Wine Tasting from Airlie Beach

Originally started for keeping track of wines tastings at Jubilee Tavern, then expanded to any wine we drank. See also happy hours, party reports and beer and cider.

Since Xmas 1998, I haven't been to Jubilee Tavern all that often (they gave up on the cheese platter and the social aspects).

The Airlie Beach hotel also sometimes has Friday wine tastings, and that is a lot closer to home.

Sometime in early 2000, Jubilee Tavern (and also Whitsunday Cellars at Whitsunday Shopping Centre, Cannonvale) again started Friday wine tastings from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. I haven't checked them as yet (Real Soon Now), however the wines to be tasted are listed in the Whitsunday Times each week, and sound reasonable.

Another alternative is the Whitsunday Wine Appreciation Group (WAGS), who have a dinner at a leading restaurant every two months. On alternate months, regulars often have a wine night, at private home, on a Saturday or Tuesday. Dress is smart casual, and the atmosphere relaxed. No formal memberships, no joining fees, no annual subscriptions. Phone Ron Clark on 4946 5334 or write to PO Box 310, Airlie Beach.

I hasten to point out that I'm not a wine enthusiast (despite drinking my fair share), and these comments are mostly here to let me keep track of what I want to buy again. You can probably figure that out from the price range I favour.

Angove's Butterfly Ridge Columbard Chardonnay 2000

A very acceptable family owned South Australian wine maker. Interestingly, they say it is ready to drink now, with or without food. That's telling you.

Angove's Butterfly Ridge Shiraz Cabernet 2002

A very acceptable family owned South Australian wine maker. Soft red, needing some expose to air before consumption. Given the low price, it was pretty acceptable as a lunch drink

Angove's 1997 Mondiale Sauvignon Blanc Chardonnay Semillon

Angove's 1997 dry white blend. Very fancy hitech label, but the wine is a little boring compared to some.

Banrock Station Chardonnay

South Australia riverland region. Banrock is usually a good relatively inexpensive wine that mostly drinks well. This was on special again at Reef Gateway in Nov 2001 at $7, so we got a case.

Banrock Station The Reserve 2003 Chardonnay

South Australia riverland region. Tall, thin bottle, The Reserve refers to a restored wetland. Full bodied and very pleasant. Got this early 2004, and should try for more.

Banrock Station 2000 Semillon Chardonnay

South Australia riverland region. Banrock is usually a good relatively inexpensive wine that mostly drinks well. This was on special at Reef Gateway in Nov 2001 at $7, so we are hoping for a case.

Banrock Station 2001 Shiraz Cabernet

Pretty good cheap red, more than suitable for repeat buying. We now tend to go for the blends more than straight merlots, at least in the price range we allow ourselves.

Bellingham Vineyard Tasmanian Riesling 1996

This Rhine riesling from D T and J M Targett's Piper's Brook vineyard in Tasmania was a little too bland and subtle for me. The label says cellar it for 8 years, but our experience in the tropics suggests that is unwise for us.

Berri Brentwood Classic Dry White>/dt>

Chablis style dry white with an unreadable black on blue label, from South Australia. Got this at $2.50 in 2002. Didn't have a very pleasing bouquet, but tasted reasonable for that sort of price. I was pretty amazed.

Bleasdale Shiraz Cabernet Sauvignon 2003

The Potts family, Langhorn Creek, SA. Kurt Maring gave me a bottle for my 60th birthday. Jean and I both really enjoyed this one, and need to find another bottle.

Blues Point Chardonnay Semillon 2001

Killawarra Vintage Wines, South Australia. We collected this while in S.A. in keeping with out shopping locally policy. It was also the house wine at the hotel in Ceduna.

Browns Bin 60 Semillon Chardonnay 1998

Soft, seemed a bit past its peak. About $8 a bottle.

Brown Brothers 2003 Tarrango

Tarrango grapes from Milawa, Victoria. This Australian grape variety is used to produce a fresh, delicate, light bodied red wine. Nice one for the lighter wines I prefer in the tropics, however the price seems a little high for a wine that is almost in a Lombrusco style.

Casella Carramar Estate 1998 Merlot

Deep brick red, spicy nose complemented by French and American oak. Full but soft palate ready to drink now (April 2000) or cellar for three years. Casella are at Riverina NSW. Got the last botttle in the shop for $12 and it is a really nice drop. We are seeking more bottles.

Clovely Estate 2002 Burnett Classic White

Semillon grapes sourced from South Burnett region of SE Queensland. Early vintage picking fermented in stainless steel. Use now. Nice lunchtime wine, if the price is right.

Clovely Estate 2002 Semillon Chardonnay

Grapes sourced from South Burnett region of SE Queensland. Both varieties picked early to give a clean finish and fresh fruit taste. Seemed about the same as the 2001, so we are seeking more.

Clovely Estate 2001 Semillon Chardonnay

Grapes sourced from South Burnett region of SE Queensland. Both varieties picked early to give a clean finish and fresh fruit taste. I haven't expected much from Queensland wines (it is too warm) but this was a nice drop. We are now seeking more.

Clovely Estate 2002 Shiraz Merlot Cabernet

Grapes sourced from South Burnett region of SE Queensland. Aged in French and American higsheads for 14 months, for immediate comsumption. I thought it needed more aging. We don't intend to get more of this.

Coolabah

French owned

Conundrum Creek Merlot

1998 vintage merlot. Soft and fruity, but needs to sit for a little longer.

Coriole 2001 Lalla Rookh

Coriole 2001 Lalla Rookh McLaren Vale old wines is 55% grenache and 45% shiraz. Grenache from a 50 year old property named after the heroine from an 1817 Thomas Moore poem. Bottled February 2003 by Mark Lloyd. Winemaker Grant Harrison.

Cranswick Estate Unoaked Chardonnay 1996

Lot of fruit character, but not sweet. Jean likes it a lot. 9 Oct 1998 $9.99 a bottle

De Bortoli Premium Reserve Durif

Full bodied red with fruit flavours, but tasted a little musty compared to some other durif I had tried. Cask is a cheap way to drink the durif.

De Bortoli Sacred Hill Columbard Chardonnay 2001

On special cheap in early 2003, and was very pleasant at $4.50.

De Bortoli Sacred Hill Semillon Chardonnay 2002

On special cheap in early 2003, and was very pleasant at $5. Dry finish, with soft oak. better than a wine that price has any right to be.

De Bortoli Sacred Hill Shiraz Cabernet 2002

On special cheap in early 2003, and was very pleasant at under $5. Need a little airing, but the soft shiraz blends nicely with the heavier cabernet. Better than a wine that price has any right to be.

De Bortoli Sacred Hill Old Tawny Port

NSW blended port, selling at $5.95 a bottle. A lot smoother than the price range suggests. Value for money.

De Bortoli Montage 1997 Semillon Sauvignon Blanc

Dry character, with delicate but tasty fruit flavours. They suggest it with Asian and Thai, but I think it goes with any good food. $9 Very popular with us.

De Bortoli Montage 2002 Cebernet Merlot

Nice fruit flavour, very much ready to drink in mid 2003, with a smooth finish. Well under $10, so I'd better get a few more bottles.

De Bortoli Willowglen Semillon Chardonnay 1997

So drinkable we bought a case of this fruity white with an oak aftertaste when we first sampled it over dinner at The Lazy Frog. Around the $12 range if I recall rightly.

De Bortoli Deen Vat 7 Chardonnay 2000

Interesting but a bit too agressive in initial taste. One of a bundle of wines on special. Named after the Chairman and son of the founder.

Evans and Tate Gnangara 2002 Unwooded Chardonnay

Had these in Brisbane, but discovered they were way too sweet for our tastes. Fresh clean fruit, but sweet, not dry at all.

Evans and Tate Gnangara Sauvignon Blanc

Had these in Brisbane, but discovered they were way too sweet for our tastes. Fresh clean fruit, but sweet, not dry at all.

Evans and Tate 2003 Margaret River Chardonnay

Had this by accident while at Kununurra W.A. and liked it very much, although at $19.95 it is above the range at which we usually buy dinner wine. Good fruit and slight oak aftertaste. We had several bottles while we were in W.A.

Evans and Tate 2003 Margaret River Classic Shiraz Cabernet

On special at Liquorland, Broadway, Sydney in Feb 2005, and this was a wonderful drinkable red. When I looked for a second bottle I found the price is normally above our price range. Figures.

Eye Spy 2004 Cabernet Merlot

Yarra Ridge did a good job with this Victorian red. Jean was given it as reward for a talk she gave in Melbourne in June 2007.

EandC 1999 McLaren Vale Shiraz

Tried this in June 2001 at Mangrove Jacks, when a local lawyer bought a bottle for our table. I bought the second bottle. A very drinkable red, that luckily for our climate, does not need cellaring.

Flinders Bay Agincourt Cabernet Sauvignon Malbec Merlot 1999

Margaret River wine, left here by Lilian for us, and a very nice drop it was.

Flinders Bay Agincourt Cabernet Sauvignon 2005

Margaret River wine, mid 2007. Very nice red, on special.

Goundry Homestead 2002 Cabernet Merlot

West Australian wine from Mount Barker. Nice drop available locally in 2005, but prices are not good here.

Goundry Homestead 2003 Unwooded Chardonnay

West Australian wine from Mount Barker, which Jean liked with two out of the three meals with which she had it.

Gramp's Cabernet Merlot 1994

Orlando produce this at Rowland Flat, South Australia and it is a soft full flavoured wine with a touch of wood. Not a bad drop at all.

Hamilton Synergy Chardonnay

Willunga, southern McLaren Vale. Winemaker Paul Gordon. Nice drop.

Hardys Nottage Hill 1999 Chardonnay

Cheap but very acceptable white we first encountered as the $10 house wine in Sizzler restaurants. Found some in a local bottle shop at around $8 and it was still a lot more acceptable than the RR range.

Hardys RR 1997 Chardonnay

South Australian Regional Reserve. Fruity chardonnay, on special around $6 in April 1999. This bottle seemed a little weird in taste, and we couldn't decide if it was a little off ...

Hardys RR 2001 Chardonnay

South Australian Regional Reserve. Fruity chardonnay, on special around $6 in April 1999. In a one litre bottle at under $6 early 2002.

Hardys RR 1997 Classic Dry White

South Australian Regional Reserve. Fruity wine on special at around $6 in April 1999. Went well accompanying lunch, although it didn't have enough character to overcome the burrito seasoning.

Hardys RR 2001 Columbard Chardonnay

South Australian Regional Reserve. A nice drop for the price, better than I expected, on special around $6 in April 1999. In a one litre bottle at under $6 early 2002.

Iron Pot Bay Semilllon/Sauvignon Blanc 1997

A unwooded wine from the Tamar Valley, Tasmania. Winemaker is Andrew Hood. Not a lot of colour, but a distinctive aroma.

Jacob's Creek

Orlando, French owned

Jacob's Creek Semillon Chardonnay 2002

Orlando, French owned

Jacob's Creek Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon

2003. Very agreeable South Australian wine bought in mid 2007 as recommended by shop at Centra. Full, with smooth finish.

Jeanneret 2003 Semillon Sauvingnon Blanc

Clare Valley, Adelaide Hills. Semillon from Clare Valley, blended with Adelaide Hills grapes, with the semillon aged in French oak for a short while. Medium bodied, very paletable and fruity, without being too robust. From Jim, Xmas 2003. Nice drop.

Killawarra Brut

Rather nice SA sparkling wine, unidentified source for the fruit and vintage. We enjoyed it.

Kingston Estate 1998 Merlot

Nice fruity oaked merlot from the South Australian Riverland. It seemed to us it needed more age than we could provide, but wines don't cellar well where we are. Sampled January 2000, at about $12.

Lamont's 2001 Cabernet Merlot

70% cab sav and 30% merlot with some oak, from Margaret River W.A.

Lillydale Vineyards 1996 Yarra Classic Dry White

Established in the Yarra Vally in southern Victoria. Fresh spicy wine with light floral flavours. Guests brought it August 1999. Drink now.

Lenswood Green's Hill 1999 Riesling Henschke

Very nice light and fruity from a small South Australian vineyard.

Lindemans Reserve Padthaway Chardonnay 2002

Full flavoured fresh fruit from their South Australian vineyard. We found this at $10 a bottle when visiting Brisbane in July 2003, and it went down really well with light meals. Must see if we can find some more in our own area.

Mad Fish 2002 Premium red

Carernet sauvignon merlot from South West area of West Australia. We had this while driving through WA, after it was recommended by a local. Slight touch of oak, and nice flavours. Enjoyable. From Howard Park Wines.

Maglieri Australian Lambrusco Amabile

Maglieri are at McLaren's Flat, South Australia. Amabile means soft and mellow. Semi carbonated fruity wine from Grenache and Shiraz grapes. Served chilled. Bright red to rose colour. Lambrusco style wines tend to be lower alcohol (10% say) and appear very popular in warmer areas. More cask Lombrusco styles here than I ever saw in Sydney. Good drop for the tropics, served chilled.

Mazuran's Old Tawny Port 1946

Joe and Gay brought me this port for my birthday. Auckland, New Zealand was the origin. Wonderful port, which I doubt I'll see again.

McGuigan 1996 Bin 7000 Chardonnay

Brian McGuigan wines at Cessnock produce this flavoursome and complex wine. More character but not as fruity as the McLaren's Chardonnay below. $13.95 on 2 October 1998.

McGuigan 2000 Limited Release Merlot Bin 3000

I really liked this mellow Hunter red. Jean did not.

McGuigan 1997 Night Harvest

Pretty reasonable for a $8 wine. Bit subtle at first but grows in flavour.

McLarens on the Lake Cabernet Shiraz 1996

Produced by Andrew Garrett at McLaren Vale, South Australia, a 60% cabernet 40% shiraz. Dry red with fruit character and a touch of oak. Very drinkable red. Saturday 19 September 1998 $9 Would keep a few years more.

McLarens on the Lake 1998 Chardonnay

Produced by Andrew Garrett at McLaren Vale, South Australia, a ripe fruit character. Very drinkable white as far as I'm concerned. Saturday 19 September 1998 $9. We tend to get another bottle whenever we can't spot anything special to buy.

McWilliam's Hanwood Semillon 1994

Lightly oaked, and very drinkable. We used to get a case whenever we spotted it at the right price. Every now and then you get a bottle that is going off. Australian owned. Probably no longer available.

McWilliam's Hanwood Chardonnay 1997

We liked the 1994 Semillon and the Chardonnay, and this $9 white is has very drinkable fruit flavours, matured in small wood barrels, and a clean finish. We got a case. September 1998. The 1994 Semillon was our favourite after lunch glass. Every now and then you get a bottle that is going off. Australian owned.

McWilliam's Hanwood Chardonnay 1998

Jean preferred the chardonnay over the semillon.

McWilliam's Hanwood Semillon Chardonnay 1998

Very drinkable, but we preferred the chardonnay.

McWilliam's Hanwood Estate Chardonnay 2001

Our neighbour Betty brought this in January 2003. It says melon and buttery walnut with subtle oak. Tasted pretty good, so maybe we will try to find some.

McWilliam's Hanwood Pinot Noir Chardonnay Brut

A fruity sparkling wine, often available under $10 a bottle, which makes it fine for informal celebrations. Drank a lot at Y2K New Year.

McWilliam's Inheritance Chardonnay Columbard 1999

We found this $8 wine being served at about $10 at the restaurant at the Central Hotel in Normanton, up in the Gulf country. We liked it so much we got an extra bottle to take back to the motorhome, and had planned to pick up another before leaving town. Back at Airlie, we bought a case (which was all we could find).

McWilliam's Inheritance Chardonnay Columbard 2001

Found some of the 2001 version and it was still fine, and even cheaper. Hope we can find a case still. Found a case at $5 a bottle. Can't beat that for value.

McWilliam's Inheritance Shiraz Cabernet 2001

For a $6 red wine, this is ready to go right now, and very good value for the money. I prefer the Shiraz Merlot, and think I should have bought more than one bottle.

McWilliam's Inheritance Shiraz Merlot 2001

For a $6 red wine, this is ready to go right now, and very good value for the money. I should get more.

Miranda Mirrool Creek 1997 Chardonnay

Fresh fruity Riverina district wine that seemed pretty reasonable at $8 in April 1999. Would certainly get some more if available. Come to think of it, we seem to have gotten through a case by July.

Miranda Mirrool Creek 1998 Merlot

I find the problem with red wine here is that most needs to be held a while before drinking, however the tropical climate isn't kind to wines. This merlot is ready to drink straight away, and at $8 we grabbed every bottle we could find. Says on the bottle "rich fruitcake and black cherry flavours supported by sweet oak and subtle vanilla. The palate is silky smooth with fine, ripe tannins, giving a soft rounded finish." Dunno about that, but it tastes right.

Miranda Mirrool Creek 2001 Merlot

We picked up this cheap in late 2001. I thought it was OK, but Jean used it for cooking.

Miranda Somerton 2000 Chardonnay

Our bottle of this Griffith wine (on special) tasted sour and off. Cork didn't look great either.

Miranda Somerton 2000 Semillon Chardonnay

This seemed fine, but we don't often see it.

Moet and Chandon Brut Imperial

Gift bottle we opened when a group of US friends visited. I have long regarded it pointless to buy expensive champagne, on the basis that after the first glass, the difference isn't all that noticeable. I may have to change my mind after this. August 1999.

Montana 1997 Marlborough Sauvignon Blank

A flavourful fruity wine from New Zealand, goes well with spicy food. Bit pricy for everyday at around $14 a bottle, but a wonderful drop. 28 Jan 1999. Another bottle of the 2004 from Liquorland, Broadway Sydney in 2005. Very refreshing. Graham Stone liked it.

Montana Azure Bay Sauvignon Blanc Semillon

Australia and New Zealand blend. Nice bottle. I liked it. Jean did not.

Montana 2002 Gisborne Chardonnay

Nice drop at NZ$16 sampled in NZ while on trip.

Montana Timara 2001 Oak Aged Cabinet Cauvignon Merlot

Dry medium bodied red, very tasty at prices between NZ$14 and NZ$10. Chile and Australia blend, from a New Zealand winery.

O'Leary Walker 2001 Adelaide Hills Chardonnay

David O'Leary and Nick Walker, at Leasingham SA. Small batch hand made wines. A nice drop, much more like the traditional chardonnay we preferred before it became too sweet.

Omni NV

This Thomas Hardy and Sons product is a very reasonable low end of the middle range of champagne. Very consistent, and a good choice if nothing else catches your eye. Bit of a disappointment after the Moet and Chandon, but otherwise a nice enough sparkling fruity wine. We aren't allowed to call it champagne (not allowed to upset the French, even if they do send frogmen to New Zealand to sink the Rainbow Warrior and murder a Greenpeace anti-nuclear activist crewman).

Orlando Jacob's Creek Riesling 1998

John Carey brought this to my birthday party. Perhaps a little sweet for Jean's taste, but otherwise a very acceptable pre lunch wine. Floral bouquet and a dry finish. 2 Feb 1999. Frech owned.

Orlando Jacob's Creek Shiraz Cabernet

We had this at a dinner party in 2002, and enjoyed it. French owned.

Penfolds Kalimna Bin 28

Jim got four bottles of this 1995 vintage in late February 2003 at the Airlie Beach Hotel, and we drank them all the same night. Barossa shiraz, blended with other shiraz. An absolutely wonderful drop that you could drink all night. I'm looking for some more.

Penfolds 1994 Old Vine Barossa Valley Grenache-Shiraz-Mourvedre

From old low yield vines. A wonderful drop, probably well outside our price comfort zone.

Penfolds 2003 Old Vine Barossa Valley Grenache-Shiraz-Mourvedre

Jim brought this along on an evening in mid 2007 when we drank far too much.

Pertaringa Scarecrow Suavignon Blanc

McLaren Vale S.A. Subtle and enjoyable. Pertarina means Belonging to the Hills in Kukabrack. Winemaker Geoff Hardy.

Peter Lehmann Clancy's

Clancy's 2002 vintage Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc. A nice Barossa red, very much to our taste, especially when on special.

Poet's Corner 2000 Merlot

We had this at the Banjo Patterson Motel in Townsville with one of their fine dinners. It was a very drinkable red indeed. We made a note to check the price locally and try to get some more.

Poet's Corner 1999 blend

Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc blend. Rich fruit flavours, smooth finish, drinkable right now. Sampled at the Banjo Patterson, who received it in error and liked it.

Poet's Corner 2001 blend

Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc blend. Rich fruit flavours, smooth finish, drinkable right now. Again sampled at the Banjo Patterson, who received it in error and liked it. We have bought several bottles since.

Poet's Corner

2001 Semillon Sauvignon Blanc Chardonnay blend from Mudgee in NSW. Crisp and dry finish. Not the best we have had, but pretty acceptable, and worth trying again.

Renmano River Breeze Mataro Grenache Shiraz

Picked up one at $4 in January 2003 for a trial. It isn't the greatest wine I've ever tasted, but it must be close to best value for money red. I usually figure on a 25% to 50% premium to get a red as good as the whites. Fruity, a bit of taste, and after a few days gets a lot more mellow than I expected. My doctor says drink reds, and this makes a nice lunchtime drop. Don't try to impress fancy wine drinkers with it, just use it to keep the cost of your drinking habit down. Must see if I can get a case as my lunchtime red.

Renmano River Breeze Chenin Semillon Chardonnay

Riverland region of South Australia, and decidedly down the wine status trail. An economical crisp dry wine blend, very suited to light lunches, especially if you can pick it up for $40 a case as we could in November 1999. What year was it? Renmano aren't saying. It has a bit more character than the otherwise similar Flame Tree. Must admit however that some bottles seem to me to taste a fair bit different to other bottles. I basically keep buying it year after year as a cheap lunchtime drop. I can still get it at $4.50 a bottle in late 2001. And again at $3.99 in Jan 2003.

Renmano River Breeze Rhine Riesling

Riverland region of South Australia, and decidedly down the wine status trail. An economical dry riesling, very much like the older style rieslings, before the wine makers started making it as sweet as moselle (at which point we stopped buying). At $42 a case it is a good value lunchtime wine, especially if you don't intend it to age. What year was it? Renmano aren't saying.

Renmano River Breeze Sparkling Cuvee

This sparkling wine actually made a pretty good substitute for champagne, especially considering the very economical pirce. Perhaps best used for the second bottle, if you have something better for the first.

Richmond Grove Vintage 2000 Cabernet Merlot

Has a very nice bottle of this over dinner at Banjo's Steak House at the Banjo Patterson Motel in Townsville in November 2001. We must seek out some more of it. Got one bottle on special, and it was just as good. Find more.

Riversands Vinyards Explorers Chardonnay 2001

Dry white with a little oak from St George, in the Queensland Maranoa area. Made by A and D Blacket at Ballandean Estate. We tried this at the CMCA Barcaldine Rally in 2002, and Jean really liked it.

Riversands Wines Black magic Vintage Port

St George, Maranoa area of Queensland. I thought it a little young on initial tasting, but it improved with exposure to air. Named for Len Waters (1924-1993), a WWII Aboriginal fighter pilot, boxer, shearer, who flew 95 sorties in his Kittyhawk Black Magic with 78th squadron in New Guinea in 1944.

Rosemount Estate Cabernet Merlot 1999

About $12 a bottle. Australian family owned. Smooth and drinkable right now, and doesn't stay on our shelf long enough to mature further. Some of the merlots out now are really nice.

Rosemount Estate Chardonnay estate bottled 1999

Couple of medals, says it has fresh fig aromas and full ripe peachy flavours. I thought it was a nice drop, and only a dollar or so more a bottle than we like to pay for a wine of this quality.

Rosemount 2000 Chardonnay Verdelho Sauvingnon Blanc

Sold as their New Australian White, on special around $6.50 a bottle, which seemed reasonable. Tasty enough, but ... probably need to try a few more bottles.

Rosemont Kirri Billi

1998 vintage Brut from Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Jim brought over a bottle, and Jean enjoyed this sparkling wine a lot.

Rosemount Estate Semillon Chardonnay 1999

About $9 a bottle on special in November 1999. Australian family owned. While it was pretty drinkable, I was a little disappointed with this. We seemed to recall some of the Rosemounts as a bit more to our taste.

Rosemount Estate Semillon Sauvignon Blanc 2004

Diamond label. Very acceptable. Also the 2005.

Rosemount Estate Shiraz Cabernet 1998

About $13 a bottle, 11 September 1998. Australian family owned. Smooth and drinkable now. We bought another bottle 9 Oct 1998.

Ross Estate 2006 Single Vineyard Old Vine Grenache

Ross Estate Barossa valley. Vines planted in 1912, dry grown and low yield. This bottle was sent me by my credit union. It was an exceptionally nice red, but we will not find it in local bottle shops.

Ryecroft Flame Tree 1997

Blend of Sauvignon Blanc, Colombard and Chenin Blanc. This was reduced in price in January 1999, but our sample bottle tasted right off, so we didn't try it again until it turned up a few weeks later in a wine tasting. This bottle was fine, especially for a $5 wine! We ended up getting two cases to accompany lunches.

Ryecroft Flame Tree 1999

Blend of Sauvignon Blanc, Colombard and Chenin Blanc. Pleasant fruit aroma, however the wine is very pale, and tends to be overshadowed by most spicy foods. Didn't have the character of the 1997 version. At $3.95 a bottle it is hard to complain very loud about it, although it does remind me somewhat of a white lambrusco style. We probably prefer the Renmano in that price range.

Salisbury Estate 2000 Cabernet Merlot

Milburn Park Wines, Lake Iraak, Victoria. Seemed ready to drink, perhaps a little sharp, but a nice drop for all that at the price.

Salisbury Estate 2000 Chardonnay

Milburn Park Wines, Lake Iraak, Victoria. A little sour, like many chardonnay, but a nice drop for all that at the price.

Saltram Makers Table 2006 Chardonney

Peter brought this along with web site material. A very drinkable fruity South Australian bottle we all liked.

Scavenger Hill Chardonnay 2003

McLaren Vale S.A. Winemaker was Ben Riggs. Nice drop, from a mixed dozen via mail order.

Seaview McLaren Vale Chardonnay 1998

Dry full bodied white wine, featuring peach and melon. Soft dry finish. Friends from Kodak Express brought it in July 2000, while we watched and photographed the great FantaSea fireworks.

Seaview McLaren Vale Semillon Sauvignon Blanc 1997

McLaren Vale is about 40 kilometres from Adelaide, capital of South Australia. A dry full bodied white wine with a touch of oak, and a clean dry finish. Ready to drink straight away. Friends brought it August 1999.

Seaview Brut

Not allowed to call sparkling wine champagne (the French might complain and send a frogman). McLaren Vale fruity wine, usually at a pretty reasonable price. I like it.

Seppelt Moysten Unoaked Chardonnay 1996

Reduced to $7 a bottle, in January 1999, and reasonable for that price. Medium bodied Victorian wine, and I suspect it should have shown more fruits flavours than I noticed. I have a suspicion it didn't get along well with the Queensland summer climate.

Seppelt Great Western Brut Reserve

Cheap sparkling wine for the 2001 Xmas season. We were trying to detrmine which variety Jean prefers, and this was the winner.

Seppelt Great Western Imperial

Cheap sparkling wine for the 2001 Xmas season. We were trying to detrmine which variety Jean prefers, and it was the Brut.

Soho Chardonnay Verdelho 1998

I've never seen this combination before. Made by Killawarra Wines in South Australia. Fancy shaped green bottle, very boutique feel to the marketing effort. Lot of character for a $9.90 wine. I was expecting more fruit taste from the verdelho. A wine to buy again (and we got a case when we ran out of anything else). The white Verdelho grape is used to make the fortified wine made famous by the song Have some madeira, M'dear, as it originated on the Portugese island of Madeira.

Soho Shiraz Chardonnay 1998

I've never seen a white and red blend before. Made by Killawarra Wines in South Australia. Fancy shaped red bottle, very boutique feel to the marketing effort (see above also). A fruity red wine, best served chilled, and very suitable to our tropical climate. $9.90 Both these wines are sealed with a plastic sealer (safer than cork). They also have a story on the seal wrapper.

Stoneleigh Marlborough 2002 Pinot Noir

Long dry autumn, wine aged in French oak for 10 months. Soft and lingering fruit. On special in 2005.

The Stump Jump vintage 2002

Riesling Sauvingnon Blanc Marsanne from the Osbone family d'Arenberg winery at McLaren Vale, SA. Nice fruity drop. Jim brought it over in 2004.

Swagman's Kiss 2001 Cabernet Merlot

Cape Clairault Wines, Willyabrup, Margaret River W.A. We enjoyed this while in W.A. Worth trying again.

Synergy 2003 Chardonnay

Hamilton wine group, Willunga S.A. A really nice chardonnay, arrived in one of our wine club packages for Xmas 2004. We now seek more of it.

Tatachilla PartnersCabernet sauvignon shiraz

2003 vintage from McLaren Vale, South Australia. Medium to full bodied dry red. Winemaker Michael Fragos. Tatachilla is an aboriginal word for red earth place.

Taylor's Classic Dry White

Clare Valley, South Australia. Bit sour, but otherwise fine and very typical dry white. Tested when on special in Dec 2001.

Taylor's Promised Land Unwooded Chardonnay 2002

Tasty fruity Clare Valley chardonnay at around $11 a bottle in late 2003. Drinkable now.

Taylor's Promised Land Shiraz Cabernet 2001

Tasty drop at around $11, tried in Jan 2004. Drinkable now.

Toorak Estate 1996 Semillon Chardonnay

About $7 a bottle, but this Riverina area Leeton based wine just seemed a little over the edge on age to us.

Troll Berry Wine

Strange limited edition fruit wine from the Norsewood Estate Winery, in conjunction with Bay Classic Winery, Napier, New Zealand, brought to us by a friend from Norsewood known for writing stories about trolls. Says it was produced from genuine Norsewood Troll berries and Feijoas. Not suggested for wine buffs.

Villacoola Vinyard 2000 Chardonnay

R H and J Ritchie, Surat Qld, processed by Ballandean Estate. One of several Queensland wines from that area, seen when the Show came to town. A little bland, but grew on us somewhat.

Villacoola Vinyard 2000 Sauvignon Blancn Semillon

R H and J Ritchie, Surat Qld, processed by Ballandean Estate. One of several Queensland wines from that area, seen when the Show came to town. A little bland.

White Pointer

Miranda 2001 White Pointer, from South Eastern Australia. Tastes rather like a moselle style, sweeter than we generally prefer. Bill won it at Magnums.

Wine Society

Single vineyard Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon 2001 was a very nice drop Jim left us for Xmas 2005 as he was going to be away.

Wolf Blass Bilyara 1998 Chardonnay Semillon

Got this in November 1999, when we were running short, so I cast my eye over the specials, and got a few different items to sample. Jean tried a sip late that afternoon after work, and told me to rush out and buy every bottle they had! Alas, I only managed to get 11. Wolf Blass say Bilyara, an Aboriginal word meaning Eaglehawk, is the name of their winery in the Barossa Valley, South Australia, established in 1969. This is said to be a rich, soft wine with subtle oak characteristics. Easy drinking style with a refreshing finish. It is that indeed. We haven't enjoyed a wine as much in a considerable time. It was only $8 a bottle on special.

Wolf Blass Bilyara 1999 Chardonnay Semillon

When the 1998 vintage became unavailable, we changed over to the 1999, and got a case of them. Still a fine favourite drop.

Wolf Blass Bilyara 2000 Chardonnay Semillon

When the 1999 vintage became unavailable, we changed over to the 2000, and got a case of them. Mind you, the Giant's advertising still shows the 1998 label! Bloody false advertising, I think. Still a fine favourite drop. Got another case or two in June 2001, still around $8.50 a bottle, although the usual price is $11.99, which is too high for us.

Wolf Blass Bilyara 2000 Shiraz Grenache

Jean likes this a lot, and obviously thinks we should get it often. I tend to wonder if it needs a little more age.

Wolf Blass 1998 Chardonnay Oak Matured

This rich flavoured $11.99 wine was a real treat for Jean, who prefers the oak. Must get some more.

Wolf Blass 1998 Classic Dry White

Chardonnay Semillon, oak matured. Jean prefered the other Wolf Blass varieties above to this.

Wolf Blass 1998 Shiraz Merlot Cabernet Sauvignon

They say medium bodied wine with intense fruit character and a dry lingering finish.

Wolf Blass Red Label Cabernet Merlot 2004

Taken with hearty red meat. Nice drop from South Australia. We got a bunch of this in March 2005.

Wolf Blass Red Label Chardonnay 2004

Much more flavour than the EagleHawk, partially matured in oak, better with a robust meal. Nice drop from South Australia, best drunk early.

Wolf Blass Red Label Unwooded Chardonnay 2004

More subtle flavour than the EagleHawk, partially matured in oak, very nice. Nice drop from South Australia, best drunk early.

Wolf Blass Red Label Classic Dry Whire

More subtle flavour than the EagleHawk, but we preferred the chardonnay. Tried in April 2005.

EagleHawk Chardonnay 2001

Wolf Blass make this fruit flavours and balanced palete chardonnay. Jean likes the Bilyara more, but thinks this is pretty good.

EagleHawk Semillon Sauvignon Blanc 2001

Jean thought it worthwhile getting more of this.

Eaglehawk Cabernet Sauvignon 2001

The red to go with the above white, and it was a very nice drop indeed. A friend brought a bottle over on my birthday. This one lists as the official wine of the Australian cricket team.

Eaglehawk Shiraz Merlot Cabernet 2000

A really nice blend that drinks well right now. Must find some more of it.

Eaglehawk Shiraz Merlot Cabernet 2001

A really nice blend that drinks well right now. Must find some more of it, especially at under $8. I liked this more than Jean did.

Eaglehawk Sparkling Chardonnay

Crisp dry finish. Very acceptable as a substitute for other favourite champagnes.

Wyndham Estate Bin 555 Shiraz 1997

Medium to full bodied from NSW Hunter region. Up to 15 months in oak barrels adds oak to this rich wine. Very drinkable right now, and said to cellar well. Brought by friends August 1999. French owned.

Wyndham Estate Semillon Chardonnay

Reasonable, especially at the discount price, but not enough to get a case. French owned.

Yalumba Christobel's Classic Dry White 2002 Semillon Sauvignon Blanc

Sampled this in Brisbane in 2003 on the advise of the bottle shop, where we couldn't find our usual favourites. It was pretty reasonable with dinner.

Yalumba Oxford Landing Sauvignon Blanc 1997

I thought this $6 wine used to be OK, but this sample bottle tasted sour when we bought in January 1999. Didn't try it again. I am wondering about the effects of the warm season here.

Yalumba Oxford Landing Merlot 1998

This was ready to drink, but lacked character. Jean said it was pretty good for a cooking wine.

Yalumba South Australian Cabernet Sauvignon 2005

Medium bodied fruit driven aged in oak.

Zonte's Footsteps

Cabernet Malbec 2003 Langhorne Creek S.A. Named after 19thC planting at that location. First release. Very nice drop. Winemaker Ben Riggs.

More Wine Information

If you can't find the wine you want in town, check out winerobot.com.au and it will give you a pointer to some of the cheaper Internet wine sellers for the wine you want. Be warned however, the locals will often get your wine in for you even cheaper in case lots, so check out your local wine shop as well.

Gil Morrot of the French National Institute for Agronomic Research in Montpellier tested 54 undergrduates. Similer to wine critics, students used red and dark similies for the smell of red Bordeaux and yellow similies for the white. Two more glasses of wine were presented, but they were actually the same two wines, except the white now had a red dye to make it appear red. The students were fooled, and used the red wine similies for the dyed white. Published in Brain and Language. So don't expect any accuracy from me.

Australian Cellar Door

Buy wine direct at a discount. Tasting notes and winery tours. www.auscellardoor.com.au

Banrock Station

Good value whenever we have tried their wine. BRL Hardy brand, now owned by USA. www.banrockstation.com.au

Brown Brothers

www.brown-brothers.com.au

Clovely Estate Ltd

Steinhardts Road, Moffatdale, in the South Burnett area of SE Queensland. www.clovely.com.au

d'Arenberg

www.darenberg.com.au

De Bortoli

Another good value brand from a family company. www.debortoli.com.au

Evans and Tate

Margaret River, West Australia. www.evansandtate.com.au

Thomas Hardy and Sons

Banrock Station, Nottage Hill, Stonehaven, Leasingham, Moondah Brook Constellations Brands USA did takeover of BRL Hardy in 2003. www.brlhardy.com.au/brands

Goundrey

Mount Barker, West Australian. www.goundrywines.com.au

Jacob's Creek Winery

Jacob's Creek site was originally flash based, and too graphics intensive, so I didn't check all of it. French owned. This revised site is a nice introduction to wine production.
www.jacobscreek.com/australian-wine/index.htm

Lamont's

www.lamonts.com.au

McWilliams

www.mcwilliams.com.au

Miranda

www.mirandawines.com.au

Montana

www.montanawines.co.nz

Peter Lehmann

www.peterlehmannwines.com

Riversands Vineyards

Queensland winery, of which there are relatively few. www.riversandswines.com

Rosemount Estate

Family company. Unviewable due to scripting and flash. www.rosemountestate.com.au

Seaview

www.seaview.com.au

Seppelt

www.seppelt.com.au

Spittoon

Presented without comment. Send up
www.spittoon.com.au

Tatachilla

www.tatachillawinery.com.au

Taylor's

www.taylorswines.com.au

Wicked Wines

Too graphics intensive to use
www.wickedwines.com.au

Wolf Blass

www.wolfblass.com.au

Wyndham Estate

French owned. www.wyndhamestate.com.au

Yalumba

Hill Smith Family owned. www.yalumba.com

Check our Outback Australia Travel site at
avalook.com.au or my critical sites Airlie Beach Bum and Whitsunday Terraces.
ericlindsay.com -> airlie beach -> wine