The Auswine Forum

I'm learning at the moment, and want to read up a bit.

I was given a James Halliday book and want to read some of JO's tasting notes as well to branch out.

The problem I have with just starting out is that I really need the previous few books in addition to the most recent to cover a wide range of vintages.

I see with JO there is both a website (subscription) and a book.

Does the website include EVERYTHING that the books do? ie: if I get a subscription, do I automatically have access to ALL the the tasting notes and other info from the books in all previous years? For a few extra bucks this seems worth it. The site seems to indicate this but does not spell it out in so many words.

DJ
The Oliver book also lists drinking windows and scores for all previous vintages that should still be ok (and a few that should be over the hill). There's no notes on older wines though and indeed these only started for current release wines in 2005.
If you want the books, I'd not be tempted to get back copies unless on offer, but get the latest edition and subsequent ones.

I don't subscribe, but I understand you get access to all the historic notes, plus a few re-tastes that don't get written up in the book plus articles.

regards

Ian

Hi DJ

In my opinion the site is better for a few reasons there seems to be more tasting notes on wines that aren't included in the book also you get the latest notes available. For example the 2006 wine annual has notes on Penfolds bin series upto 2002 vintage when the site has the 2003 TN's.
The site includes all the TN's the book does plus more, there is also a section called ask Jeremy where you can pose a question to the man himself.

Hope this helps.

I'm sure the 2006 Annual is still on bookshop shelves, and the 2007 will likely be released within a few weeks. Annuals prior to 2005 didn't have tasting notes at all, just scores, so if you hunted up a 2005 at a second-hand bookshop you'll surely have most of what's on the website...?
cheers,
Graeme

DJ

We are all learning. I hope to do so until I die.

For current tastings and a bloody good read you could do worse than subscribe to internet magazine Winefront. The publisher, Campbell Mattinson, is a contributor here and the online reviews are relevant, current and entertaining.

Go to http://www.winefront.com.au/.

Gavin, I assume this is okay to post, but delete if it isn't cool.

Michael

DJ,

The JO site is a valuable resource to me, I subscribe rather than buy the book and visit it several times a week at least. It has all the past ratings/TN and any re-tastes or new wines tasted. The new wines tend to appear in fits and spurts, but it's still a great resource. There are also articles and responses to subscribers questions that often make interesting reading.

I also subscribe to Winefront, another great resource and full of interesting and entertaining information.

I subscribe to www.kiwiwinefanclub.co.nz. Full of all sorts of useless drivel but they are all good people. Updated around twice as often as an annual as well!

Craig(NZ) wrote:Full of all sorts of useless drivel

Indeed.