[CH] OT - Oz wine
Mark Ellis - Glacier Design (mark@glacierdesign.net)
Sat, 5 May 2001 17:14:44 +1000
G'day Friends,
Just wanted to advise some people about Oz wine, as I know most of the US
can get our wine ( particulary since Southcorp "owns" Australia's wine
industry), and I wanted to make some recommendations.
As a general rule you can break down Oz wines as follows;
20% - Sweet crap that only deserves being made into coolers or other fizzy
pop drinks
20% - OK good try, but needs a lot more polish. Still OK for outdoorsy
picnic quaffing.
40% - Well this is pretty darn tasty, has a lot of work been put into it,
and I am happy to guzzle this all night.
20% - Oh baby.....where do I sign!
White:
Chardonnay mostly fairly exceptional - look out for our unwooded labels, as
they are pretty good
Sav. Blanc - Pretty high standard, South Australian better than most. New
Zealand still does better I think. ie, Cloudy Bay ( oh baby)
Chenin Blanc - Average to very good. "Best's" in Victoria is very good
Reisling - All types look for South Australian labels, particularly Clare
Valley. Tasty Tasty.
A lot of new Italian varietials coming out, most from The "Brown Bros."
group. Worthwhile.
Red:
Pinot - Mornington Peninsula in Victoria is excellent, also Hunter Valley.
Generally a hard wine to get a good one but when you do they are
outstanding.
Cabernet Sav / Franc etc - Very good in general but a lot tend to be too
upfront and knock your taste buds about without polish. Can be outstanding
60% of the time.
Shiraz - Australia's absolute #1, hands down. Every state is a winner at
this one. If you are looking at what would be considered a good well priced
Shiraz blend try Penfolds Bin 389. Reds from South Aus Coonawarra region are
excellent, and Clare Valley. Hunter Valley in N.S.W. North East Victorian
wineries are also putting out some terrific examples.
Quite a number of varietal both Italian, Spanish, Portugeuese, and French
are being trialled here as well such as Sangiovese and are proving a good
bet.
Anyway enough of this. If anyone has spotted a bottle of Aus wine and wants
advice email me off list and I will happily provide my very biased opinion!
Later
Mark E. in Melb