), I didn't really develop much more interest in wine other than subscribing to Cellarmasters then later TWS regular tasting cases. Although I did buy some of the Australian's cases and prior to that explored a bit, found McWilliams Elizabeth, Seaview, Clare riesling, Hardy's Signature but never developed any real understanding of wine. Discovering Winepros through regular reading of JH's Weekend Australian column was my intro to the real world of wine.
Through posting on the Clink Tank, I met Ric who referred me to two other fora. *forum was the first with the basic format that was soon after introduced to Auswine. This format is much more user-friendly than the original Auswine forum.
The fora have contributed greatly to my knowledge and appreciation of wine and I'm grateful to have had access to the wonderful pool of knowledge and experience that the internet has made available. Well, at least as far as Australian wines are concerned because I have no real interest in "first-world" wines or other "second-world" (or pinot noir from wherever, for that matter).
It seems to me that some posters have a thing about the newest and the bestest reputation - a bit like RPJ points chasers. Of course when I first got really interested in wine, I was largely guided by Halliday, bought Winepros' Halliday's Top 100 premium dozens and think I still have several bottles from those. I was a JH points chaser to a degree.
Having gone straight to the top end in my early days of collecting but mostly drinking wine e.g. Cullen, Jasper Hill, Penfolds, I've backed off on the more expensive wines and now look for mid-range wines that are good quality for the money. Not necessarily best quality but as good as I can afford for day-to-day wines.
My usual buy these days would be $12-$18, though I've told one of the guys at the local barn to hold 3xSt Henri 02 for me from it's next delivery - only because it seems to be well-regarded and these days, to me, irresistable at $54.95.
Wine keeps me in debt!
Cheers
daz
(I'm becoming a red bigot)
). Tasting Grange convinced me that a wine priced at £25 could still be a bargain - and I thought it was good value. Sadly I never actually bought a bottle (hindsight eh!).
).
), though still sampling across France, Spain, NZ, Germany and of course Musar still holds it's corner of the cellar. Looking to try more from Spain, US and take advantage of cheap prices for aged german rieslings.
