Australian wine recommendation

[tdmck]

I am traveling to Australia in a couple of weeks and would like to bring back a bottle of Australian wine for a friend. I know next to nothing about wine. I know she likes semi-dry reds, especially Merlots. I am willing to spend up to $25 or so for a good quality wine. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks for you time.

[doug'n'boston]

It's a big place ... you'd have to be more specific about where you are going, but, I'd suggest you can do quite well for $25.00 US Dollars ... $35 AUD ... you may do well to visit a store and ask them the same question, adding that it should be something not available in the US. You might even try to find two for $35 AUD and hold one back. If she loves it you can crack open the second some months later as a surprise! Enjoy your trip!

[doug'n'boston]

Okay ... re-reading your post, please take gender totally out of my answer!

[winoweenie]

Hi tdmck and a belated welcome to the board. My answer will differ slightly as most of the really good Aussie wines are exported to us. Another thing is the Aussies aren't known for their merlots rather the marvelous shiraz and cabernets they produce. I'd reccommend a shiraz as its' up-front fruitiness makes most of them very palatable. Asking a store owner makes sense. Go to a wine bar and try a few yourself. You mite discover a real pleaser. WW

[wondersofwine]

Irvine Grand Merlot is a pretty impressive, big, expensive Australian product. You might do better budget-wise to pick a shiraz or a blended red.