Australian winemakers take aim at U.S.

Chicago Tribune ^ | 05/25/2003 | Corie Brown

[cherry_bomb88]

That doesn't mean plentiful government subsidies, he says. Rather, the firms came together and voted a tax on themselves to create a government organization to help them grow. As their needs have expanded, Tolley says wine companies have voted to increase those taxes.

What a concept!!!!!!!!!!!!!! How can they survive without government subsidies!?!? (note sarcasm)

[CountryFinishes]

Do they mean a governing organization, not a government organization?

[cherry_bomb88]

That's what it read like to me....an "association" and the "self created taxes" are merely dues to run that association.

Ya' think the dems would understand that concept?

[Always A Marine]

I can imagine few things greater than a glut of good wines. Ever since Greg Norman came unglued during the final round of Jack Nicklaus' fifth Masters win, I've felt indebted to the Shark. So we recently tried of bottle of Greg Norman Estate's Cabernet Merlot 1996 with some great steaks. Being a blend, it was purchased on a lark -- but the wine was actually very good.

Please send us more from Down Under...

[Always A Marine]

Ah, make that Greg Norman Estates' Cabernet Merlot 1996. Gotta place those apostrophes...

[shaggy eel]

...an "association" and the "self created taxes" are merely dues to run that association.

,,, an industry approved and created levy for self development. South African producers have run Ko-ops for years, but I'm uncertain whether they're tied to a government body like this model here. Certain healthy synergies can develop between government and exporters in an environment like this - where development meets a regulatory environment. The track record seems to speak for itself.

[fightinJAG]

I noticedthe other day that I was hearing an awful lot of ads for Aussie wines. hee hee hee Those Aussies know how to tell the Frogs to HOP OFF.

[Billthedrill]

A "tax on themselves" isn't really a tax at all, it's a voluntary contribution to an industry cartel. Which is OK, I guess, but let's not pretend that the vintners are paying anything - they get all of their money from people who buy wine. They can charge whatever the market will bear and do with the money whatever they want, and as long as guys like me will pay it to pour that lovely, velvet Barossa valley nectar in my glass, who cares? But "innovative" is laying it on a bit thick, IMHO...

[Rebelbase]

In the $10 bottle price range, Rosemount Shiraz beats the pants off of any comparble U.S. wine, IMO.

[mystery-ak]

I've got a bottle of that...I haven't tried it yet....I may open it...I hope it's good.

[Principled]

Australia has some mighty good stuff.

BTW, paragraphs are our friends.

[ChefKeith]

(Check out this thread)

[Tacis]

I can never think of Australian wine without remembering the Monte Python skit about it. I remember one of the characters saying that a particular Australian wine "had a bouquet like an aborigine's armpit." Anyone have a url for that text?

[Mihalis]

Australian wines are welcome here. In our boycott of French products we advocated the switch to California, Australian and Spanish wines. I disagree that Australian wines are better than California's. But they are cheaper and a good value. Let's continue to support Australia in every way we can.

[eno_]

Penfold's rocks.

[ChefKeith]

And what the heck... check this out also JT's Liquors

We stock some of these wines.And the ones We don't have We will order them in for local FReepers.

[SamAdams76]

I agree with Rosemount Shiraz. Excellent wine for the price. I believe Wine Spectator gave the 2000 vintage a 90 rating (for those who follow such things). I've gone through cases of it over the past few years. They make good Cabernet wines too. I drink a lot of Australian wine and have rarely been disappointed.

Certainly makes it a lot easier to avoid French wines.

[mombonn]

In the $10 bottle price range, Rosemount Shiraz beats the pants off of any comparble U.S. wine, IMO.

I had a glass with dinner at Outback tonight. Wonderful.

[TEXASPROUD]

I'll second the comments on the Shiraz. Best with freshly grilled Black Angus Texas Steak.

[kstewskis]

In the $10 bottle price range, Rosemount Shiraz beats the pants off of any comparble U.S. wine, IMO.

I've got a bottle of that...I haven't tried it yet....I may open it...I hope it's good.

Open it. It's good.

I sampled Australian wines about 10 years ago, could only find two or three labels at the local "Trader Joes." Now, they have their own section, and are sprouting up in local supermarkets.

The Aussies have done good for themselves. I've switched, no more Calif. wines for me (on purpose).

Cheers Mate!