Can You Keep a Secret?

Howdy all

If you have a healthy interest in wine - you buy a few bottles here and there, visit cellar doors, wine expos etc - then along the way you've probably made it onto numerous wine-related email lists.

Or perhaps you have been talked into one of those 'wine club' deals (possibly when under the influence of what seemed like a particularly good drop at a quaint cellar door), and get sent a mixed case of wine 2-3 times a year, only to find that there's only a couple of bottles that really tickle your tastebuds, while the remainder really aren't much chop.

The majority lure you in with the promise that you 'can send anything back you don't like, and we will replace it free of charge.' Yep, sure, but what's the chance the replacement is going to be any good either? And who is really going to be arsed packaging up a half-consumed bottle of paint stripper, schlepping to the Post Office with it, to no doubt face a mini-interrogation as to the contents, before parting with some hard-earned cashola to send it on its merry way. (And all this effort for a bottle that has done nowt to get you in a merry way!)

In the electronic age, it doesn't take long for an Inbox to get overwhelmed by an avalanche of wine-related emails spruiking "Great Offers!," "Cancelled Exports!" and "Halliday 5 star Rated Winery Half Price Cleanskins!" It's very easy to get confused by all of this information and downright tempting to delete the lot. However, the trick is to pick the wheat from the chaff, as there are some great websites and offers out there.

The problem I have found with a lot of the so-called Wine Clubs (apart from getting locked into a seemingly life-long contract, which is harder to escape from than Alcatraz), is that the wines overall can be so damn bland and uninteresting. I have often wondered if these are just bin ends or zhuzhed-up cleanskins (that they've slapped a benign-looking label on as an afterthought). There never seems to be any 'wow factor' to any of them, and if there has been one that I've been vaguely impressed by, I have a near impossible time finding it anywhere other than through the wine club - which seems a bit suss to me... but anyways I digress...

However, in recent times I have had the pleasure of discovering a fabulous website called Secret Vines (www.secretvines.com.au). Secret Vines is a boutique wine business based in South Australia's McLaren Vale, run by Tim Althaus (who just happens to be Marion from Masterchef's other half!).

Tim puts together some seriously drinkable six-packs, comprising top-notch hard-to-find local drops, and also little beauties from further afield. To date I've purchased three different cases from Tim, and have been absolutely stoked with the contents of every one. He's even managed to make me reconsider my thoughts on riesling with a lovely example from Western Australia!

The beauty of these packs is that you have choices: 'straight white,' 'straight red' or a mix of both, and usually in two different price points. Also, you are not locked into any contracts so can just buy whenever your personal stocks are depleted, or you're in the mood for a bit of wine discovery session.

It's a great way to explore new varieties and regions in the comfort of your own home and Tim is always more than happy to discuss drops that you particularly liked (or alternatively, didn't) and suggest others that may seduce your senses and put a smile on your dial. He's also very flexible and will customise the six-pack to your liking - i.e. if you dead-set HATED chardonnay (although I can't imagine anyone would) you could replace that with a variety that didn't induce dry-retching :/

So, I sincerely recommend checking out this website and sampling some of the more-ish vinous treasures contained therein! And tell Tim I sent you!

Yours in Plonk

The Plonker x

Forget Bieber Fever...

...because this Sunday, at a big green bottle store near you, when the clock strikes 1:00pm, Grange Rage is going to descend!

This may well resemble an adult version of the recently-witnessed, and completely baffling, frenzy induced by a baby-faced, asexual, strangely-tressed, singing Canadian tweenager, on his recent visit to our shores. Oh to be a hysterical, hyperventilating, completely obsessed 13-year-old again. Or not.

However, come Sunday May 2nd, it's going to be Survival of the Fittest at Dan Murphy's Alexandria. Expect to encounter hordes of wine-savvy individuals lining up from the wee hours for a taste of Penfold's latest vintage of Australia's most famous wine, the Grange. (Cue appropriately-intense organ music here.)

The first 100 punters in the queue will be lucky enough to taste Penfold's 2005 super premium shiraz (probably worth around $20/taste, even in a teeny, tiny measure!). Definitely worth camping out for!

However, if you happen to have a life, or just play baseball on a Sunday, then do not despair.. all is not lost.

Between 1pm-5pm this Sunday, a veritable Shiraz orgy will be taking place in the hangar-like room adjacent to Dan's retail space. Over 70 different shirazes (is that the correct plural form, hmmm...) will be available for tasting from all over Australia, including super premium labels, and all this for NIX!

From previous experience, this Shiraz Expo will be well worth checking out, as you can literally take a vinous trip around the country, without racking up any air miles. It's also a fantastic chance to compare shiraz from different regions, and also suss out whether the really exxy bottlles - that you may not normally take a punt on - are worth shelling out your hard-earned pennies for. What's not to like?

One word of advice though - and unfortunately this also comes from experience - please, PLEASE, try to avoid rocking up with a hangover. I know this will be difficult, given that it is a Sunday, and you'll want to celebrate the Swannies latest victory the night before.

But trust me, there is nothing - I repeat, NOTHING - worse than gazing glassy-eyed at $150 bottles of red wine that you have coveted from afar for eternity, hoping and praying for the day you may get the chance to taste the goods inside, then that day actually arrives and BANG! - with it comes a foggy head, dry mouth, and involuntary gagging at the smell of even a wine gum.

I implore you. Avoid the Sunday hangover at all costs. The eternal regret is just not worth it.

So, there you have it. I'll hopefully be down at the big green barn from 2:30pm come Sunday. Hope to see y'all there for a spot of shiraz sampling - save some for me!

Yours in Plonk

The Plonker x

Hunter Gatherer

Well, it has been a long time between blogs for this Plonker, and, coincidentally, a bloody lifetime between trips to the Hunter Valley for myself and the lovely Mrs Plonker!

However, with the recent four-day holiday in celebration of all things egg and rabbit, the opportunity had arrived for a mosey up the freeway to check out NSW's most famous wine region.

No matter how many times I make the journey north from Sydney, I never fail to be amazed at how close the Hunter actually is. In just over two hours you've left behind the city's manic drivers, grid-locked traffic, and smelly city fumes for meandering country roads, lush fields of grapevines and a seemingly endless array of cellar doors.

Goodbye stress, pollution and frustration, and HELLO tasting glass(es)!

One of the great things about the Hunter Valley wine region is the array of varieties it produces. There is no disputing the fact that the Hunter is synonymous with Semillon (try saying that after a few!) and considered Australia's best producer of this variety. However, Hunter shiraz is also highly prized, with distinct regional characteristics.

With the Hunter classified as a hot climate region, the shiraz originating from here is in stark contrast to those from cool climates such as the Yarra Valley and Canberra.

Hunter examples can be complex and opulent with earthy, leathery aromas and concentrated savoury flavours, i.e. a lot of these guys are BIG and in-your-face; certainly not your shy and retiring types! Some wine wags have even gone so far as to describe the taste of Hunter shiraz as similar to licking an old boot. But frankly, if the boot fits...

Of course, it's personal preference as to which style pumps your nads - however, 9 times out of 10 I'd opt for a big, bold, gutsy, leathery, essence-of-cow-shed drop of Hunter shiraz as opposed to a more restrained and elegant cool-climate example. Maybe that's a reflection of my personality, but hey, let's not psycho-analyse it, right?

There is an almost overwhelming number of cellar doors in the Hunter Valley and you won't manage to visit them all, even setting aside a week. If time is of the essence, I would suggest your first port of call be the Boutique Wine Centre on Broke Road, Pokolbin. www.boutiquewinecentre.com.au

These guys sell wine for a range of Hunter wineries not big enough to have their own cellar door, including Meerea Park, Chateau Pato and Glenguin. There are generally 2-3 reds and whites available to taste from each producer - the beauty of this being that you can compare one variety (eg semillon) from different regions within the Hunter.

The range of wines you can sample at the Boutique Wine Centre is extensive both in variety and price point, and in my 10 year experience of going there, I have always found exceptional value for money.

Their 'big guns' are the Meerea Park 'Hell Hole' Shiraz and the Meerea Park 'Terracotta' Shiraz (both $55). The 2007 release of Hell Hole was rated 95/100 by Gary Walsh, and the Terracotta 94/100 from no other than the great James Halliday!

However, if its Semillon you're into, there are 3 options available (rated between 93 and 94 from James) priced between $20 and $25/bottle.

If you have the good fortune to encounter Brett at cellar door, you will be in for a treat. This man really knows his stuff, and is uber enthusiatic about what he's pouring. I defy you to be out of the place within an hour and/or taste less than half a dozen different drops! If you do meet Brett, let him know I sent you there, bat your lashes a lot and you may even get a nice discount on any purchases.

Once you have finished up here, and still have any room in your boot (and money in your bank account!), I would recommend checking out De Iuliis Wines further up Broke Road for some moreish chardonnays and also some kick-arse shiraz. The cellar door is picturesque, the welcome warm and the selection of drops of very high quality.

Tintilla Estate on Hermitage Road was the last place we visited (www.tintilla.com.au). Their cellar door is absolutely gorgeous, situated in a old barn in the middle of beautifully landscaped grounds and grapevines. The wine range was extensive - with some interesting varities on tasting including three different red blends where the Italian grape sangiovese was the star. It would be worth making the trip for the tasting glasses alone - huge Riedel goblets, which, for a stemware-obessive like me, took this particular tasting experience to a whole other level. Swoon.

OK, so that's a very quick trip of the Hunter Valley through my eyes. However, there are many many many more places to explore and discover, and in fact, I've made a new rule to go to at least two new cellar doors each time I visit. Although at this rate, that's really only 10 a decade. (Just a wee dig there to Mrs Plonker that we should get up there more!)

So, for those of you inspired to make a trip north soon - go forth and procure!

Yours in Plonk

The Plonker

x

Breeze in and pick up a top drop from Langhorne Creek

If you’re looking for a vinous treat this long weekend, you should Breeze into your nearest liquor superstore (of a forest-green hue) and stock up your cellar, and yourself, with a bottle – or 12 - of the following superlative drop.

But first, a bit of background bollocks…

Langhorne Creek is situated one hour’s drive south-east of Adelaide. A smallish wine region, it is often overlooked by wine plonkers who invariably travel north to the Barossa Valley or south to McLaren Vale. However, with over 10 cellar doors on offer, it is well worth making the detour to Langhorne Creek.

Lake Breeze have been making wines for over 20 years. They are one of Langhorne Creek’s top producers and, with a number of multi-award-winning wines, impossible to go past. At their quaint cellar door, you’ll be guaranteed a warm welcome and encouragement to try many of their fine wares. Special mention goes to their ‘Winemaker’s Selection’ shiraz and also their ‘Arthur’s Reserve’ – a blend of predominantly cabernet sauvignon with a splash of Petit Verdot.

However, today I am going to point you in the direction of their brilliant shiraz/cabernet blend, the ‘Bernoota.’ Bernoota’ was the original name given to the homestead on the Lake Breeze property and is Aboriginal for ‘camp among the gum trees.’

The ‘Bernoota’ is an Olympic-sized over-achiever in the value-for money-stakes. In fact, if it were a swimmer, given its collection of awards (the past 15 vintages of ‘Bernoota’ have been awarded 9 trophies and 30 Gold medals), it could reasonably be renamed ‘the Michael Phelps’ Cab Shiraz.

And here’s a bit about what your senses will encounter when you crack the bottle:

Dark fruit characters of blackberry and plums, with a hint of spice and smoky oak aromas. The palate encompasses lovely complex overtones of chocolate, pepper and vanilla with trademark Langhorne Creek fruit sweetness and soft tannins.

Ooooh, yummy!

And here’s the best bit: although a steal at its usual RRP of $22, our friendly bottle-o currently has this baby retailing for the absolutely criminal price of $17.80 (or $16.90 in any six)! Need I say more…

Get out there and get amongst it peoples!

Yours in plonk

The Plonker

x

Red, red wine...

... goes to my heaaaaaad... makes me forget that I.................ummm, '

(Clearly it makes me forget - amongst other things - the lyrics to this classic Neil Diamond track... )

However, I think you'll all agree with me that a good bottle of red (or 3) is definitely worth losing a few brain cells over.

And this week I am going to share with you some amazing deals I have discovered on cult Aussie reds, from three of Australia's most renowned producers.

Firstly we head over to Margaret River in Western Australia. Cape Mentelle is the winery in question and their cabernet-merlot blend, the 'Trinders' 2007 is an absolute cracker of a wine.

Deep, dark plum in appearance, with a fragrance of blackcurrant, lavender and tobacco, you'll be dying to jump into this baby the moment you take your first sniff. And the first sip will not disappoint: a palate of juicy ripe plums, blueberries and currants, with fine tannins leaving a long, lingering finish. It won't be long before you are faced with an empty bottle and confusion as to where it all went. It's that good. A suggested food match is pasta with wild mushrooms, or seared lamb.

At its RRP of around $30, its pretty good value. However, at this week's price (at you-know-where) of $18.90 in any six, its a no-brainer. Stock up now, or you'll kick yourself down the track. Don't say I didn't warn you!

The next cab (sauv) off the rank is Jacob's Creek St Hugo Cab Sauvignon 2005. This wine is made entirely from grapes grown in Coonawarra's famous terra rossa soil. Here's the lowdown: Classic regional mint and blackcurrant on the nose. The richness and intensity of fruit flavour is perfectly balanced with fresh acidity. A full bodied wine displaying a satisfyingly rich, textured palate of concentrated cassis and berry fruit flavours with well integrated tannins.

The St Hugo is in the top 25 of Australia's most collected wines, and usually retails for around $35. This week you can pick up a bottle for $26.90, so why not grab a few and start your own collection. Although, good luck with keeping them for longer than a few weeks!

We finish off with a wine from Wolf Blass - their The Grey Label Shiraz 2007. Wolf Blass have been making wines for over 30 years and have such an extensive range, the non-wine-nerd can easily get confused as to what's what. However, with the introduction of the coloured label system, this problem is made a lot easier. Their Platinum Label and Black Label are No 1 and 2 respectively; and these super-premium wines retail at over $130/bottle.

Their Grey Label is next in line, and the wines produced under this label are consistently brilliant and great value for money, especially in the case of the shiraz mentioned above. Usually retailing for around $35/bottle, this week stock up your cellar for $24.90/bottle in any six.

The grapes used in this drop are sourced wholly from the McLaren Vale region. Tasting notes as follows: aromas of rich, ripe berries with hints of pepper, spice and dark chocolate with a rich, soft, fruit palate with well-integrated oak, soft tannins and a long seamless finish.

There's no better time for a red wine tour of Australia, and with a six-pack consisting of the above wines, you can cover a good deal of this vast country, without even leaving your armchair.

However, you may need a long lie-down afterwards.

Get amongst it peoples!



Yours in Plonk



The Plonker

A Lovely Little Winter Warmer

Wow how time flies! Its been almost 3 months since my last post and as a result here we are, smack bang in the middle of winter.

In the wake of the unprecedented Masterchef-inspired mania that has enveloped the country, I'm sure that many hearty winter dishes are currently being served up in kitchens across Sydney.

A perfect time then to introduce my latest discovery: a lovely wee cabernet from WA's Margaret River region - just the ticket to wash down those inventive 'gourmet' meals, palatable or otherwise. This little baby will warm the cockles of your heart and bring a rosy glow to your cheeks (all of 'em).

Without further adieu, let me introduce you to the star in question: the Ringbolt Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon 2007.

In winemaker, Peter Gambetta's words:

'The nose is typical of cool climate Cabernet Sauvignon showing attractive complex aromas of dark chocolate, briar and dry forest leaf litter. The palate opens with an attack of bright berry fruit and mocha yielding to fuller satsuma and creamy oak flavours; grainy tannin balances the fruit and supports the medium bodied structure. The finish is lingering with both tannin and fruit making an equal contribution.'

And in my words:

"Intoxicating cow-shed aromas abound, followed by lip-smackingly-delicious earthy and savoury mouth-filling flavours, which leave a tantalising presence on the palate - and your mouth involuntarily verbalising: 'more, more, more!'"

Ok, I know it all sounds like bollocks, but seriously, give it a go and hopefully you'll be a convert too - and at only $20 a bottle (RRP $25), its worth a punt, even in these harsh economic times.

Here's a bit more from the experts:

"At the Macquarie Royal Sydney Wine Show 2009, the Trophy for Best Cabernet Sauvignon went to Ringbolt Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon 2007.

As impressive as a $25 wine picking up a major gong is, it is the wines it beat home, which illustrate the value here. Penfolds Bin 407, Houghton Wisdom, Hardys HRB, Wolf Blass Grey, Coldstream Reserve Cabernet, Wynns John Riddoch and the list goes on and on. Most of these wines retail for twice the price as Ringbolt but some are 3 and 4 times the price."

I picked up the Ringbolt Cabernet 2007 for a little under $20 at my local bottle-o recently and very quickly realised I had scored a bargain. I also managed to procure my longstanding fave, Wynns Coonwarra Black Label Cab Sav 2006 for around the same amount.

This is outstanding value-for-money on both accounts, and I would strongly recommend you pick up a bottle of each and conduct a 'Coonawarra v Margaret River Cabernet Battle' in the safety of your own home. (Well, as a State v State competition, it hands-down beats watching State of Origin, dontcha think?!)

Go forth and procure. Happy drinking

Yours in plonk

The Plonker x

Margaret River Delivers!

Having only recently extolled the virtues of Voyager Estate's SBS (sauvignon blanc/semillon) - a ripper blend from the Margaret River region - here's a heads-up on another little beauty from the same area.

Cape Mentelle, like Voyager, is a James Halliday-rated 5 star winery and one of WA's best. It produces highly-awarded wines year after year, with its recent-release chardonnay and shiraz both receiving 94+ points in James' latest bible ('James Halliday's Wine Companion 2009).

Their SBS is also not to be sniffed at (or rather: should be sniffed at, sipped at, and consumed in its entirety in one sitting - in fact, I dare you to leave any in the bottle!). As with any quality Margaret River SBS, the regional flavours are present and correct in Cape Mentelle's version. On the palate you'll find lemon and lime zest, with crunchy sugar snap pea and wheatgrass. Very crisp and very moreish!

SBS's are best consumed young and well-chilled - and after consuming a bottle of this baby, I dare say you will feel the same!

Usually retailing for around $28 a bottle, get thee to Vintage Cellars and snap up their 2 for $40 offer (ends 3 May). Barganza!!

Get amongst it peoples!

Yours in plonk,

The Plonker