The premise with this collection is very very simple - I've been hitting the sample pile hard over the past week or two, and these 30 wines were not only the most quintessentially smashable Australian …
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 opening lots of wines. I …
Vinea Marson Rosè 2015 Amidst the clamour for rosé (one of the fastest growing segments in the wine industry) it's always great to know that not everyone ascribes to the 'must taste like Provence rosé' theory. …
From solid drinks to faulty train wrecks (and everything in between), the Almost Club is for wines that didn't hit the Australian Wine Review 'recommended' mark (17/20, 90/100) in August 2018. Note that there is friendly …
Obviously it's July now (not June), but I did a quick trawl through the tasting book today and it revealed an interesting stat - Riesling, Chardonnay and Semillon make up the bulk of the white …
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 …
Here are a few wines that almost made it in February (and a day late I know). A few serious disappointments here, and a few solid, simple wines. That Ferngrove was notably unbalanced - what's happening …
It's that time again - time to roundup a selection of wines that didn't quite make it onto the site. Some because of time and space, others because they failed the grade, this January 2017 …
It's that time again! These wines haven't quite made it into full review status this month. I'm a bit behind (living out of a suitcase does that), hence why this list is longer than normal. Ten Minutes …
Here's another new name to add to the list. Livewire is the label of Anthony Brain, a former chef who has spent time as winemaker for Bellarine Estate and De Bortoli (amongst others). Ant's been focused on …
Sunshine Creek Heathcote Shiraz 2013 This is the pick of the latest Sunshine Creek releases. Cork sealed, with a heavy bottle, this was made by Mario Marson. Matured in French oak for 15 months. It's old school, …
It's that time again. These wines haven't quite made a full write up this month. Odds and ends... Sunshine Creek Yarra Valley Cabernets 2013 No back label. Feel the mystery! Not quite in the same realm as the …
It's roundup time! These are some of the odds and ends that haven't quite made it up on to the site so far this month. Wines are listed from higher to lower scores... 10X Mornington Peninsula Sauvignon …
Now here is a top maker that slips below the radar. Vinea Marson is the estate of Mario Marson, the ex- Mount Mary winemaker and viticulturist who has now setup in Heathcote. By chance I spotted …
On the back of a week of Victorian Shiraz (including top wines from Lethbridge and Willow Creek), I thought it only natural that we carry on the theme this week, with a collection of Victorian …
Easing back in with three bold Balgownie Shiraz I managed to sleep all the way through overnight, gladly not waking up at 5am again. Take that jet lag! Tonight I'm celebrating with a beer and three Shiraz …
Hanging Rock Heathcote Shiraz 2010 I'm always impressed by the Hanging Rock Heathcote Shiraz. Classy and deep, the concentration a fair reflection of the mature, dry-grown Hanging Rock vineyard. I wouldn't call myself a Heathcote Shiraz …
Hanging Rock Cambrian Rise Heathcote Shiraz 2012 This multi-vineyard blend is basically the second wine to Hanging Rock's flagship Heathcote Shiraz. A little Google searching reveals that this can be picked up for sub $25, at …
Between Five Bells H-Cote Red 2013'For no other reason than to be delicious.' That's the Between Five Bells catchcry, and one that I never grow tired of. Why else would you make wine than for it …
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.