I’m drinking a bit more at the moment.

I haven’t started on the good stuff yet, don’t think things are that desperate, but a friend of mine who lives just North of Milan is halfway through his cellar. Not much else to do when you are locked up inside your house.

So here’s a list of what to drink in these trying times, priced from ‘slightly concerned’ to ‘Scomo is stuffing things up because he’s a Pentecostalist looking forward to the end of the world’ expensive.

But before we get into wine, consider this – you may be better off drinking G&T, or Campari (Negroni anyone?) or Aperol as these all contain quinine which may well combat the Covid-19 virus.

Yes, it’s awkward that Clive Palmer is spruiking this. I first read about this a couple of weeks ago, I think French doctors were the first to report it and I saw on Al Jazeera that the Jordanians were making chloroquine an official treatment. Whether it works or not, we can all enjoy the experiment. Back to wine.

Slightly concerned – under $25

We might want to open a second bottle, so let’s not be too extravagant

Red DeBortoli Villages Shiraz Grenache

If, like me, you’re not a big fan of big Barossa Shiraz then you may well enjoy this cooler climate Victorian version. I did. All the fullness without the blow to the back of the head. I can recommend all the DB Villages range. Elegant wines at a very reasonable price.

Rose Rameau D’Or

There is a lot of bad Provence Rose – they get rough around the edges, too much acid or aggressive amounts of alcohol – so when you find a good one it is cause for celebration. This Rameau is pretty good. Not as good as the Rimauresque I have raved about in the past, but well worth having a couple in the fridge for a warm autumn evening.

White Chalkboard Margaret River Chardonnay

This was a nice surprise. I thought it might be a backdoor version of Devil’s Lair. It is well balanced, clean and with plenty of elegant fruit. Turns out it’s a backdoor version of Howard Park which is not too shabby either.

 

I really need something to cheer me up – around $50

While there are lots of great wines to be found in this price range, I would be spending my money on champagne which in my experience guarantees joy.

You can find Mumm, Moet and Piper H for under $50 at Vintage Cellars (no, they haven’t paid me, I’m just being lazy), but I’d give the Pommery a go at $53. Madame Pommery started the trend for Brut style Champagne in 1874. No doubt it inspired Impressionists and cheered up ex-Communards.

 

Scomo is right, it’s the end of days so fuck the credit card bill – $100 plus

More champagne – Bollinger Rose $129

My cousin gave me a bottle of this as a house-warming present. Imagine drinking a cherry blossom orchard on a cool spring morning. Yes, it was that good. As is my cousin.

Bass Phillip Premium Pinot Noir 2015 $209 – Dan Murphy

Avid readers of this blog will remember my rapture at drinking the 2011 Bass Phillip Pinot. That was liquid heaven but reputedly from a bad vintage. The 2015 can only be better, although that’s hard to imagine. If any Pentecostalists are reading this, please let me know what it’s like.

Any Le Montrachet over $500

In theory, this is the ultimate dry white wine. I’ve had Batard Montrachet many, many years ago. Possibly a Chassagne too, but never a Le. All I can remember of the BM is that I’d never tasted anything like it. Not sure I have since. Again, if anyone does enjoy a drop, please let me know what it’s like?

Stay well.