(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 …
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.