KMP wrote:Graeme,
I'm not sure that everyone is all ears and eyes for the TWA Aussie issue, but its simply realistic to have an interest in how one of the more influential wine publications rates Aussie wines. I'd be quite certain that Gavin or any other retailer is looking at TWA #173 to see what wines they should stock based on some of the scores. How TWA (and its reviewers) view the wine world does not suit all tastes but but we shouldn't ignore the influence that it has - even if its not Parker doing the reviews.
Mike
Mike, I can understand retailers taking an interest - there are plenty of sheep who are interested in wines that WA gives a big score - and ONLY wines that WA gives a big score. But, honestly (and i'm speaking from a local perspective here) I'd expect most of these wines have been available on retail shelves for some time now. If you weren't interested in some wine before, why now, just because Miller thinks it's wonderful? This isn't Bordeaux, where the stuff's not available yet. Anything you were half-interested in you could have tried and bought by now.
For Australians buying Australian wines, following WA isn't really anything to do with buying the best local wines. It seems to me more about wanting to be part of the 'WA crowd' and talking about 'Bob' and 'Jay' and minute analysis of their palate differences.
Sailling rather close to wine wankerism, I reckon. Yeah, I outsource all my wine buying to WA. Good 'ol Jay, he knows about the Hunter Valley, and Seppelts different vineyards in the Grampians, what Wynns have done with their Coonawarra vineyards...
cheers,
Graeme