The Best[‘s] Tweet Up Ever
Today is the 1st September, 2010 and there is a definite Spring in the air and that little blue bird will certainly have to get out and take note today. Yes, I am referring to the Twitter Bird. I am looking forward to the outcome of today, not only because I get to see the new releases from Best’s but, putting my marketing hat on, just how much of a twitter-storm Best’s can create today with their Tweet up.
Firstly, for the uninitiated – what is a Tweet up? It is where we twits (sorry, perhaps tweeps is better) have an on-line confab about a topic. Now this can be done two ways, remotely, where the tweeps stay in the comfort of their home and send tweets over the ether or tweeps can actually physically be together and then send tweets over the ether. Either way, the whole point of the exercise is about DIALOGUE.
The wine industry has been dipping their toe in the yet untapped pool of twitter potential in Australia. Indeed, the industry is only starting on it’s evolution into engagement using social media – Kirrihill were the first to get the ball rolling with bloggers in 2008 and Wine Communicators Australia did a great job with the more recent first wine tweet up for Australia.
Best’s are covering all bases with not only the remote tweet up with an open invitation to join in but also with a face-to-face tweet up at Fix St James in Sydney. I am most assuredly not alone with this event with 100+ packs being sent out and 34 joining the Best’s Team at Fix St James. In fact, you could say that just these numbers would indicate that there is growing excitement around the event in a time when it is often hard to get people together in a room for a launch.
I received my three wines weeks ago and I have been very disciplined not to open them early so that the first day of Spring had an added incentive.
So, today I am very happy that I have had the opportunity to part of this ‘first’, thank you Best’s.
Here are my tasting notes:
Best’s Great Western Riesling 2010
This is a Riesling for those who like their Riesling ripe with youthful exuberance. While there is the hallmark spicy floral citrus characters, there is some riper firm stonefruit here that is delivering generously – a bit like getting an apricot, lemon & lime hamper with your flowers on your birthday. All this with a subtle mineral backbone means that this wine is refreshingly crisp and long. Drink it young with a Thai chicken salad garnished with just a few fresh herbs to complement the fragrant zestiness of this wine.
Date: 1st September 2010 Price: $22 Value: $$$ Drink: Now – 7 years
Best’s Great Western Cabernet Sauvignon 2009
Despite a couple of spikes in temperature, the 2009 vintage in Central Victoria was cooler than the previous vintage and, according to Best’s, this meant that the Cabernet needed to be picked later in the harvest. While this could have meant that this Cab may have had more herbaceousness, there is just a hint of earthier dried herbs there under the fresh perfumed currant and red fruit. It is an elegant easy drinking style of Cabernet with a medium body, refreshing acid that gives it foodability. Give it a couple of years and you will get more of the dried herb savouriness.
Date: 1st September 2010 Price: $25 Value: $$ Drink: Now – 5+ years
Best’s Great Western Bin No. 1 Shiraz 2009
There is no doubt the youth of this wine in its vibrant purple ruby depth. Full bodied sweet blackberry, complete with spice and a light pie crust characters that is not quite as elegant as the Cab Sauv. It is jam packed full of rich fruit sweetness that lasts long on the palate.
Date: 1st September 2010 Price: $25 Value: $ Drink: Now – 7 years
