Let's Do The Twist Again

Aren't they pretty.

So, another new year then. 2008 was something of a funny year, but even so, I'm not laughing. Its gone now though, consigned to the history books as just another four digit number and we won't know how important, or unimportant, it's really been until Mother History tells us one way or another.

Major cities across the world heralded the arrival of the new year with massive firework displays, and while a cynic might suggest that spending $2.5m on 11 minutes of boom is $2.5m that could be better utilised elsewhere, I'm not one of them. I just love watching things blow up, just like the Israelis, who had some special firework displays all of their own. Don't worry, I can hear the sharp intake of air from here, so refrain from writing anything else as it's too early in the year to be offending anyone just yet.

All this excitement though has made me remember Lebanon's infamous Chateau Musar. I say infamous as I've read a couple of times that it's one of the worlds most written about, and sometimes polarising, wines. Whether that's true or not, I'm not sure, but I will say it's an interesting wine that should be tried at least once. Have a look at the excellent Wineanorak's article, or at the Ch. Musar website itself. There's also some interesting stuff about the difficulty Lebanese viticulturists face, as well as the strategic importance of the Bekaa Valley in this Decanter online piece.

I'm not sure where Musar is available in Australia, but I believe that the Prince Wine Store in Melbourne always carries a vintage or two. Also from Lebanon, if you can find it, is the excellent Massayer. Again, might be hard to track down but worthwhile if you can. I was introduced to both by a good friend in London, and if I remember correctly, I favoured the Massayer over the Musar. Fascinating, I'm sure you'll agree.

As for NYE itself, I didn't even make the bells, but then, I never do. I don't even have any reports of great bottles consumed the course of a wild and raucous evening, just something fizzy and French.

However, I did manage to enjoy a bottle of Port Phillip Estate Chardonnay 2006. This is a tight, lean Chardonnay from the Mornington Peninsula that like many modern Australian Chardonnays, has some oak influence but little or no Malolactic fermentation. There's some citrus and some grapefruit in there and overall it's a delicious example of how good the Mornington Peninsula is starting to become for the variety.

Well, that's it. I'll be seeing you. Happy New Year folks.