justis yep totally agree with this and as people educate and experience different wine they appreciate it more and find their own taste and varieties they like.
But I must say in my days, be vary of these bulk commercial producers and try some of the smaller vineyards as well if you can. 20,000ltr + tanks, hmmm, how much love go into these wines and dont forget the snakes, possums, rats that get caught in the harvesters as well as the additives, including sulphur, that go in during crushing.
true with regions as well. choose a good vineyard and winemaker in that reqion, not just the regional name.
many of old growth and terraced wineries as well as smaller "boutique" wineries, many in WA South West, yarra valley etc.., hand pick during harvest and dont use self propelled or tow behind harvesters. why not call up and ask to go for the day and pick some grapes for them and then see the process. I tell you we could always do with extra hands who are interested in production.
drive the backroads from melbourne to nsw, inland up to sydney through the ranges and hunter, along the great ocean road and gippsland, south west wa. best scenery, local wineries and fresh local produce off the main highways.
