Am I the only person who hates Australian wine?

The only Aussie wines I enjoy are Shiraz and Shiraz blends. Aussie knows how to make them far better than California. Try Penfolds Grange if you can afford it.

I used to enjoy Penfolds 707 Cab but its gotten expensive and not as good as it was in earlier years.

That is simply not true. An Aussie winery can produce a wine that is nearly identical in characteristics of a California wine and both are horrible swill. It may very well be that it isn't a particular common style inherent in most Aussie wines thats at issue. It's trying to find one that fits the OP's tastes.

I don't care for most French reds as I prefer up front fruit thats more common with California wines. However, there are California reds that aren't fruit forward and there are some French reds that are.

"Ken Blake" wrote .....

Ken I must agree totally.

For a start, how on earth can anyone lump together all the wines produced in that country as "Australian"!!

That is the same as grouping all wines produced in the USA as "American" - not allowing any latitude for regional differences, or the size and

Firstly, for all you geographically challenges contributors, did you know that mainland Australia is actually larger in area than mainland USA?

Once you accept this very minor fact, are you now bleating that you don't like US wines because you don't like wines from the Finger Lakes region out East?

If you shout from the highest hills that you don't like US wine, based on the fact that your experience is based on s***ty jug wines from an industrial producer in Ca., then you have absolutely no credibility: and arguing with such a person is a waste of time and energy.

As previously mentioned, Australia is larger than the USA; the wine producing regions of Hunter Valley (NSW) and Yarra Valley (Victoria) are just as far from Margaret River (Western Australia) as Boston is from San Francisco.

So, for anyone to just lump the whole Australian wine industry into one general heading just proves the OPs ignorance.

Trying to compare Shiraz from Heathcote (Vic) vs Hunter Valley vs McLaren Vale requires more than buying some cheap crap with a colourful label in Ohio.

Until one has tried some 25 year old aged Semillon from the Hunter Valley; or a 50 year old Muscat from Rutherglen; or a serious Pinot Noir from Mornington; or some sensational Chardonnay from Western Australia - or worked through a vertical of Grange or Hill of Grace (or any other very serious red from South Australia) covering 15-20 years, then you know jackshit about Australian wines.

And if the sum total of your experience amounts to wines of the ilk of Two Buck Chuck or some industrial plonk from the Languedoc - I need say no more.

AGREE

I think I love you...:>)

hooroo....

Je deteste Americano vino, tambien. he he he Dee

Here's one to look for, Dee Dee,

I just came across a South Australian Cabernet clealry labeled for export to USA. Its called, "Bootleg" from L>

Ah! Cotes de Beaune! A perfect entry level to French Reds. I remember it well! :)

That's a very typical flavour of the Hunter Valley and some other regions (Riverland, Western New South Wales, etc) which simply get too hot at the height of summer.

Thanks, I'll add it to my list and keep a look-out for it. Quite a name! Dee Dee

One was

- we haven't opened.

The other one was one that DH drank, not at home, so I didn't share.

DH likes Gary's

Here is one we will try next trip to Gary's, an Australian Shiraz.

A local young man who did some landscaping and patio work for us recentley whose surname is Beaune says that his ancestors have been traced to France. Here in the country, in Virginia, it is pronounced "Bow in." (like bow and arrow). :-))

Dee Dee

Unfortunately, in the UK, you are limited in you selections of OZ and US wines. OTOH, you DO get some great FR, ES and other European wines. Based on the OZ offerings, that I have had in the UK, I tend to agree with you. Based on what I have encountered from the US, I understand why folk in the UK might think that all US wine is dreck!

There is a great world of wine out there, but a lot of the "better stuff," just does not make it to all markets. This is too bad, as one only can judge by what they are exposed to.

As for Chilean wines, the ONLY one that I would buy, is one that I encountered in Shepard's Market (Le Boudin Blanc, Mayfair). I have attended a dozen high- end Chilean wine dinners, sitting at the right (or left) hand of the winemakers, or winery owners, only to find the wines insipid and not worth the $, or £. I usually get "comp'ed" bottles, as most retailers and distributors in my area know how I feel. I do not have to pay for most of these, but would not buy most, even on sale. Still, the sommelier in Mayfair changed my mind, even though the conversation was concerning his nice Bdx. offerings, many of which were highly allocated in the US.

It all depends on what one is exposed to. Please do not attempt to judge ALL OZ and US wines, by what you encounter. I will do the same for the Chileans, and one day hope to find a second, that I would pay any money for.

Hunt

Yes, we are limited if you only shop in supermarkets where most of the Australian wine these days is made down to a price, but I can easily source Grange, St Henri, RWT, 707, 389, Wynn's Michael and John Riddoch all from Tesco.

Majestic can do Torbreck "The Descendant" if you have the cash. Oddbins have 707 and Dead Arm (and most of Chester's other offerings)

The traditional UK wine merchants aren't at all averse to stocking good Australian wine either. I've got some 2004 Yarra Yering Dry Red No1 (Parker 95-100) sitting in storage at a UK wine merchant. Thankfully bought en primeur before Mr P scored it. It's also possible to find some interesting Australian boutique wines if you look.

James James Dempster

You know you've had a good night when you wake up and someone's outlining you in chalk.

It was Hospice de Beaune. The one waiting now, to warm up a bit, is Gevrey-Chambertin 2000 Domaine Maume but I will only have a small glass as I prefer a very dry white wine.

Judith

On Jun 25, 3:06 am, Dee Dee wrot

I pronounce it Bone. Woof woof!!

Judith

The Australian's can produce some fantastic wines, but regretfully their biggest brands (i.e.: Yellow Tail, among others) tastes horrible. Where as the better and smaller wineries get buried in the mix. Take a look at Hope Vineyards. Very good and not expensive.

TS

snipped-for-privacy@nospam.com

James, 99% of my exposure to wines (OZ and US) in the UK, has been limited to restaurants and VinExpo. Now, I do pass by an Odd-Bins, or two, in Mayfair, but usually am not looking to pick up my wines retail. I'm certain that there are many great wine shops in London, let alone the rest of the UK. Just for kicks, I should visit a few, on my next trip.

What I find at UK restaurants, however, is that US wines are most often poorly represented and are very, very expensive. Pretty much the same for the wines of OZ. A lot probably has to do with what each sommelier preceives as that restaurant's market. OTOH, I do find wonderful FR wines, that do not make it to much of the US, and, if one doesn't get too hung up on "exchange rates," and the like, are not bad values.

If one is exposed to JUST the swill of a particular country, and charged unfairly for it, they will likely decide that THAT country does not produce good wines.

I have not had any luck finding more than one Chilean wine, that I liked, and felt that maybe I was falling into the same trap. I do not even accept gifts of Chilean wines from retailers, or distributors, unless they are at the upper end, now. Still, only one, that I would actually buy. When someone offers me a Chilean under, say US$50, I respectfully decline, and opt for something that I feel certain, that I will like. I would imagine that this happens alot in the UK, if all one tries are Robert Mondavi Coastal, or many of the lower-end OZ wines - they assume that that is all there is and stay with FR, or IT. Can't say that I blame them.

No, next trip, I'll make sure to do a tour of the better wine retailers, just to educate myself.

Thanks for the comment, Hunt

When you do, would you be kind enough to post on it?

Judith