, said the day had become a special tradition for the whole family. Amelia Della Vedova, 9, Olivia Della Vedova, 11, Rosie Nadilo, 10, Valli Della Vedova, 10 and Raphael Della Vedova, 6. Credit: Kelsey Reid / The West Australian 'I think it's so special for the children to know that even though they're young, they can make a difference,' she said. 'The children, very much, are behind it. They love to give back and make a difference to kids and they can see that if you reach out to your own community and you ask for help and support, there's a lot of people that want to support you along the way. 'It's a very proud day for the family, where we can all get together and make a difference for Telethon.' Everyone from budding bakers, to a school group, or those hosting a workplace feast are invited to host a bake sale or morning tea before July 30. For those who register early, Woolworths will give $100 to cover the cost of ingredients. To register visit this link.
Forbes
03-06-2025
- Lifestyle
- Forbes
Father's Day Gift Guide 2025: Top Pinot Noir From Central Otago, New Zealand
A festive dinner party featuring Valli Wine. When it comes to Father's Day, a bottle of thoughtfully chosen wine never misses. But instead of the usual Cabernet or Scotch, consider something cooler — literally. This year, give the dad in your life a taste of one of the world's most exciting wine regions: Central Otago, New Zealand. Known for its cool-climate Pinot Noir, Central Otago produces some of the most expressive, age-worthy, and sustainably farmed red wines in the Southern Hemisphere, nay, the world. Whether your dad is a fan of Burgundy, a champion of sustainability, or simply enjoys an earthy, complex red wine with dinner, these six bottles will make you the hero of the holiday. Here are six top Central Otago Pinot Noirs to gift this Father's Day, selected for their character and sense of place. Next year, dad will be clamoring for the gift of a trip to New Zealand. One of several Pinot Noirs made by Valli. Founded in 1998 by pioneering Central Otago winemaker Grant Taylor, Valli was one of the first wineries to bottle Pinot Noir by subregion, highlighting the area's distinct terroirs. Today, the wines are made by Jen Parr, an Oregon-born winemaker with deep ties to New Zealand and a reputation for crafting expressive, site-specific Pinots. This 2023 release comes from Valli's estate vineyard in Bendigo, Central Otago's warmest and driest subregion. The site's north-facing slopes, low rainfall, and rocky soils yield concentrated, age-worthy wines. The 2023 vintage saw a mild spring followed by a warm, dry summer, producing fruit with good balance and pure flavors. Expect bold dark fruit, spice, and fine tannins in this powerful yet poised Pinot that captures the intensity of the Bendigo landscape. Wine to Find: Bendigo Vineyard, Pinot Noir, Valli, 2023, $62 The cellar door of Mt Difficulty features stunning views. Founded in the early 1990s by a small group of Central Otago grape growers, Mt Difficulty played a key role in establishing Bannockburn as one of New Zealand's premier Pinot Noir regions. The winery remains based in this warm, dry corner of Central Otago, where schist soils and long autumns consistently produce richly flavored wines. The 2022 Bannockburn Pinot Noir shows the signature intensity of the region: dark cherry, Szechuan pepper, and star anise on the nose, with layers of red and blue fruit on the palate. A savory undertone and baking spice carry through to a long, balanced finish. It's a polished, expressive red — ideal for dads who appreciate bold flavor and a sense of place. Wine to Fine: Bannockburn Pinot Noir, 2022, $57 The Glenlee vineyard shows the elegant, expressive side of Pinot Noir. Bottle shot of an older vintage. Current releases are 2021, 2022, and soon, 2023. Alan Brady planted the first vines at Gibbston Valley in the early 1980s, pioneering Pinot Noir in Central Otago. By 1987, the winery had released the region's first commercial bottling. One of its standout vineyards today is Glenlee, a north-facing site with stony glacial soils that produce deeply structured fruit. The 2021 Glenlee Pinot Noir comes from a vintage that started cool and finished warm and dry — a combination that allowed the fruit to ripen slowly and evenly. It opens with blackberry and floral aromatics, followed by red fruit and wild herbs on the palate. The structure is firm but not heavy, and the finish is long, elegant, and precise. A great pick for dad's who prefer a more fragrant, layered Pinot. Wine to Find: Glenlee Pinot Noir, 2021, $80 One of Central Otago's leading wineries, Felton Road has been a leader in both biodynamic farming and its vision for the region. Founded in 1991 by Stewart Elms and now owned by Nigel Greening, Felton Road is one of Central Otago's most respected wineries, known for its commitment to organic and biodynamic farming. Winemaker Blair Walter and viticulturist Gareth King have worked together for decades to craft site-expressive Pinot Noir from the Bannockburn subregion. The MacMuir Vineyard, located just east of Felton Road's original Elms Vineyard, features deep silt soils and high-density plantings. This 2022 release — only the second single-vineyard bottling from MacMuir — opens with a dark, herb-laced nose and restrained, earthy aromatics. On the palate, it shows fine structure and savory detail: chocolate, dried herbs, and layered fruit, all rendered with striking clarity. Wine to Fine: MacMuir Pinot Noir, 2022, $84 (pre-arrival sale) A Pinot Noir with dinner at Mount Edward. Founded in 1997 by Central Otago wine pioneer Alan Brady, Mount Edward is now run by owners John Buchanan and winemaker Duncan Forsyth. Based in the Gibbston Valley, the winery is certified organic and takes a low-intervention approach in both the vineyard and cellar. The 2022 Pisa Terrace Pinot Noir comes from a high-elevation site in the Pisa subregion, where long autumns and stony soils shape the fruit. This vintage leans savory and floral — think red and black berries, a sprig of wild thyme, and hints of allspice. It's velvety and refined with just enough grip to keep it grounded. Wine to Find: Pisa Terrace Pinot Noir 2021, $75 Royal Block Quarz Reef, one of the winery's most exceptional Pinot Noirs. Founded in 1996 by Austrian-born winemaker Rudi Bauer, Quartz Reef is based in the Bendigo subregion of Central Otago and is certified biodynamic. The Royal Series is a limited collection of single-ferment Pinot Noirs from the estate's densely planted vineyard blocks. The 'Anna von Tirol' bottling — now in its fourth release — comes from Block 12, referred to by the winery as the 'Royal Block.' The 2022 vintage opens with dark cherry, plum, and floral aromatics. The palate is rich and structured, with layered red and black fruits, sweet spice, and a finely textured finish. It's a full-bodied Pinot with both weight and precision — a standout choice for collectors or anyone looking to gift something singular and age-worthy. Wine to Find: Royal Series 'Anna Von Tirol' Pinot Noir, 2022, $83
