Ho ho bloody ho and Merry Xmas everyone!
This will be my final blog for 2008, and being the festive season, the following are some handy tips for the xmas, new year, summer and general holiday drinking periods...
Bubbles will be everywhere in the next couple of weeks and my clear fave this year has been the Bollinger Special Cuvee. Yes, that's right, the real deal: French champagne.
James (Wine God) Halliday has this to say about it: A complex spicy, bready, toasty, baked apple bouquet, the palate complete and round, with an unexpected touch of delicacy, and a pleasing, dry finish. 94/100.
Although a non-vintage, it ain't super-cheap - RRP is around $80. However, at this time of year competition between the big wine merchants is super-fierce, and you may just be able to pick up a bottle for around $60 as I recently did - this represents fantastic value for money. And if you can't splash out on some premium bubbles at this time of year, when can you?!
Even if you have been an unfortunate victim of the recent credit crunch, you don't to miss out on the fizzy stuff: look no further than the Montana Lindauer Special Reserve from NZ's Marlborough region. This is the next step up from the Montana Lindauer Brut, but for only $5 more a bottle, its definitely a giant step!
Since leaving the Land of the Long White Cloud over a decade ago, I have had major trouble tracking down the Lindauer Special Reserve and had to get my fill on infrequent trips back home. However, my local Sydney bottle shop recently started selling it, and for only $15 a bottle, I am in heaven!
Here's some tasting notes: Bright gold with signature coppery tones. The yeasty and toasty bouquet show excellent maturity from prolonged bottle maturation and the wine is full on the palate with a pleasant, steady mousse and elegant aroma. Lindauer Special Reserve can be served as an aperitif or with any style of food. Whilst best enjoyed young and fresh, it will increase in toasty flavours if left to mature for 1-2 years.
YUM!
If the squeeze is really, really on , you could do worse than picking up the basic Lindauer Brut for around $10 a bottle.
OK, now onto some other current bargains:
Both Wither Hills Sauvignon Blanc and 'The Ned' Sauvignon Blanc are currently selling at the ridiculous price of around $15 a bottle - crazy prices for top-rating Marlborough 'savage john.' Brent Marris is the winemaker behind The Ned, having moved on from Wither Hills. As such, the quality of The Ned now almost surpasses the Wither Hills, but hey, at this price, why not grab a bottle of each, conduct a taste-test and decide for yourself?
My award for savvy for the year would have to be that liquid slice of heaven: Nautilus Sauvignon Blanc. Again, from the Marlborough region, it is the most more-ish savvy I have ever tasted. Look for the green bottle with the distinctive sea shell just above the label. Expect to pay around $22/bottle.
Here's some tasting notes to get you salivating in ancipation: Nautilus Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2008 is pale straw in colour with an aroma of passionfruit skin, gooseberry and boxwood with a hint of basil. The palate has flavours of melon and red capsicum with good texture and length and a typical zingy finish. Delicious now, this wine will continue to develop over the next six to eighteen months.
Definitely the summer tipple of choice.
My tip for best non-NZ savvy this year would have to go to the Logan Sauvignon Blanc from Orange in NSW. Orange's cool climate is perfect for this variety and it could almost turn me from the NZ-based drops. Steady on, I said 'almost.' This is a lovely crisp wine, perfect for hot summer days, lunches, afternoons, early evenings, hell, anytime! Its mouth-wateringly good. Around $19 a bottle.
Notes: The Logan 2008 Sauvignon Blanc is pale gold in colour.It has a pungent aroma of passionfruit, guava and nettle.The palate zings with crunchy fresh flavours of pinkgrapefruit, green papaya and lime. The finish is longand crisp.
And finally, in reds: McLaren Vale's Wirra Wirra vineyard produces the always-reliable 'The Church Block,' typically a blend of around 50 per cent Cabernet Sauvignon, 30 per cent Shiraz and 20 per cent Merlot. This is an absolute steal currently at $16 a bottle.
My last recommendation for the year in reds is the Voyager Estate Cabernet Merlot 2004. This is a mouth-wateringly good drop from WA's Margaret River. It has picked up numerous awards this year, including Winestar's 'Wine of the Year' and features in James Halliday's Top 100 of the year. It's RRP is $60, but it was recently advertised you-kn0w-where for just over $45 a bottle. Word on the street is that future vintages will be more realistically priced (given the quality of the wine) at closer to $100 a bottle, so grab yourself a bottle of this vintage while you can.
Here's just one of many glowing reviews: So utterly beguiling and downright delicious that I can’t stop drinking it – this is Margaret River cabernet at her best. Wound around the core of blueberry, mulberry and black fruits are layers of savoury and spice notes such as liquorice, bay leaf, tobacco and a hint of mint sitting alongside fine soft tannins and cedary yet well-integrated oak. Very plush, succulent and superbly balanced but with all great reds, this needs time. And in a word, outstanding." Jane Faulkner, The Age 48 Hours Drink Now to 2025
That's all from me for now. I hope at least some of you have enjoyed my ramblings. Have a great Xmas and New Year and see y'all in 09.
Yours in Plonk,
The Plonker
x
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Celebrate good times, Come On!
Oh Lordy! There are some sensational bubbly bargains to be had this week, my fizz-loving friends!
Whether you currently:
(a) HAVE something to celebrate,
(b) HAD something to celebrate, or
(c) Just WISH you had something to celebrate, now is the time to max out the credit card on some fine French bubbly. And yes, I really do mean 'Champagne' (i.e. the real thing)!
And with the Melbourne Cup and the US Elections almost upon us, there's no better time to toast a victory (or commiserate a loss).
So, sod the credit crunch... we all know that everything can be (temporarily) fixed with a flute of this effervescent French elixir.
So, until Weds 5 November you can procure the following:
Moet Brut Imperial NV (non-vintage) $49.90 (Yes, less than 50 big ones!!)
(Note for beginners: you do actually pronounce the 'T' - so its 'Mo-ett' as opposed to 'Mo-way' - however I still think you sound like a wanker going with this option)
Piper Heidsieck NV $39.90
This is a personal fave of mine - goes down nice and smooth - and you can' t miss the bright red and gold label - tidy.
Pol Gessner NV $34.60
It's real champagne, its under $35, what's to lose?
And in reds, I would snap up some of the following (going from 'BBQ' to 'flash dinner'):
Annie's Lane (Shiraz and Cab Merlot) $9.80
Jim Barry 'The Cover Drive' (Cab Sauv) $17.80
(Look out for the groovy, lemon-coloured label on the front depicting an early era cricketer, playing the aforementioned cover drive - a perfect drop for cracking open and slurping while watching the Aussies go down to India)
And finally, to wow that special someone (even if that 'someone' happens to be a nice juicy eye fillet)... you cannot go past:
Orlando St Hugo Cabernet Sauvignon 2002 $39.90
(You'll find this in the 'Cellar Release' section - i.e. its been soundly sleeping somewhere dark and cool for the past few years, and has only recently been woken.. so open slowly and quietly - then prepared to be seduced!)
That's all for this week kids - happy plonking!
Yours in Plonk
The Plonker
Whether you currently:
(a) HAVE something to celebrate,
(b) HAD something to celebrate, or
(c) Just WISH you had something to celebrate, now is the time to max out the credit card on some fine French bubbly. And yes, I really do mean 'Champagne' (i.e. the real thing)!
And with the Melbourne Cup and the US Elections almost upon us, there's no better time to toast a victory (or commiserate a loss).
So, sod the credit crunch... we all know that everything can be (temporarily) fixed with a flute of this effervescent French elixir.
So, until Weds 5 November you can procure the following:
Moet Brut Imperial NV (non-vintage) $49.90 (Yes, less than 50 big ones!!)
(Note for beginners: you do actually pronounce the 'T' - so its 'Mo-ett' as opposed to 'Mo-way' - however I still think you sound like a wanker going with this option)
Piper Heidsieck NV $39.90
This is a personal fave of mine - goes down nice and smooth - and you can' t miss the bright red and gold label - tidy.
Pol Gessner NV $34.60
It's real champagne, its under $35, what's to lose?
And in reds, I would snap up some of the following (going from 'BBQ' to 'flash dinner'):
Annie's Lane (Shiraz and Cab Merlot) $9.80
Jim Barry 'The Cover Drive' (Cab Sauv) $17.80
(Look out for the groovy, lemon-coloured label on the front depicting an early era cricketer, playing the aforementioned cover drive - a perfect drop for cracking open and slurping while watching the Aussies go down to India)
And finally, to wow that special someone (even if that 'someone' happens to be a nice juicy eye fillet)... you cannot go past:
Orlando St Hugo Cabernet Sauvignon 2002 $39.90
(You'll find this in the 'Cellar Release' section - i.e. its been soundly sleeping somewhere dark and cool for the past few years, and has only recently been woken.. so open slowly and quietly - then prepared to be seduced!)
That's all for this week kids - happy plonking!
Yours in Plonk
The Plonker
Thursday, October 9, 2008
I see red, I see red, I see red!
This week's reommendations for some bargain red, red wine is as follows: (drum roll purlease)....
For BBQ-ing/weeknight drinking:
Hardys Oomoo Cab Sauv 2006 - $12.50 (or $11.90 x 6)
(This one has a fantastically weird name, and a really purty label!)
For a nice dinner in, or out, with a friend:
Penley Estate Phoenix Cab Sauv - $16.70 (or $15.90)
For a romantic dinner in, or out, with a really, really special friend:
Zema Estate Coonawarra Cab Sauv 2005 - $20.90 (or $19.90)
Get busy peoples
Yours in Plonk
The Plonker
For BBQ-ing/weeknight drinking:
Hardys Oomoo Cab Sauv 2006 - $12.50 (or $11.90 x 6)
(This one has a fantastically weird name, and a really purty label!)
For a nice dinner in, or out, with a friend:
Penley Estate Phoenix Cab Sauv - $16.70 (or $15.90)
For a romantic dinner in, or out, with a really, really special friend:
Zema Estate Coonawarra Cab Sauv 2005 - $20.90 (or $19.90)
Get busy peoples
Yours in Plonk
The Plonker
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
Bubbles from the land of the long white cloud(y) bay..
OK, so.... I have previously blogged about champagne - that decadent European tipple... today I am going to point you in the direction of my favourite non-French bubble...
The fact that this wee beauty happens to be conceived and delivered in the same country as me, is, of course, merely a coincidence.
The bubbles in question come from the Cloudy Bay vineyard in New Zealand's Marlborough region (that's in the South Island for you non-sheep-botherers). Cloudy Bay wines are rightly famous for their still wines, including sensational pinot noirs and divine chardonnays. However, they also make an exquisite sparkling wine, which they have named 'Pelorus.'
'Pelorus Jack' was a famous dolphin who, for more than 20 years around the turn of last century, met the steamers crossing between the two main islands of New Zealand and escorted them through the Marlborough Sounds. His descendants abound in the waters of Cloudy Bay and their image has become the symbol of Pelorus.
Pelorus is available in both vintage and non-vintage (with the NV being cheaper, by about five bucks)... Both are delicious, but below are the tasting notes for both, to help you make an informed decision ...
Pelorus NV (RRP $33AUD): a fresh, aperitif-style sparkling wine with apple-crisp flavours, underpinned by nutty yeast complexity derived from two years bottle maturation on lees.
Pelorus Vintage 2004 (RRP $40AUD): Like memories of a late summer picnic, Pelorus Vintage 2004 has enticing aromas of ripe red apples, quince jam and rosehips. The wine has a fine, elegant structure that bursts with flavour ... freshly baked lemon biscotti with a nougat nuttiness and creamy minerality ... leading seamlessly into a long, crisp finish.
The NV is currently available for $24.90 from my local, and at this price, you'd be mad to not grab a couple of bottles. I believe it is by far the best bubble in its price range (outside of the Champagne region.) And, trust me, I am not biased. Baa!
Grab some, get it chilled, and get amongst it peoples!
Yours in Plonk,
The Plonker
The fact that this wee beauty happens to be conceived and delivered in the same country as me, is, of course, merely a coincidence.
The bubbles in question come from the Cloudy Bay vineyard in New Zealand's Marlborough region (that's in the South Island for you non-sheep-botherers). Cloudy Bay wines are rightly famous for their still wines, including sensational pinot noirs and divine chardonnays. However, they also make an exquisite sparkling wine, which they have named 'Pelorus.'
'Pelorus Jack' was a famous dolphin who, for more than 20 years around the turn of last century, met the steamers crossing between the two main islands of New Zealand and escorted them through the Marlborough Sounds. His descendants abound in the waters of Cloudy Bay and their image has become the symbol of Pelorus.
Pelorus is available in both vintage and non-vintage (with the NV being cheaper, by about five bucks)... Both are delicious, but below are the tasting notes for both, to help you make an informed decision ...
Pelorus NV (RRP $33AUD): a fresh, aperitif-style sparkling wine with apple-crisp flavours, underpinned by nutty yeast complexity derived from two years bottle maturation on lees.
Pelorus Vintage 2004 (RRP $40AUD): Like memories of a late summer picnic, Pelorus Vintage 2004 has enticing aromas of ripe red apples, quince jam and rosehips. The wine has a fine, elegant structure that bursts with flavour ... freshly baked lemon biscotti with a nougat nuttiness and creamy minerality ... leading seamlessly into a long, crisp finish.
The NV is currently available for $24.90 from my local, and at this price, you'd be mad to not grab a couple of bottles. I believe it is by far the best bubble in its price range (outside of the Champagne region.) And, trust me, I am not biased. Baa!
Grab some, get it chilled, and get amongst it peoples!
Yours in Plonk,
The Plonker
Thursday, September 18, 2008
The Sound of Music (and the taste of cowshed)
Yo winos!
Today I'm just going to talk about one wine, but Oh! what a wine!
Just to really mix things up, its a Coonawarra red.. I know, I know, but at least I'm consistent in my favourite drops (though I suspect some would substitute the word 'blinkered')...
Majella Wines is owned by the Lynn family; the vineyard is situated in Coonawarra's famed ‘Red Strip’ which is renowned for its rich terra rossa soil and porous limestone.
Majella produce some outstanding wines: the shiraz and cabernet sauvignon are faultless and retail for around $30 per bottle.
However, for almost half this price, grab yourself a bottle of their Cabernet/Shiraz blend, nicknamed 'The Musician.' This drop comprises 70% cab sauv and 30% shiraz and is an absolute stunner, and a complete steal at $16.70 (from you-know-where).
This wine is a tribute to Matthew Lynn (son of the owners) killed early in 2005 in a hit and run accident. A 20-year-old who wanted to make music his life, hence the name, and it is a fitting tribute.
Here's the winemaker's description of this drop: vibrant, unmistakably Coonawarra to smell and taste, bursting with flavours of blackcurrant, mulberry and herbs, and fine, elegant and juicy in the mouth.
My own idiosyncractic interpretation of the nose and palate of this wine is to describe it as 'cowshed.'
This is the (admittedly quite strange) term I use for jammy, mouth-filling, kick-arse, earthy, down 'n' dirty, gamey, full-bodied, muscled-up reds that you can enjoy almost as much by just inhaling (kids, don't try this at home). And this Musician is definitely cowshed born-and-bred!
I absolutely Luuurve this wine, and in terms of value-for-money, it gets 10/10.
So, in summary, I highly recommend you gather up a few Musicians and start making some sweeet music with someone very special.
Yours in Plonk
The Plonker
Today I'm just going to talk about one wine, but Oh! what a wine!
Just to really mix things up, its a Coonawarra red.. I know, I know, but at least I'm consistent in my favourite drops (though I suspect some would substitute the word 'blinkered')...
Majella Wines is owned by the Lynn family; the vineyard is situated in Coonawarra's famed ‘Red Strip’ which is renowned for its rich terra rossa soil and porous limestone.
Majella produce some outstanding wines: the shiraz and cabernet sauvignon are faultless and retail for around $30 per bottle.
However, for almost half this price, grab yourself a bottle of their Cabernet/Shiraz blend, nicknamed 'The Musician.' This drop comprises 70% cab sauv and 30% shiraz and is an absolute stunner, and a complete steal at $16.70 (from you-know-where).
This wine is a tribute to Matthew Lynn (son of the owners) killed early in 2005 in a hit and run accident. A 20-year-old who wanted to make music his life, hence the name, and it is a fitting tribute.
Here's the winemaker's description of this drop: vibrant, unmistakably Coonawarra to smell and taste, bursting with flavours of blackcurrant, mulberry and herbs, and fine, elegant and juicy in the mouth.
My own idiosyncractic interpretation of the nose and palate of this wine is to describe it as 'cowshed.'
This is the (admittedly quite strange) term I use for jammy, mouth-filling, kick-arse, earthy, down 'n' dirty, gamey, full-bodied, muscled-up reds that you can enjoy almost as much by just inhaling (kids, don't try this at home). And this Musician is definitely cowshed born-and-bred!
I absolutely Luuurve this wine, and in terms of value-for-money, it gets 10/10.
So, in summary, I highly recommend you gather up a few Musicians and start making some sweeet music with someone very special.
Yours in Plonk
The Plonker
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
More bargains than you can poke a stick at - but hurry!
Howdy wine-lubbers. Today's blog will be short and sweet... to get straight to the point, there are some ripper drops going at ridiculous prices at my local bottle-o. Some of the wines I have talked up in previous blogs, some are new, but all are incredible value for money.
The prices are valid from 10th-17th September, but be warned, I have unfortunately learned from experience that they often sell out within the first few days.
I have separated these bargains out into varieties, giving you an everyday drinking option, and also a 'splashing-out' option.
So, whether you're after a bargain weeknight quaffer, a nice crisp savvy for sipping over lunch, or a kick-arse red to wash down that plump piece of wagyu, there should be a little something for everyone.... here we go:
'The Ned' Sauvignon Blanc 2007 (Marlborough, NZ) $14.60 per bottle ($13.90 in any 6)
Highfield Sauvignon Blanc 2006 (Marlborough, NZ) $26.90 per bottle ($25.60 in 6)
Wynns Coonawarra Chardonnay 2006 (Coonawarra) $10.90 ($10.40)
Devils Lair Chardonnay 2006 (Margaret River) $28.90 ($27.50)
Annies Lane Shiraz or Cabernet Merlot (Clare Valley) $9.90 ($9.40)
Penley Estate 'Phoenix' Cabernet Sauvignon (Coonawarra) $16.70 ($15.90)
Cape Mentelle 'Trinders' Cabernet Merlot 2005 (Margaret River) $20.90 ($19.90)
So get your skates on and get amongst it peoples!
Yours in plonk,
The Plonker
The prices are valid from 10th-17th September, but be warned, I have unfortunately learned from experience that they often sell out within the first few days.
I have separated these bargains out into varieties, giving you an everyday drinking option, and also a 'splashing-out' option.
So, whether you're after a bargain weeknight quaffer, a nice crisp savvy for sipping over lunch, or a kick-arse red to wash down that plump piece of wagyu, there should be a little something for everyone.... here we go:
'The Ned' Sauvignon Blanc 2007 (Marlborough, NZ) $14.60 per bottle ($13.90 in any 6)
Highfield Sauvignon Blanc 2006 (Marlborough, NZ) $26.90 per bottle ($25.60 in 6)
Wynns Coonawarra Chardonnay 2006 (Coonawarra) $10.90 ($10.40)
Devils Lair Chardonnay 2006 (Margaret River) $28.90 ($27.50)
Annies Lane Shiraz or Cabernet Merlot (Clare Valley) $9.90 ($9.40)
Penley Estate 'Phoenix' Cabernet Sauvignon (Coonawarra) $16.70 ($15.90)
Cape Mentelle 'Trinders' Cabernet Merlot 2005 (Margaret River) $20.90 ($19.90)
So get your skates on and get amongst it peoples!
Yours in plonk,
The Plonker
Thursday, September 4, 2008
Champagne - what's not to like?
Howdy all
Today we're going to talk about Champagne. Even the name sounds romantic! It conjurs up all sorts of images - of extravagance, of jubilant celebrations, of fine stemware, of smoked salmon and caviar canapes, of long walks on the beach... oops, getting a bit carried away there...
Let's regroup.
Only bottles that are produced in a designated area of the Champagne region in France can be labelled 'champagne.' All bubbles made elsewhere must go by the rather less-appealing moniker of 'sparkling white wine.' Although, there are of course variations on the theme. Some companies 'sex up' their labels by adding the words 'methode champenoise' or 'methode traditionelle' or, rather more bluntly: 'brut' (which, quite frankly, doesn't have quite the same ring to it as 'champagne.')
I long considered champagne a tipple reserved solely for the rich, the famous, gangsta rappers and movie moguls (and certainly out of the reach of a mere plonker like me!) However, in the last few years prices dropped significantly and you no longer have to take out a second mortgage to obtain a bottle (or three).
I have found the following drops regularly available for less than 50 big ones (not bad considering you can easily drop $40 for some of our better domestic bubbles). These are all non-vintage (NV) champagnes, which means a blend of grapes were used, from different years (or vintages). You will generally pay around $30 per bottle more for a 'vintage' champagne, in which 100% of the grapes used came from the same year, and that year will be shown on the bottle.
Yours in plonk,
The Plonker
Today we're going to talk about Champagne. Even the name sounds romantic! It conjurs up all sorts of images - of extravagance, of jubilant celebrations, of fine stemware, of smoked salmon and caviar canapes, of long walks on the beach... oops, getting a bit carried away there...
Let's regroup.
Only bottles that are produced in a designated area of the Champagne region in France can be labelled 'champagne.' All bubbles made elsewhere must go by the rather less-appealing moniker of 'sparkling white wine.' Although, there are of course variations on the theme. Some companies 'sex up' their labels by adding the words 'methode champenoise' or 'methode traditionelle' or, rather more bluntly: 'brut' (which, quite frankly, doesn't have quite the same ring to it as 'champagne.')
I long considered champagne a tipple reserved solely for the rich, the famous, gangsta rappers and movie moguls (and certainly out of the reach of a mere plonker like me!) However, in the last few years prices dropped significantly and you no longer have to take out a second mortgage to obtain a bottle (or three).
I have found the following drops regularly available for less than 50 big ones (not bad considering you can easily drop $40 for some of our better domestic bubbles). These are all non-vintage (NV) champagnes, which means a blend of grapes were used, from different years (or vintages). You will generally pay around $30 per bottle more for a 'vintage' champagne, in which 100% of the grapes used came from the same year, and that year will be shown on the bottle.
- Lanson Black Label NV
- Piper Heidsieck NV
- Charles Heidsick Mis en Cave Brut
- Moet et Chandon NV
Yours in plonk,
The Plonker
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
A Clare Winner!
Howdy all,
Today's blog is going to point you in the direction of one of my previously-mentioned everyday quaffers.
Annie's Lane winery in the Clare Valley has long been a more-than-safe bet for a reasonably-priced red - producing a very easy-drinking Cabernet Merlot and also a straight Shiraz.
The RRP on these guys is usually around the $20 mark, but, as we all know, you'd be downright stupid to ever pay the RRP!
The heads-up for this week is that the big, green, Irish-named bottle-o in my neighbourhood is selling the Annies Lane range for $9.90 per bottle (or $9.40 by the six-pack!) - I say Hallelujah to that!
Get in before Weds 3 September and snap yourselves up some of these babies, to use for those week-nights when dinner (preparation and consumption) requires just a little help from a crimson-coloured friend.
And on a final note, for those of you with a sweet tooth, I had the most more-ish dessert wine the other evening - a lovely little honey (and it did actually have some of this on the palate!) from a family-run vineyard in the Hunter Valley, the Margan Boytrytis Semillon. It retails for around $22 for a 375ml bottle. Chill well, and crack open for a post-prandial shared delight. And, if you are looking for a tool of seduction, and this don't do the trick, I suggest you check the other party for a pulse.
Get amongst it peoples!
Yours in Plonk,
The Plonker
Today's blog is going to point you in the direction of one of my previously-mentioned everyday quaffers.
Annie's Lane winery in the Clare Valley has long been a more-than-safe bet for a reasonably-priced red - producing a very easy-drinking Cabernet Merlot and also a straight Shiraz.
The RRP on these guys is usually around the $20 mark, but, as we all know, you'd be downright stupid to ever pay the RRP!
The heads-up for this week is that the big, green, Irish-named bottle-o in my neighbourhood is selling the Annies Lane range for $9.90 per bottle (or $9.40 by the six-pack!) - I say Hallelujah to that!
Get in before Weds 3 September and snap yourselves up some of these babies, to use for those week-nights when dinner (preparation and consumption) requires just a little help from a crimson-coloured friend.
And on a final note, for those of you with a sweet tooth, I had the most more-ish dessert wine the other evening - a lovely little honey (and it did actually have some of this on the palate!) from a family-run vineyard in the Hunter Valley, the Margan Boytrytis Semillon. It retails for around $22 for a 375ml bottle. Chill well, and crack open for a post-prandial shared delight. And, if you are looking for a tool of seduction, and this don't do the trick, I suggest you check the other party for a pulse.
Get amongst it peoples!
Yours in Plonk,
The Plonker
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
Its a Wynns-win situation!!
Peoples, get your skates on!
Two of the wines I mentioned in my recent red wine blog - the Wynns Shiraz and the Wynns Cab Sauv Merlot - are on sale for the insane price of $8.90 per bottle ($8.50 in a six-bottle buy) at the big booze shop just up the road from me. Considering the usual RRP on these guys is around $18, this is a veritable bargain!
Get busy, get buying and get amongst it!
Yours in plonk,
The Plonker
Two of the wines I mentioned in my recent red wine blog - the Wynns Shiraz and the Wynns Cab Sauv Merlot - are on sale for the insane price of $8.90 per bottle ($8.50 in a six-bottle buy) at the big booze shop just up the road from me. Considering the usual RRP on these guys is around $18, this is a veritable bargain!
Get busy, get buying and get amongst it!
Yours in plonk,
The Plonker
Monday, August 11, 2008
Give us this day our daily red.
Since Sydney is currently experiencing The Big Chill, today’s blog is going to point you in the direction of a few cheeky little reds that will return a rosy glow to your cheeks, warm the cockles of your heart, but not burn a stonking great hole in your bank account in the process.
A glass or two of these drops will go just as well IN your winter comfort food (I’m thinking slow-cooked lamb shanks, lasagne, spag bol, osso bucco and the like) as they will in you.
However, when procuring vino to add into your evening meal, don’t make the mistake of just grabbing the cheapest bottle of red in the shop (something along the lines of 'Chateau De Blotto,' ‘Vin De Paint Stripper’ or similar).
As the great Aussie wine legend Len Evans said:
'There is an awful lot of wine in the world, but there is also a lot of awful wine in the world. One person can only drink a certain amount in a lifetime.'
So, without further adieu, here are a few drops that are more than quaffable (and your slow-cooked sheep, veal or cow will also reap the benefits of bathing in!). With a bit of hunting, you should be able to pick these up for around $12-$15 a bottle:
- Robertsons Well Cabernet Sauvignon (from the Coonawarra region)
- Wynns Shiraz (Coonawarra)
- Wynns CSM (a Coonawarra Cab Sauv/Merlot blend)
- Annie’s Lane Shiraz (Barossa Valley)
- Wirra Wirra Church Block (a Cab Sauv/Shiraz/Merlot blend from McLaren Vale)
If you’re willing to fork out a little bit extra, you can get something really special (but I wouldn’t be sharing these ones with the cooked beasties):
- Majella ‘The Musician’ (a Coonawarra Cabernet/Shiraz blend) c. $17
- Zema Estate Shiraz (Coonawarra) c. $22
- Zema Estate Cabernet Sauvignon (Coonawarra) c. $22
- Bowen Estate Shiraz (Coonawarra) c. $22
- Bowen Estate Cabernet Sauvignon (Coonawarra) c. $22
- Wynns Black Label Cabernet Sauvignon (Coonawarra) c. $22
The prices noted above are the lowest I have ever been able to pick up any of these drops. I consider each of these wines to be excellent value-for-money at these prices.
As you will note, the Coonawarra region features heavily in my recommendations. I find the red wines from this region to over-deliver in the flavour and value stakes, and would almost guarantee that any purchase from Wynns Coonawarra Estate will not be met with regret!
I will leave you with one last pearl of wisdom from the great Len Evans:
“People who say, “You can’t drink the good stuff all the time” are talking rubbish. You must drink good stuff all the time. Every time you drink a bottle of inferior wine it’s like smashing a superior bottle against the wall. The pleasure is lost forever. You can’t get that bottle back.’
I couldn't have said it better myself!
So, go grab yourselves a heart-warming red, grab a special someone, rug up together, pop the cork and get amongst it peoples!
Yours in plonk,
The Plonker.
A glass or two of these drops will go just as well IN your winter comfort food (I’m thinking slow-cooked lamb shanks, lasagne, spag bol, osso bucco and the like) as they will in you.
However, when procuring vino to add into your evening meal, don’t make the mistake of just grabbing the cheapest bottle of red in the shop (something along the lines of 'Chateau De Blotto,' ‘Vin De Paint Stripper’ or similar).
As the great Aussie wine legend Len Evans said:
'There is an awful lot of wine in the world, but there is also a lot of awful wine in the world. One person can only drink a certain amount in a lifetime.'
So, without further adieu, here are a few drops that are more than quaffable (and your slow-cooked sheep, veal or cow will also reap the benefits of bathing in!). With a bit of hunting, you should be able to pick these up for around $12-$15 a bottle:
- Robertsons Well Cabernet Sauvignon (from the Coonawarra region)
- Wynns Shiraz (Coonawarra)
- Wynns CSM (a Coonawarra Cab Sauv/Merlot blend)
- Annie’s Lane Shiraz (Barossa Valley)
- Wirra Wirra Church Block (a Cab Sauv/Shiraz/Merlot blend from McLaren Vale)
If you’re willing to fork out a little bit extra, you can get something really special (but I wouldn’t be sharing these ones with the cooked beasties):
- Majella ‘The Musician’ (a Coonawarra Cabernet/Shiraz blend) c. $17
- Zema Estate Shiraz (Coonawarra) c. $22
- Zema Estate Cabernet Sauvignon (Coonawarra) c. $22
- Bowen Estate Shiraz (Coonawarra) c. $22
- Bowen Estate Cabernet Sauvignon (Coonawarra) c. $22
- Wynns Black Label Cabernet Sauvignon (Coonawarra) c. $22
The prices noted above are the lowest I have ever been able to pick up any of these drops. I consider each of these wines to be excellent value-for-money at these prices.
As you will note, the Coonawarra region features heavily in my recommendations. I find the red wines from this region to over-deliver in the flavour and value stakes, and would almost guarantee that any purchase from Wynns Coonawarra Estate will not be met with regret!
I will leave you with one last pearl of wisdom from the great Len Evans:
“People who say, “You can’t drink the good stuff all the time” are talking rubbish. You must drink good stuff all the time. Every time you drink a bottle of inferior wine it’s like smashing a superior bottle against the wall. The pleasure is lost forever. You can’t get that bottle back.’
I couldn't have said it better myself!
So, go grab yourselves a heart-warming red, grab a special someone, rug up together, pop the cork and get amongst it peoples!
Yours in plonk,
The Plonker.
Sunday, August 10, 2008
The Ned - a seriously good sub-$20 Savage John.
Hello again fellow winos!
In only my second blog on grape-related matters, I am again singing the praises of a sauvignon blanc - or, 'Savage John' as my good friend, Chainee-Gai, calls it.
Some of you may be asking: 'Will the real wine Plonker please stand up?' as I have always been one to extol the virtues of chardonnay and would not entertain talk of any other variety of white wine. In fact, I was an intensely passionate and fully-paid-up member of the 'NBC' Club (Nothing But Chardonnay, thank you very much!) until very recently.
However, of late, I have begun to appreciate a good Savage John, and am slowly expanding my mind, and palate, to discover more about this drop.
NZ's Marlborough region is widely regarded as the world's top spot in which to grow savvy blanc (although some Francophiles, I am sure will dispute this claim)... About 12 months ago my Dad recommended a savvy from this region called The Ned, which I initially thought sounded more like an Aussie drop, than a Kiwi one. However, I have since discovered it is in fact named after the summit of Malborough, and not the infamous bushranger.
The man behind The Ned is Brent Marris, the same chap who produced the divine Wither Hills sauvignon blanc. The Ned retails at about 7 bucks less than the Wither Hills, however quality is not compromised one little bit.
Keep your eyes posted and you should be able to grab The Ned for around $16 a bottle (and even less if buying 6 or more) – unheard of for a better-than-average Marlborough savvy. (In fact, prior to my introduction to Ned, the only Marlborough savvies I could find in this price range were uninspired and generic-tasting, with appalling names such as ‘Crouching Kiwi, Hidden Flavour’ or ‘Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc’ or something similarly unoriginal.)
The Ned kicks all these crass pretenders to the kerb, and back again! In Brent Marris own words: ‘I have created this amazing wine, packed with ripe herbaceous notes, underpinned with a striking hint of citrus.’ I absolutely second that!
So, do yourself a favour, grab a bottle or three, chill to perfection, and get amongst it!
Trust me - this Ned will ‘have you at hello.’
Yours in Plonk
The Plonker
In only my second blog on grape-related matters, I am again singing the praises of a sauvignon blanc - or, 'Savage John' as my good friend, Chainee-Gai, calls it.
Some of you may be asking: 'Will the real wine Plonker please stand up?' as I have always been one to extol the virtues of chardonnay and would not entertain talk of any other variety of white wine. In fact, I was an intensely passionate and fully-paid-up member of the 'NBC' Club (Nothing But Chardonnay, thank you very much!) until very recently.
However, of late, I have begun to appreciate a good Savage John, and am slowly expanding my mind, and palate, to discover more about this drop.
NZ's Marlborough region is widely regarded as the world's top spot in which to grow savvy blanc (although some Francophiles, I am sure will dispute this claim)... About 12 months ago my Dad recommended a savvy from this region called The Ned, which I initially thought sounded more like an Aussie drop, than a Kiwi one. However, I have since discovered it is in fact named after the summit of Malborough, and not the infamous bushranger.
The man behind The Ned is Brent Marris, the same chap who produced the divine Wither Hills sauvignon blanc. The Ned retails at about 7 bucks less than the Wither Hills, however quality is not compromised one little bit.
Keep your eyes posted and you should be able to grab The Ned for around $16 a bottle (and even less if buying 6 or more) – unheard of for a better-than-average Marlborough savvy. (In fact, prior to my introduction to Ned, the only Marlborough savvies I could find in this price range were uninspired and generic-tasting, with appalling names such as ‘Crouching Kiwi, Hidden Flavour’ or ‘Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc’ or something similarly unoriginal.)
The Ned kicks all these crass pretenders to the kerb, and back again! In Brent Marris own words: ‘I have created this amazing wine, packed with ripe herbaceous notes, underpinned with a striking hint of citrus.’ I absolutely second that!
So, do yourself a favour, grab a bottle or three, chill to perfection, and get amongst it!
Trust me - this Ned will ‘have you at hello.’
Yours in Plonk
The Plonker
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
A very savvy drop
So... I was fortunate enough to score an invite to the Family of XII winetasting soiree last evening, held at the Museum of Contemporary Art.
This involved 12 NZ-based wineries sharing their (very fine) wares with some lucky Sydney winelovers.
It was literally cheek-to-cheek for the first hour, but I managed to squeeze thru the masses and sample some mighty fine drops from such esteemed vineyards as Pegasus Bay, Lawson's Dry Hills, Fromm La Strada, Ata Rangi and Craggy Range.
I can report the absolute standout wine of the evening was the 2007 Nautilus Sauvignon Blanc. Delishimo!
I find a lot of Marlborough savvies resemble a liquid form of grass cuttings (both on the nose and in the mouth) but which, strangely enough, I still quite fancy! However, the first taste of this little baby brought to mind a punnet of ripe gooseberries exploding on the tongue and filling every part of the mouth. This is a most divine drop, and for me, it was love at first sight (and this from a sworn chardy drinker!).
The RRP for a bottle of this heaven-sent elixir is $29.99, however I have discovered it at Dan Murphys (Alexandria) for the bargain basement price of $22 per bottle (single bottle price). Grab some while you can!
In other news: Dan Murphys is currently selling a lovely red from the Barossa - the Pepperjack 2006 Shiraz. You can currently pick this up for $12.90 a bottle (RRP $19.99) but there is a 6-bottle limit per customer. My advice is to grab half a dozen, nip outside, throw on a wig, glasses and hat, and repeat, ad nauseum.
And finally in bubbles news, Dan's has the Montana Deutz Brut on sale for $17.80 per bottle (or $16.90 if buying 6 bottles). This is a lovely drop from NZ's Marlborough region and at this price, it won't last long. Get cracking!
Actually, I'm off right n0w to grab me some.
Yours in plonk,
The Plonker
This involved 12 NZ-based wineries sharing their (very fine) wares with some lucky Sydney winelovers.
It was literally cheek-to-cheek for the first hour, but I managed to squeeze thru the masses and sample some mighty fine drops from such esteemed vineyards as Pegasus Bay, Lawson's Dry Hills, Fromm La Strada, Ata Rangi and Craggy Range.
I can report the absolute standout wine of the evening was the 2007 Nautilus Sauvignon Blanc. Delishimo!
I find a lot of Marlborough savvies resemble a liquid form of grass cuttings (both on the nose and in the mouth) but which, strangely enough, I still quite fancy! However, the first taste of this little baby brought to mind a punnet of ripe gooseberries exploding on the tongue and filling every part of the mouth. This is a most divine drop, and for me, it was love at first sight (and this from a sworn chardy drinker!).
The RRP for a bottle of this heaven-sent elixir is $29.99, however I have discovered it at Dan Murphys (Alexandria) for the bargain basement price of $22 per bottle (single bottle price). Grab some while you can!
In other news: Dan Murphys is currently selling a lovely red from the Barossa - the Pepperjack 2006 Shiraz. You can currently pick this up for $12.90 a bottle (RRP $19.99) but there is a 6-bottle limit per customer. My advice is to grab half a dozen, nip outside, throw on a wig, glasses and hat, and repeat, ad nauseum.
And finally in bubbles news, Dan's has the Montana Deutz Brut on sale for $17.80 per bottle (or $16.90 if buying 6 bottles). This is a lovely drop from NZ's Marlborough region and at this price, it won't last long. Get cracking!
Actually, I'm off right n0w to grab me some.
Yours in plonk,
The Plonker
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