Some very brief highlights from Rootstock 2016 I only managed a single morning session at Rootstock 2016 (the sustainable wine/food fair - see previous iterations here or here) this year, mainly because I was originally slated to be …
Domaine de l’Octavin Vin de France Pamina Chardonnay 2012 The only 'mainstream' variety in the l'Octavin range and also the most boring. There, I said it. Really quite volatile, which is surprising given that it's a less …
Domaine de l’Octavin Vin de France Corvées de Trousseau 2013 Welcome to the pointy end of natural wine. This Trousseau is instantly fascinating and divisive, all at once. The low alcohol (9%) dictates that this had to …
Rootstock 2014 - 3 wine highlights Oh yes, it was busy Rootstock is Australia's first minimal intervention wine show, first held last year and now ramped up again for it's second iteration (for a further context you …
Yours truly in requisite orange shirt Rootstock - an Australian wine game changer? Game changer. Yes it is a clichéd phrase, yet I think 'game changer' might be an apt expression to describe an event that may shape …
'The World's Greatest Wines that aren't...' When I first started this blog, almost four years ago now, I did so with purpose - I wanted somewhere accessible (online) where I could store all my tasting notes …
Domaine Belluard Vin de Savoie Ayse Mont-Blanc Méthode Traditionnelle Brut-Zéro 2006 (Savoie, France)12.5%, Cork, $48Source: Retailhttp://www.domainebelluard.fr/ Belluard Ayse Brut Zero 2006 Made right near the Mont Blanc pen factory? Domaine Belluard is a biodynamic producer located in …
Dard & Ribo Note the hand written labels in the background there. Dard & Ribo Hermitage Blanc and Rouge 2009 René-Jean Dard and François Ribo first established their domaine in 1984 and now count 7.5 hectares in Crozes-Hermitage, …
Pyramid Valley Earth Smoke Pinot Noir Just an amazing wine experience Pyramid Valley Earth Smoke Pinot Noir 2009 (North Canterbury, NZ) 13.8%, Screwcap, circa $140 retail Source: Wine list www.pyramidvalley.co.nz I have to thank fellow blogger and good friend Patrick 'The …
Natural Wine: What is it? This article originally appeared recently in LattéLife Magazine. I'm reprinting a slightly reworked version of this here as, although I seem to drink plenty of natural wines (there's quite a natural …
If you can spare a minute or so, check out this link: http://www.naturalselectiontheory.com/ It's a challenge in itself to cut through the spiel, but the concept itself sounds interesting - Hunter Semillon done in an extreme natural …
Jean Foillard 'Cote du Py' 2007 (Morgon, Beaujolais, France)Cork, $60This wine is, without a doubt, as far removed from typical Beaujolais as you are likely to encounter. Instead, consider this to be more closely aligned …
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.