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It’s all about the blend this week as we look at wines that run from multi-regional all the way to single vineyard. The first wine is a multi-regional blend that can be had at under $10 at the moment. Our second wine adds grapes from a brilliant chardonnay region to the family vineyards of the Clare Valley. The final wine this week comes from just one vineyard in Coonawarra, and shows that the 04 Cabernets continue to shine.

In this episode we recommend:

• Penfolds Koonunga Hill Shiraz Cabernet 2006 ($9-15)
• Taylors Jaraman Chardonnay 2007 ($20-25)
• Yalumba The Menzies 2004 ($40-45)

Download the video: (4 min 37 sec)
Windows Media (18.3 Mb) | Mpeg4 (14.2 Mb) | Ipod (18.9 Mb)

Cheers… and happy wine buying!

Brad and Danny

Not too long ago chardonnay got to the point where it was so overblown with oak and butter that some people started to move away from the variety. This week we kick off by looking at an offering from a Victorian producer who stays away from the old practices and delivers a chardonnay that is brilliantly drinkable. We also look at a Coonawarra Cabernet which is producing the goods year after year and a Tasmanian pinot noir with a bit of weight to it.

In this episode we recommend:

• Shadowfax chardonnay 2006 ($25-28)
• Penley Estate Phoenix 2006 ($17-25)
• Stoney Rise pinot noir 2007 ($25-28)

Download the video: (4 min 22 sec)
Windows Media (17.5 Mb) | Mpeg4 (13.3 Mb) | Ipod (17.8 Mb)

Cheers… and happy wine buying!

Brad and Danny

No time to waste this week… we’re flat out like a lizard drinking! Because we’re so busy we give you three great wines at great prices and don’t mess around. In just over three and a half minutes we look at a classic red from a big name in the Hunter Valley, a very drinkable riesling from the Clare Valley which can be had for under $10 and a Barossa shiraz that’s big, bold and easily affordable.

In this episode we recommend:

• Mount Pleasant Philip shiraz 2005 ($13-15)
• Hardy’s Siegesdorf riesling 2006 ($9-10)
• Elderton Barossa shiraz 2005 ($23-26)

Download the video: (3 min 39 sec)
Windows Media (14.9 Mb) | Mpeg4 (11.2 Mb) | Ipod (14.8 Mb)

Cheers… and happy wine buying!

Brad and Danny

This week we look at a wine specifically released for “on premise outlets” which is wine speak for available only at restaurants and the like. We also look at two great offerings from Coonawarra perfect for a big celebration. The first is a classic cabernet from the region that is now under stelvin closure. The second is a Bordeaux blend that has all the big names gushing about just how brilliant it is.

In this episode we recommend:

• Wynns Coonawarra Estate cabernet sauvignon 2006 ($23-32)
• Shadowood Barossa semillon 2007 ($24)
• Petaluma Coonawarra 2005 ($39-45)

Download the video: (4 min 30 sec)
Windows Media (18 Mb) | Mpeg4 (13.8 Mb) | Ipod (18.3 Mb)

Cheers… and happy wine buying!

Brad and Danny

This week we check out an aged riesling where the producer has done all the hard yards of cellaring it correctly, holding it back for more than 5 years just for your enjoyment now. We also look at a shiraz from a winemaker who is doing great things at low prices and a Rhone style blend with a splash of something extra.

In this episode we recommend:

• Jacob’s Creek Reserve shiraz 2006 ($13-16)
• Wolf Blass White Label riesling 2002 ($38-40)
• Henschke Henry’s Seven 2006 ($25-30)

Download the video: (4 min 14 sec)
Windows Media (16.9 Mb) | Mpeg4 (12.9 Mb) | Ipod (17.2 Mb)

Cheers… and happy wine buying!

Brad and Danny

This week we look at two wines from the Yarra Valley, and one from McLaren Vale. The first of our Yarra Valley wines is a shiraz from a producer who buys grapes from great vineyards and asks some of the best known winemakers of the district to create the wines for them - with brilliant results. The second is a chardonnay which is in limited supply, but is widely regarded as one of the best of the variety especially when you consider the price tag. Our McLaren Vale offering is a favourite and shows that even in the years that aren’t the absolute best they can produce wonderful results.

In this episode we recommend:

• Toolangi shiraz 2005 ($20-22)
• Hoddles Creek Estate chadonnay 2006 ($18-20)
• Wirra Wirra Church Block 2006 ($16-20)

Download the video: (4 min 15 sec)
Windows Media (16.8 Mb) | Mpeg4 (12.9 Mb) | Ipod (17.3 Mb)

Cheers… and happy wine buying!

Brad and Danny

This week we look at three wines that really sing. The first is a Coonawarra red that showcases the Aussie duet of Cabernet and Shiraz. The next is a chart-topping Rutherglen muscat that the reviewers all love. And finally we look at a Barossa riesling which is a true headline act without the big ticket price.

In this episode we recommend:

• Majella The Musician 2006 ($17-18)
• Buller Old Fine muscat NV ($15-18)
• Jacobs Creek Steingarten riesling 2006 ($23-31)

Download the video: (4 min 00 sec)
Windows Media (16.1 Mb) | Mpeg4 (12.2 Mb) | Ipod (16.3 Mb)

Cheers… and happy wine buying!

Brad and Danny

This week we kick off with a red wine that wins awards and has a lot of admirers but also proves that inexpensive wine can be good, not just cheap. We also look at two wines that come from interesting places. There’s a red made from Grampians grapes, but made in the big city. And finally we check out a wine from one of Australia’s most respected wine universities, a chardonnay that’s got literally hundreds of medals over the years.

In this episode we recommend:

• Angove’s Long Row cabernet sauvignon 2006 ($7-10)
• The Story Grampians shiraz 2006 ($18-20)
• Charles Sturt University chardonnay 2007 ($13-15)

Download the video: (4 min 25 sec)
Windows Media (17.4 Mb) | Mpeg4 (13.7 Mb) | Ipod (18.0 Mb)

Cheers… and happy wine buying!

Brad and Danny

This week we have three wines from the 05 vintage, each of which retails around the $20 mark or under. There’s a red with a great name, and great reputation for quality at not much money. We also check out a Hunter Valley semillon that’s ready to drink now, but can handle lots of cellar time. And to finish things for the week we look at a red blend that’s a great option for both red meat and wood fired pizza!

In this episode we recommend:

• d’Arenberg Footbolt shiraz 2005 ($14-20)
• Chatto Wines semillon 2005 ($18-20)
• Oliver’s Taranga Corrina’s 2005 ($18-21)

Download the video: (4 min 35 sec)
Windows Media (18.2 Mb) | Mpeg4 (14.1 Mb) | Ipod (18.7 Mb)

Cheers… and happy wine buying!

Brad and Danny

This week we suggest an expensive wine as we check out one of the eargerly anticipated Penfolds super premium releases. As well we look at a Rosé especially for those in areas where the weather is warming up, and we also recommend a riesling from WA.

In this episode we recommend:

• Turkey Flat Rosé 2007 ($20-24)
• Mad Fish riesling 2006 ($14-15)
• Penfolds St. Henri shiraz 2004 ($70-90)

Download the video: (4 min 45 sec)
Windows Media (18.4 Mb) | Mpeg4 (14.5 Mb) | Ipod (19.3 Mb)

Cheers… and happy wine buying!

Brad and Danny