by Fred McMillin
for March 13, 2000

A Bargain Hunter

Prologue

 
Hunter Valley Semillon proves that the grape can provide some of the world's finest wines.

...Vines, Grapes and Vines, Jancis Robinson

The 1998 Hunter Valley Chardonnay by the New Hope Estate Winery is fruity, refreshing and echoes its flavors nicely on the finish. Very good.

...Wine Spectator Magazine

The Rest of the Story

If you are a bargain hunter, start with Hope Estate Hunter Valley whites. There are good ones under $10.

Question: Should my first bottle be the Semillon or the Chardonnay? Answer: Both!

Yup...Hope Estate makes a 50% Semillon-50% Chardonnay at a bargain eight bucks. It's our...

Wine of the Day

1998 Hope Estate Semillon-Chardonnay
Hunter Valley, Australia
My panel's comments—Nice fruit; light; interesting cinnamon backnote.
Rating—RECOMMENDED in its price range.
Proprietor—Successful Sydney pharmacist Michael Hope scraped up some loose change from his shops in 1994, moved to the Hunter Valley, and purchased a mere 250 acres of prime vineyard land, with its small winery. This year he will complete a larger, state-of-the-art, gravity-flow winery which promises even finer wines.
Vineyards—At last count, Michael now owns 450 acres with over 200 planted to vines that are up to 40 years old.
Importer—Winesellers, which brings in such minor names as Georges Duboeuf wines!
Contact—Office of Winesellers' Prexy Yale Sager, phone (847) 679-0102, FAX (847) 679-2017, Skokie, Ill.

Postscript

Whence the name Hunter Valley? In the beginning, Australia was a penal colony. Some convicts stole a small boat and one Lieutenant Shortland went hunting for them. North of Sydney he discovered a river, which he named quite appropriately, Hunter's River.

About the Writer Fred McMillin, a veteran wine writer, has taught wine history for 30 years on three continents. He currently teaches wine courses at San Francisco State and San Francisco City College. In 1995, the Academy of Wine Communications honored Fred with one of only 22 Certificates of Commendation awarded to American wine writers.

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March 2000

03/10/00—Hogue's in Vogue
03/09/00—Unordinary Fred Cherry
03/08/00—It Was Quite a Fight
03/07/00—The White Zin Cash In
03/06/00—Ah-Mah-Row-Nee is No Phony
03/03/00—A Medoc Moment
03/02/00—Take a Pott Shot
03/01/00—The Wrong Name: Women & Wine

 
 

This page created March 2000

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