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We try not to talk about wines we haven’t tried yet, but this week in an exception. In fact, we’re glad we haven’t tried it yet, because this coming week Best’s are holding a tweet-up where we, along with lots of others across the globe, will be opening some of their new releases and tweeting our tasting notes. It should be loads of fun, so why not join in!

A wine we have deinitely tasted is the Kalleske Clarry’s red blend. This bargain GSM blend underlines exactly why we think Troy Kalleske is such a great winemaker – it’s not just expensive wine that he does really well.

And speaking of blends, Brad checks out the Cabernet-Shiraz blend from Majella in the Coonawarra region known lyrically as the Musician.

This week’s recommendations are:

• Kalleske Clarry’s 2008 ($16-20)
• Best’s Great Western Riesling 2010 ($20-22)
• Majella The Musician 2009 ($15-$17)

Download the video: (4 min 29 sec)
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We are also super excited to announce the brand new Wine Week Radio podcast!

You can subscribe to the Wine Week Radio podcast via iTunes and every week we’ll have a new episode where we look at what’s happening in the wine industry.

Cheers… and happy wine buying!

Brad and Danny

Yesterday Australia found themselves with a new Prime Minister, Julia Gillard. While some have been focused on the fact this is Australia’s first female PM, we’re looking at it a different way.

Yes, our new leader has flaming red hair!

So what better way to toast the new PM than with a few bottles of red?! We first raise a class to the “Power Fox” (as Crikey have dubbed her) with glass of sparkling red. The Fox Creek Vixen is a lovely way to celebrate an early morning coup as it goes beautifully with bacon and eggs. While some make fun of red-heads by calling them “rangas”, we prefer to check out the Ata Rangi Crimson. It has been known as the second stringer for a long time, but it seems good enough for the job at hand. Lastly we pay homage to the outgoing Kevin Rudd with the Brave Faces from Two Hands. A soft, supple wine that pays its respects to history and the people who tended the country’s vines before those in charge today.

This week’s recommendations are:

• Fox Creek Vixen NV ($20-$23)
• Ata Rangi Crimson Pinot Noir 2008 ($30-$33)
• Two Hands Brave Faces GSM 2008 ($24-$26)

Download the video: (5 min 48 sec)
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Cheers… and happy wine buying!

Brad and Danny

This week is the last chance for you to be in the running to win our Best Dozen of 2009! But before we draw the winners over at http://wineweek.com.au/ we check out three wines hoping to make it to the top in 2010. The first is a great Riesling from Pipers Brook in Tasmania. Next is a “jam explosion” in the form of the Miss Harry from Hewitson in the Barossa Valley. The last wine we check out this week is a lovely Shiraz from one of the very best Margaret River producers in Cape Mentelle.

Want to win the Best Dozen of 2009? You’ll go into the draw if you’re a subscriber. If you’re a Twitter follower or a fan on Facebook then you’ve got another chance to win! Retweeting on twitter, or posting on your facebook wall with a link to the competition will get you another entry too! There are heaps of ways to give yourself the best possible shot at taking home one of the Best Dozen of 09 packs!

This week’s recommendations are:

• Pipers Brook Riesling 2008 ($25-28)
• Hewitson Miss Harry 2008 ($18-$23)
• Cape Mentelle Shiraz 2007 ($30-$32)

Download the video: (4 min 55 sec)
Windows Media (15.9 Mb) | Quicktime/iPod/iPhone (29.1 Mb) | Mpeg4 (15.5 Mb)

Cheers… and happy wine buying!

Brad and Danny

It’s the one book that serious Aussie wine geeks look forward to every year: The James Halliday Australian Wine Companion. The 2010 edition has hit the bookshelves and we’ve had a quick glance to see what Australia’s most renowned wine critic has given top marks to that we’re also fans of. So as well as giving James’ book a look, we check out the Brown Brothers Patricia Noble Riesling and the Teusner Joshua, two wines/wineries that fall into the ‘mutual admiration’ category.

This week’s recommendations are:

• James Halliday’s Australian Wine Companion 2010 ($30-35)
• Brown Brothers Patricia Noble Riesling 2006 ($30-35)
• Teusner Joshua 2007 ($20-$25)

Download the video: (4 min 11 sec)
Windows Media (16.9 Mb) | Quicktime/iPod/iPhone (17.0 Mb) | Mpeg4 (12.8 Mb)

Join the Wine Week footy tipping competition! (Entry is free and the winner receives brilliant Kalleske wine!)

Cheers… and happy wine buying!

Brad and Danny

Our first wine this week is celebrating its 64th consecutive vintage: The d’Arenberg d’Arry’s Original. And as you’d expect from a wine with this sort of history it’s a real beauty! We also check out the new vintage Pinot Noir from Hoddles Creek: A wine that’s helped to redefine what’s possible from inexpensive Yarra Valley Pinots. To round things out we look at an organically/biodynamically grown Riesling from Radford in the Eden Valley.

This week’s recommendations are:

• d’Arenberg d’Arry’s Original Shiraz Grenache 2006 ($15-18)
• Hoddles Creek Pinot Noir 2008 ($17-20)
• Radford Eden Valley Riesling 2008 ($20-23)

Download the video: (4 min 17 sec)
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Join the Wine Week footy tipping competition! (Entry is free and the winner receives brilliant Kalleske wine!)

Cheers… and happy wine buying!

Brad and Danny

This week we kick off by looking at another one of the new Penfolds Bin releases – a great GSM blend that is right on the money this vintage. We then look at a couple of genuine bargains – first up a cabernet sauvignon from the guys at Thorn Clarke who know all about value for money. Then we finish with one of the best value dessert wines going around – and it’s no surprise given it comes from the same stable as Noble One.

This week’s recommendations are:

• Penfolds Bin 138 2007 ($24-34)
• Thorn Clarke Sandpiper Cab Sauv 2006 ($14-15)
• De Bortoli Deen Vat 5 Botrytis Semillon 2006 ($10-13)

Download the video: (4 min 18 sec)
Windows Media (17.3 Mb) | Mpeg4 (13.1 Mb) | Ipod (17.4 Mb)

Cheers… and happy wine buying!

Brad and Danny

With all Aussies celebrating Australia Day this Monday we happily provide three wines that would be a great addition to any BBQ or party you’re throwing. The first is a single vineyard Canberra riesling that can be had now, or cellared for Australia Day 2020. The next is a Barossan red blend from a Young Gun of wine, while the last offering is a ‘drink-now’ styled shiraz also from the Barossa. And what could be more Aussie than drinking shiraz with your mates!?

This week’s recommendations are:

• Helm Premium reisling 2008 ($32-35)
• Spinifex Esprit 2006 ($25-30)
• First Drop Mother’s Milk 2006 ($18-20)

Download the video: (4 min 08 sec)
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Make sure you’re entered into the competition to Win our Best Dozen of ’08.
Click here to enter by subscribing.
Click here to enter by following on twitter.
Competition terms and conditions.

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

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

It’s all about the AFL Grand Final this week in Melbourne, so we take a look at three wines which would go down nicely while watching the big game. First up is yet another great value riesling from the Clare Valley, which is a regular on our quaffer list. We then look at a great entry point to trying out the great Torbreck range, and finish off with a terrific GSM blend which is perfect for drinking right now.

In this episode we recommend:

• Jim Barry Watervale Riesling 2007 ($13-16)
• Torbeck Cuvee Juvenilles 2007 ($24-28)
• Hardy’s Oomoo GSM 2005 ($11-14)

Download the video: (3 min 48 sec)
Windows Media (15.5 Mb) | Mpeg4 (11.6 Mb) | Ipod (15.4 Mb)

Cheers… and happy wine buying!

Brad and Danny