Ok, its time to fess up - xmas wine/ wine tradtions

[Craig(NZ)]

I have two traditions this time of year

1. I always drink the new release of Cloudy Bay Sauvignon Blanc in the sun with my brother.

2. Christmas eve we always polish off a bottle of dry river gewurztraminer with christmas cake or similar

You guys planning pulling the corks on anything interesting?

[Maximus]

I'll be introducing some friends to Aussie sparkling shiraz. Namely, Rockford Black. We'll pray for a hot, sunny Xmas Day in Oamaru and it should go down a treat. Sure it will irrespective though.

As for traditions, I don't think I'm old enough to have any... but perhaps this year I should start. I like the Xmas Eve special drink idea; will put my thinking cap on. I wouldn't mind a decent bottle of bubbles from Central Otago too. Not sure if there's anything decent out there though. Unfurtunately the Emma Rippon wasn't on tasting when I was out at Wanaka last weekend.

If I can get up to Christchurch and my resting pretties, we'll probably whip the cork off some '04 Noon Eclipse, '01 Jasper Hill Georgia's Paddock and '96 Orlando Centenary Hill. There'll of course be plenty of white and pinot flowing too.

[Craig(NZ)]

how good is that 01 georgias max? was thinking of buying one $55 a good price?

[Maximus]

Craig the '01 is the best I've tried, and I've had about 8-10 vintages spanning twelve years. $55 is a sharp price. I picked mine up for the same and was very pleased with myself.

[platinum]

I think this year might be something close to
Mount Mary Triolet
Peter Lehman Black Queen Sparkling
A Good Pinot
Moss Wood Cabernet 1995

[Red Bigot]

I'm hooked on the bubbly tradition: Champagne with seafood and sparkling red with anything else.

I've been stocking up on all the bargains and mates rates I could afford, Louis Roederer, Taittinger, Lanson 96, Pol Roger 96, Joseph Sparkling Red, Seppelt SRSS 94, Leasingham CC 95, Rockford Black, Cofield Sp Red.

I still need to to stock up on a few good beers for the odd occasion when a quick thirst quencher is needed, James Squire Pilsner and Golden Ale, Pilsner Urquell, Stella Artois and some Hahn Light should do the trick

[Gianna]

Bubbly to start with: 1998 Veuve

And then the selection for the day will be:

1999 LEAS
1994 HP C/M
1994 Michael
1998 707 ( probably too young to open )

and a few beers before and after the event, generally Heinekens or Peroni.

Averna tends to finish the day well.

(is it too early to have planned what we are drinking for Christmas ?

[Jordan]

Xmas eve:

Lanson 1996 Black label
Rockfrod Black NV
LEAS Chard 2002
Grange 1986
Hill of Grace 1986
2002 Noble One

[GrahamB]

I will be putting the Rockford Black up against the Thorn Clarke Sparkling Cabernet.

This year I will get some of the Emeri Sparkling Durif for those who don't mind what is in the glass. The best value red bubbles for around $10 I have seen.

Also a selection of good Rieslings and Pinot Gris.

Plenty of Brew By U beer and a few 6 packs of Golden Ale.

That should get me off to sleep.

Graham

[Steve]

This year will be a little unusual, but should be lots of fun. So far we have the following, in no particular order:

1992 Hill of Grace.
New release NV Joseph Sparkling Red
Seppelt DP113 Rare Rutherglen Muscat
2002 Grosset Polish Hill Riesling

Looking for some clear bubbles to join in... although five bottles between three of us might be a bit interesting

We don't really have many traditions - except lunch is our big thing and we're usually asleep by 4pm

[George Krashos]

Well for Xmas Eve dinner (there's also Xmas Day lunch and dinner with hordes of people - so more quaffer styles get the nod here) the line-up will likely be:

Joseph Sparkling Red
Rockford Semillon 1998
Charles Melton Nine Popes 2000
Rockford VP 1996

Should be plenty for 6 people.

-- George Krashos

[Daryl Douglas]

I'm hooked on the bubbly tradition: Champagne with seafood and sparkling red with anything else.

I've been stocking up on all the bargains and mates rates I could afford, Louis Roederer, Taittinger, Lanson 96, Pol Roger 96, Joseph Sparkling Red, Seppelt SRSS 94, Leasingham CC 95, Rockford Black, Cofield Sp Red.

I still need to to stock up on a few good beers for the odd occasion when a quick thirst quencher is needed, James Squire Pilsner and Golden Ale, Pilsner Urquell, Stella Artois and some Hahn Light should do the trick

I rate the James Squire Pilsner and India Pale Ale ahead of their Golden Ale with Australian Strong Ale possibly the best of the Squire's range that I've tried; but it's off the shelves now (a limited release like the Golden Ale) and the India Pale Ale isn't carried by my regular local barn. Preferred the Pilsener Urquell over Stella recently and rate it up there with the Squire's Pilsner for my palate - I like the hop bitterness that gives a good beer some length on the finish. The Golden Ale though, is definitely as described on the top label "an ideal thirst-slaking session beer." Canberra gets hot in summer too! It was 38-40C in Charters Towers last weekend so didn't ride the bike back here until yesterday morning, early.

Wines will be both whites and reds mostly $10-$20 but may sacrifice a bottle of Georgia's 2000 with an old mate. Tahbilk viognier and roussanne 2005, Shadowood riesling 2004, maybe Evans & Tate Classic White 2004 and Houghton's White Burgundy 2005 (worked a treat with nice, fresh banana prawns and salad for lunch last Saturday). The red quaffers will be JC Reserve cab and shiraz 2002, Heartland shiraz and cab 2004, Seppelt Victorian Reserve shiraz 2003, Ingoldby shiraz 2003, WS Single Vineyard Coonawarra cab 2001, maybe Woodstock shiraz/cab 2001. The closest to champagne will be a WS NV Brut and maybe a vintage Chandon. Thinking about a couple of bottles of Seppelt Original Shiraz bubbles as well though I'm not really enamoured of red with bubbles.

Compliments of the season to all

daz

[The lone gunmen]

i really do have something to confess. Xmas time I almost always end up drinking Midori. .... i know, i know.