It's easy to get blase about Sauvignon Blanc - a variety that so often is treated like an alcohol delivery system rather than a serious wine. Yet Shaw + Smith …
I never miss this tasting. Every year, the Sydney Royal Wine Show throws open the doors for a trade/exhibitor tasting of all everything entered into what is one of Australia's famous, …
After 3 long, COVID-interrupted years, today saw the return of the famed Shaw + Smith Yum Cha lunch. This (normally) annual event sees the S + S team dispatched to different …
Top tier. Top Tiers. This Tapanappa Tiers Chardonnay 2021 is just a super Chardonnay. Something that does justice to the Tiers name, from a great (cool vintage), and in classical form. …
Not all wines can be great. Plenty are just 'ok drinks', and some are just bad… Here is a selection of 13 wines that almost made it in May 2022. An important …
It's starting to feel cold and shitty here in Sydney town this week, which is a huge contrast from the humid 26C humid glory of Noosa I had last week. …
Team Shaw + Smith, I dip my lid. If ever there was an advertisement for how professionalism and a search for continuous improvement can deliver ever better wines, then let it …
For anyone like me who likes sunshine and warmth, late April in Sydney is a bit sad. That's because now is when you start realising that summer beach action is now …
Not all wines can be great. Plenty are just ok drinks. And some are just bad... Here is a selection of wines that almost made it in April 2022. What's always important, …
My trips to the post office to pick up wine at this time of year are always more battle than a trip. Not only is it always raining (Yes, the La …
You remember when I pumped up the little brother wine to this new Tapanappa Tiers 1.5m Chardonnay 2021? This is a significant step up. Different though. Drawn from the close-planted block …
Besides the obvious wine quality, what I always like about the new vintage release of the latest Tapanappa wines is the commentary from Brian Croser. Come for the Chardonnay, stay …
2020 was a tricky vintage for the Hills (fire, uneven flowering, the lot). You can see it in this lean and unready Longview Macclesfield Chardonnay 2020. Part of the excellent Macclesfield …
I haven't been opening anywhere near enough fizz lately. Maybe it's because I've taken my eye off the bubbles train. Or maybe it's a lack of celebrations/excuses to open fizz. Maybe …
At 18, I started working in a small suburban bottleshop, largely to buy cheap beer. It was my first year of university, slogging through physics and chemistry, so a liquor shop seemed like fun. But then, I fell in love with wine and craft beer, and it took over my life.
Twenty three years later and I spend my days wearing many beverage hats and judge at wine shows around the world...Read more