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[Guest]

I've got a wine tasting to put together and have decided to put on a white and a red from WA, Vic, SA and NSW. I want something that is representative of each state (given the obvious limitations). Wine must be current retail and up to $25 (their a cheap lot).

Any ideas?

Cheers

[Red Bigot]

I've got a wine tasting to put together and have decided to put on a white and a red from WA, Vic, SA and NSW. I want something that is representative of each state (given the obvious limitations). Wine must be current retail and up to $25 (their a cheap lot).

Any ideas?

Cheers

Well, leave out the whites for a start and have two reds from each.

WA - MR Cabernet, Houghtons GI 2001 or Voyager Estate Cab-Merlot 2001 (around $30), plus a Plantagenet Mt Barker Shiraz

Vic - too many choices, too much variety for a single bottle and most of the great wines are over $25, but Yering Station Shiraz-Viognier 2002, Seppelt Chalambar Shiraz 2003 (release next week) at one end of the spectrum and the mind-blowing Warrabilla 2004 reds at the other, all in your price range. Maybe something from Heathcote in between, but most of the good ones $30+

SA - Coonawarra Cabernet or Barossa Shiraz? It's probably easier to get a good current release Shiraz at around $25, Grant Burge Filsell 2002, Elderton 2002, Kirrihill Clare 2002, O'Leary Walker Clare/McLarenVale Shiraz 2002/2003, Penfolds Bin 28 2002, St Hallett Blackwell 2002.

NSW - Hunter or newer areas like ACT region, Orange/Cowra/Hilltops? I'm sure a NSW/Hunter-phile will make some suggestions for you here, I haven't struck anything recently that made me want to buy.

[Ian S]

I've got a wine tasting to put together and have decided to put on a white and a red from WA, Vic, SA and NSW. I want something that is representative of each state (given the obvious limitations). Wine must be current retail and up to $25 (their a cheap lot).

Any ideas?

Cheers

Some thoughts on whites:

Victoria: Tahbilk or Mitchelton Marsanne (I'd go Tahbilk)
SA: Riesling from Clare or Eden Valley - loads of good ones under $25
WA: Semillon/Sauvignon Blends - Cullen is very good, but may be slightly over budget.
NSW: Hunter Semillon. Ideally Brokenwood/McWilliams (Elizabeth)/Tyrells (e.g Stevens Vineyard) with some age (3-6 years old should start to show both sides of the wines). If you can't get any with age, try an earlier maturing style (Margan is one we had recently)

Each of these could be considered a classic combination of Grape & location

Hope this is of some use

Ian

[Guest]

Thanks for the tips.
Given that I was thinking MR cab I was going to go shiraz for SA.
The marsanne might be a good filler if the reds go over budget, but I was hoping to get a victorian chardonnay in there for the ladies but just can't think of a decent one in the price range.

Cheers again.