BUYERS BENEFIT FROM MAKERS’ TOUGH TIMES

Wc22Jun09

david ellis

AUSTRALIAN winemakers – particularly those who rely heavily on export orders – have become as much caught up in the world’s current economic turmoil as any other industry, and while most consumers will empathise with them there are many who equally are rubbing their hands at the bargains that are currently to be had, particularly as regards top shelf labels.

Some makers have slashed prices by more than 50 per cent on their super premiums, others are holding back new releases to see how prices fare over the coming months, and others are quietly bottling these wines under new labels at lower prices.

One maker, the Clare Valley’s Jim Barry looked at and then rejected all these options for economic or ethical reasons, and came up with something for their  classic McRae Wood Shiraz that should well-satisfy consumers, and help the maker through these current tough times.

Knowing he could not get the normal $45 for their ready-for-release 2007 McRae Wood, and conscious he was still holding big stocks of unsold 2005 and 2006 wine, Jim Barry’s Managing Director, Peter Barry decided to blend most of the 2007 with their 2007 Lodge Hill Shiraz.

The result is a stunningly powerful yet soft wine with spearmint, violets, boysenberries and nice tannins on the palate, that appears almost tailor-made for hearty winter casseroles… and it’s truly a steal at just $19.50 for a wine that’s in much part made up of what would normally cost us $45 a bottle.

ONE FOR LUNCH to help kids with cancer: Canberra’s Shaw Vineyard Estate has created a Laughter Series range of normally premium $15 wines for just  $129 a case – with $50 from every case going to Camp Quality, Australia’s leading fund-raiser for kids with cancer. All from the 2008 vintage, the range includes a Semillon Sauvignon Blanc, a Semillon Riesling, a Shiraz Cabernet and a Cabernet Sauvignon: buy direct via www.shawvineyards.com.au  

(NEED A FOOD/DRINK IDEA? Check out  http://www.vintnews.com )

PHOTO CAPTIONS:

[] STEAL at $19.50 for winter casseroles                                                               

[] WINES help Camp Quality’s kids with cancer