Gavin,

You've been straight up with us so far, and provided some darned good advice -- and wine -- to the local denizens.

So, what Australians should we be buying NOW (or gearing up to buy?) amongst the Reds and Whites? Is 2002 shaping up to be the "Year of the Shiraz" that we seem to keep hearing about?

Your advice and guidance will be greatly appreciated.


Steve

Wow, big question, which I can't tackle all at once, but here's a start.

Vintages - note, all the below is a large generalisation. Australia is a big place, Margaret River to the Hunter Valley is many thousands of miles, with South Australia in between. So a good vintage somewhere can be terrible somewhere else. Take 2000, a bit tricky in the Barossa Valley, very good indeed in Coonawarra and Margaret River.

Vintages tend to be talked up an down throughout the wine world, often not too accurately. Current falacies, 1999 and 2000 are terrible, 2001 is outstanding. In fact, I find many 99's to be excellent, there are many very good 2000's (although in South Australia the wines are quite variable), and 2001 was a very hot year, so there will be many great wines, but also a tendency for lots of alcohol and tannins.

2002 is generally being talked about as the greatest (here in South Australia). The weather here was remarkable, long and very cool summer, too cool, to the point of ruining the vintage. Then suddenly we had some 30-40 beautifully mild buy warm days in a row.

The result, many makers are saying the wines they made are outstanding. Caveat, wine makers always say that!

It may be correct, but since few are bottled, no reds yet, or at least no serious reds, its all conjecture. I will wait to try them before making such statements, the 2001 serious reds are emerging on to the market now slowly, the result so far, very very good, but too ealry to call great.

What is for sure, 2002 Clare and Eden Valley Rieslings are the finest for many years, as well as being dramatic bargains. The best of these retail for $Aud20 or less, compared to many reds with unknown aging at 3 and 4 times the price.

I would not hold everything for 1 vintage, 2002. There will be plenty of great wines, but so will there from 2001.



I'll answer other parts of the question separately.

The second part of your question, what should you be buying, depends of course on your tastes in wine.

If you think Riesling is a great wine you should be buying the 2002's, now as they're selling fast.

Seek out

Petaluma, Grosset, Leo Buring, Mitchells, Kilikanoon, Tin Shed and many many more

If you like Sauvignon Blanc, seek out the 2002 Marlborough wines (Jeremy) From Australia though, seek out 2002 Semillon Sauvignon Blanc blends from Margaret River, Vasse Felix, Cape Mentelle, Voyager Estates and more

Chardonnay, seek high end Margaret River, Leeuwin Estates, the 1999 is outstanding, also Pierro and Voyager Estates.

Aged Hunter Semillon is an outstanding wine style.

Seek 2001 Grenache from Mclaren Vale and Barossa Valley

Seek 2000 and 1999 Cabernets from Margaret River and Coonawarra, like Moss Wood, Majella, Katnook Estates, Voyager Estates, Bowen Estates and many more.

Seek Shiraz - 2001 just emerging. Your favourite label probably made very good 1999's. If 2000, seek a little advice from a trusted somebody, critic, retailer etc, these can be variable, although good producers made good wines.

Seek liqueur Muscat and Tokay from Chambers, Mossis, Bullers and more, absolutely world class wines.

Whew !!!!

Very good advice Gavin, thank you.

I'm keeping a close eye on availability, watching and waiting. If you find any specific "must buys" in your tastings, please let us know. I bet next time, with a little collaboration and patience, we can buy in pallet quantities rather than just cases.

Thank you Gavin. I have begun sampling a few of the 2001 and 2002 Aussie wines. So far they seem pretty good.