The Auswine Forum

With GraemeG's thread last week - "Australia - the most expensive imported wines in the world?" - prompting a lively discussion regarding prices of imported wines into Australia, I thought it might be interesting to poll forum members thoughts on other country's wines they would like to have more of in their cellars.

There is no doubt that Australian wine in this country dominates the shelves, in most stores. And imports that do make it in the stores are generally the very top end (i.e. very expensive) or cheap, jug wines from Italy, France or Spain that are not worth cellaring anyway (this is a generalisation and there are exceptions out there). Therefore, the opportunities of the wine buying public in Australia to put wine, other than Australian, in their cellars is very low.

I for one find 90% of my cellar made up of Australian wine. The other 10% is predominately made up of US wine bought while there and shipped back when we moved back to Australia. And if we didn't live in the US, then my wine collection would be around 100% Australian. And speaking of the US, the choice and variety of imported wine on the shelves is phenominal so that consumers in the States do have more of choice on international wines to put in their cellar. And due to the size of the market, taxation, etc, prices paid are very reasonable. All these factors are not present in Australia.

So the question remains, if I had the choice, would my cellar be 90% Australian or would it be made up of some other country's wine?

If I had the choice I think the majority of my cellar would still be Australian wine, but the percentage would be more like 60%. I for one have always wanted to understand French wine, but due to my limited exposure and cost constraints, I still to this day have not found a French wine that I like. I do have a few 2000 Bordeaux's in the cellar, but wouldn't have a clue what they are like as I bought them due to a friends recommendation. So for me, finding some French wines that I enjoy and growing this part of my cellar is something I would like to achieve one day.

What about you. Which country would you like to see better represented in your cellar?

Decent Cali -cabs cost as much if not more than a 2nd Growth Bordeaux from a good year. There's no question that my cash would (and does) go on frog wine.

I'm assuming that being parochial Australian drinkers we've all got enough Oz wine in our cellars, so I'm thinking a litlte more New Zealand wine as they fill in a few holes that Australian wines don't do as well consistently (i know there are some lovely Australian examples of these available) in - namely lively sauv blanc and fleshly, flavour-heavy pinot noir.

Got a few nice Kiwi cellar-door only pinots in the collection that I'll be looking forward to drinking in the future!

cheers
Max

I voted French

Love the good stuff but its hard to find it at good value.

I voted for 'Other'

I would like to get some more Hungarian wines in my cellar.




Billy B.

Hi Andrew,

I voted French because I want...or should that read need ...more Champagne in my cellar.

So many boutique Champagne Houses out there but so little funds and cellaring space

Cheers,
Vickie

Spanish
After a period of "toe-dipping" into Italy, we're now starting to explore Spain.

I voted Australian because there are still many, many good to excellent+ wines that I've yet, if ever, to taste - credit card companies love me enough already!

daz

I voted French (predictably), but I would also dearly love to stock up on old style Barolos and Barbarescos (but I don't have the patience for them to come round; or the money for that matter!)

I voted Aussie because I am getting sick of trying to figure out the predominantly French and Italian wine lists at restaurants here in Japan. I think in the future, I will go to restaurants that are BYO Aussie wine-friendly. Besides, as an expat living in Japan, I should do my bit to soak up some of the Aussie grape-glut.

As my level of Japanese improves, I am able to track down more Aussie wines here on the Internet, and some of them can be very good value if you spend time looking for them.

Raymond

I voted Australian as I do not think my wallet could take the impact of adding outside Oz wines to my cellar.
I find I am spending more and more on wines and do not want any external temptations.
Besides I am still going through my Oz wines learnig curve.

Regards,
Ron.

Hi Andrew

I voted French and I have similar thoughts to you.

I'm moving back from the USA soon and wondered which wines you shipped back from here?

I'm planning on bringing home some 2003 Seghesio Cortina Zinfandel, 2001 Nickle and Nickle Truchards Chardonnay and am still deciding on if it is worth bringing some Cabernet home.

Cheers
Elvis

Spanish for me...been getting into it recently and buying Roda I & II's, Alion and DdJP wines. French makes up around 35% of my cellar at the moment but I could always do with more Champagne

Dave

Hi Andrew

I voted French and I have similar thoughts to you.

I'm moving back from the USA soon and wondered which wines you shipped back from here?

I'm planning on bringing home some 2003 Seghesio Cortina Zinfandel, 2001 Nickle and Nickle Truchards Chardonnay and am still deciding on if it is worth bringing some Cabernet home.

Cheers
Elvis

Elvis,

Since I am a Cabernet man, brought back a few Napa cabernets that we liked (Jordan, Beringer, St Francis, Turnbul to name a few), some central coast stuff from around Paso Robles and a few Washington state Syrahs from the Walla Walla Valley. The Napa cab's can be very expensive so really couldn't justify buying to many of these even when we were there - much better value for money to be found elsewhere.

Since you too want to grow your French collection you may want to consider bringing back some French stuff as well while there, as prices are very reasonable compared to Australia. But maybe like me, you are not quite sure what to buy. I did bring back some French Bordeaux's but I haven't tried them yet and do not even know if I will like them. Time will tell I suppose.

Mike Hawkins who frequently posts on this forum is currently doing a stint in NYC, and I am sure he wouldn't mind giving you some advice on French bargains to be had over there at the moment. Even though he is a Shiraz man , he does have a pretty good palate. Maybe worth considering if you have some spare cash to spend on wine before you come back. Send him a PM if you are interested.

Hope this helps.

More Northern Rhone for me. But not at Aussie prices!

Also, enjoying the big dry reds out of the Port regions of Portugual.

I voted other as I'd love more Portuguese Vintage ports in my cellar - particularly the '63 vintage but they don't come up at auction all that often.

Closely behind that would be french but primarily for Champagne and sauternes more than Bordeaux.

voted french... more champagne!!!
current ratio aust wine to champagne is 120:1

Gavin when are you having the next champagne sale... i need to even these odds out!
c

I'd really like an "all of the above" option .

I voted Chile as I was blown away by the quality of the low end reds I tried there, but I'd like more Bordeaux, Burgundy, Champagne, Alsatians, German whites, Italians, Spanish Garnachas and Tempranillo's, VP's, South American Cabs, Merlots, Malbecs....

Ah stuff it, I just want more wine!

There are a few countries I would like to explore more but if push came to shove then I'd go with more German whites (not just riesling) in my cellar. Might not be true in Oz, but in the US they still remain outstanding value.

Mike