A jumble of Australians

[Dave the Cook]

So far, holiday parties have been good this year. I now have in my possession:

• Fox Creek Vixen NV (a sparkling Shiraz/Cab Franc/Cab Sauvignon concoction)
  
• 1999 Yalumba (Barossa) Bush Vine Grenache
  
• 12-year-old Chateau Reynella (McLaren Vale) Old Cave Tawny Port
  

Excepting the Grenache, these are beyond the usual fare served at Chateau Dave, and even that's a new one on me. I know my way around cheap (

Instinct tells me that the Fox Creek would work with fatty red meats, prepared simply: prime rib, leg of lamb, roasted fresh ham or duck. I don't think I'd try it with chicken or smoked ham, or even a steak, with the possible exception of a ribeye.

The Grenache I would pour with something a little spicy: maybe roast chicken with assertive herbs, a cajun dish that didn't have too many tomatoes, lamb chops with mustard, or maybe something with fruit in it, say an extra-ginger teriyaki pork tenderloin. And maybe a veal chop with rosemary or (better) thyme.

As for the port, my only experience is 1) a little cooking, 2) business dinners that went on too long and were not the best venue for appreciation. Nevertheless, I'm thinking dark chocolate, rich nuts, maybe gingersnaps. Don't know about cheese. Is that appropriate? Something nutty?

How did I do? Those with more experience: please grade me on my selections, and suggest additional or more appropriate pairings.

[baphie]

• Fox Creek Vixen NV (a sparkling Shiraz/Cab Franc/Cab Sauvignon concoction)
  

Your pairings sound fine. My only advice would be to have a back-up wine for the Fox Creek. This was rated one of the most disgusting non-flawed wines ever by a group of us who tasted a similar Aussie shiraz/etc sparkling wine.

A.

[Niall]

They do sound like good pairings. The fox creek is a particularily good wine. Despite what baphie said, although it is a different sparkling red from the normal sparkling shiraz.

The Chateau reynella does make a fantastic pairing with chocolate and nuts, and most cheeses would be overpowered by it. It does go well with strong cheddars, edams etc. I usually just drink my tawnies with a shot of espresso, machiato or ristretto..

[Dave the Cook]

...one of the most disgusting non-flawed wines ever by a group of us who tasted a similar Aussie shiraz/etc sparkling wine.

The fox creek is a particularily good wine. Despite what baphie said, although it is a different sparkling red from the normal sparkling shiraz.

Baphie, can you suggest something similar as a back-up? Then we can have our own little tasting.

[Niall]

You could try the Seppelt Original Sparkling Shiraz for a typical aussie bubbly shiraz, The Rockford Black or Jenke Kalte Ente for best of type. Or the D'Arenberg Peppermint Paddock Sparkling Chambourcin for the one of the best non shiraz sparkling reds.