From great value quaffers to absolute train wrecks, this month's compilation of 'almost' wines is a biggun'. I'm always conscious of my prejudice against overripeness and heavy-handed oak, but I call both as symptoms of poor …
Following on from last month's focus on other reds and Shiraz, this May I'm all about red blends. It's always frustrating that we seem so singularly focused on mono-varietal wines in Australia, as it often makes for less …
Sorry everyone, I failed. Last week, I said that I'd try to post some tidbits from my time judging at the Concours Mondial de Bruxelles in Beijing, China. Except I didn't event get close. Long days …
Today marks the 1oth birthday of this website, Australian Wine Review. A bloody decade! What an incredible ten years it has been - a time that has changed my life. But it didn't begin that way... When I …
For the final post in my 'wines that moved me in April' series comes this final collection - that I'm calling the 'better reds that aren't Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz or Pinot Noir'. As a primer, check …
Following on from my Cabernet compilation on Monday, let me introduce you to the Shiraz/Syrah selection. Twenty of the better Shiraz to pass the desk in April, all in one handy place. I particularly like the diversity …
As close followers would have noticed, I've been on a mission this month, trying to get the sample pile back into shape. Now we're nearing the end of April and I'm still behind, so it's time …
BEER: Modus Operandi Dream Weaver Unfiltered IPA 'I have the IPA' That was the message I sent to my long-suffering partner Jacqui at 10am Saturday morning, just on 24hrs after this beer had been released. Oh yes, …
Goodman Yarra Valley Pinot Noir 2015 There's a great freshness to this new range of wines from Kate Goodman. Understatement, low alcohol, purity. They're Yarra wines of old, but not fusty. Just elegant. This Pinot is the …
Goodman Cabernet Sauvignon 2014 Classic Yarra Valley Cabernet. There's a timelessness to this mode of red, even if it's slightly uncool in the modern riper Cab world. Cassis, pencils shavings, a vegetal hint and backed by …
Warramate Shiraz 2015 Gently spicy, understated Yarra Shiraz with delicacy and lovely juicy fruit. It's richer than the 13% alcohol suggests, fractionally lifted up by oak sweetness, but with a palate that beautifully balances out freshness …
Steels Gate Pinot Noir 2016 From the 30yo Steels Gate Vineyard. No irrigation, hand bottling, no fining or filtering. Love the handling. Interesting wine this too - there's the touch of the warm vintage that gives …
At 18 I started working in a small suburban bottleshop, largely to buy cheap beer. It was my first year of university, doing a degree that I didn't really like, and a liquor shop seemed like fun. Needless to say I discovered wine, my uni degree morphed into something completely different and wine/beer took over my life.
Almost twenty years later and I currently spend my days wearing many (wine) hats, mostly as a writer, presenter and marketer.
While wearing my writer cap I write features for the likes of National Liquor News, Gourmet Traveller WINE and the RAS plus I'm a Lifestyle FOOD channel wine expert. Read more about me here or get in touch to book your next wine event with me here.