(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 perhaps of interest so I'm …
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 miss the mark completely. Why post …
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 on the Wine Companion website. …
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 packaging too, complete with a …
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. Goes a treat with chilli-laden …
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 with our climate and tastes …
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 Graham HQ with a few …
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 - the 2013 disgorgement is …
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 many South Australian and Victorian …
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 I particularly liked was this …
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 to owning up to enjoying …
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 Andrew 0. As for these new …
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 feature of our Xmas day. …
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 this years Sydney Wine Show …
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 put two sample bottles up …
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 see was that whilst these …
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 have pitched two similar wines …
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.