Chinese-products.eu - Online Business Directory For Chinese SuppliAustralian wines have taken off in recent years, and from wine beginners to experts, they are beloved by people all over the world. But what is it about these wines that‚s so appealing? And what sets them apart from the wines produced in other parts of the world?
Could any Australian Cab be near as good as 1990 Margaux? Would you believe an Oz Chardonnay could beat the pants off a Verget Batard?
Oh yeah? I've got a generous friend who delights in discrediting sacred cows, and he did it again a few nights ago, by vote of some 26 tasters.
The host assembled six of France's most exalted cuvées and stacked them up against half a dozen of his own favorites from Oz. Then he served them blind, alongside a fabulous meal at one of our city's best restaurants.
All the rest of us had to do was eat, drink, vote -- and argue, of course. A few stubborn souls (including me) consistently preferred the French wines, but Australia overwhelmingly won the voting in all but one flight.
The wines were decanted and served single-blind, in three flights. Our host named the wines in each flight and even provided tasting notes -- but he didn't tell us which was which. We had to vote on our favorites before the wine in each glass was identified.
As you will see below, the French wines were getting pummeled until Mouton and Margaux muscled in. And even then, the Clarendon Hills Cab went nose-to-nose with Margaux. Considering that the latter may be one of the greatest Bordeaux ever made, I'd call the Oz performance not too shabby
Chardonnay
1. 1998 Curly Flat Chardonnay (10 Liked Most, 3 Liked Least)
2. 1999 Leeuwin Art Series Chardonnay (10 Liked Most, 4 Liked Least)
3. 1996 Domaine Laroche Chablis "Les Clos" (3 Liked Most, 8 Liked Least)
4. 1996 Verget Batard-Montrachet (3 Liked Most, 9 Liked Least)
Syrah
1. 2001 Shirvington Shiraz (13 Liked Most, 5 Liked Least)
2. 1991 Chapoutier Hermitage le Pavillon (7 Liked Most, 3 Liked Least)
3. 1994 Penfolds Grange Shiraz (4 Liked Most, 5 Liked Least)
4. 1985 Guigal la Landonne (2 Liked Most, 11 Liked Least)
Cabernet Sauvignon
1. 1982 Château Mouton-Rothschild (10 Liked Most, 9 Liked Least)
2. 1990 Château Margaux (7 Liked Most, 4 Liked Least)
3. 2001 Clarendon Hills Hickinbotham Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon (7 Liked Most, 6 Liked Least)
4. 1994 Cyril Henschke Cabernet Sauvignon (3 Liked Most, 7 Liked Least)
Dessert Wines
1. 1988 Château Yquem (Overwhelming Favorite)
2. Hardy's Show Reserve Port (Non-Vintage) (Only 2 votes)
