Stocking Up - The Best Wines of 2010

Over a crisp dry white I’ve been talking with some dear friends about the year’s highlights. The setting? A glorious summery Melbourne evening. The conversation veered in lots of directions, as good gatherings do. But among the hot topics was the vote for our top tipples of the year - the best bottle we’d shared in 2010. Wish I could share the full list with you, but I was enjoying the topic so much I didn't stop to write it down!

But it got me thinking: sometimes we need some inspiration to shake up a celebration, or wind things down - depending on the event. So in the absence of our evening’s (very subjective) listings, I offer instead a selection of 2010 award winners, as judged by fine Australian and international experts. Who are probably far less subjective and incidentally, remembered to write it all down…

Winning Wines of 2010

Here’s some suggested winners, from awards throughout this year. It’s by no means exhaustive but might help you out when you’re standing in the local wondering what’s going to be a hit for your guests at the next dinner party / end of year celebration.

CHARDONNAY

2009 Thomas Hyland Chardonnay - Penfolds

2009 Heytesbury Chardonnay - Vasse Felix

2008 Reserve Bin 08A Chardonnay - Penfolds

2009 Ishtar Chardonnay – Balthazar of the Barossa

2009 Bin 1 Chardonnay – Leura Park Estate

RIESLING

2010 Riesling - Heggies

2009 Riesling – Moores Hills

2004 Wigan Eden Valley Riesling - Peter Lehmann

2008 Riesling – Wild Earth

SAUVIGNON BLANC

2009 Sauvignon Blanc - Bay of Fires

2010 Glazebrook Sauvignon Blanc - Ngatawara

2010 Sauvignon Blanc – Leura Park Estate

2010 Sauvignon Blanc - Fratelli

SEMILLON

2009 Semillon - Pooles Rock

2007 Winemakers Reserve Hunter Valley Semillon - Cellarmasters

2003 Bin 9000 Semillon – McGuigan

PINOT NOIR

2009 Pinot Noir – Wild Earth

2009 Pinot Noir – Moores Hill

2009 Pinot Noir - Coldstream Hills

SHIRAZ

2008 Canberra District Shiraz - Tyrrell’s

2008 Shiraz – Balthazar of the Barossa

2006 Shiraz - Mount Langi Ghiran

2007 Heathcote Shiraz – Fratelli

2008 Wynns Michael Shiraz - Wynns Coonawarra

2008 Awakening Shiraz – Watershed Premium Wines

CABERNET SAUVIGNON

2008 Cabernet Sauvignon - Fuddling Cup

2008 Yublong Cabernet Sauvignon – Leura Park Estate

Selections taken from personal favorites and 2010 Awards:

Royal Adelaide Wine Show

Dan Murphy’s National Wine Show of Australia

Decanter Wine Awards – Australian Regional Winners

Shanghai International Wine Challenge

Wine Pairing - You drank what with seafood?!

Do you get any flak when pairing your wine with your meal? Honestly, some people can get fanatical on the topic of matching wines to their menu.

With the number of wonderful Australian and New Zealand wine varieties available, it shouldn’t be a big deal if you want to drink a shiraz with your pasta. But for those who want to know what the rules are before they break them, here’s a basic guide.

Light dry wines - whether white or red – generally taste better with light meals and meats.

Seafood, chicken and duck can work really well with a crisp viognier or chardonnay.

More elaborate or complex meals, including lamb, beef and pork, benefit from a more complex drop.

Tradition has it that red meats are matched with a big red: cabernet sauvignon or merlot mainly. But some of the hefty whites can take their place and still taste great. A pinot gris is a great example of this.

Really, it all comes down to you. What do you like to drink with your meal? What have you tried before and liked? What flavours appeal to your palate the most, and in what combinations?

Like what you know…and know what you like. Then you can’t go wrong!

Wine Bargains: Finding Top Wines at Low Prices

Recently I shared a particularly tasty drop with some friends who certainly know their wines. They’re the kind of friends who love to share – particularly their good finds at reasonable prices. Do you have canny people like this in your life? The sort that can sniff out a bargain from streets away but still manage a quality selection? I’m hoping it’s not just luck, that it can be learned behavior! Checkout these tips: feel free to add your own!

• Know what you like!
• Ask for recommendations
• Get to know the people at your local or online wine shop – do they share your tastes?
• Keep your eye on what the chains are promoting, and for how much.
• Get to know the people who sell your favourites or share the taste.
• Cellar doors have some good sales – keep an eye out if you visit one regularly.
• Cleanskins can also be good value – don’t be afraid to try them out!
• Keep an eye on the newspapers and their wine reviews.
• Avail yourself of tastings when they’re offered.
• Ask friends what they’re enjoying.
• Keep a notebook handy to jot down varieties, labels, wine stores to return to.
• Buy wine in bulk. There are some great wine auction deals at Graysonline.com and deeply discounted wine in Liquormart's online wine store.
• Consider joining a wine club or wine appreciation group – learn as you go!