The Auswine Forum

Hi Guys,
I am having half a dozen people over of the weekend for a BBQ.
They all drink wine but I wouldn't say they are as interested in it as the people here.
I have talked them into a mini tasting session and we would like to try something far removed from standard Aussie cab sauv and shiraz.
I wondering if anyone can suggest something reasonable at about $25 a bottle that we could have a crack at.
Looking for 3 or 4 bottles
Cheers
Brendan

Some of the Italians on this page in the price range would be great fun
http://www.auswine.com.au/superb-value-imported-wines.html

I was just thinking

A) Italian grapes
B) wait for dave vino's post

Classic!

Agree, safest place is reds which still have some oomph, but a different 'mouth feel' and flavour profile. Look for Italian reds like Barbera, Dolcetto, Frappato, Sangiovese and Nebbiolo. Might have to stretch to $30+ for some but if you're going to try new styles, don't start with the cheapest ones you can find. Fewer wines of better quality my recommendation.

Tarrawarra regular pinot 2015
Stonier regular pinot 2016

Thanks for the advice guys. Appreciate it. Might be a bit too late to get wine here from Gavin being in Brisbane so would have to be from a retailer.
Happy to spend a little more to get a better drop so will look in $30+
Cheers Brendan

Try a bottle of 2014 Boutari Naoussa which is readily available from the largest chain store in the country for $15. Decant it for a couple hours before serving. It's a great food wine and will pair well with BBQ meats.

Getting into warmer weather, i assume you want some
Whites as well? Anyhoo some 'different' selections

2017 Jim Barry Assyrtiko
2017 Vickery Eden Valley Riesling or
2017 Chaffey Brothers Zeitpunkt Riesling
2016 LAS Vino Albino Pinot
2014 Bleasdale Frank Potts Blend (or)
Bleasdale Malbec
2016 Vinteloper Touriga
2016 42 Degrees Pinot
Or
2016 Mount Macleod Pinot
2015 Schwartz GSM
2015 Head Old Vine Grenache
2010 Mi Casa Rioja Tempranillo

Thank you

clare valley rizza to open. maybe a KT Melva
something different light red : hahndorf hill blaufränkisch
Pinot stick with ade hills ; shaw and smith
back to clare valley mount horrocks nero.
maybe a dessert wine?
morris old premium rare liqueur muscat . this is a crowd pleaser for sure. (might blow your budget here)

I think a simple theme would be ideal.

e.g.
- Italian / new grapes mentioned above
- Aussie vs the world (2 x 2 wines using same grapes, but one is Aussie, the other is from elsewhere). If they enjoy a bit of competition, serve the wines without saying which is which and let them guess
- New wave Aussies, including some making Shiraz / Cab as you might not recognise them, with lower alcohol and a brighter/fresher profile - if this interests, I'm sure the forum denizens will have their fingers on the pulse much more than me
- European value classics (e.g. German Kabinett/Spatlese, Guigal cotes du Rhone or maybe a Gigondas, decent Beaujolais, Italian Dolcetto, etc.)

Ian S wrote: - Aussie vs the world (2 x 2 wines using same grapes, but one is Aussie, the other is from elsewhere). If they enjoy a bit of competition, serve the wines without saying which is which and let them guess

I could serve the same wine to a few of these blokes and they wouldn't know and tell me its different

A small producer GSM as they can be served robustly in a BBQ environment. Slightly chilled with burnt meat is a solid pairing.

Ian S wrote: - New wave Aussies, including some making Shiraz / Cab as you might not recognise them, with lower alcohol and a brighter/fresher profile - if this interests, I'm sure the forum denizens will have their fingers on the pulse much more than me

Some producers fitting this profile:
Ochota Barrels
Woods Crampton
Head Wines

Would be fun to do a "new wave vs traditional aussie" theme.

thanks for the tips.
I shall report back in how we went.
Could be a first of many....or a first and last lol

Madanie7 wrote:

Ian S wrote: - Aussie vs the world (2 x 2 wines using same grapes, but one is Aussie, the other is from elsewhere). If they enjoy a bit of competition, serve the wines without saying which is which and let them guess

I could serve the same wine to a few of these blokes and they wouldn't know and tell me its different

Served blind, I reckon a good number of us would fail that test as well!