Christmas Tipple

Compliments of the season to all.

In lieu of a Christmas Wine on Wednesday, I thought I'd give you a few good value wines you might like to keep an eye out for when you're in the bottle shop looking for a drop to try over the Christmas/New Year period. Earlier in the year, on a Wednesday night (of course), I went to a wine tasting by Matt Skinner, co-founder of Fifteen Restaurant with Jamie Oliver, so I'll share a few insights he has for wines in 2011.

1. Cono Sur, Casablanca Valley, Chile
You'll know their wines by the distinctive bicycle on their label. I first came across this producer in London and really wasn't sure what to think of it. They do a number of wines, and Matt likes a few of them, particularly the Cabernet Sauvignon Camenere (if you want red) and Sauvingnon Blanc (for a white). Apart from being decent quality wines, I thought these guys definitely worth a mention because they're also very reasonably priced (at $10-$15 a bottle).

2. Ad Hoc Middle of Everywhere Shiraz 2008, Frankland Valley, WA
Only fitting that I include a Shiraz - for me, I will remember 2010 as the year I truly discovered the brilliance of Australian Shiraz. I like the name of this one and it's a good drop according to Matt. In particular, Matt likes the producer behind this wine, Larry Cherubino - "well-versed in the art of producing seriously drinkable value-for-money wines." So much so, Matt named Larry Producer of the Year. This one's priced nicely at $20.

3. Morris Rutherglen Liqueur Muscat, Rutherglen, Victoria
Now, it's Christmas after all, a time of a little indulgence, late nights (and maybe a lot of rain this year). Enter sweet wine - Muscat to be precise. Perhaps the idea doesn't grab you at first, but give it a go - having tried it with him at the tasting I can vouch for Matt's recommendation on this one. In particular he says, buy and drink these wines before they disappear forever. It's good value at around $17 for 500mls too. As far as smell and taste - think dried fruits, Christmas pudding, spice and spirit. Yum yum.

Once again have a tremendous Christmas, savour the wine and company you share it with. Thanks for your support of WoW during 2010, and I look forward to enjoying some more vinos with you in the New Year - there's going to be plenty going on wine wise in Brisbane in 2011.

Cheers

Ant

Three Blind Wines

It wasn't a blind tasting last Wednesday, but it was a tasting which had the potential to get you blind. While the three wines we tried were high in alcohol, they each held it well, testament to top quality drops. Perhaps it was because they were organic and biodynamic. Emma, the young, knowledgeable, good value, Mondo Sommelier ran us through them...

1. 2010 Calei Green Vineyards Pinot Gris
Cardinia Ranges, Port Phillip, Victoria
2. 2009 Lethbridge "Menage a Noir" Pinot Noir
Lethbridge, Geelong, Victoria
3. 2007 Kelleske Greenock Shiraz
Barossa Valley, South Australia

Emma had us identifying citrus fruits, red fruits, floral and earthy notes, spices, chocolate, chemicals. All the wines were distinct, and the great thing, I thought, was that everyone seemed to have a different favourite out of the three. Again, you would surely say - testament to good quality wines. Is it a coincidence then that they're organic and biodynamic? What does that mean? One thing is for sure that biodynamic is more obsessive than organic, but both signal stringent and meticulous winemaking techniques, with a lean towards natural, traditional, and ecological farming which tend to accentuate the vineyard's charateristics.

A few takeaways perhaps... (i) check out Nectar, wine and beer shop at West End for a selection of organic wines (and antique beers); (ii) Austrian Dr Rudolph Steiner is credited with biodymanic farming; and (iii) keep an eye on Mondo's Wine Snobs Wine Appreciation Classes.

Now, we're not going to do WoW during the silly season. There's enough on. Instead, I will be in touch before the end of the year to suggest a few wines for the Christmas and New Year period.

'til then, cheers.