It may at times be misunderstood as snobbery, haughtiness or the hallmark of pretention, but the practice of decanting a bottle of wine really can be an important speed bump between cork removal and pouring a glass. Sure, it can be somewhat of an inconvenience to have to find the crystal vessel you inherited from…
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If you were to ask a bunch of wine gurus (self-proclaimed or otherwise) where you’ll find the world’s best Chardonnay, I’m guessing that at least eight out of ten will tell you that you’d need to travel to Burgundy in France and visit a sub-region like Chablis or Côte de Beaune. Others may well say…
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As state and federal governments begin their push to encourage all of us to holiday domestically this year, there’s probably no better time to visit Queensland’s far north – but if a cooler climate, fresh air and a world-class wine trail are high in your list of priorities, look no further than the pristine beauty…
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With International Women’s Day being celebrated on Friday March 5th, it seemed appropriate to pen an article shining a light on the success of Australia’s women of wine. Amongst Australia’s best female winemakers are many who are the creators and hands behind some on my favourite wines. Names like Liz Heidenreich – the first ever…
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Research suggests that there are about half a billion vegetarians on the planet – and that number is on the rise; a fringe movement is becoming mainstream due to a focus on health, animal welfare and climate change – or so they say. From my doctor friend who talks about the benefits of a meat…
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Whether we’re creatures of habit looking to break the shackles or open-minded adventurers searching for the next dose of inspiration, there are times when our palates crave something new and different when it’s time for a pre-dinner tipple. Across the globe there are over 100,000 wineries and in excess of 10,000 different types of wine,…
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Call them a wine list, a bill of fare or if you’re fancy, la carte des vins; it’s a fact of life that a restaurant’s catalogue of wines on offer will often define a venue’s status – whether for the better or worse. And I’m sure I’m not the only diner who tends to scrutinise the…
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The terms legend and icon are frequently bandied around, all too often undeservedly. However, when it comes to the Australian wine industry, it’s hard to find any better descriptors for the doyen of the industry, Brian Croser. His upbringing in South Australia’s Clare Valley was the spark that ignited his passion for oenology (study of…
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It goes without saying that 2020 has landed a cruel blow to many Australian households and small businesses. Almost three decades since our last recession, and this one comes wrapped with a 4.3% drop in wages, unemployment rates of 8% and now a decline in property values that some pundits predict could be as high…
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My visceral dislike of Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc is hardly a tightly guarded secret; and yes, I did once describe it as “one-dimensional cat-piss briefly soaked in lemon zest” but that was in reference to the Oyster Bay offering that is the biggest selling Sauvignon Blanc in the country. It’s a style that is as popular…
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