Pinot Noir - The Gambler's Grape - 10th June 2008
There is a certain feeling you get before a tasting of decent stuff. It is like a knowing – a kind of contented excitement. “I am going to learn something here.” |
I Can Only Promise So Much When It Comes To Not Being Biased... - 4th May 2008
I remember a few years ago being at the Wine Australia event. Basically, I am like a kid in a candy store at events like these – massive events with almost every wine you can imagine sitting on a table somewhere waiting to be tasted. It is a day for endurance and planning – you certainly can’t drink everything. |
The Hunter Valley - A Personal Reflection - 6th April 2008
When it comes to my wine ‘heritage’ the Hunter Valley looms large. My love of the fermented grape really had its roots in visits to the Valley in the early to mid-Nineties when I really should have been at Uni or studying in Newcastle. |
Cool Climate? - 28th January 2008
I saw a bottle the other day that had a big sticker on it. No, not one of those annoying Gold Medal stickers. No, not one of the ones proclaiming Bio-Dynamic all over it. This one just had one phrase - "Cool Climate." |
Wine Without Wank - Corkers Of 2007 - 30th December 2007
We at Wine Without Wank are like any other journal/magazine/web site that pontificates about a certain topic in that we of course must have annual Awards!
And so, without further ado, I present to you the Wine Without Wank Corkers Of The Year for 2007! |
Champagne – Not Just A Snooty Drink For New Year? - 17th December 2007
The mere mention of the word sends snorts of derision through Aussie blokes. They charge their glasses for toasts at weddings and midnight on New Year’s Eve before heading back to the bar/esky to knock off a few more Extra Dry’s.
“Yeah, the girl’s like it, but it is a bit poncy.”
Yep, Champagne can be a struggle to convince the Aussie bloke. But I am here to give it a shot.
|
Sydney - Finally It Can Get Funky! - 18th November 2007
The Sydney / Melbourne rivalry gets talked up a lot more than seems to be reality I find. As a Sydney –sider (well, closer to Sydney than Melbourne anyway!) I tend to find that Sydney-ites really don’t mind too much if someone prefers Melbourne. Maybe a joke about the weather, but that’s about it. Pry a bit more why someone usually prefers Melbourne, and the topic of the “cultural scene” comes up. |
Ultra Indulgence – It Helps! - 3rd November 2007
Having had an established core group of tasters that come together every few weeks or so sounds like a complete and utter wank I admit. You can picture everyone huddled around the table, sipping and slurping away at their wines and commenting about the gorgeous butternut pumpkin flavours. (or some such…) Yet, having a few people who are willing to chip in a few bucks is about the only way us mere mortals will taste REALLY good wine in context with each other. We all live in hope of discovering a truly outstanding wine that consistently delivers at under $20, but reality says that the best of the very best do cost a pretty penny. And that means everyone banding together to cover some costs. |
Riesling! You Know You Want Some... - 20th October 2007
As some of you who are regular readers will have noticed, I have a real thing for Riesling. As some of you who read the writings of other wine writers will notice, I am not the only one when it comes to those who make a living from writing about wine. |
The Wine Glut Over - Now, We PAY!!! - 18th September 2007
The glut is over. Yep, it is all pretty official now. When the main newspapers and current affairs shows tell you it is done and dusted, you gotta believe them obviously. |
The Essential Wine Tasting Guide - 25th August 2007
When you are first starting to really try and narrow down the flavours and sensations in wine that are to your personal taste, it can be a bit hit and miss. You listen to terms and phrases that others use, try and match them to your own experience, and it either gels or not. |
James Halliday 2008 Wine Companion - 7th August 2007
Another year, another high quality James Halliday Wine Companion. Ho hum, what else is there to say?
Well, there is a little bit to say – and really that is one of the nice things about the Halliday guide’s release every year – it throws up some interesting topics for conversation.
|
So...Who Is Robert Parker Anyway? - 26th February 2007
Imagine the scene, if you will. A small wine producer, nervously twitching as he pours samples of his latest and greatest vintage, as well as all past vintages for comparison – the red/purple liquid sloshing around the glass as he lines them up on the tasting table for review. |
NSW Southern Highlands Visit - 12th February 2007
For decades, Sydney siders looking for their winery stays have looked to the Hunter Valley to the north for their fix. |
Red Bubbles - Why? - 22nd January 2007
When I first started running tasting groups and wine education sessions, I routinely planned on including Sparkling reds into the setup. In my head, I thought that the slight sugary sweetness, allied with bubbles, allied with red wine bite (the blokes would perhaps not object too much about bubbles – it was red after all) would be a sensation. Rapturous all round every time I produce it, right? |
Campbell Mattinson's Wine Hunter - 7th January 2007
When it comes to the written word, there are some classics in the wine world, and some absolute stinkers. So, forgive my tardiness everyone, since I did not quite get through this book in time to write about it for a Christmas recommendation, but think of this as a New Year’s resolution present…or something like that. |
Yarra Valley Visit – Part Two - 27th November 2006
In this second instalment of our overview of the Yarra Valley, I’ll go through the cellar doors that we visited so you can get an idea of what is worth a visit and what can be left till next time! |
Yarra Valley Visit - Part One - 13th November 2006
The Yarra Valley is probably the most accessible major vineyard area in Australia. So why had I only visited it once?? |
The Wine Glut - Explained! - 30th October 2006
I have had a few people ask me about the wine glut – what it really means to the consumer, why is it a problem, and when is it going to end? |
The Question Of Value - 18th April 2005
Right up front, I am going to come out and say it. I don't like paying any more than $35 for a bottle of wine. In fact, if I pay more than $35 for a bottle of wine, it had better be bloody good. (Must be my Scottish heritage coming out or something?) |
