There’s something wonderful about having a special bottle to open at Christmas; to savour the flavours of an elegant drink with the people who mean the most. Here are some of the finest wines and whisky around, perfect for this time of year. From drop to dram, when what you’re drinking is superbly crafted and … Read more
Nothing stays still for very long, even in something as well-established as the wine industry. Here are five different wine trends that we have on good authority will be influencing the way we quaff, sip and guzzle over the next few years. Wine has always gone through its cyclical and sometimes cynical process of popularity. … Read more
Gewurztraminer has a reputation for being a very sweet white wine and isn’t that popular in Australia. But a cold-climate ‘Gewurz’ challenges both wine lovers’ precepts and its own reputation. The first time I tried Gewurztraminer (pronounced “ga-verts-tram-eena”, and often referred to as just ‘Gewerz’) was in California in 2014. I was on a wine … Read more
Since the 1660s – when the British invented Champagne style sparkling wine – the French have been busy mastering the art. But just like its origins, sparkling wine doesn’t begin or end in Champagne. Here are 4 styles of sparking wine that challenge Champagne’s best – making the bottle of bubbly a truly international creature. … Read more
Most people think of white wine as a warm-weather drink. A chilled glass of Riesling or a frosty Sauv Blanc on a hot day might sound like the only way, but here are some whites that will bring you comfort as the weather gets cooler. I’d like to see the rulebook that says you can … Read more
Across the globe, the rosé revolution is taking hold. And there’s no better time to enjoy this international ’coup de glass’ than at Christmas. Here are 5 summer rosés for the festive season. It’s taken me quite a while to get used to the idea of a hot Christmas. In England, Christmas usually means cups … Read more
Wine is always about when and where you’ll be when you drink it. While the sun’s still taking her time to warm up the day and then in a hurry to hit the hay, our pick of South Australian winter reds will help you choose your next bottle and keep you warm at night. As … Read more
There’s nothing better than a crisp, chilled glass of Riesling on a hot summer’s day, or bunkering down over a warm, gluey Shiraz as winter frosts the windows. But are we drinking our vino at the best temperature for the wine? We’ve got it from the experts on what the best temps are for different … Read more
Dessert wine is a funny drink. It quite often has a polarizing effect on people – they either hate it or love it. Perhaps that’s because it’s been poorly represented in the past. But like everything, there’s a time and a place for a sweet wine – providing you know which to buy. With summer … Read more
It’s amazing how out of favour Chardonnay has fallen in recent years. But in spite of evoking frowns and even dry retching at the mere mention of its name, is this much-maligned grape having a renaissance? Is Chardonnay finding its way back into the good books? I’m always amused at the fashion cycles of wine. … Read more