Wine lovers musings, amusings and news

[TheRealTMA]

Falling AUD will help exports

But it won't

And, why is it every year the wine harvest is described as "sensational" or similar? Gilding the Lilium again?

 

[AnonymousCoward]

But it won't

In what sense?

 

[redbigot]

Re: Dan Murphy's and Other Wine Deals

I got it now...ok here's a tough one for you. Name your personal top three wines from vintage 1996 or after. A tough ask.......sure.

Hmm, out of about 12,000 wines tasted/drunk since 1996? Not really possible, there are too many wines and occasions that make the wine more memorable. I don't hit the heights of top level Burgundies and Bordeaux, even to taste any more, as I can't afford them, but I drink wine I like and can afford all the time. My bell curve is very broad at the top. I have tasted many Granges and other "top-level" Australian reds in that time, but none of those really surpass some cheaper wines enjoyed with the right food/occasion. Would you believe a Warrabilla Parola's Durif 2002 with spicy/herby southern Thai market food in Surat Thani with Thai friends?

I will tell you the top 3 wines I've ever tried though (including 1st Growth Bordeaux), three different editions of Seppeltsfield 100 YO Port/Tawny. I'm pretty sure I can sometimes still taste the one I had on my 50th birthday at a wine dinner at Seppeltsfield and featuring only fortified wines, finished with liqueur glasses of the 100yo. Someone (not one of my small group) left the table early, so as it was my birthday I scored two glasses. I've tasted two other vintages since then, you don't feel like tasting anything else after that or even eating or brushing your teeth for hours after, the taste is so sensationally lingering.

 

[TheRealTMA]

In what sense?

In the sense that it's not dropping.

 

[sigmadelta]

In the sense that it's not dropping.

One needs to compare the AUD versus the currency of the major importers of Aussie wine. The UK is the major importer and the GBP has fallen 10% against the AUD in the last month, and by more when you consider when winemakers decided to pay more for their fruit. Maybe they were expecting the AUD to fall, which it didn't.

 

[AnonymousCoward]

In the sense that it's not dropping.

The medium term trend is only going one way - down - at least against the USD (and then every other currency pegged to the USD). US interest rates are going to go up - the only question is when. Australian interest rates aren't going anywhere majorly anytime soon.

 

[TheRealTMA]

The medium term trend is only going one way - down - at least against the USD (and then every other currency pegged to the USD). US interest rates are going to go up - the only question is when. Australian interest rates aren't going anywhere majorly anytime soon.

We shall see...

 

[qaz]

Re: Dan Murphy's and Other Wine Deals

I will tell you the top 3 wines I've ever tried though (including 1st Growth Bordeaux), three different editions of Seppeltsfield 100 YO Port/Tawny. I'm pretty sure I can sometimes still taste the one I had on my 50th birthday at a wine dinner at Seppeltsfield and featuring only fortified wines, finished with liqueur glasses of the 100yo. Someone (not one of my small group) left the table early, so as it was my birthday I scored two glasses. I've tasted two other vintages since then, you don't feel like tasting anything else after that or even eating or brushing your teeth for hours after, the taste is so sensationally lingering.

Any idea how the Seppeltsfield Paramount Rares compare?

And speaking of fortifieds...

Hardys rare fortified wines a sweet surprise
Best Fortified Wines Under $20

 

[qaz]

United Cellars Grande Nebbiolo Tasting & Masterclass Dinners
SYD 13/9 - PER 15/9 - BNE 20/9 - MEL 22/9 - ADL 29/9
$195-$250

 

[redbigot]

Re: Dan Murphy's and Other Wine Deals

Any idea how the Seppeltsfield Paramount Rares compare?

I haven't tried the Rare Muscat / Tokay in recent years, the Seppeltsfield offerings often seem to be a little lesser than the best of Rutherglen at the same classification level. Although the Paramounts are classed as Rare level, they are obviously not as good as the DP62/DP64, which last time I bought those (or preceding DP versions) were under $150pb. Maybe they have raised the bar to match the higher price and the Paramount level is what they used to sell as DP previously.
The Paramount Tawny they offered last year was a bit light and lacking intensity I thought.

If you ever get a chance to taste the Morris Show Reserve Muscat/Tokay, now that is an experience pretty close to the 100YO Port in terms of flavour explosion and lingering intensity.

 

[sigmadelta]

Re: Dan Murphy's and Other Wine Deals

RB do you mean Morris Cellar Reserve Grand Liqueur Topaque/Muscat? I don't think they do a Show Reserve.
Thanks

 

[redbigot]

Re: Dan Murphy's and Other Wine Deals

RB do you mean Morris Cellar Reserve Grand Liqueur Topaque/Muscat? I don't think they do a Show Reserve.
Thanks

No. The Show Reserves are not for sale unless you have the right contacts. I don't have the contacts, but I've tasted them a number of times at wine show tastings.
Rare is above Grand in classification/age, Morris Old Premium Rare level at around $70 for 500 ml is still a relative bargain and impressive quality, but not at the Show reserve level.

In fact the Morris Rare Topaque/Muscat are $61.75pb (500ml) at Dan's in 6-packs, bargain.

 

[burmans]

However we are volunteers and expect you to know where the appropriate place to post various things is (such as I'm sure you all know there's only one place to post referrals). We're not porters, running around after you with your bags

So agree with this, all the whinging about what moderators should do and all.

 

[TheRealTMA]

Amusing... Funny quotes about wine - a Decanter guide

 

[carwashhair]

I'm feeling a little frivolous and am contemplating taking up the 50% discount (use code 'citibank') offer for a Wine Companion membership. What's peoples experience regarding membership - is it best just to go with the website membership, or is it worth getting a print edition of the 2017 Wine Companion book and/or magazine as well? I take it that there's a lot of content crossover between web and print? I should state I take Halliday's point reviews with a few grains of salt, but still find them a useful enough marker.

 

[redbigot]

I'm feeling a little frivolous and am contemplating taking up the 50% discount (use code 'citibank') offer for a Wine Companion membership. What's peoples experience regarding membership - is it best just to go with the website membership, or is it worth getting a print edition of the 2017 Wine Companion book and/or magazine as well? I take it that there's a lot of content crossover between web and print? I should state I take Halliday's point reviews with a few grains of salt, but still find them a useful enough marker.

If you are going to join, now is probably the time, as all the reviews from the book will be loaded onto the site fairly soon after release of the book. There is a small amount of info from the front of the book that isn't on the site or is hard to find/not updated, but everything else is on the site.

If you have ready access to the site then you probably don't need the book.

The site is useful for identifying mystery wines as well, once you work out a few quirks in the search facility there.

I don't find the magazine terribly interesting, occasionally there is a standout article, but not many for me. There are some reviews in the magazin that don't seem to make it to the site or are slow to be loaded, but that's not enough value for me.

They have fairly regular discount membership offers.

You can pre-order the Kindle version of the 2017 Wine Companion for $13.26 here: https://www.amazon.com.au/Halliday-Wine-Companion-2017-James-ebook/dp/B01IDOCHIM/ref=sr_1_1 delivered 4 August.

[FONT=&quot]Note that it is a big file and can be a bit slow to load/scroll/search on some devices.[/FONT]

 

[Cruiser Elite]

What type of bottle tags do youse good folk use in your cellars? Pics if poss pls? And where do you get 'em pls?

 

[Cossie]

If anyone is interested....

https://www.aldi.com.au/en/special-...au_product_newsletter&pk_kwd=2016-08-04_11-01

 

[ste667]

If anyone is interested....

https://www.aldi.com.au/en/special-...au_product_newsletter&pk_kwd=2016-08-04_11-01

Was thinking of picking one of these up. Father in law has had one working without a hitch for the last 6 years. It was $169 back then tho!

 

[Delectable Blue]

What type of bottle tags do youse good folk use in your cellars? Pics if poss pls? And where do you get 'em pls?

I buy Vin Tags from ebay (Wine Storage Tags VIN Tags 10 Packs OF 50 Wine Tags | eBay). They do the job for me, although I find the paper tags a little on the flimsy side, especially for wax sealed bottles which have a slightly wider capsule than normal.