Rick's Picks - Australia
By Rick VanSickle

There was a time, not so very long ago, that Aussies ruled the wine shelves. Nothing could compete against the affordable, quaffable wines from Australia and all the cute "critter labels" that caught our attention.

While wines from Down Under still take up a lot of space at wine stores, only the fittest have survived the challenge from other wine regions that woke up and started producing easy-to-like red and white wines in the $10-$20 category where most consumers feel comfortable.

In this issue we'll offer up three reds and three whites from a few powerhouse producers in Australia that provide consistently good wines at affordable prices. And you won't find a koala bear, kangaroo or a duck-billed platypus anywhere on these labels. All wines reviewed below are $15 and under and widely available in Canada and the U.S.

The whites:

McWilliams Hanwood Estate Chardonnay 2005
There is a lot of history and prestige behind this brand that always delivers solid wines at great prices. The chardonnay is loaded with peach, tropical fruits and just a kiss of oak spice. Very smooth.

JJ McWilliams Chardonnay 2007
The bargain of the bunch at about $10 a bottle. It's a white with fresh tropical fruit flavours and a dash of peach and vanilla.

Jacob's Creek Chardonnay 2007
The oak has come down significantly over the years leaving a pleasing, fruit-driven chardonnay with peach and citrus aromas to go with soft vanilla. It's lush and ripe in the mouth and loaded with fruit and mellow spice. It's a wine for the masses.

The reds:

Lindemans Bin 40 Merlot 2007
Sourced from key growing regions in Australia, Lindemans seldom disappoints. Look for fresh berry fragrances with spice and herbs. Nice raspberry, cherry flavours with a touch of plum and pepper notes. A beautiful thing with a big hunk of grilled meat.

Lindemans Bin 50 Shiraz 2007
Plum, blackberry, cassis and toasty oak spice on the nose. The currants in the mouth are bolstered by raspberry and oak-spice. A nifty, easy-drinking shiraz.

McWilliams Hanwood Estate Shiraz 2006
Aromas of pepper and spice that lead to a big, fruity wine packed with blackberries, plums and exotic mocha flavours. A great little shiraz from the country that makes it best.

Enjoy! rickwine@hotmail.com