Christmas is my favourite time of year. The smell of gardenias. The sun. The green grass. The promise of holidays. It's so good. This time of year is also perfect for …
Wine shows cop a lot of flack. You need only read the feedback to my post on the 2018 Sydney Royal Wine Show exhibitors tasting to see that. But is …
There is no reason why this tasting should be so bad. Yet every year I line up a collection of textural white wines and every year it's disappointing. Except that this …
Topper's Mountain Barrel Aged Gewurztraminer 2015 This is the best Gewurz in Australia. Top of the list. King of the hill. A number one... What's even better is how unlikely it is. An …
Huntington Estate Mudgee Gewurztraminer 2015 Now this is a surprise packet. I've got a massive soft spot for Gewurtz, but this Huntington Estate is good. Concentrated and varietal, the nose a riot …
The quest for quality BYO restaurants in my area (Sydney's northern beaches) is an endless pursuit. Sure, there are plenty of quality restaurants. There are also plenty of BYO restaurants. But …
Topper's Mountain Barrel Ferment Gewurztraminer 2014 In a few short years, Topper's Mountain has become one of the most exciting wine producers in the country, blazing a trail with not only …
Kellermeister Eden Valley Eiswein 2010 An Eden Valley Gewurztraminer ice wine? Tricky. Hand-picked grapes are slowly frozen over 2 weeks and whole bunch pressed when frozen. But this doesn't tasty tricky. Just …
Toppers Mountain Bricolage Blanc 2013 (New England, NSW) Toppers Mountain is, by a large measure, New England's hero winery. The tablelands Clonakilla. A hotbed of fine wine in northern NSW. Part of …
Spring Vale Louisa Sticky Gewurztraminer 2013 (East Coast, Tasmania)9.1%, Screwcap, $22CD 375ml The sweet wine for Spring Vale and it's cleverly, utilising a little skin contact (a week apparently) and a …
Topper's Mountain new releases Tonight I have the new releases from Topper's Mountain on the bench, with both wines again showcasing the blinding intensity that this fine New England producer is …
Spring Vale Gewurztraminer 2013 (East Coast, Tasmania) 13.6%, Screwcap, $28Source: Samplewww.springvalewines.com I think I can count on one hand how many bottles of straight Australian Gewurtz I've drunk over the years. Tasted …
Toppers Gewurtztraminer 2012 (New England, NSW) 12.6%, Screwcap, $35Source: Samplewww.toppers.com.au This week kicks off the NSW Wine Festival, a month long celebration of all things NSW wine. Considering that it once …
Pizzini White Roman 2012 (King Valley, Vic) 12%, Screwcap, $18.50CD Source: Sample www.pizziniwines.com A blend of Riesling, Gewurztraminer and Pinot Grigio. I like the usage of the Italian Grigio in lieu of French Gris. …
Sublime dry German wines: Rebholz Is it a Riesling or a Chardonnay? As a writer (or a pale imitation of one at least), I reserve the most respect for those who can …
Waipara - the other Kiwi hotspot I've been digging through some old notes this week and chanced upon a file I thought I'd lost. A file of tasting notes actually, …
Cloudy Bay new releases If you're looking for me next weekend this is where I'll be. Stunning! Cloudy Bay. THE Marlborough icon. The winery that, along with Brancott (nee Montana), really propelled Marlborough …
Wooed by Henschke Henschke Hill of Grace Vineyard (Photo by Kate Parry) It must have been 6 or 7 degrees in the Henschke tasting room, perhaps less. Needless to say it was cold. …
Penfolds Cellar Reserve Range Cellar Reserve = character! One of the good things about being the most profitable part of the Treasury Wine Estate (nee Fosters) empire is that you really can dictate …
McLaren Vale: Highlights from the new generation If I was in the mood for cliches, this article could be called 'Mclaren Vale: The next vintage' or 'McLaren Vale's new crop' or …
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. Needless to say, I discovered wine, and my life evolved with a unique dual focus - wine and environment.
Twenty years later and I spend my days wearing many (wine) hats, mostly as a writer, presenter and marketer.
I now judge at wine shows around the world, sit on the Australian Wine List of the Year awards panel and was once a Wine Journalism Young Gun (but baby that was years ago).
Currently, I write features for a variety of publications including National Liquor News, Gourmet Traveller WINE and the RAS, plus I'm a former Lifestyle FOOD channel wine expert.
In 2019 and 2020 I was voted in the Top 30 Best Wine Critics in The World, and in my spare time, I'm a sucker for punishment and run trail ultra marathons, much to the delight of my long-suffering family. Read more about me here or get in touch to book your next wine event with me here