Coopers Clear - Low Carb

Style: Low carbohydrate style
Price: $38 for a 24 pack carton
Size: 355ml
Alc/Vol: 4.5%
Date: 24/01/2010
Reason for purchase: Coopers release new beer, I purchase new beer. Simple really.

Review: Well poor Coopers has had to play with the big boys, and just last week they threw their hat in the ring with their low carb option. I've never been a fan of the pure blonde or similar offerings, with similar reasons to why I don't drink light beer. To me it's simple: you either drink beer to enjoy it, or you drink low carb / low alc options as a compromise. Beer shouldn't be about compromise!

Well my rant aside, this beer pours clear, as its name suggests. The initial taste is crisp and carbonated but there isn't any real burst of flavour that you would normally expect from a Coopers beer. Something I'm a bit disappointed about really.

As you go back for another sip you wish there was something else to keep you going back, but unfortunately there isn't much going for it. Whilst I have must respect for the brewers at Coopers, I must say all this beer tells me is they must hide all their flavour in the form of carbohydrates. As an all malt beer, perhaps they needed to add a hint of something else to open it up a touch.

I have tried Coopers previous new kid on the block, the 62 Pilsner, last year. Perhaps I'll need to review that one again and redeem my fondness of Coopers once more. At least the Vintage Ale has pride of place in the liquor cabinet at home, until I drink all of it of course.

Unless you're watching your weight and have to drink a compromised beer, this one is not recommended.

Rating: 6/10 -DF-

d'Arenberg Stump Jump GSM 2007

Wine: d'Arenberg Stump Jump
Type: Grenache Shiraz Mourvedre
Year: 2007
Price: $9 (approx)
Date: 24/01/2010
Reason for purchase: left over from party revellers

Review: This is my first review of one of the great d'arry wines.

The initial look and taste is very dark, thick and heavy. Something that is very inviting in a big, bold McLaren Vale wine.

First taste gives a really rich port or brandy flavour, that slowly mellows out and leaves without fuss. The smell gives the same impression.

There is a definate Shiraz burst at the start, but either the Grenache or Mourvedre settle it down and give it a clean finish.

The only thing that might be lacking is a longer Shiraz aftertaste. However that could be remedied with a couple of years in the cellar. Perhaps I'll put one away to test.

Overall I'm quite pleased with this entry level darry wine. I may even put it up against The Footbolt and see how it goes.

Given it's price and great taste, this wine is highly recommend.

Rating: 8/10 -DF-

Winery: Foggo

Region: McLaren Vale
Visit date: 31/12/2009
Contact details: http://www.foggowines.com.au/

Very small and quaint cellar door, but with great service and an extremely knowledgeable host.
Our little group was lucky enough to catch a couple of their regular bottles on special too, which should make their way to the blog as a full review in due course.

As per most wine tasting trips, we sampled almost everything on the list... however remembering everything on the list is another story! I'll try and list the few tastings that made it into my notes for the day, with some basic first impressions. Many of the wines listed here will be reviewed in their own right eventually... I hope!

Unwooded Chardonnay 2007 - we were lucky enough to have a back to back tasting of the unwooded and wooded chardonnays, with expert commentary from winemaker Sandie. The unwooded version certainly has the clean, crisp tastes you would expect, with quite a nice fruity flavour.

Wooded Chardonnay 2004 - this was quite a standout! The wooded chardonnay was just magnificent, with a real soft oak flavour and plenty of sweet, fruity parts to go with it. I'm unsure how long it was in oak, although my memory recalls it being around the 2-3 year mark (I should check with the winery again). I'm only just starting to develop a liking for white wines, and this one certainly has won favour with me so far.

GSC (Grenache, Shiraz, Cincaut) 2004 - having never heard of or tasted cincaut before, this one was bound to be interesting. Apparently they use it in similar fashion to viognier, as many wineries do today, as a light balancing white to a heavy shiraz blend. This gave it just the right amount of boldness and softness to be a really well balanced red.

Old Vine Shiraz 2005 - my memory of this is a little clouded, however I do recall the rest of the party getting quite excited about this drop. Perhaps another trip to the Vale will provide a more comprehensive review!

Black Myriah Sparkling Shiraz NV - sparkling gold! What more can I say? Most... in fact ALL sparkling reds I have ever had were rubbish. They have always been force carbonated, seemingly using cheap end-of-barrel shiraz. But not the Myriah. This is bottle fermented, just like an expensive Champagne. I can't rave about this wine enough, except to say its light, fruity bubbles are the perfect example of what sparkling shiraz should be.

Golden Botrytis - close to the end of the days drinking and the sweet wines make their way out. This botrytis style wine is only bottled when the grapes naturally age and start their fungal decent. Apparently conditions have been so bad with no late rain, that there hasn't been a vintage made for a while. This dessert wine was a real treat.

Well that concludes our taste testing of Foggo Wines. A real boutique, family run winery in one of South Australia's finest wine regions. I'm really glad we stopped off here, as I'm sure it will be one of my regulars from now on.

-DF-

Miller Chill - Chellada style lager

Style: Chellada style lager
Price: $48 for a 24 pack carton
Size: 330ml
Alc/Vol: 5.6%
Date: 16/12/2009
Reason for purchase: summer beer time!

Review: I recall a couple of years ago buying a 6 pack of this, and recent hot weather prompted me look into this interesting summer beer again.

Being American it is very mild, to say the least. You really do get the sense you're drinking soda water with this beer, which for some people might sound terrible. However if you're in the mood for something light, summery and refreshing, I think this beer can be a winner.

It's light flavour is matched with a slight limey tang, as is the chellada style. Think of it as a Sol or Corona with its lime wedge on display.

I would put this beer in similar light to Barefoot Radler (for the benefit of those who have tried that), and is definately a summer hit when you've had enough of the gin and tonic.

If you're a big malty, hoppy fan, you probably won't be impressed. As I said, it's not for everyone but I have enjoyed it this summer.

Rating: 7/10 -DF-