Penguin Wine Guide

[Ratcatcher]

I rang Penguin last Friday to inquire about a release date and was told that there was not going to be a guide this year and next release is Sep 2008.

I wasn't all that confident in the person advising me though.

Does anyone know if this is true and the reason why if it is true?

It seems like a real money maker to me and the authors write most of their tasting notes in other publications throughout the year and it's only 500 wines each so it really only seems like a collating job that shouldn't be too hard to pull together.

[Winefront Monthly]

Yes, this is true. No guide this year. Re-launch next year.

Next year it will be a change of author too - Nick Stock is doing it, flying solo.

I think you vastly - vastly - underestimate how much work that guide would be.

Campbell.

[Gary W]

I'll miss RKP and Spewin Chook and their light hearted style.
GW

[Craig(NZ)]

damn! how will i know what aussie wines i like this year then??

[Ratcatcher]

Thanks Campbell.

I guess I was comparing to Halliday. 2 blokes doing 500 wines each and they do record their tasting notes in other publications during the year, compared to one bloke doing 5000+.

I'm sure it's not a doddle in the park though.

I'm just disappointed because it was my favourite format. Just the write mix between articles and opinions on the industry, winery and winemaker snippets and tasting notes.

[Ian S]

Thanks Campbell.

I guess I was comparing to Halliday. 2 blokes doing 500 wines each and they do record their tasting notes in other publications during the year, compared to one bloke doing 5000+.

I'm sure it's not a doddle in the park though.

I'm just disappointed because it was my favourite format. Just the write mix between articles and opinions on the industry, winery and winemaker snippets and tasting notes.

and if anything worth it for the occasional barbed comment in the intro (anyone remember 'the grey cardigan brigade' ?... at least that's my recollection of the comment)

[underwraps50]

Ratcatcher - You & me both - I phoned them last Friday also, & like you was sceptical of the response. I jumped on the Forum today feeling sure there would be a mention & hey presto!
It is a pain in the ass for me as the whole wine thing is very limited up here in the sticks, and I rely on the Guide as an easy way to get a fix on whats good & whats not in any given vintage. As the local Bookshop said "Now you'll have to wing it, won't you!".

[Wizz]

damn! how will i know what aussie wines i like this year then??

You could try this:

subscribe to Halliday online
bring up a list of wines with points
sort in descending point order
cut off anything below 95
email the list thats left to your friendly retailer

that should get you wines you like,