Wine thread

[Scott Gourley's Lovechild]

Anything made using botrytis will be up your alley, just be aware that they can be expensive as it is a tough wine to make. Semillon is the most common grape used in making botrytis wines, but any white grape varietal can be used, which changes the taste. Riesling and Verdelho are pretty common as well.

A few other sweet wines to look out for:

- Anything that says "late harvest" or similar. The grapes have been left to further ripen before making wine, resulting in a sweeter product.

- Fortified wines. Port (Tawny these days) is the best known, but by no means the only sweet wine. Malmsey, Muscat, Topaque (formerly Tokay), Sweet Sherry (Australian Sherry is now called Apera), and Pedro Ximinez (a specific Sherry style + grape) are also sweet fortified wines. In that list, my personal favourites are Tokay, Muscat, and Pedro Ximinez.

- Some Rieslings are made quite sweet as well, but it is best to ask before buying as Riesling today is moving towards a dry or off dry style.

- Moscato (white) and Dolcetto + Syrah (red) will be the most common sweet wines you will find out and about, but these are "proper wines" as opposed to dessert or fortified. Every bottle shop will carry them as they are big sellers.

That should be a good starting point. Let me know how you go.

 

[Scott Gourley's Lovechild]

Okay AFS, this one might be up your alley:

Buller Fine Old Tokay (Topaque). Have been itching for either a Tokay or Muscat recently, and was drawn to this due to the amount of bling on it's label (the Muscat has more bling, but for me Tokay > Muscat). This is like drinking a packet of sultanas. Sweet without being sugary, and concentrated flavours of fruit cake and treacle, but without the "been made in a flour mill" finish of the entry level product. Good gear.

 

[afinalsin666]

Sick. I'll pick up a bottle for Xmas.

 

[Scott Gourley's Lovechild]

I broke my personal rule and bought it from Dan Murphy's. $19.

 

[Drew-Sta]

McWilliams Botrytis Semillion is nice, sweet and cheap. Also, Fruitwood White is often $5 for a bottle. Sweet and enjoyable.

Also, our Muscat (Hanwood) is bloody brilliant. $12 from most places. Love me some Muscat.

Had a 2011 Mt Pleasant Mothervine Pinot Noir. Was gorgeous, but had burnt my taste buds earlier today eating a meat pie so didn't get the full range.

Did notice the wine exploded after eating; wasn't harsh or 'hot'. Smooth, a little cherry and fruit coming through. Just gorgeous. Full bottle was drunk by wife and I.

 

[Scott Gourley's Lovechild]

Can I assume Pinot is your fav red?

 

[Drew-Sta]

Its not set. I'm a big shiraz fan to be honest, but just discovered Pinot in the last 12 month really. Its been a great exploration

Edit - I also really dig grenache.

 

[Skinner]

Great blog Baz. Wine without the bullshit - I like it.

 

[afinalsin666]

That wine is the shit sgl. Cheers bro.

 

[Scott Gourley's Lovechild]

That wine is the shit sgl. Cheers bro.

All good mate, enjoy!

 

[Drew-Sta]

Helped polish off a Olivers Rd 2010 Grenache today. As usual, it was delish.

But the treat? A Stentifords 2002 Old Vines Shiraz. Just phenomenal. The cherry flavours were unreal.

 

[thorson1987]

This is what I need when it comes to wine.

 

[thorson1987]

f**k that didn't work and I can't scroll across to edit for some reason.

 

[Scott Gourley's Lovechild]

Pic works here.

Wine is pretty easy, kinda like beer. Find one you like, then try different brands offering a similar style. Example, I like Reschs Pilsner. Then I look for other pilsners. James Squire, Pilsner Urquell, Little Creatures...

 

[Misanthrope]

Any tips for selecting a good red wine?

I've invited the Belgian round for dinner and a movie on Sunday night, and know nothing about red wine. I hate the stuff myself, but would like to make a good impression by having something suitably good on hand.

Preferably something that lowers inhibitions/standards >_>

 

[thorson1987]

Pic works here.

Wine is pretty easy, kinda like beer. Find one you like, then try different brands offering a similar style. Example, I like Reschs Pilsner. Then I look for other pilsners. James Squire, Pilsner Urquell, Little Creatures...

Fixed it before anyone else posted.

Going to Radelaide in a few weeks so I'm sure we will hit up a few wineries (dad is really into his wine)

 

[umina panther]

Any tips for selecting a good red wine?

I've invited the Belgian round for dinner and a movie on Sunday night, and know nothing about red wine. I hate the stuff myself, but would like to make a good impression by having something suitably good on hand.

Preferably something that lowers inhibitions/standards >_>

I only ever seem to like merlot but I don't know anything

 

[Scott Gourley's Lovechild]

Any tips for selecting a good red wine?

I've invited the Belgian round for dinner and a movie Sunday night, and know nothing about red wine. I hate the stuff myself, but would like to make a good impression by having something suitably good on hand.

Preferably something that lowers inhibitions/standards >_>

That's easy, Stanley Shiraz Cab...

What are you having for dinner? Northern European, go for a Pinot Noir if options are limited. Failing that, anything in a Cabernet or Cabernet blend would be a good idea.

 

[Misanthrope]

That's easy, Stanley Shiraz Cab...

What are you having for dinner? Northern European, go for a Pinot Noir if options are limited. Failing that, anything in a Cabernet or Cabernet blend would be a good idea.

Not sure on the dinner front. We're ordering from a gourmet place that will deliver. Could be expensive sandwiches, could be pasta, could be Thai. Really depends on her tastes.

 

[Scott Gourley's Lovechild]

Go with Pinot then, soft enough to match most options there. If not, a Cab Merlot or Shiraz.