These Top 5 drinks lists will introduce you to my favourite wine regions, bars, wines, cocktails and wine folk.
Top 5 Barossa (regional guide) Australian wine areas don’t get much more iconic than the Barossa. Without getting into too much detail, the Barossa ‘wine zone’ is divided into two official ‘wine regions’: the cooler, higher Eden Valley in the east and the warmer Barossa Valley in the west; plus a small stretch further west […]
Sparkling red wine is a distinctly Aussie thing. I don’t claim we invented it of course, I’m a big fan of Emilia-Romagna’s delicious Lambruscos and have enjoyed red espumante in Portugal, but sparkling reds have been part of our wine industry since the late 1800s (when they were called sparkling Burgundy). Aussie sparkling reds tend […]
Here’s my take on some of the best-known classic cocktails. As I’m really more a wine drinker than a cocktail fan, these are mostly relatively low alcohol – making them perfect for sipping on a hot day or evening. Add more ice or soda to stretch them even further if you like, after all the […]
Adelaideans, do you know how blessed you are? Just 20 minutes from your city centre, you start climbing into one of the most beautiful parts of Australia. I love the Adelaide Hills, especially when they’re bursting with spring blossoms or glowing with autumn leaves. A drive through the Hills is a joy in itself – […]
Here’s some more top Aussie drops: ~ Top 5 Aussie Italian Reds ~ Top 5 Aussie Pinot Noirs ~ Top 5 Aussie Rieslings ~ Top 5 Aussie Rosés ~ Top 5 Aussie Fortifieds ~ Top 5 Aussie Dark Craft Beers Top 5 Australian Italian White Wines Grape vines arrived in Australia with the First Fleet, […]
Nothing says ‘celebration’ quite like a glass of fizz. Champagne, prosecco, and the other usual culprits, are all very well – but next time you want some bubbles, try something a little left of centre. Here’s a gorgeous amber coloured fizz, one of England’s finest, sparkling sake and Swiss cider, and a gorgeous local pet […]
By now I think most of us are sold on rosé as a great all-rounder – we’ve moved on from concerns about the simple, lolly-water, grenache-heavy versions that gave the style a bad name, and are enjoying pale, dry, refreshing food friendly wines. So what’s left to say? Well, recently I’ve been digging deeper into […]
Have you seen the term ‘field blend’ on a wine label? If not, keep an eye out and you will – but what does it mean? Much of Australian winemaking is focused on single varietals, such as riesling or pinot noir, along with a few classic blends like the Bordeaux-style semillon sauvignon blancs of Margaret […]
There’s nothing like bubbles to get everyone in a party mood. While Champagne is the traditional fizz of choice, sparkling wines from other French regions, Italy, Australia and New Zealand can also do the job – often at a fraction of the cost – especially in these five popular cocktails. Keep the snacks French by […]
Top 5 Sommeliers I’ve become a bit of a sommelier groupie of late. I’ve found myself deciding where to eat based on who’s likely to be pouring my wine. The role of sommeliers (wine waiters) has come a long way in Australia in the past 10-15 years. My interest started with the likes of the […]
