Book review: The Juice 2008

The Juice 2008 by Matt Skinner is a handy little book for amateur winos. Each recommended wine is described in a paragraph on a page, and includes a coloured picture of the bottle. Perfect for slipping in your handbag or pocket when you are nexting visiting the bottle-o. It’s the sort of book that makes a nice gift for a hard-to-buy-for-guy. Overall a handy reference book.

Last year, we bought the Juice 2007 book way too late in the year and most of the wines listed were unavailable! For the 2009 edition we’d like to see the price brackets broken down more. The $31-$100 price estimate is too broad. How about $31-50 and then $51-100?

Wine of the Year – Punica Barrua 2004 – Italy

Bargain of the Year – Yalumba “Y Series” Riesling 2006

Here are some of his recommendations in the skint price range ($10-20):

Cape Mentelle Marmaduke Red 2005

Chivite Gran Feudo Rosado 2006 – Spain

Cooralook Pinot Gris 2005

De Bortoli Windy Peak Pinot Noir 2006

Granite Hills Riesling 2005

Innocent Bystander Pink Moscato 2007

Jindalee Shiraz 2006

Kangarilla Road Shiraz 2004

Katnook Founder’s Block Cabernet Sauvignon 2004

Leo Buring Eden Valley Riesling 2006

Lindemans Bin 50 Shiraz 2007

Mitchell Watervale Riesling 2006

Morris Liquer Muscat NV

Peter Lehmann Barossa Semillon 2005

Preece Cabernet Sauvignon 2005

Promessa Rosso Salento 2005 – Italy

Richmond Grove Watervale Riesling 2006

St Hallett Poacher’s Blend 2006

T’ Gallant Flag Pinot Grigio 2005

Tahbilk Marsanne 2006

Three Monkeys Pinot Noir 2005

Torres De Casta Rosado 2006 – Spain

Yering Station Mr Frog Pinot Noir2006 , or Pinot Noir Rose2006

And we going to put this last, because well it’s not a worthy contender in our book and we’re a bit embarrassed to even mention it:

Victoria Bitter…. What the? Stick to wine, mate.

About these ads