Some excellent cold-weather wines from Australia are just hitting the New Mexico market for the first time. Each is less than $20, has an irreverent or edgy theme and sports a fun label. A punk rock Shiraz or a misfit blend is just the thing to inject a little insolence into your evening, but these aren’t just novelty wines. They’re all a great value for premium Australian juice.Quarters, Stoneface and Bird of Paradise Liquors are the first shops to carry the bottles in Albuquerque, and there are more retailers to come. Imbibe (3101 Central NE) is also starting to offer a few of them by the glass. Just remember: These wines are limited-production. Better hurry up and get them before they’re gone.
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The Old Plains Raw Power Shiraz is 100 percent Shiraz from Adelaide, Australia. A nice, big winter wine with a punk rock attitude. Undoubtedly Johnny Rotten’s wine of choice.
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The Alpha Box & Dice Tarot Grenache is 100 percent Australian Grenache from McLaren Vale. The best offering of the bunch. Don’t let the face of death on the label frighten you away. The juice inside is heavenly.
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Misfit Wine Company’s Golem Riesling is 100 percent Riesling from Clare Valley. A lusciously delicious wine, this one would be a perfect pairing with turkey. Bonus for environmentalists: These grapes were sustainably farmed.
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Another Misfit offering, Brujeria (witchcraft), is made in the style of the wines of Ribera del Duero, Spain. This one’s a voluptuous blend of Shiraz, Cabernet, Garnacha and Tempranillo.
