reviewers and publications

grapeslush · Post by **grapeslush** » Wed Jan 19, 2005 8:17 am

I am new to Australian wines and would like to know what are a few wine publications that review Australian wines that people in Australia trust. I guess sort of the "Robert Parker" of Australia.

thanks!

Grant · Post by **Grant** » Wed Jan 19, 2005 8:27 am

Try buying James Halliday's Wine Companion($25), very comprehensive coverage and a good reference point, and for a different take/format, subscribe to Winefront Monthly($44 per year) and well worth the $, plenty of good articles and reviews.

Cheers

707 · Post by **707** » Wed Jan 19, 2005 9:29 am

Agree with Grant, Buy James Halliday for the information side.

A Winefront Monthly subscription will get you really well informed about all kinds of slants and happenings in the wine industry and Campbell's wine reviews will get you so enthused it will hurt your wallet!

Have a look at www.winefrontmonthly.com.au

markg · Post by **markg** » Wed Jan 19, 2005 10:35 am

Its really a matter of calibrating your palate.

Personally I like a mix of Jeremy Oliver, Parker and Cambell (Winefront Monthly) and TORB.

There is also Winewise which has a very good reputation.

Plus you can't beat the postings on this forum, you get to know some of the posters over time and can get a good idea of what to expect of a particular wine.

Neville Nessuno · Post by **Neville Nessuno** » Wed Jan 19, 2005 11:35 am

Halliday as a reference is invaluable and user friendly.

Torb and Winefront Monthly for up and comings and the latest.

GTW for mainstream information.

NN

ps Torb wrote a very good article on wine publications last year

cherry · Post by **cherry** » Wed Jan 19, 2005 12:54 pm

For throughout the year, Winefront Monthly (www.winefrontmonthly.com.au) is the best bet. It is entertaining, has good articles, lots of reviews and a good spread of opinions across a range of wine styles. I don't agree with it all, but I always enjoy the ride that each edition provides. As a general trend, it also seems to be getting better and better. It is sometimes criticised for its lateness of delivery, but if Campbell cut it back to 12 pages per month he'd be way ahead. Layely he's been running at 16-pages per month, and upwards.

For an annual guide, Halliday's guide is far and away the best, by a long shot. Lots of information and reviews. No articles, so not much to get your teeth stuck into, but I refer to it all the time. Excellent.

For a freebie with muscle, torbwine.com is a good shot. Opinions, articles, honesty, it is good.

Cherry.

TORB · Post by **TORB** » Wed Jan 19, 2005 3:17 pm

Grapeslush,

You may also find this helpfull The Three Scribes

Ratcatcher · Post by **Ratcatcher** » Wed Jan 19, 2005 9:40 pm

Doesn't anyone rate the Penguin Guide?

Getting the 94/95 edition of that book for Xmas was what really got me interested in wine.

I really enjoy the format. Sure they don't rate as many wines as Halliday but it's a much more interesting read, especially for someone new to wine or new to the australian scene. I would recommend going to a 2nd hand book dealer and getting 5-6 back editions of the Penguin Guide.

Ian S · Post by **Ian S** » Fri Jan 21, 2005 3:41 am

Ratcatcher wrote:Doesn't anyone rate the Penguin Guide?

Getting the 94/95 edition of that book for Xmas was what really got me interested in wine.

I really enjoy the format. Sure they don't rate as many wines as Halliday but it's a much more interesting read, especially for someone new to wine or new to the australian scene. I would recommend going to a 2nd hand book dealer and getting 5-6 back editions of the Penguin Guide.

It's fun & an entertaining read - and cheap, but I recognise they have a firm price vs. quality agenda, which sometimes I disagree with - mainly on cheaper wines they hype up, rather than more expensive wines they slate. The introduction & feature story are often good as well.

MartinE · Post by **MartinE** » Sun Jan 23, 2005 12:23 pm

Ian S wrote:
Ratcatcher wrote:Doesn't anyone rate the Penguin Guide?

Getting the 94/95 edition of that book for Xmas was what really got me interested in wine.

I really enjoy the format. Sure they don't rate as many wines as Halliday but it's a much more interesting read, especially for someone new to wine or new to the australian scene. I would recommend going to a 2nd hand book dealer and getting 5-6 back editions of the Penguin Guide.

It's fun & an entertaining read - and cheap, but I recognise they have a firm price vs. quality agenda, which sometimes I disagree with - mainly on cheaper wines they hype up, rather than more expensive wines they slate. The introduction & feature story are often good as well.

...Unfortunately Penguin has got more and more behind in recent times, sometimes up to 2 vintages behind current release which makes it questionable value for current purchases but still good for secondary market assessment.

M.