A Red Wine Special & A White Wine Special

A wine special can mean different things to different people.  It all comes down to income, mood, if it's a gift, if it's to match a particular meal or simply cheap.  Either way we are almost always on the look out for the special wine at a special bargain basement, rock bottom, value for money, not-to-be-missed price and, they are definitely out there.  Today, I have a couple to suit a white wine & a red wine consumer.  One at the bargain basement price.  The other, great value for money.  The first is a Chardonnay from the cool climate Adelaide Hills area. Those who look at my blog know about Naked Owl reds.  Well, this white reads just as good as their reds. A 2011 version so, obviously very, very young and lean which makes it an easy drinking style for a 25+ degrees day outside, on the deck with your chicken caesar salad lunch.  Winemarket have it at $62.00 a dozen (plus postage) which makes it worth a crack.  The other is a shiraz from, the well known family of Hardy's.  It is their 2007 HRB(Hardys Reserve Bin) D641 (no idea but it looks impressive) Shiraz. It is a blend of McLaren Vale and Clare Valley shiraz so you are definitely on a winner there.  RRP for this is $40 a bottle but, Kemenys have it at half price. James Halliday even tempts you to "...keep your hands off it" and gave it 94 points. Did I mention it has won 5 gold medals at various wine shows?  If it wasn't for my latest purchase from a little boutique Barossan winery, I'd be on to both of these. 'Til next time and remember to live simply, laugh often, wine alot.

Shakespeare. Playwright, Poet or Plonko?

Correct me if I'm wrong but, William Shakespeare was a poet and playwright, right (did you like that?)?  It appears he didn't mind a wine or two either.  He is quoted as saying, "Good wine is a good familiar creature if it be well used".  Well used.  What does that actually mean?  I realise there are scientist out there that say how much wine we should or can drink a day without doing too much damage to our bodies but, everybody is different and every body is different.  I used to drink copious quantities of beer with reckless abandonment and wake up the same day wishing I hadn't done that to myself and vowing never to do it again.  So have a large percentage of the population over the age of 18.  I reckon I am at an age where I know how much I can drink without going to bed and the room spinning.  I don't need a scientist to tell me how much I should or should not be drinking.  Music soothes the savage beast, they say but, alcohol is the social lubricant.  Okay, so there are those that do not know their limitations and those that get drunk deliberately.  But surely it is a personal conscientious decision?  I think everybody knows the consequences of drinking too much without being lectured to by scientists, friends or their mum & dad.  Enjoy it. Surely that is what it is all about.  'Til next time but remember to live simply, laugh often, wine alot.

A Bargain!!! About Time I Hear You Say

Every now and then we all buy that "special" bottle of wine that costs just a little bit more than we would normally like to pay then put it away for a "special" occasion. There is absolutely nothing wrong that of course but, what if it is the only bottle you have and friends or rellies drop by unexpectedly? Never fear BWS is here!!! Okay so they are everywhere which means you can grab an excellent bargain they have on offer until Tuesday. They are Penfolds Rawson's Retreat and Lindeman's Bin Range for $5.00 a bottle (6 or more) which is better than half price. Both of the ranges are very reliable wines and represent excellent value. My only advice would be, if you are looking at the Lindeman's Bin 45 Cabernet, try and find the 2009 vintage. Don't get me wrong the 2010 is good too but, if you are thinking of buying a dozen, the 2009 has two or three years cellaring potential. 'Till next time and remember to live simply, laugh often, wine alot.