Well actually at our flagship shop near London's Borough Market. A select group of customers and I took a tasting tour from the Hunter Valley in the East across to Margaret River in the West via Victoria and South Australia.
My point was to show how Australia still offers some of the most exciting, diverse and simply fine wine around. Certainly when you take price into account you can taste the best of Australia between £10 and £30, whereas the best of Bordeaux will set you back several £100s. When you look beyond the big brands to family wineries and specific regions the quality and value are outstanding. End of sermon.
All the wines sold tonight and highlights of our tasting tour included Neil Pike’s delicious crisp, dry Clare Hills Riesling, followed by Andrew Margan's bargain Hunter Semillon (where else can you buy a dry white for £10 that will evolve for 15 years or more ?). An undervalued classic.
Bill Calabria's big, porty Amore Durif was much appreciated as was our own Red Heads Barrel Monkeys Shiraz from McLaren Vale. Steve's prized black berkshire pigs (housed just up from Red Heads winery) were shown on screen as I told everyone just what a magic place we have in Red Heads.
Finale was Vasse Felix in Margaret River's top Cabernet - Heytesbury. A very smart wine indeed which can be compared with a top Cru Classe - structured, elegant, balanced and capable of long ageing.
No disappointments tonight and plenty of discoveries.
Thomas Woolrych, Buying Manager
Tony is on holiday
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