In what has become a semi-annual event, I ventured out into the Armageddon-esque sideways rain on Saturday to taste the trophy winners (and more) from the Sydney International Wine Competition. You're …
(This is a version of a print article that I wrote recently on the latest trends in sparkling wine. A different audience and a different, broader tone than usual, but …
Here's a selection of wines that were almost great. Some are just good, solid wines that are occasionally unready, through to slightly underwhelming/unexciting, and rounded out with a few wines that …
Q: Have you noticed any trends among the wines this year? A: 'The quality of the 2015 vintage in South Australia and Victoria'. That's James Halliday, talking trends in an article …
Hentley Farm Black Beauty Sparkling Shiraz 2016 disgorgement What a great name for a sparkling Shiraz. You can't see it very well in my crap photo, but this comes in excellent …
Best's Great Western Sparkling Shiraz 2013 I remain perplexed that more Australian Shiraz lovers don't appreciate the sparkling form. What isn't there to like? It's red wine, but for Australian weather. …
I've always wondered why sparkling red is viewed with disdain by some Australian wine writers. It seems curious to attack a style that is very much our own, works well …
I love Christmas. Surely the greatest time of year for drinking and eating and basically an excellent excuse to bring out something tasty. This year was a little more subdued at …
Primo Estate Joseph Sparkling Red (July '13 disgorgement) In what has become a Graham household tradition, this sparkling red was front and centre for today's Christmas lunch and in prime form …
Five smart new 2012 Shiraz under $30 I actually picked this five out before noticing that they were all 2012, but that's of no surprise. It was a vintage that had …
Primo Estate Joseph Sparkling Red (July 2013 disgorgement) 13.5%, Cork, $70 Source: Retailwww.primoestate.com.au Easily my favourite Australian sparkling red, I drank a bottle of this on Christmas Day and enjoyed every mouthful. What …
Capital Wines 'Black Rod' Sparkling Red 2009 (Canberra District) 14.4%, Crown Seal, $36Source: Samplewww.capitalwines.com.au Amongst wine writers it is seriously uncool to admit you like sparkling red. I've always thought it akin …
Best's new(ish) releases I'm a little slow in writing up these wines as I somehow managed to misplace the notes for them in the bowels of my iPhone. Smartphone notes 1 …
Xmas drinks 2011: Bubbles Clover Hill 2007 I really didn't expect for today to become a bubblefest. I mean obviously there were bubbles around, but fizz was never meant to be the …
Karra Yerta Sparkling Shiraz NV - 2009 disgorgement (Eden Valley, SA)$35, Crown Seal, 14.5%Source: Samplewww.karrayertawines.com.au'It's a real pity this class has detiorated to this level'They were the judges comments at …
It's Christmas Day, heading into the early afternoon now, with the last slices of Pavlova sitting out willing someone to return for yet another piece. On the wine front, I …
These tasting notes all come from the Boutique Wine Awards tasting, held at Sydney's Marriot Hotel back on the 3rd July (yes, I am very behind).What was most heartening to …
To wrap up SW (Seppelt Week) here at AWR (Australian Wine Review) today's final bout is easily the most skewed of the lot.In the fashion of previous bouts, today we …
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