Wine List Australia

• November 2009

  I would obtain a list of importers in your area. See if they have anything at the lower end that they are struggling to move on. You should find something quite palatable from Australia, Chile, Argentina & South Africa for around $5 per bottle Only problem would be your labels.....

  Forum post in the topic Wine as gift favor??? by Charles Emilio

  
  

• November 2009

  @GregtT I would love to do something like that however it's very expensive to import or export to Australia. I was just asking Richard cause he is a part of the restaurant industry and I would like to check it out. @Richard this sounds lovely blanco pate, zinfandel prunes, celeriac... Read more@GregtT I would love to do something like that however it's very expensive to import or export to Australia. I was just asking Richard cause he is a part of the restaurant industry and I would like to check it out. @Richard this sounds lovely blanco pate, zinfandel prunes, celeriac remoulade and I'm just looking at your wine list....I see you have some interesting bits and pieces on there. I'll try and pop down although I work most evenings.    (hide)

  Forum post in the topic Kia ora by fibo86

  
  

• Oct 18

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• October 2009

  I wasn't going to post anything but since this thread is still going . . . You can find a million wines under $15 but the question is whether you yourself would like to drink them. The more people who answer, the more random the list becomes until eventually you end up listing... Read moreI wasn't going to post anything but since this thread is still going . . . You can find a million wines under $15 but the question is whether you yourself would like to drink them. The more people who answer, the more random the list becomes until eventually you end up listing every wine in the whole world that is under $15. That might not be a bad thing. Anyhow, here are some things I wouldn't mind drinking and I tried to explain why. I posted this somewhere else a few years ago so it may be dated - I would love to find a wine under $10 or so that is good enough to justify buying, but rarely is it possible, at least in reds. I tried 2 Buck Chuck and Yellowtail. Both went down the drain. The latter especially was way too sweet - they either left a lot of residual sugar in it or added some. Nothing else going on with the wine other than some horrific sweetness. It used to be possible to get decent values for that price, but over the past 10 years or so that has changed. So we define $10 - $15 as cheap enough for every day. At that range, there is a lot. Spain is a great source. Try looking for some garnacha - it's by far the most widely planted red grape in the country and consequently in the world, and as a result, there are some real bargains to be found - Artazuri Garnacha - several versions but the cheap one is fine, lots of dark cherry fruit and a touch of spice and earth. Borsao or Las Rocas or Leilia or Tres Picos - all produce inexpensive versions of garnacha with more complexity than you'd ever guess from the price - usually have a touch of earth, ash and spice over the fruit. The Las Rocas can be very uneven depending on which lot your bottle comes from. It's made in millions of bottle runs. Also try some monastrell - it was grown for centuries but usually made a rustic, unpleasant, stinky wine until a few producers attempted to reach a little higher. Because it comes from a region relatively unknown in the US - Murcia, there is not demand from collectors and prices can be great. Altos de Luzon - a blend of moslty monastrell and syrah and I think cab, very earthy and leathery on the nose, great balance, very good job and one of the best values on the market from anywhere IMHO. They do a cheaper version but it's nasty IMO. The bodega led by Juan Gil has been a pioneer in raising the quality of the wine from the grape, and the Juan Gil wine itself is under $20 and great. In addition Casa Castillo does an inexpensive version and Rafael Cambra does a great one but it's over $20. Most of all, don't overlook the great grape of Spain - tempranillo. Too many to list but the traditional crianzas or better, joven wines, from Rioja especially can be great values. E.g. Marques de Riscal, Marques de Murrietta, etc, from Rioja. Regarding the Riscal Reserva - I cannot think of another wine in the world that you can pay less than $12 for and keep for the rest of your life. And it improves w age. Look for Joven or Crianza from Ribera del Duero too - Bodegas Arrocal, Gormaz, and Casajus (which I sell), or the wines of Alejandro Fernandez, like Condado de Haza, or from Toro, his el Vinculo. Greg already mentioned Flavium, which is a really good job of mencia from the north of Spain. There aren't a lot of good value mencia wines out, but that's one and so is the Abad Dom Bueno, which was listed by the NYT as the best value and again, disclaimer - it's something I sell. And don't overlook the whites. Lots of great verdejo available - usually has a touch of grapefruit and a crisp quality - it's what a sauvignon blanc would love to be but never can. There are many Spanish whites around for under $15 and rather than list them I'd suggest that you simply go to the store and pick one up. If you like it, try another. They're often sold by grape variety, so you can learn fast. And don't overlook the rosados either - as a rule, try to get them as fresh as you can, but there are a few that can age, believe it or not. Australia is always a good source of value - Rosemount has really decreased in quality, but is still OK w the whites, Oxford Landing, Two Hands (the Lucky Country is their only low-end red and the new imnporter is raising prices), Mollydooker (the new label from Sparky Marquis who used to make Marquis Phillips), Grant Burge, Jacobs Creek, Lindemanns, Penfolds and Peter Lehman all make a range of wines and their low ends are good. They tend to be fruity and also very "clean", in that you don't get funky, leathery notes on the nose for the most part. Also in Australia, don't ignore the whites. They make some of the best value riesling and semillon on the planet - usually very dry. I'd say just pick up what you find and if you don't like it, try something else. Not much from Napa or Sonoma but if you go to somewhere else in California, you can do well - Fess Parker from Santa Barbara makes a number of wines, Michael Phillips from Lodi makes big, fruity, brawny zins and syrah and cab and petite sirah. And Cline, as mentioned makes pretty good stuff, especially their zin and syrah that come in at your price point. Ravenswoods lower end isn't great - some people like it but go for their better stuff - they've really come back after a few off years. BV is sometimes OK w the Coastal label, but spend a little more - I think their Rutherford cab may be one of the best values in Napa - you can find it for as low as $17 sometimes and worth it. Washington has good values - the Chat St Michelle companies which also include Villa Mt Eden from CA, and Columbia Crest, among others. All of their whites are solid values. The Eroica from Chat St Michelle wins awards every year - it's a riesling that's got a touch of residual sugar, like many kabinett wines from the Mosel these days, but it's always a nice wine and around $18. But if you spend less on the basic riesling, you won't be disappointed and you'll have a few bucks extra for a red. The Reserve cab and syrah from Columbia Crest lists over $25 but can often be found for much less and like I said, if you average out the price of the white and the red, you hit your price point. Italy is easy if you stay south - Sicily has decent wines made from Nero d'Avola like Morgante, with dark fruit flavors and great balance, as well as from other local grapes but their prices are inching up. A-Mano is a primitivo (zinfandel) that is made in Puglia by Chris Shannon from California - it goes for around $8 and is a great value every year. May be the best primitivo from Italy, although Appolonio is good too. Usually they have a little more acidity than some of the CA versions and for the price, a lot more complexity. Monte Antico is from Tuscany and is a pretty good value, as is Gabbiano - a Chianti. If you're looking at a cheap Chianti, you could do a lot worse. Hungary has a few interesting wines - Craftsman is a label that was created to develop good, inexpensive wines as an intro to their grapes and wine. All of them are decent values if you can find them. You can learn about grapes that most people have never heard of and enjoy yourself at the same time. I've had all of these many times and in general, the whites tend to be fruity and have a touch of residual sugar, but they're not sweet. And don't forget Argentina, maybe the best place for the US right now, given the currency rates and how we are suffering against the Euro. You can get any number of malbecs and cabs - Sur, Ox, Gascon, Altos las Hormigas, Altos de las Terrazas, Norton, Dona Paula, etc. All are actually nice. And if you spend a few bucks more for the reservas, you will have excellent wine. The Terrazas for example, makes a reserva that I get for $14.99 and it can hold its own with wines costing much more. These all tend to be fairly big wines with a good shot of oak and spice. Chile makes low-cost wines, but I find them frequently rather green and rarely buy them. They are quite different as a rule than the wines of Argentina, which are more lush and softer. Those from Chile, when ripe, still end to have a bit more in the way of herbal notes, but they also have less opulent fruit and a leaner profile. Can be quite nice in some cases if that's your thing. France remains a strange place. Of its most famous wine, some is the most overpriced on the planet and some represents outstanding value for the money. Beaujolais has a bad rap because people tired of the fashion for the cheap, young wine. As a result, there is little demand for the cru beaujolais and they represent outstanding values. Moreover, some of them are quite ageworthy and for the price of a bottle of Burgundy, you can get a case to lay down. In ten years you'll have a wine that will make your Burgundy drinking friends envious. Brun and Vissoux are 2 that I am happy to own. Syrah from the Northern Rhone is as expensive as Burgundy or Bordeaux, but syrah grows elsewhere and can be delicious. Garnacha, or as they call it, grenache, can be an even better value. There is a lot of swill produced but also a lot of great wine. Chapelle St Arnoux produces my favorite bottle of wine from the South Rhone in the Ventoux region. It's under $10 and drinks wonderfully and is a blend of garnacha and other "Rhone" grapes. It's worth remembering that except for syrah, the most important grapes in the Rhone cam from Spain, so look for the same grapes I mentioned for Spain - grenache, monastrell (which they call mourvedre) and carinena (which they call carignan). These are frequently blended together and in fact, most wines from the south of France are probably blends, so you won’t generally see a bottle that states the grape variety. Doesn’t matter - try them anyway. In the same way that the co-op wines produced in the millions can still represent value in Spain, those of France can also represent value. Many Cote du Rhones are surprisingly good and they have similar profiles to the Spanish wines I described earlier - earthy, strawberry/cherry fruit, spice. Most of the wines I've mentioned from France, Spain and Italy are made with little or no new oak. The cost of a French barrel is around $800 these days, so it can be a great savings to the winery if they use old, used barrels or cement tanks. France also has regions that are frequently ignored. The Loire for example produces great cabernet franc. It tends to have a green and herbal note to it, VERY unlike the wines from the south which are generally much fruitier and more pleasant up front, but if you like that quality, it's hard to find better values anywhere. The whites from the Loire, especially the far west, are outstanding values if you like super lean, crisp, minimalist whites. It's also the home of sauvignon blanc, and while I'm not a huge fan of the grape, the wines from that region can be exceptional. Lesser known areas like Jura, Savoie, Madiran, and others can be sources of value but as it's unlikely you'll find much, I'll not say anything about them. At any rate, if you buy a handful of wines from each of the areas I mentioned, you'll get a good overview and have enough to keep you busy for a long time.    (hide)

  Forum post in the topic What is your favorite wine... by GregT

  
  

• August 2009

  Well, there is Italy and there is every place else. There were some people who were going to do investment vehicles based on wine - the idea was basically appreciation of the asset. But as far as collateral, I wonder if it would pass muster with US law were a bank to take wine.... Read moreWell, there is Italy and there is every place else. There were some people who were going to do investment vehicles based on wine - the idea was basically appreciation of the asset. But as far as collateral, I wonder if it would pass muster with US law were a bank to take wine. In terms of production, I think it's Italy, Spain, France, US, Argentina in order but those stats are REALLY hard to pin down and recent years have seen some shifts. The WIne Institute in CA calls it as Italy, France, Spain, US, China, Turkey, Iran, Argtentina Australia, Chile, South Africa, India, Germany, Greece, Egypt In area under vine, it's Spain, France, Italy, US, Portugal, Argentina. Then there's the FAO - (Food and Agricuture Org) of the UN. They list grape production as Italy, China, US, France, Spain, Turkey, Iran, Argentina in order of metric tons produced. Grapes produced and harvested do not necessarily equate to wine, but there's a growing industry in the Arab world, which I find interesting. And China of course is coming on strong.    (hide)

  Forum post in the topic Tales from the Recession:... by GregT

  
  

• August 2009

  Maybe not in the States, however in Australia, Sydney Rockpool bar and grill more than 3750 separate listings and total holding of more than 20,000 bottles courtesy of David Doyle (part owner) Burgundy and Bordeaux 9 vintages of Roumier Bonnes Mares back to 1937, 11 of... Read moreMaybe not in the States, however in Australia, Sydney Rockpool bar and grill more than 3750 separate listings and total holding of more than 20,000 bottles courtesy of David Doyle (part owner) Burgundy and Bordeaux 9 vintages of Roumier Bonnes Mares back to 1937, 11 of Corton-Charemagne from Coche-Dury, 55 different listing from Montrachet,to name a few check it out. http://www.rockpool.com.au/sydney/bar-and-grill/ 10% of the list comes under the $100 mark    (hide)

  Forum post in the topic Best Wine Menu at a Restaurant by fibo86

  
  

• July 2009

  Yes, I did have a read of that. Unfortunately the choice of imported wines available in Australia is often very... limited. If you go into even a decent wine shop you'll find that, yes they have Barolo but maybe just one or two different ones -- sometimes even a $10 bottle and a $100... Read moreYes, I did have a read of that. Unfortunately the choice of imported wines available in Australia is often very... limited. If you go into even a decent wine shop you'll find that, yes they have Barolo but maybe just one or two different ones -- sometimes even a $10 bottle and a $100 bottle, with helpfully nothing in between. Hoping to find a specific one is a bit optimistic. I'll add them to my list of wines to look out for, but this keeps growing by the day...    (hide)

  Forum post in the topic new user by penguinoid

  
  

• June 2009

  Looks like you have a pretty eclectic selection there. Looks like your 'world focus' is Australia, Italy and California. I'd consider a Sauv Blanc from New Zealand (Spy Valley), something red from Chile or Argentina (Cono Sur) and something from South Africa (Leopard Frog). I... Read moreLooks like you have a pretty eclectic selection there. Looks like your 'world focus' is Australia, Italy and California. I'd consider a Sauv Blanc from New Zealand (Spy Valley), something red from Chile or Argentina (Cono Sur) and something from South Africa (Leopard Frog). I would also recommend at least two whites and two reds from France. No wine list is complete without selections from France. Louis Jadot should be easily accessible from the LCBO. Are you only restricted to wines available through the LCBO?    (hide)

  Forum post in the topic Need help creating a wine... by HondaJohn

  
  

• February 2009

  Anaphylactic shock seems to be what Sung is going through (mind you very mild) my boyfriend has this reaction to shell fish again only in a mild form (no hospital or epi pen needed). I'm finding that red wines are giving me different reactions I'm thinking that I now am having a... Read moreAnaphylactic shock seems to be what Sung is going through (mind you very mild) my boyfriend has this reaction to shell fish again only in a mild form (no hospital or epi pen needed). I'm finding that red wines are giving me different reactions I'm thinking that I now am having a reaction to Histamine-my eyes swell and get watery, my nose feels like someone has taken a rolled up wet towel and smacked me straight in the face, my head feels like it's going to explode and my hands are as itchie as measels and lumpy as the moon surface, sometimes sore tummy. Now I do get asthma sometimes but my reaction is not due to sulfites as i have no problem breathing and if someone is very sensitive to this you only need to open the bottle and this can set them off from memory I think it's as low as 5-7p/pm. In Australia we have aprox 250-300 p/pm (sulfites: parts per million) per bottle and 30-120p/pm in organic so I'm now trying one normal and one organic day by day to see weather or not any wines give me a reaction although it's such a shame to open a bottle for a glass as no one at home drinks wine (although knowing does kinda help not to be concerned weather or not I'm going to have a reaction) @Rb maybe your mum has the worst end of my reaction as I've being noticing lately that the sparklings have been top of the list (although mainly sparkling reds) apparently Quote"Histamine is another ingredient that is found in alcoholic beverages. Bacteria and yeast in the alcohol generate it. Histamine is also found in aged cheese, tuna, and meat. Histamine is a naturally occurring amine released by the body during allergic reactions. The histamine content in alcohol is very small and even less is absorbed when ingested. Excessive consumption of alcohol may cause a runny nose, stuffy nose, itchy, runny eyes, or worsening of one's asthma. Red wines often have a larger amount of histamines than white wines" So perhaps it's a product we just can't get rid of once in our system. If you guys are up for it perhaps we could put in a list of some type? (for the sensitive types)    (hide)

  Forum post in the topic Wine allergies? by fibo86

  
  

• January 2009

  As the year draws to a close it is time for me to reflect on the year that has past.  There were many, many events in my life that were of significance.  As I sit and recall through them I can’t help but think about the significant events that have happened to me involved wine. ... Read moreAs the year draws to a close it is time for me to reflect on the year that has past.  There were many, many events in my life that were of significance.  As I sit and recall through them I can’t help but think about the significant events that have happened to me involved wine.  Many of them were firsts for me this year and I thought I would share some of them.  Consider this my 2008 year in (wine) review. The Year of Snooth! It is hard to believe that I have only been part of the Snooth community for less than a year.  It has been a great find for knowledge, competitive pricing and a great community. Like many of you, I’ve become hooked and can’t stay away. -    Blogging for Snooth - This was probably one of the most surprising events for me.  While I can say that I have a passion for wine and that I may know more than the average bear about wine, I don’t consider myself an expert on wine at any level.  I have a passion for wine and have access to information but I am no expert.  I am very happy to be blogging for Snooth and hope that my contributions have helped to develop the community. -    Attended Snooth Panel Tasting - I love being in Manhattan for the vibe, the energy, the food and people.  Now, I have another reason to love Manhattan.  There is always a potential to participate in a Snooth Panel wine tasting.  This is something that I highly recommend to every Snooth member that has an opportunity to participate.  The panel tastings give you an opportunity to try a lot of wines, experience what a panel tasting is like and see how other people perceive the same wines.  Click here for Greg’s summary of the night of the panel tasting I attended. Wine, Travel & Me If you had told me at the beginning of this year that I’d have travel to three continents and have time to visit wine country in each area I would have jumped for joy.  As I look back I am still amazed that I was able to do what I did. -    Visit the Willamette Valley - The first wine trip of the year for me was to the Willamette Valley in Oregon.  If you are looking for diversity in varietals then Oregon is NOT for you.   Pinot is king and I’m not talking about Pinot Gris.  The Pinot Noir produced here ranges from the floral, cherry styles reminiscent of the Russian River Valley in California to earthy, elegant styles that draw comparisons to Burgundy.  It is just a short flight from the Bay Area to Portland (or a long drive) and if you are a lover of Pinot Noir (like I am) this is definitely a wine destination. -    Visit to Champagne - This was somewhat of a pilgrimage for me.  I managed to squeeze a few days in France with a trip I had planned to Italy for a friend’s wedding.  Over the past few years I’ve grown to love sparkling wines and have long wanted to visit Champagne being the birth place of this style.  Now that I have I am able to check off an item on my ‘must do list’.  It was everything I expected and I can’t wait to return.  I blogged about here and here. -    Visited the Yarra Valley - My trip to Australia was somewhat unexpected but, my full time job made this a reality.  Yarra Valley is a less heralded wine region in Australia but one that shows that it is a mistake to stereotype a country’s wines by the style they are most known for.  There is more to Australia than Shiraz.  Yarra Valley has a number of great wine finds and is on my highly recommended list.  Check out my thoughts about the Yarra Valley here. The Wine Virgin A friend of mine here on Snooth, RBoulanger, sent me a link a little while ago.  It was a link to the Wine Century Club, a club where you can become a member if you have tried wines from a 100 different varietals.  I downloaded the form and filled out as many varietals that I have tasted … 45.  So, as much as I know (or think I know), I’m still a wine virgin. -    Tried Sauternes for the first time - Sauternes had always been a mystery for me.  I couldn’t understand how a sweet wine could command so much money on release.  I couldn’t understand why people would buy so many futures of a sweet wine.  Lastly, I couldn’t understand how a wine, derived from a mold infestation, could be considered one of the worlds wine treasures.  And then, I tried one.  WOW.  I know understood.  A good Sauternes shows depth, complexity and character.  It has balance between sweetness, acidity and fruit flavor.  If you haven’t tried a wine from Sauternes it is something I highly recommend. -    Bought my first $200 bottle of wine - Okay, I’m not sure in this economy that this was such a good idea but I had an opportunity to get a bottle of 2004 Joseph Phelps Insignia.  Many of the wines I buy (and, most people) are consumed within a short time of the purchase.  So buying a $200 wine is my first purchase of an ‘age’ worthy / collectable wine.  I’m not sure if I’ll keep it for 20 years but I won’t be drinking it next week. A little knowledge goes a long way. It is fair to say that wine can be a little intimidating.  There are a hundreds of grape varietals, tens of thousands of producers and a mind boggling number of rules and laws that govern production.  For the new wine enthusiast it can be bit overwhelming so it is natural to gravitate to a person or a publication that can help to guide the way. -    Started a wine tasting group - One of the best ways to learn more about wine is to share your interest and passion with others.  I’ve found a great way to do that is to participate in a wine group.  I’ve gathered a number of my wine enthusiast friends together to form a wine tasting group.  The themed events allow for us to try new wines.  If you are thinking of starting a wine tasting group you need a strong leader and idea person. -    Became the wine steward for my mortgage-paying job - It was a bit of surprise to me that my passion for wine became widely known through my company.  The result has been requests for wine tour itineraries, wine recommendations and in general, a lot of questions.  I’ve become the ‘Go-To’ guy for wine knowledge in my company.  I’m still not sure if it is a good or bad thing but it has helped me dig deeper into my passion. As I look back, this year has had a lot more wine related significance than I had thought.  I can see now that wine has become an integral part of my life and not just a hobby. John Andrews is a software product manager during the week and is a professional Tasting Room staffer at Loxton Cellars in Glen Ellen, CA on the weekends.    (hide)

  Forum post in the topic Wine Year in Review by HondaJohn

  
  

• January 2009

  Sorry for the delay – my flight back to NYC got canceled and I had to drive all night. 1. What major “wine” city lies adjacent to the Fleurieu Peninsula? Adelaide – The Fleurieu Peninsula is the home of South Australia’s McLaren Vale. 2. Houghton’s White Burgundy (now... Read moreSorry for the delay - my flight back to NYC got canceled and I had to drive all night. 1. What major “wine” city lies adjacent to the Fleurieu Peninsula? Adelaide - The Fleurieu Peninsula is the home of South Australia’s McLaren Vale. 2. Houghton’s White Burgundy (now called White Classic), an Australian staple and best-seller for 70 years, is a dry white wine based on what grape? Lots of good guesses, but no one got it - maybe I should have hinted that this dry white is honeyed in character. It is, of course, a Chenin Blanc based wine that has small amounts of Muscadelle, Semillon, Verdelho and, now, Chardonnay added. 3. What “Down Under” region is regarded as the southernmost wine region in the world? It is New Zealand’s Central Otago… for now. In the header, I did say that this quiz was about both NZ & Australia. 4. What are 3 salient differences between the Marlborough and Martinborough regions? Marl is on the north island, Martin is on the south island. Marl is known for Sauvignon Blanc, Martin is known for Pinot Noir. Marl is coastal, Martin is inland. 5. In what region were the first vines planted down under? I was looking for New South Wales… so Hunter Valley and anything near Sydney is correct. 6. What is the best selling export brand from Down Under? Although it doesn’t list a region on the label, it comes from a winery in what region? Yellowtail - Riverina 7. Where can the greatest concentration of 100-year-old vines be found down under? Barossa Valley 8. What is Australia’s southernmost state, famous for its cool-climate sparkling and still wines, from Pinot Noir to Riesling and from Gewurztraminer to Pinot Gris? Tasmania - everyone got this one! 9. What “Down Under” regions lie at the same latitude as Bordeaux? Strictly speaking there isn’t anything at the same latitude as the city of Bordeaux. However, Otago is just to the south of Pauillac’s latitude. You can have a lot of fun with this site: http://itouchmap.com/latlong.html 10. Who am I? I founded a winery that some say produces Australia’s greatest Rieslings. It is named after a town in southwestern Sonoma County that is known as the "Egg Capital of the World", because of its involvement in the early chicken processing industry. I was the first Australian to suit grape varities to regions and plant using this premise in the 1970s. I planted Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot in Coonawarra, Riesling in Clare, and Chardonnay and Pinot Noir in the Adelaide Hills. I was Decanter’s 2004 Man of the Year. Brian Croser formerly of Petaluma. Some very impressive scores… and Philip’s obsession with Western Australia (which didn't feature much in this quiz) is revealed. Any topic requests for the next quiz? Results Fibo - 7 1/6 (6 and one ½ and one 2/3) Alex - 6 ½ Mario - 6 Gregory - 5 5/6 (5 and one ½ and one 1/3… not so ugly after all) John - 4 (3 and two ½ credits) Philip - 4 (3 and two ½ credits - sadly no bonus points for using Airen in your answers) Rachel - 3 ½ Mark - 2 ½    (hide)

  Forum post in the topic Wine from Down Under Quiz by RBoulanger

  
  

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