Bell Hill and Bass Phillip Pinot Noir, Penfolds Grange, Almaviva, Seña, and other site-specific, ageworthy icons from New Zealand, Australia, Argentina, and Chile — world-class pedigree at a fraction of comparable Bordeaux or Burgundy prices.
Read MoreNew Zealand Riesling, Australian Chardonnay, and Chilean Sauvignon Blanc from the region's most marginal vineyards, where cooler growing conditions trade power for freshness and precision. Rachael Ryan shares nine selections from Marlborough, Central Otago, Gippsland, Tasmania, the Yarra Valley, and Chile's Maule Valley.
Read MoreTake any of these to a dinner party: 19 wines under $20 from Argentina, Australia, Chile, New Zealand, and South Africa. Entry-level bottlings from top estates like Torbreck, plus Mediterranean varieties from Ricca Terra and old-vine País from Cachapoal.
Read MoreAustralia has so many incredible deals available from the familiar names who produce some of the most collectible wines in the country. So while you’re cellaring that bottle of Grange, Hill of Grace, or the like, these are my selections for cracking open now.
Read MoreMcLaren Vale is a fascinating study in the convergence of historic and modern winemaking. Driving through the backroads of McLaren Vale, historic sandstone cottages and stone wineries are interspersed with more modern wineries, often with innovative architecture and cutting-edge technology.
Read MoreThis week, one of our newest buyers, Rachael Ryan, took us on a trip through Australia and New Zealand… I was most impressed by Australia this round. Rachael, who lived in Australia for a few years, made her passion for the country and the wide diversity of wines that are grown there palpable.
Read MoreWell, dear readers, this was a slightly different staff tasting than we usually do. Normally our tastings focus on wines from a single buyer, and sometimes, like last week, a specific region from that buyer. This week it was a little bit more complicated since we had around three wines that each of the buyers submitted for us to try. The tasting here in RC was poured by Rachael Ryan, our buyer for Spain, Portugal & the Southern Hemisphere. While she enjoys all the regions in her category, she has a special passion for Australian wine, especially one featured here this week.
Read MoreWhile I enjoy splurging on a few fancy bottles for Thanksgiving itself, for Friendsgiving, I typically hunt for more affordable wines that punch well above their price point. We don’t want to break the bank, but we want everyone to enjoy the wine. That’s one reason I keep returning to the wines of New Zealand and Australia for Friendsgiving. They’re incredibly delicious, appeal to a wide range of tastes, and consistently offer extraordinary value for the price. Here are some of the wines we’ll be serving at our Friendsgiving this year:
Read MoreThis week, we’re excited to introduce several new and intriguing Australian producers, including Swinney wines from the remote Frankland River region, which are available in the U.S. for the first time. We’re also welcoming back Sons of Eden, a collaboration between master winemaker Corey Ryan and renowned viticulturist Simon Cowham, after a six-year hiatus. Additionally, we have a stellar lineup from Lienert in the Barossa, known for their exceptional Roussanne. And, of course, don't forget about the world-class values from Oakridge.
Read MoreIt’s rare that these days for me to sit down at a winery and be totally blown away by a label I’ve never seen before. But that’s exactly what happened last June when I was at the Artisans of Barossa tasting room in South Australia. The winery, in this case, was Lienert. The Roussanne was the first wine that stopped me in my tracks. Gorgeous acid, sweet fruit, and beautiful notes of honeycomb immediately struck me. The same was true for the Grenache and the Mourvèdre, both stunningly delicious wines that blew me away. Moments later I was looking through my notes trying to figure out how to get in touch with these guys when a broad-shouldered gentlemen with a reddish beard plopped down in the the chair across from me and extended his hand for a shake, “Hi there, I’m James Lienert.”
Read MoreIf the quality of grapes is a measure of a wine, then the measure of a winery is the quality of the people who make it. By that estimate, Sons of Eden is one of the best Australian producers out there.
Read MoreIn 2018, Swinney released their first wines to instant acclaim. They enlisted Western Australian winemaking legend Rob Mann from Cape Mentelle to lead the winemaking. The debut vintage garnered shock and admiration within the Australian wine scene. Since then, Swinney has continued to build its reputation. Australian wine critic James Halliday has awarded the winery a coveted five-star rating, his highest accolade. Their wines have received impressive 98+ scores from Decanter and the Wine Advocate.
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