Advice for someone interested in getting into wine

[aussieboy]

Hi everyone, i've recently found this forum and am excited about reading some of the interesting threads you've got going atm.

I'm a guy in my mid-late 20s and have recently started developing an interest in wine. I particularly like my reds (Shiraz, Pinot Noir) and am keen to start slowly getting a collection together. I'm not someone that drinks overly regularly but when I do i like drinking quality. I don't pretend to know what it is about particular wines I like or don't like, i just like the stuff that i think tastes good (obviously). I'm interested in learning more about how wine is made and the subtle variations between wines and what makes a great wine so great etc. I've recently come back from a weekend at the Barrossa and had a ball.

Can anyone recommend some good books that can help me get started? Ones that possibly answer some of the questions I mentioned above.

Another question I was interested in putting to the board was that I've been reading some of the threads and in particular have been getting excited about you all describing some of the current great drops. ie the Grange 2004, the St Henri 2004 etc etc. I'm fortunate I can afford many of the bottles that you've all talked about however I obviosuly wouldn't be keen to spend that sort of money on a bottle that I couldn't appreciate. Can someone at a beginner level of appreciating wine really gain a lot from drinking some of these elite bottles? Although having said that, if i was to buy a bottle of the 2004 Grange etc I wouldn't obviously drink it right away.

Thanks for your help. Look forward to learning a lot from you all.

[Daryl Douglas]

Welcome A'boy. You infer that going straight to top class wines isn't necessarily the best way to learn about wine in general, even if you can afford them. I agree. Congratulations though for being in that fortunate situation.

It seems you're not deeply interested in wine but do have a preference for reds. For the cost af a pretty good bottle of red (think Voyager Estate Cabernet Merlot 2004), about $45(?), you could subscribe to The Wine Front which is an interactive site. I'm not a pinot drinker but Campbell and Gary review a fair number of pinots in the broad number of varieties and styles covered at TWF, including some imports. James Halliday's Wine Companion is probably the most comprehensive and its structured approach to presenting information on individual wines and individual wineries is user friendly but it's not interactive; still, good value for the $25(?) cost of an entry-level premium wine (think Grant Burge Filsell Shiraz, most vintages). Brian's (Red Bigot) Red Wine Buyers Guide site is worth subscribing to as well for those mostly interested in red wines at the best prices.

I'm an acknowleged, self-confessed Tahbilkiste but anyway, just as perhaps something different for you to try, Tahbilk Cabernet Shiraz 1996, given about an hour to breathe after decanting is a very enjoyable wine that well displays aged characters, the cabernet component dominant. It's only available from either the physical cellar door or the internet, slightly cheaper to Tahbilk Wine Club members.

Cheers

daz

[AndrewCowley]

Whilst Grange is out of my price range, I've only been into wine for a few years and what I found is that the wines I buy that are at the top of my range (e.g. St Henri) are best enjoyed with others. The occasion is a big part of the enjoyment of drinking the wine. When I look back, my favourite wine moments have generally always been when sharing something awesome bottle with others. It might be a $20 bottle; doesn't matter so long as everyone enjoys it.

As for a guide on what to buy, I'd suggest signing up to some of the newletters that you can receive via email. A few of the Aussie wine retailers have these. Add to this a copies of Jeremy Oliver's Wine Annual and James Halliday's Wine Companion. To start with I used these sources of information to seek out good value, high quality wines.

[Wayno]

I'm an acknowleged, self-confessed Tahbilkiste ...

Nah, don't see that myself.

[winetastic]

My advice: don't go out and spend a fortune on a large collection of wines too quickly because your tastes will change over time. Heading out to the various wine regions and tasting at the cellar doors is a great way to try a wide range of styles.

Campbell Mattison wrote an excellent article on The Wine Front about building a wine cellar - a subscription required to read but it is well worth it.

[dazza1968]

Hello a'boy,

I had a bottle of 1993 Orlando Lawsons shiraz that just blew me away .\ I have been collecting ever since.

It took one bottle that converted me into a collector, Wonderful hobby .

All wine critics have their good points and its working out which of them suit your style .

It took me a couple of years to really understand it and now get together with a few people who really enjoy it too.

Regards Dazza

[griff]

Hello a'boy,

I had a bottle of 1993 Orlando Lawsons shiraz that just blew me away .\ I have been collecting ever since.

It took one bottle that converted me into a collector, Wonderful hobby .

All wine critics have their good points and its working out which of them suit your style .

It took me a couple of years to really understand it and now get together with a few people who really enjoy it too.

Regards Dazza

Oh I had the 93 Lawson's just recently! Was just singing with strong licorice and powerful fruit. No green character and the best 93 aussie I have had I think.

cheers

Carl

[griff]

My advice: don't go out and spend a fortune on a large collection of wines too quickly because your tastes will change over time. Heading out to the various wine regions and tasting at the cellar doors is a great way to try a wide range of styles.

I second not buying up big when you start. Tastes certainly change. Think of it like food. For instance it took me 15 years before I liked olives.

cheers

Carl

[Partagas]

My best advice is doing what you just did. Go to tastings and wine regions as much as you can especially to start with. I believe it is the best way to sample many different varieties, makes and price levels without having to waist your money on buying lots of stuff you don’t actually like or taking advice from people with different tastes. That is what educated my own palette to what I liked. I started out enjoying cab/merl then straight cab and was just working out what it was I liked about certain types (e.g. richness, balance, smell, flavour profile etc). When you start knowing what you like in the wines, it is only then that you can take advice from others by their descriptions or experience.

[aussieboy]

Thanks for your words of advice guys.

Another question:

I live in Adelaide, where is a good place to buy good wine? I've seen vast differences in prices from one place to another. Anyone know of a place where the prices are reasonable?

[monghead]

My advice: don't go out and spend a fortune on a large collection of wines too quickly because your tastes will change over time. Heading out to the various wine regions and tasting at the cellar doors is a great way to try a wide range of styles.

I second not buying up big when you start. Tastes certainly change. Think of it like food. For instance it took me 15 years before I liked olives.

cheers

Carl

You know, this is so true. I have a whole heap of rich jammy '96s and '98s in the cellar that I am holding on to in the hope that one day the sweetness will fade... Unfortunately, what I have found is that in many cases, it accentuates, and the wines develop a port-like characteristic. Oh well, c'est la vie. I guess there is the auctions.....

Cheers,

Monghead.

[Anonymous]

A wine course could be a good start too. They generally give a good background to wine and you get to sample lots of different varieties on the day. MOst are only a two or three hundred for the day and I think give you a good grounding. Aquick google search can find some in your local area.

[Daryl Douglas]

Thanks for your words of advice guys.

Another question:

I live in Adelaide, where is a good place to buy good wine? I've seen vast differences in prices from one place to another. Anyone know of a place where the prices are reasonable?

The prices offered by our very accommodating host, Gavin Trott of the Australian Wine Centre (see link above) are quite reasonable though not necessarily always the cheapest available. Purely mail order though, I believe.

Cheers

daz

[Nayan]

I'm interested in learning more about how wine is made and the subtle variations between wines and what makes a great wine so great etc. I've recently come back from a weekend at the Barrossa and had a ball.

Can anyone recommend some good books that can help me get started? Ones that possibly answer some of the questions I mentioned above.

Have a read of "The Art and Science of Wine" by Hugh Johnson and James Halliday; might look a little dated, but great information and well presented.

[Red Red Wine]

when in doubt. Just buy 98+ points wine.

[Daryl Douglas]

when in doubt. Just buy 98+ points wine.

That narrows the choices

[dazza1968]

when in doubt. Just buy 98+ points wine.

That narrows the choices

Also Price Range Maybe it should be 95 points and above

[griff]

when in doubt. Just buy 98+ points wine.

That narrows the choices

Also Price Range Maybe it should be 95 points and above

Not really. The difference between a price range of $50 to $5000 is pretty similar to $15 to $5000

cheers

Carl

[dazza1968]

when in doubt. Just buy 98+ points wine.

That narrows the choices

Also Price Range Maybe it should be 95 points and above

Not really. The difference between a price range of $50 to $5000 is pretty similar to $15 to $5000

cheers

Carl

Purely its the bottom line isn't it !!!

[griff]

when in doubt. Just buy 98+ points wine.

That narrows the choices

Also Price Range Maybe it should be 95 points and above

Not really. The difference between a price range of $50 to $5000 is pretty similar to $15 to $5000

cheers

Carl

Purely its the bottom line isn't it !!!

Yup!

cheers

Carl

[Daryl Douglas]

This discussion seems to be getting a bit too anal

[dazza1968]

This discussion seems to be getting a bit too anal

Yes Daz, it is

[Rawshack]

The best advice I ever read was from Hugh Johnson, who (in my interpretation) stated that even if you had money, don't head straight to bordeaux and Burgundy; find something you like, and look elsewhere - there's a world of wine out there and we tend to stick to the same old stuff regardless

Central Victoria and Port Phillip areas of Victoria are my passion, because apart from being available and affordable, it can produce awesome Chardonnay and Shiraz of varying styles and price points.

I've never, ever been impressed by how much is spent on wine; there are undoubtedly some incredible wines that have a price to match (my recent Burgundy tasting demonstrated) but really, price = quality is nonsense

Go and knock yourself out, wine is the best hobby I've ever had (strangely typed in a captain feathersword accent, argh!)

[Old Salt]

[quote="Rawshack"]

I've never, ever been impressed by how much is spent on wine; there are undoubtedly some incredible wines that have a price to match (my recent Burgundy tasting demonstrated) but really, price = quality is nonsense

I second that and reckon most others on this Forum would concur.

A/boy - just a few hints/words of warning; once bitten it's more addictive than 'coke'. And when you decide to get into the sofware (bottles), remember the hardware (storage facilities and wine fridges/cabinets), all adds up. A decent wine cabinet holding about 150 - 200 bottles = a six pack of 04 Grange!!!