Another May, another budget. With an election looming you’d expect this one to have included some fiscal carrots to swinging voters.

While there’s a Shooters Party, Motorists, Hemp, and Cyclists party, but sadly, there is no Wine party. Given Australia exported $1.89 Billion worth of wine last year, maybe there should be. I proudly declare myself Red.

Until then we wine lovers have only ourselves to blame.

Here are some suggestions of wine for those celebrating or commiserating the treasurer’s recent actions.

 

I’m one of the few who is actually slightly better off.

Taittinger NV $45 in 6 at DM’s

I can’t decide if this is my favourite NV champagne, or if Billecart Salmon wins. Right now this is much cheaper so it wins. Who needs cocaine?

 

I’m better off but the lack of real climate action means my cellar will be flooded before it’s ready to drink.

Start drinking. A wine before its peak is better than a wine after its prime. Particularly when the rising tide has removed the label so you don’t know what it is anymore

 

I can still afford to drink, but with the cuts to healthcare I’m going to drink less.

 Valdespino Pedro Ximenez $29 in six from Vintage Cellars

Liquid Christmas pudding, which makes it better than Christmas pudding. I couldn’t resist a sip at 10.30am the other day, just to make sure it was as good as I remembered. It was/ Never feel embarrassed about serving sherry again.

 

Curly Flat, Chardonnay 2012, from Mt Macedon $44 from winery.

I told the sommelier and Mr Wong’s that I liked Giaconda and Bannockburn and he said try the Curly Flat. A sniff and a sip and I almost gave the man a hug. It was that good. Here are the official tasting notes, courtesy of the winery.

“A nose that merges power with grace, as French oak lends a regal polish to the fruit” Totally agree, as to the palate…

“rich, creamy yet finely textured mouth-feel creates a luxurious platform for the lemon zest citrus and fresh cut stone fruits to pulse forward along a wave of glistening cool climate acidity.”

 

Curly Flat ‘The Curly’ Pinot Noir, 2013, $64 from winery

I haven’t had this, but I’ve heard from a reliable source that it’s even better than the chardonnay. Here’s a review from Campbell Mattinson in The Wine Front.

“A stunner out of the Curly Flat stable. This is a pinot noir. Force of flavour, force of tannin, force of personality. It’s smoky, cranberried, spicy and complexity intoxicating. Cherry, undergrowth, game, garden herb and twig-like notes are all in there too. It will mature slowly, and exceptionally well.” Rated : 96 Points

 

My $20 ceiling has dropped closer to $10.

Logan Merlot 2012, $12 Vintage Cellars

This is what they say: “The rich aroma shows characters of blueberry, cherry, dark chocolate and oregano with flavours of mulberry, blackberry, dark chocolate and black olive on the smooth palate.” – Can’t say I got all that, but it’s a great house wine.

 

Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon Cleanskins 2012, Dan Murphy $9.

Some may find it a bit embarrassing to share the bottle with any but your best friends, but they will love the contents. Starts off like every Coonawarra CS should with cassis and green leaves. Full flavour, but gets a bit wobbly on the way out.

 

La Jolie Chardonnay, $11. Castlecrag Cellars

Golden hues. Apricots, damp paper (in a good way) on the nose. A hint of something fizzy, maybe just lively acid, and a fair attempt at a finish. All this for under $11. Oui, c’est La Joile…. Hopefully they still have it.

 

It’s all going to the dogs and I think I’ll move to France where I can buy a small chateau for the price of a one bedroom flat in Sydney and the wine is half the price too.

Petite Recolte VDP Alpilles, Provence Rose 3.95 Euro

Summer is coming and a chilled rose beckons. Particularly at just $6 a bottle. Apparently it has a ‘fresh nose of British candies, red fruits, raspberries, citrus and pomelos.’

 

Small Chateau, Midi-Pyrenees 357,000 Euro

http://www.my-french-house.com/full-access/midi-pyrenees/countryside-house/71234/