A Very Merry Xmas From BoozeMonkey!

Well, Xmas is finally upon us. I've been predicting this for months now. It had to happen.

Are you still working like me, or have you already finished for the holidays? If you're already in holiday mode -- whether you're shivering in bed in the northern hemisphere (hi to all our friends in the UK and the USA) or relaxing in a hammock by the beach with us here down under -- then I hope you're enjoying yourself. Wherever you may be, Xmas is a time for friends and families, and I hope you have yours around you this year.

:: THE BEST WINES OF 2009
Since  we started reviewing wine on BoozeMonkey just six months ago, we have tried more good wine than is strictly legal: we almost feel guilty about it. If someone tips off the booze police then we're in big trouble...

We can't name all the great wines we've tried because the list would enormous, but a few names stick out in our minds which we all agree are something really special. Among them are SABELLA (amazing Shiraz), SYLVAN SPRINGS (Cyril's Reserve), SINGLEFILE (Reserve Chardonnay), MOOROOROO PARK (Silentium Sparkling Shiraz), CAUGHT REDHANDED (2008 Shiraz and Fortified), BLOWFLY (the legendary Maelstrom), CAPPA STONE (Moscato), and PENNY'S HILL (pretty much anything Ben Riggs puts into a bottle).

There are plenty more of course: Anderson, Zema, Kirrihill, 2 Mates, Neagles Rock, Glencari... and I personally guarantee that you won't be disappointed by any of the wines you try from these remarkable winemakers.

And that's one thing which makes the current downturn in the fortunes of the Australian wine industry so frustrating -- we produce some world-beating wines, but the majority of our amazing winemakers are so small that they don't have the cash to promote their wine properly. Which is why BoozeMonkey was born of course: with 10,000 ~ 12,000 page views per day, we are the busiest wine community in the southern hemisphere, drawing wine-lovers from around the globe and providing our miracle-working grape-stompers with a platform to shout about their work.

:: LOOKING FORWARD TO 2010
This year has been an exciting one for us, launching BoozeMonkey and watching it grow from strength to strength, month by month.

We are very grateful for all your help: we couldn't have achieved all the things we have without your continued support.

We are already planning big things for 2010 -- we will be re-vamping the website, adding new features and promoting events -- and we really hope you will join us for the ride, and that you will invite some friends along too. The more the merrier.

So please stop by and say hello over the holidays, make a few new friends, chat to the winemakers... and if you're lucky enough to try a good bottle or two, please tell us about it: you can review wines alongside the pros and tell us what it really tastes like.

:: AND A VERY MERRY XMAS TO YOU ALL!
Quite honestly, this year has been the greatest pleasure, and it's largely down to all the great people we have had the chance to meet and to chat with on BoozeMonkey. You guys rock!
I want to wish you all a very Merry Christmas, and a very happy, healthy and prosperous 2010.

Enjoy the holidays, enjoy each others company and smile.

Cheers!

Matt
www.BoozeMonkey.com