BOOK AND BOTTLE – TREASURES FOR WINE BUFFS

TREASURE-HOUSE of help for the
serious collector or total wine novice.

Wc03Sep12

ROB GEDDES' annual Australian Wine Vintages is often dubbed "The Gold Book," an apt description for what's a real treasure-house of information for everyone from the most serious collector to the total novice.

Rob brings together detailed tasting notes of 5000-plus wines that he's tasted in the past year from 320 of Australia's best wineries, indicative prices, and details about each winery's cellar door and other facilities. As well there's a quick guide to wine varieties, Australia's wine regions, and details about those wineries that make Certified Organic and Biodynamic wines.

This latest edition – the 30th – also includes a Gold Star list of what Rob considers the most-consistent producers in Australia, a list of his Top 100 wines tasted in the past year, and suggestions as to where to eat and stay in our many and diverse wine regions.

Great if you're looking for the best buy for your wine buck, and a handy pocket-size to slip in the jacket pocket, in the handbag or to have handy in the glove-box of the car; available at bookstores this month at $34.95, or order through www.thegoldbook.com.au where it's also available in App version as well.

SERIOUS stuff for grand celebrations,
and with a pedigree going back to 1734.

ONE FOR LUNCH: HERE'S Liquid Treasure: we don't often get the opportunity to pass the nose over a glass of $150 a bottle Champagne, never mind being encouraged to actually drink it, so we jumped at the chance when a 2004 Champagne Taittinger Brut Millesime came our way just recently. And what a chance – this absolutely sensational drop from a Champagne house whose history goes back to 1734 has intense yet delicate lemon and mandarin aromas, and typically dominant citrus on the palate coupled with a touch of quince.

A grand special-occasion Champers made with equal parts of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, its one that will give a magical sparkle to the coming Festive Season… or any other celebrations that call for something well beyond the norm from birthdays to weddings, personal achievements and goals, to new arrivals.

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