"A Spring Walkabout" - Held March 8th, 2011

(This post is part of our ongoing review of events from the 2010/2011 season.)

This event just gets better and better every year!  We enjoy putting on a walk around tasting each Spring to showcase affordable wines that our members and friends are likely to enjoy for everyday drinking.  

Through the generosity of the Agencies in BC, we were able to amass 38 wines from 18 agents for the enjoyment of everyone involved.  We appreciate the help of the agents, without whom this event would not have been possible.  Many, many thanks to all who contributed wines for the tasting.

Talk about value - 38 wines for $40, including an excellent cheese plate for each participant!  We were proud to be able to do this, and the full tasting room was proof positive that this level of value was appreciated by all.

The tasting was focused on value-priced wines, with a nod to quality.  The one thing clearly evident was just how good a job Australia and New Zealand still do providing amazing value, even at lower price points.  Most of the wines had retail prices under $25 yet still showed tremendous quality.  Better yet, a large number were single region wines and they did a great job of showing the typical regional characteristics we would expect.

Overall quality was excellent, but here are a few to remember:

Standout Wines:

- Chapel Hill "The Parson's Nose" Shiraz McLaren Vale 2009

- Evans and Tate Chardonnay Margaret River 2009

- Peter Lehmann "The Futures" Shiraz 2006

- Tyrrell's "Rufus Stone" Shiraz Heathcote 2006

- Cooralook Pinot Noir 2008

- Xanadu "Next of Kin" Cabernet Sauvignon Margaret River 2008

- Taltarni Brut Tache 2008

- Some Young Punks "Battle Island" Shiraz/Cab Clare Valley 2009

- Digger's Bluff "Stray Dog" GSM Barossa 2006

- Kim Crawford Pinot Gris Marlborough 2009

- Greg Norman Sparkling Chardonnay/Pinot Noir NV

-Randy Saunders

Two Hands with Michael Twelftree - October 25th, 2010

Two Hands Wines is based in the Barossa Valley.  It was started in 1999 and has gone from strength to strength with it's wines.  We were privileged to have proprietor Michael Twelftree join us and tell us about these wines and his philosophy of winemaking.

Michael Twelftree

Michael is a truly interesting fellow with a viewpoint that is often unique yet spot on.  He has championed regional expression and single-vineyard uniqueness with his wines, which are consistently done in a bold, forward and delicious style.  Two Hands sources grapes from every major region in South Australia.  It was very interesting to taste the differences between the different areas, showing that Australian wines can truly have a sense of place, or "terroir".

We were fortunate to taste nine fantastic wines while Michael described the associated sites, vintages and winemaking techniques used.

This tasting was held at the Listel Hotel.  Executive Chef Chris Whittaker prepared excellent plates to pair with the wines.  All of the appetizers were delicious, particularly the Red-Wine Braised Pemberton Meadows Shortrib Tartlet with Poplar Grove Tiger Blue Cheese.

Standout Wines: 

"The Lucky Country" Shiraz/Grenache 2009:  "Highly perfumed nose showing bright cherry leads to a palate of wonderful dark fruits, blueberries and spices.  Has excellent length and is great value at only $20."  Currently available in BC Liquor Stores.

Two Hands "Bad Impersonator" Shiraz Barossa Valley 2006 -  "Very aromatic, high-toned nose.  Medium bodied, showing good acidity.  Plummy yet distinguished - long, long finish.  This single vineyard wine is distinctly Un-Barossa in style.  Could body-double for a fine Northern Rhone wine.  Really interesting to drink."

Two Hands "Samantha's Garden" Shiraz Clare Valley 2006 -  "Nose of White Pepper and Blackberry.  Fruit continues into the palate, complimented by Cocoa.  Finishes with fine tannins and great length.  Fantastic."

For additional information about Two Hands, visit their website at  www.twohandswines.com .

-Randy Saunders