The Auswine Forum

I'm off to Whaike Island tomorrow (that's late notice I know), any recommendations for wineries to visit? Also any NZ wines in general to try, perhaps North Island - Syrah & Cabernet I'm guessing. Ones I can get in a bottle shop. So far I seem to be seeing the same wines at every restaurant. I'v...

We went about four years ago and paid for a guide & driver, I think about $100 USD. Quite pricey but the first stop was Almaviva and we had to go through two armed gates and quite a bit of negotiation, would never have managed it alone. Next was Conca Y Toro, which was well set for tourists and ...

We are travelling to Margaret River, then Perth in May for a short stay/wine trip, so any information about good restaurant options, and especially those that BYO well will be great to read! Margaret River: Winos (great wine list), Must (wine list good I think no BYO) Dunsborough: Food Farmacy - no...

Thanks for all the suggestions. It's interesting that such a wine doesn't seem to be available in Australia. For all the chest-beating about alcohol levels being too high, no-one has managed to make a marketable Cab or Shiraz at this level.

I have a friend (no, honest) who is looking for a good low alcohol Cabernet or Shiraz. By low alcohol these days, I mean no more than 12.5%. I've had a look around, and although the occasional vintage of some wines drops to that level, I couldn't spot any wines that were consistently low. I'm guessi...

Flutes at Brookland Valley is the most consistently good lunch spot I know. If it's not too far, that's the go!

Excellent idea. Don't think I could dig out anything suitable so far, I'll have to see where the next stages are and raid the bottle shop! There really should be a link on the SBS web site...

Bick wrote:As to Chile - you might consider Concha-y-Toro Don Melchor in there - widely regarded as Chile's best wine, I think.

I thought Almaviva was in that spot. Tried both at cellar door - after negotiating two armed gatehouses !

I've been working my way through a case each of Vasse Felix 99 Shiraz and Xanadu 99 Cabernet. When they're good, they're very good, but several have been duds, just bottle variation. My advice is ensure it is under screwcap.

I've been wine tasting in Alsace, but not visited Champagne. The Alsace was the most beautiful wine destination I've visited, though we were lucky to be there in vintage, with few tourists and perfect weather. Good food, great accommodation, reasonably priced. Wine tasting is easy enough, some place...

Where: Champagne
When: One Powerball ....

In his 2001 wine companion, James Halliday wrote "... White Burgundy ... superlative with seven or so years bottle age." So I bought a case, as it was only about $12/bottle. The first thing that I noticed on opening the case a few months ago is huge variation in colour between bottles - th...

I believe I am ethical and have morals and try to live my life treating other people in the manner in which I would like to be treated. I am certain other people are not made of the same fabric. Do you have a problem with that? No problem here Hence I don't take advantage of people's and organisati...

I'd say the questions are: Did the cashier refuse to sell wine at the marked price (due to incorrect bar coding), and was she aware that wine was being bought at lower than marked price (due to incorrect bar coding).

I'm going to back Mahmoud on this one, and I'm someone who will buy direct from a winery at a dollar more than at a shop. The shop would not sell wine at the marked price which is both wrong and illegal. The excuse/reason that the manager was not there is not sufficient. In fact, here in Australia a...

In Sydney, Prime (yes, mostly steak) under the old post office in the centre of town has a good wine list to go with the meat. The Opera bar ( http://www.operabar.com.au ) has the best location in the world, next to the opera house looking at the harbour bridge. On a sunny afternoon it's the perfect...

Flametree is about 5 mins drive from me, I guess I should make the effort !

Prager Gruner Vetliner Federspiel 2007. Had it at Taxi on the somellier's recommendation and it was sensational, somewhere heavenly between Riesling and Pinot Gris, and perfect with sashimi. So ordered a carton when we got home. If it's half as good as we remember, I'll let you know.

More advice: Either get the sparky to install a socket that the A/C is plugged into (depening on the unit, they may not do this) so that you can plug in your own timer switch. OR Have them install a timer next to the circuit breaker for the a/c. This is what I've just done, though obviously cheaper ...

Love the PS I've recently built a cellar, much smaller (2mW x 2.8mL x 2.4mH). However assuming your cellar is well insulated, the smallest unit you can find should do the trick. After considerable research, I got a Mitsubishi MSGA20 (aka MSC-GA20VB) split system, cooling only, non-invertor ($800+ins...

Some time ago I visited Bests cellar door at Lake Boga, which is a little out of the way to say the least. Anyone reaching it had gone to a lot of trouble and must be seriously interested. I asked to try the Great Western Shiraz, but it wasn't available to taste, even at a premium. So what exactly w...

The only asian-style wedding I've been to was almost exactly nine years ago and was also the most expensive and extravagent. I could forgive Miles many things, but not stealing from his mother. Actually drinking wine from a styrofoam cup was pretty bad as well. I understand the importance of the sce...

I recently opened a 2001 Merlot from Olsen (Margaret River) - I think it's the best Merlot I've ever had. I normally steer clear of straight Merlot as I usually find it ordinary.

I've use Winex (used to be called AWX) for several years, never had a problem with them. They have storage facility under a bank in Osborne Park, Perth. It's also used by several distributors.
http://www.winexaccessories.com.au/viewStory/Professional+Wine+Storage

I'll second RB - All Saints, though I haven't been for a couple of years.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/7400109.stm

... and they didn't even mention "Red, red wine".[/url]

I'm about to install a cellar in the above-gound garage. 3x2m, using cool-room panels. I was going to go for a Mitsubishi unit set at 16C, cooling only (though it can get to 2C at night, 10C day). Any thoughts ?

Of course he may soon look like this: http://www.decanter.com/news/201337.html

I've always drunk them within a week, perhaps I should hold onto them for longer. Two weeks at least

If you're looking for a Burgundian Chardonnay from WA, though perhaps more oily and less oaky, try the Picardy (Pemberton).
I'll have to try the Blue Ginger Cafe.