Wine review — Clonakilla, Overstone, Annie’s Lane and d’Arenberg

14 June 2009Wine reviewChris Shanahan

Clonakilla Canberra District Jack Reidy Shiraz 2008 $27–$30 Clonakilla’s Tim Kirk made this blend for the Wesfarmer owned Vintage Cellars chain, using fruit from the Long Rail Gully, Dean Terrell and Phil Williams vineyards. It’s a close cellar mate to Clonakilla O’Riada Shiraz ($35 cellar door) – but without the benefit of declassified components from … Continue reading Wine review — Clonakilla, Overstone, Annie’s Lane and d’Arenberg →

It’s ‘fruity’ not ‘sweet’ to Brown Brothers

15 April 2009People, WineChris Shanahan

Big retailers quickly sense consumer pain. And to preserve sales and profits they apply pressure on suppliers for better trading terms – be it rebates, discounts, promotional payments, bonus stock, longer credit periods or even a combination of these. The savings are largely competed away. And in Britain, said Ross Brown of Brown Brothers on … Continue reading It’s ‘fruity’ not ‘sweet’ to Brown Brothers →

Mac’s beers — attractive flavour spectrum

1 April 2009BeerChris Shanahan

The three Mac’s beers being imported from New Zealand by parent company Lion Nathan present an attractive spectrum of flavours – from the pale, light, low-carb Spring Tide to the richly malty, but mid-alcohol Mac’s Gold All Malt Lager to the full-bore, hoppy Hop Rocker Pilsner. The range also shows the challenge brewers face in … Continue reading Mac’s beers — attractive flavour spectrum →

Wine review — Joseph Perrier, Gratien & Meyer, Eileen Hardy, Waterhwheel, Wyndham Estate and Jacob’s Creek

23 November 2008Wine reviewChris Shanahan

Joseph Perrier Cuvée Royale NV Brut Champagne $45.90–50 Saumur Brut NV (Gratien & Meyer) $18–20 Here’s a couple of lovely French bubblies imported by Woolworths (Dan Murphy) and Coles (1st Choice and Vintage Cellars) respectively. Joseph Perrier is the real thing and its flavour strongly reflects the company’s holdings of pinot meunier near its Marne … Continue reading Wine review — Joseph Perrier, Gratien & Meyer, Eileen Hardy, Waterhwheel, Wyndham Estate and Jacob’s Creek →

Wine review — Wynns Coonawarra Estate reds

1 September 2008Wine reviewChris Shanahan

Wynns Coonawarra Estate Shiraz 2007 $8.50–$21 Wynns Coonawarra Estate Michael Shiraz 2005 $69–$76 The price range of $8.50–$21 a bottle for the 2007 Shiraz is not a mistake. You’ll find single bottles in convenience stores at the higher price. And the $8.50 was a Dan Murphy (Woolworths) reaction to a 1st Choice (Coles) advertisement at … Continue reading Wine review — Wynns Coonawarra Estate reds →

Wine review — Redmans, Mount Pleasant & Alenquer (Quinta Sentacosta)

16 March 2008Wine reviewChris Shanahan

Redmans Coonawarra Shiraz 2004 $15-$22 Redmans Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon 2003 $30-$35 Redmans wines stand out as distinct, finer examples of Coonawarra. There’s a deliberate philosophy behind them, based on a clear understanding of what the alternative styles might be and a long family familiarity with Coonawarra and its wines. Bruce and Malcolm Redman intentionally make … Continue reading Wine review — Redmans, Mount Pleasant & Alenquer (Quinta Sentacosta) →

Chateau Shanahan tastes Oz and Kiwi pinots

21 December 2007Wine, Wine reviewChris Shanahan

With Christmas drinking in mind, the Chateau Shanahan team recently tasted a range of pinot noirs. It’s a great variety. And because it’s medium bodied, soft and supple, it suits the foods we eat at Christmas – ham, pork, turkey and even seafood, especially the more robust kinds like lobster and salmon. Our samples came … Continue reading Chateau Shanahan tastes Oz and Kiwi pinots →

Snapshot of the Aussie wine industry

14 December 2007WineChris Shanahan

As we move towards vintage 2008 Australia’s wine industry is in dramatically different shape than it was last year. In spring 2006 as vines budded for the 2007 vintage, I was in the Barossa and Langhorne Creek hearing daily of cancelled grape contracts as large winemakers, with storage tanks full, anticipated a third consecutive bumper … Continue reading Snapshot of the Aussie wine industry →

Wine review — Lerida Estate, Henschke & Clos Pierre

24 June 2007Wine reviewChris Shanahan

Lerida Estate Lake George Reserve Shiraz 2005 $49.50, Pinot Noir 2006 $22 Jim Lumbers and Anne Caine planted the first vines at Lerida Estate – the southernmost of the three vineyards flanking Lake George – in 1997. They later added the striking Glen Murcott designed winery-cellar door-café building. I’ll be covering Lerida and its neighbours … Continue reading Wine review — Lerida Estate, Henschke & Clos Pierre →

Virtual brewers, Coke liven up premium beer market

16 May 2007BeerChris Shanahan

Foster’s and Lion Nathan dominate Australia’s beer market. Despite this, booming premium beers sales are creating opportunities for scores of tiny brewers, importers, and sizeable craft brewers. As well we have two ‘virtual’ brewers in Coles and Woolworths. The sheer scale of their premium beer imports and their direct-to-consumer approach pits them squarely against every … Continue reading Virtual brewers, Coke liven up premium beer market →

Chris Shanahan

Australian wine & beer judge, writer and connoisseur

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