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About Brown Brothers?
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Brown Brothers was founded by a John Francis Brown, in Australia, who initially had no experience in winemaking. John Francis was very ambitious and after successfully managing his first 10 acres of vineyard in the late 1800s was keen to ... Read review
Advantages: Wonderful fresh flavour Disadvantages: Dearer than my normal red wine choice
...........
About Brown Brothers?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Brown Brothers was founded by a John Francis Brown, in Australia, who initially had no experience in winemaking. John Francis was very ambitious and after successfully managing his first 10 acres of vineyard in the late 1800s was keen to plant more. There was a theory that the future of exporting wine was unlimited so in 1890 the Austrailian Government offered ... ...wine. He called the vineyard Brown Brothers hoping that his brothers Austin, George and Charles would join him, but they never did.
The vineyards still flourish today (after something of a chequered history) and one of the wines in their current range is the Brown Brothers Tarrango wine which I am writing about in this review.
Brown Brothers Tarrango red wine
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How can anyone buy a wine by accident you may well ask - to be honest I am still wondering that myself! There I was perusing the wine bottles in Tesco as I did my weekend shop, looking for all the best offers in my favourite sections (Australian & French) and happily topping up my trolley. I had already selected three bottles when I spied that the Turner Road was on offer, and I like that, when a friend of mine walked past and we got chatting.
It wasn't until I checked my receipt when I got back to my car (to make sure I had received the 5% discount for buying six bottles or more) that I spotted a wine at £5.98 which I didn't think I had bought! It had been my intention to pick up three bottles of the Turner Road but it was apparent that I must have picked up an adjoining wine at the princely sum of £5.98! Not like me at all. I made a mental note that 'this had better be good' and resolved to be more careful next time.
I have often heard the expression 'a cheeky little wine' without fully appreciating what that meant. It seems I was about to discover the answer. Not only did this wine 'cheekily' get itself into my trolley by the most wilful deception (sitting where the Turner Road was meant to be) but this evening when I went to select a wine to enjoy with my evening meal I found this was the one that leapt into my hand. It wasn't until I opened it and poured it that I realised if was the 'offending' bottle!
As you might have spotted from my brief 'about me' text it was my intention to have a rest from review writing (and it still is!) so why am I doing a review on this red wine late on a Saturday evening? Read on and all will be revealed ........
About Brown Brothers? ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Brown Brothers was founded by a John Francis Brown, in Australia, who initially had no experience in winemaking. John Francis was very ambitious and after successfully managing his first 10 acres of vineyard in the late 1800s was keen to plant more. There was a theory that the future of exporting wine was unlimited so in 1890 the Austrailian Government offered £2 an acre to anyone who would plant approved grapevines. The offer lasted 3 years and John Francis and his father planted another 10 acres.
By the end of 1896 John Francis had bought out his father's partnership and leased both the vineyard and barn to produce his own wine. He called the vineyard Brown Brothers hoping that his brothers Austin, George and Charles would join him, but they never did.
The vineyards still flourish today (after something of a chequered history) and one of the wines in their current range is the Brown Brothers Tarrango wine which I am writing about in this review.
Brown Brothers Tarrango red wine ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The first thing I noticed as I poured this wine was that it was a much lighter colour than the red wines I usually drink. It is much clearer than the 'run of the mill' reds, much deeper than a Rosé wine but paler than a red, so I picked up the bottle to read the description. This told me that Tarrango is a unique Australian grape developed to produce a light bodied red wine. Now that might have put me off buying it in the supermarket but as it was already in my glass I was somewhat too late to make that kind of judgement so I tasted it.
It was lovely! Certainly fresh and refreshing - although they do recommend this is served chilled my glass was cool but unchilled but it was certainly a delightful taste. They do describe it as a "wine which is a vibrant cherry red colour with lifted aromas of raspberries, ripe cherries and a hint of spice. These fresh berry aromas are reaffirmed on the palate".
It certainly was all of this and more. I really did enjoy it. It was very drinkable and the pleasant flavour left no nasty aftertaste which you can get with cheaper wines. It was most enjoyable and certainly was an excellent wine to sip on and while away the evening.
As I drank I began to feel very pleasantly content that I had accidently popped it into my shopping trolley and to be honest I have absolutely no regrets about buying it now. I strongly suspect it won't be the last time I try it out - and without a doubt I shall be watching for any offers that may be available on this wine.
The wine I purchased was from the 2005 vintage and they do recommend that it is drunk within two years of vintage - that certainly won't be a problem in this house. They also suggest it is ideal with lights meats or fish and I can concur with that. I am sure it will be wonderful on hot Summer evenings, chilled and drunk outdoors but on a cool and windy Saturday evening it certainly made a very pleasant change from the more full bodied red I generally choose.
My recommendation ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
This is a wine I would put on my list for future reference and would be agreat wine for friends who aren't generally red wine drinkers. However I think it would be equally well received by seasoned red drinkers who appreciate a good wine and are willing to try out different wines.
Even if you generally opt for cheaper wines this is a good choice to bring out for a special evening - or even if you just want to treat yourself!
Look out for thie next time you are wine shopping and watch out - it is cheeky enough to get into your basket without invitation!
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The answer to why I did the review - well I couldn't keep this wine all to myself now could I?
Advantages: Refreshingly light and fruity Disadvantages: Too easy to drink
...spoils!
The Firm
Brown Brothers is probably one of the oldest, family run firms in Australia. It was founded in 1889 as the result of the vision of John Francis Brown whose father, a Scottish immigrant, purchased part of the land which the vineyards now occupy in 1857. The first vines were planted on a ten acre plot in 1885 and the first customers, local Italian tobacco workers.
The operation, based in the Victoria area of southeast Australia, ... ...and fourth generation of the Brown family. The company’s five vineyards cover over 1,100 acres and, within the 30 miles radius they occupy, there is an extraordinary range of climatic conditions from hot sunny plains to temperate valleys and cool alpine areas. Each vineyard produces grapes which have been specially chosed according to the climatic conditions, some 80 varieties at the last count. This ensures that Brown Brothers can offer a vast array ...
suesie 05.06.2007 (06.06.2007)
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Brown Brothers Tarrango
Advantages: Very Easy Drinking . Disadvantages: None
...really like the wines That Brown Brothers Produce.They are usually priced at a fiver and up .I bought this when it was on offer at my local Booths Supermarket when it was reduced by 2 Quid.
It is an easy drinking type red without any harsh tannin flavours and it is a red I would recommend to someone who doesn't usually drink/like red wine yes it is that easy to drink.
It is a Pale red colour and has a fresh cherry type taste although it is 12.5% ... ...glugged.
Although I am no wine expert it seems like it would be best served within 2 years and does'nt seem like the type of wine to store to age
This wine will go with any food that is not too overpowering like Beef stews that are nrmally recommended for red wines, toi me this is the red wine that books the trend of reds and is more like a white in it's versatility.
Best Chilled available from Tescos and Booths ...
Cunny_13 20.02.2008
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Brown Brothers Tarrango
Advantages: Easy and light to drink Disadvantages: Maybe too light-bodied for those who like a gutsy wine
I think suesie and laramax have probably pretty much covered a lot of the factual stuff about this wine, with an impressive amount of research into the bargain! I just wanted to include my views on this wine, especially as it is a little bit special to me, being one of my late grandad's favourite wines. I first came across this wine because of a little challenge presented to me by a friend - to find her a red wine to drink that didn't cause her to ... ...wines from the New World are less likely to have chemical residues in them, due to a lesser need to treat them with pesticides etc due to the climate (very compliated, but that in a nutshell), plus you need a grape variety with very little tannin - the stuff that gives red wine its body and colour.
Hence the Tarrango! This would also sit very nicely in the wine repertoire of a Beaujolais fan.
Yes, it is recommended that this wine is slightly chilled ...
culminates 30.06.2007
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Brown Brothers Tarrango
Advantages: A red wine with a difference Disadvantages: None!
Brown Brothers 'Tarrango' is one of my favourite red wines. It is an exceptionally light and drinkable wine (so no need for food- quaff it on its own!) and it really is delicious when lightly chilled, which I do like in a red. Chilling a red wine often suppresses all the different flavours and undertones but chilling Tarrango seems to bring out its fruitiness. Tarrango has a soft, light taste without the heaviness of, say, a Merlot or a Cabernet ...
butterbean78 11.05.2007
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Brown Brothers Tarrango
