2008 Seraphim Chardonnay

I agree it is sometimes so much easier to buy a brand you're familiar with because, usually, you've bought it before and you know what you are going to get.  It's called 'playing it safe' and why wouldn't you.  When it comes to wine I can understand that, to a certain extent.  Well, I used to be the same but not anymore (mainly thanks to social media).
Recently I was lucky enough to have been introduced to a small one man concern in North East Victoria called Seraphim Wines.  Sam Scapari is the winemaker who has experience in California and the Mornington Peninsula where Pinot Noir and Chardonnay reign supreme.
The 2008 Seraphim Chardonnay ($22) is, quite simply, a delicious wine.  The aromas on the nose run through to the palate with lush creamy/buttery characteristics evident.  Yes, it is a rich, mouth-filling wine but not like the heavy, bold chardonnays of years gone by.  It is much more inviting and desirable.  As it turns out, there is still some of this available through the website (www.seraphimwine.com.au/product-p/2008-aged-chardonnay.htm) and I'm sure Sam's more recent chardonnays are just as good as this one. Find it, buy it and share it with friends.

Until next time and remember, live simply, laugh often, wine alot.

2007 McWilliams Lovedale Semillon

Semillon would have to be the most under-rated varieties in Australia (alongside Chardonnay).  There are so many excellent examples available at many different price points.  I've tried a few and believe me, they can be an excellent food wine and have tremendous ageing potential.
I have been fortunate enough to have a bottle of the 2007 McWilliams Lovedale Semillon in my cellar and, seeing as though every day is a day to open a special bottle, I decided to crack a bottle.  At $60 a bottle (able to be regularly found discounted to $40) it's not the most affordable example I know.
Even at 7 years of age this wine still displays some lovely youthful characters.  Lemon and slightly grassy aromas (which concerned me because I'm not a fan of Sav Blanc) but the palate was rich, toasty and the acid was so delicate.  I'm pleased I have another bottle tucked away because this will develop very nicely.  When to drink the last bottle? Maybe at my 60th birthday.
Do yourself a favour and find one and give it a try.  Not necessarily this one but have a look around for McGuigan Bin 9000 ($12), McWilliams Elizabeth ($15) and Tyrrell's Belford ($26).

Live simply, laugh often, wine alot.

Authors, Journalists, Bloggers, Samples, Samples, Samples Galore

As most people know I read as much as I can about wine & wines alike.  This includes magazines, books, newspapers, bottleshop flyers and online notes.  One thing that stood out to me was the amount of 'samples' that get sent to so many 'experts' for their opinion.  And get this!  Not all who get sent a sample even bother to review the wine!  I would hate to work out how many bottles get sent out but, when you think about how many books, magazines, newspapers and tastings are held, it must surely add up.  To me that means a truck load of wine is being drunk for free.  Ultimately, who pays for this 'free' wine?  I reckon I only need one guess.  Don't get me wrong, I've been lucky enough to be offered, and sent, free wine but, here's the difference.  I felt guilty about it.  On one occasion I rang the winery to let them know I was not a journalist or an author and as such, probably could not assist with promoting their product.  Their answer.  "...but you are a consumer whose opinion is important to us."  In the end I sent Tassie wine to those that sent me their wine and I shared their wines with friends that would give an honest opinion of the wine.  Win Win I reckon.  So, in reality, who acutally is the right person to write about wine?  Whose opinion really matters?  I reckon I only need one guess.  It may sound like I'm jealous but I'm not.  I drink wine for what it is.  A consumable to be enjoyed with good food & friends  'Til next time but remember, live simply, laugh often, wine alot.

Wine Tasting Events

Those who know me will not be surprised to hear I enjoy drinking wine but, I also like tasting it, and, I much prefer to taste before I buy.  It makes sense surely.  In Tasmania there are regular wine tastings ranging from the Taste Festival down to the weekend tasting at the local bottle shop.  All of which have their place. This weekend in Hobart, Wine South Tasmania (WST) conducted the White Wine Weekend at Henry Jones IXL Atrium. There were 60+ white wines including sparkling, riesling, gewurztraminer, pinot gris, sauvignon blanc, chardonnay and a couple of sweet ones to finish off.  This is an annual event and WST also conduct the Red Wine Weekend earlier in the year.  I have to say, these are excellent events (I am not a participant nor a relative of any of the participanting wineries).  My wife and I have attended both events since they started and, every time we have, the winemakers and/or owners of the vineyards have been very engaging and happy to answer questions about their wines or just have a chat about anything really (sadly, two or three remembered me from previous events.  I wonder if that's a good thing or a bad thing).  We were there for over 3 hours and, some of these people served tastings the whole time without a break (that I saw) and still managed to appear enthusiastic.  I take my hat off to them and the organisers for a magnificent event that we will certainly continue to patronise and promote to our friends. 'Til next time and remember to live simply, laugh often, wine alot

Wine & Food Blogging Sites

Being a recent convert to certain social media sites, I was pleased to come across some very informative wine & food blogs and not all by 'experts'.  The tasting notes for wines, the wine & food matching and the (sometimes) basic attitude to the (sometimes) indulgent pastime makes for interesting reading.  A very good one which provides a great insight into the different types of grape varieties in Australia is vinodiversity.com.  Another that caught my attention for the easy 'readability' of the tasting notes and the "passion without the pretentiousness" approach is Qwineblog.  When it comes to a web/blog that makes it clear what it's aim is, brotherhoodshiraz takes all the guess work out of it.  Yes it's about Shiraz (duh!) but it is also about different Shirazzes (spelling?).  Another one I have to mention is vinofreakism. This blog is extremely diverse in its make up as it is with it's content.  There are many more in the blogging world that will and can suit everyone's needs.  Being a blogger myself, I find them also educational in extending and developing my knowledge of the wine world.  Check these and other blogs out to satisfy your own wine & food curiousity.  You never know.  There may be a hidden blog talent somewhere inside you.  'Til next time and remember to live simply, laugh often, wine alot.

Wine Glasses for Wine Varieties

If I told you, by using the correct wine glass for a particular wine variety, you will get more of everything out of the wine.  Don't believe me?  I can understand that.  A few years ago I was told the same thing and scoffed at the suggestion and, decanting a wine, HA!!!  That would have seemed like a waste of (drinking) time.  Well I'm a convert on both accounts.  Recently my wife and I were lucky enough to be involved in a structured tasting by the General Manager of Riedel Australia.  The way this was conducted was amazingly educational. There was a Riesling, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir & Cabernet Sauvignon glass containing about 30ml of each of those specific varieties.  The idea was to try each different wine in a different glass which we did...of course.  Well, I'm telling you right here, right now, you can tell the difference.  If you are not into your wine as much as someone like me, (with respect) there is no point in this.  If you are (and I assume that is why you are reading this) then do yourself a favour and give it a try.  You will be pleasantly surprised believe me.  Prior to the event, I had trouble convincing my wife of the value of forking out a few extra dollars for good wine glasses.  Not any more. She was literally stunned by the difference.  Not that I have been given carte blanche to spend a fortune on wine glasses.  We came away from the event with a box containing four varietal specific glasses each and we already have a pretty good stock of Riedel glasses so, we are right for a while.  Anyway, give it a try...please!!! 'Til next time and remember to live simply, laugh often, wine alot.

Cellar Door Experiences

The first contact you have at a winery cellar is the people who will pour you a taste of their product.  It is no different to any customer service experience you may have at a cafe, clothes store or gym.  It will leave a lasting impression.  Recently, in the company of others, I visited six cellar doors in the Barossa Valley and one in McLaren Vale.  All of which left positive impressions on us all.  The people were very engaging without being over the top, they were happy to answer our questions and even provided us with a tasting of something special that "...just happened to be open".  Yes, we were tourists, but I think the difference was, we were not a bus load of tyre kickers going from one cellar door to the next just to get smashed.  If it is a small boutique winery, there is a good chance the person who is pouring the wine is the winemaker and/or the owner.  He/she has put a lot of time and effort into their wines and enjoy telling people about them.  They welcome questions from the enthusiastic amateur and the self-appointed expert so, only pick 3 or 4 cellar doors a day, and soak up the experience.  You won't realise you are also soaking up some fine wine, hand-made with enthusiasm and passion.  Oh, and, don't forget to eat somewhere along the way.  'Til next time and remember to live simply, laugh often, wine alot.