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In this, our final episode of 2008, we look back at our favourite dozen wines from the past year, and you could win one of two complete sets of the Best Dozen of ‘08!

As always our criteria was to pick our favourite bottles based both on the quality of the wine and value for money. It would have been simple to pick the 12 most expensive wines but we think that there are some absolutely brilliant bargains out there. If a wine is a brilliant drop and is awesome value for money it ranks pretty high with us.

For your chance to win, all you need to do is subscribe to our weekly emails. You can get extra entries into the draw by sending the competition details out to as many friends as you like - for everyone who you refer you’ll get an extra chance to win one of the two Best Dozen of ‘08 packs.

Following us on twitter also gains you an entry to win this fabulous prize valued at over $370.

The Best Dozen of ‘08 are (in no particular order):

• Clover Hill vintage 2003 ($32-38)
• Leo Buring Clare Valley riesling 2008 ($15-18)
• Wolf Blass White Label riesling 2002 ($38-40)
• Charles Melton Rose of Virginia 2008 ($16-22)
• De Bortoli Windy Peak pinot noir 2007 ($9-15)
• Mike Press cabernet sauvignon 2006 ($10-14)
• Charles Sturt University chardonnay 2007 ($13-15)
• Hardys Oomoo McLaren Vale shiraz 2006 ($12-15)
• Penfolds St. Henri shiraz 2004 ($70-90)
• Yalumba The Menzies 2004 ($40-45)
• Pirathon by Kalleske shiraz 2006 ($20-24)
• St. Hallett Blackwell shiraz 2006 ($30-35)

Download the video: (6 min 40 sec)
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Cheers… happy wine buying and good luck in our competition!
Click here to enter by subscribing.
Click here to enter by following on twitter.
Competition terms and conditions.
Brad and Danny

Yes, it’s that time of year. No matter if you’re hosting the party or need something to take along to the big bash you’ve been invited to we have a couple of great ideas. If there’s turkey or chicken involved (and there’s a fair bet there might be) then our first wine is a great selection. It’s another Chardonnay from the Adelaide Hills which continues the great run of the grape from this little region. We follow this up with a big cabernet from the Coonawarra, a wine from the great 2004 vintage which should still be available now. Our last wine is a bargain shiraz which won’t break the bank if you’re wining and dining a huge crowd this festive season.

In this episode we recommend:

• Richmond Grove Adelaide Hills chardonnay 2007 ($19-24)
• Punters Corner cabernet sauvignon 2004 ($25-30)
• Quarisa Johnny Q. shiraz 2006 ($10-13)

Download the video: (4 min 10 sec)
Windows Media (16.8 Mb) | Mpeg4 (12.8 Mb) | Ipod (17.0 Mb)

Cheers… and happy wine buying!

Brad and Danny

After last week’s “money no object” special, we decided that we would get back to some more affordable wine. We have a look at a Chenin Blanc, a grape we haven’t done on its own on WineWeek until now. For reds we look at a great value pinot noir from the Mornington Peninsula, and a to continue the French styled theme we also look at a GSM, Rhone style blend from the Margaret River region.

In this episode we recommend:

• Kalleske Florentine chenin blanc 2008 ($17-20)
• Stonier pinot noir 2007 ($25-30)
• McHenry Honen 3 Amigos 2006 ($22-25)

Download the video: (4 min 37 sec)
Windows Media (18.3 Mb) | Mpeg4 (14.1 Mb) | Ipod (18.1 Mb)

Cheers… and happy wine buying!

Brad and Danny

To mark our milestone 100th episode we thought we would have a special episode where we look at four of the best wines in Australia. To narrow it down a little we decided to break it up into four categories.

The first category is a white, and unusually for us the top wine is a chardonnay, and not a riesling. It’s a great drop from the Margaret River region and will be no shock to anyone being named Australia’s best white, especially given the current vintage.

Our next top wine is a cult wine, from a relatively new producer. It’s a big, powerful, red from a Barossa producer who has a legion of fans across the globe thanks to some great reviews from the top wine writers. But it’s not all about power with this red, as a splash of viognier adds subtlety and grace to the super old shiraz vines.

Of course no list of Australia’s top wines would be complete without our next wine. A true icon of Australian winemaking, the name is known across the world. People who don’t drink wine know this wine’s name and know it’s reputation as Australia’s finest drop. This red is ideal for cellaring for the long term, and is the wine that so many Australians have celebrated important milestones by opening.

To round things out we thought we would include a wine that is uniquely Australian. The fortified wines of the Rutherglen region are truly distinctive and recognised as singularly exceptional when at their best. Some producers from the region have stock of old wine dating back many generations. Our pick has dipped into some incredibly old wine to offer a blend that is exceptionally rare and worth every dollar of it’s high price tag.

In this episode we recommend:

• Leeuwin Estate Art Series chardonnay 2005 ($80+)
• Torbreck RunRig 2005 ($220+)
• Penfolds Bin 95 “Grange” 2003 ($500+)
• All Saints Museum Muscast NV ($1000)

Download the video: (8 min 06 sec)
Windows Media (29.5 Mb) | Mpeg4 (24.8 Mb) | Ipod (33.2 Mb)

Cheers… and happy wine buying!

Brad and Danny

With one week to go before a big 100th episode we look at three wines worthy of a special episode of their own. The first wine is a riesling from a vintage that is shaping up as a beauty. Our next two wines are both shiraz, one a Barossan from winery which hits the highs again, while the other is a young producer who almost took out the top trophy in Australia for young reds.

Danny is still growing a dodgy moustache. It’s all in order to help raise funds and awareness for men’s health as a part of movember. You can help by sponsoring danny’s mo growing activities.

In this episode we recommend:

• O’Leary Walker Polish Hill River riesling 2008 ($17-19)
• St. Hallett Blackwell shiraz 2006 ($30-35)
• Xabregas shiraz 2007 ($14-16)

Download the video: (4 min 42 sec)
Windows Media (18.6 Mb) | Mpeg4 (14.4 Mb) | Ipod (19.1 Mb)

Cheers… and happy wine buying!

Brad and Danny

This week we check out three great bargain wines that are perfect for when the dollars are a little tight. The first is a Coonawarra Cabernet that would be a perfect match with spring lamb. The second is a Chardonnay from the Yarra Valley. Our final wine is a french style blend perfect for getting into straight away. Best of all, they can all be had for under $20!

Danny is still growing a dodgy moustache. It’s all in order to help raise funds and awareness for men’s health as a part of movember. You can help by sponsoring danny’s mo growing activities.

In this episode we recommend:

• Katnook Estate Founder’s Block Cabernet Sauvignon 2006 ($17-19)
• Diamond Valley Chardonnay 2005 ($17-18)
• Hewitson Miss Harry 2006 ($16-19)

Download the video: (4 min 02 sec)
Windows Media (16.3 Mb) | Mpeg4 (12.3 Mb) | Ipod (16.4 Mb)

Cheers… and happy wine buying!

Brad and Danny

In 1976 there was a famous blind tasting now referred to as the “Judgement of Paris” in which US wines toppled the French as the judges favourites. This week we recommend a petite syrah from one of the producers who turned the world’s expectations upside down and proved great wine doesn’t have to be grown in France. We also look at a great value shiraz from the Heathcote region which is receiving rave reviews from today’s big critics. There’s also a saintly riesling that is a true bargain no matter who’s name is on the label.

Danny is also sporting a very average moustache. It’s all in order to help raise funds and awareness for men’s health as a part of movember. You can help by sponsoring danny’s mo growing activities.

In this episode we recommend:

• Orlando St. Helga riesling 2007 ($15-20)
• Stags’ Leap petite syrah 2005 ($35[us] - 50[au])
• Tyrrell’s Rufus Stone Heathcote shiraz 2006 ($17-25)

Download the video: (5 min 05 sec)
Windows Media (20.0 Mb) | Mpeg4 (15.6 Mb) | Ipod (20.7 Mb)

Cheers… and happy wine buying!

Brad and Danny

The spring racing carnival is well and truly underway and what better way to celebrate a win on the ponies than with a glass of wine! So this week we suggest three wines that would be brilliant at your Melbourne Cup party. The first is an Eden Valley riesling that’s a little sweeter than usual, but not overdone. To complete the spring racing theme we also look at two very different sparkling wines. One a super cool moscato ideal for those who like a lighter bet, the other a true French Champagne perfect for toasting the winners.

In this episode we recommend:

• Pewsey Vale Prima riesling 2008 ($20-25)
• Innocent Bystander moscato 2008 ($10-13)
• G.H. Mumm Cordon Rouge N.V. ($50-77)

Download the video: (4 min 18 sec)
Windows Media (17.3 Mb) | Mpeg4 (13.1 Mb) | Ipod (17.5 Mb)

Cheers… and happy wine buying!

Brad and Danny

This week we look at a chardonnay that is leading the pack with a lovely tight, clean style and a sparkling rose named after the hottest holiday destination on the planet. To finish things off we look at a wine that has it’s own facebook page and twitter account…. just like we do: http://twitter.com/wineweek

In this episode we recommend:

• Seppelt Jaluka chardonnay ($20-27)
• Bay of Fires Tigress sparkling rosé NV ($22-26)
• Kirrihill Companions cabernet merlot 2006 ($13-16)

Download the video: (4 min 16 sec)
Windows Media (17.2 Mb) | Mpeg4 (13.1 Mb) | Ipod (17.4 Mb)

Cheers… and happy wine buying!

Brad and Danny

Some wineries and regions are well known for producing specific styles of wine. This week we break the mould and look at three wines that aren’t exactly what you might expect. Our first wine is a riesling from a big name producer better known for their reds. The second wine is a cabernet blend from a region normally associated with shiraz. Our final wine is a light table wine from a producer and region better known for fortifieds and huge reds. Best of all, each one is a beauty!

In this episode we recommend:

• Penfolds Bin 51 riesling 2007 ($27-32)
• Blackjack cabernet merlot 2006 ($22-28)
• Morris blue imperial 2004 ($15-17)

Download the video: (4 min 12 sec)
Windows Media (16.9 Mb) | Mpeg4 (12.8 Mb) | Ipod (17.1 Mb)

Cheers… and happy wine buying!

Brad and Danny