Article first published in Spirito di Vino Asia Issue #29. Driving through the winding valleys of Millahue, two hours south of Chile’s capital city Santiago, you will find quite possibly the most luxurious wine tourism offering from Chile to date. Here in a valley framed by the Andes Mountains and the Coastal Ranges, the PacificContinue reading “Spirito di Vino: Viña Vik, Chile”
Author Archives: Happy Wine Woman
Valparaiso: Chile’s Little San Francisco
Take a short trip from the hustle and bustle of Santiago, Chile’s capital city and head towards the coast where you will find the city’s bohemian sister. In a delightful counterpoint to Santiago’s tradition, extroverted Valparaiso offers an altogether alternative experience. The gregarious character of this coastal city is brilliantly displayed in the winding lanewaysContinue reading “Valparaiso: Chile’s Little San Francisco”
Wine For Normal People: Hawke’s Bay, New Zealand
The view from Bilancia‘s vineyard in Hawke’s Bay. My next episode with Elizabeth Schneider at Wine for Normal People moves to my home turf, New Zealand. We take a closer look at the Hawke’s Bay region, including the Gimblett Gravels region, the wines and the people. Some of the producers we chat about include: AlphaContinue reading “Wine For Normal People: Hawke’s Bay, New Zealand”
Spirito di Vino: Clonakilla, Canberra District
Article first published in Spirito di Vino Issue #26. Image: David Reist. It is a brilliantly sunny day in Melbourne as I head towards one of the city’s essentials for any wine lover, the City Wine Shop. I am meeting Tim Kirk of Clonakilla Wines upstairs in the Supper Club before he leads a dinner at theContinue reading “Spirito di Vino: Clonakilla, Canberra District”
Wine Times Hong Kong: Argentina’s signature grape
Article first published Wine Times Hong Kong, February 3 2017. After two weeks in Chile my study trip continued over the Andes in Mendoza, Argentina, where I visited Altos Las Hormigas and Familia Zuccardi. What was immediately apparent upon entering Argentina was the vast difference in infrastructure between Chile and Argentina and how lengthy periodsContinue reading “Wine Times Hong Kong: Argentina’s signature grape”
Wine For Normal People: The Many Sides of Australian Shiraz
My next instalment for Elizabeth Schneider’s podcast Wine for Normal People focussed on Shiraz and the different expressions that can be found in Australia. Take a listen – preferably with a glass of Shiraz in your hand! Happy Drinking!
The Drinks Business: Itata Valley, Chile
Edited and republished for The Drinks Business, 16 December 2016. The Itata Valley in the Bio Bio region has for many years been somewhat of an afterthought when it comes to the wine regions of Chile. At times occupying no more than a few sentences in many texts on Chilean wine production this is atContinue reading “The Drinks Business: Itata Valley, Chile”
Spirito di Vino: Giant Steps, Yarra Valley
Written for Spirito di Vino Asia Issue #24. Image: Redfish Bluefish Photographic. Driving into Healesville, the town around which Australia’s Yarra Valley is centred, I am due for an early morning meeting with Steve Flamsteed, before his day starts to fill up with the duties of Head Winemaker and now part owner of Giant Steps.Continue reading “Spirito di Vino: Giant Steps, Yarra Valley”
A podcast debut with Wine for Normal People … Yarra Valley
During my WSET Diploma studying I was searching for as many ways possible to fill my head with the required wine knowledge and in doing so I came across Elizabeth Schneider’s podcast Wine for Normal People. I was hooked after the first episode and WFNP became a staple in my library of resources to stay updatedContinue reading “A podcast debut with Wine for Normal People … Yarra Valley”
Wine Times Hong Kong: Craggy Range, Hawke’s Bay
Published Wine Times Hong Kong, 8 July 2016. Image credit: Craggy Range. Recently I attended a tasting of Craggy Range wines from Hawke’s Bay in New Zealand’s North Island. Chief Winemaker, Matt Stafford, led us through a selection of Pinot Noir from the Te Muna vineyard in Martinborough together with the Le Sol and Sophia wines from TheContinue reading “Wine Times Hong Kong: Craggy Range, Hawke’s Bay”
Simone Madden-Grey : Happy Wine Woman 