Wine for Normal People: Central Otago

Rippon Vineyard in Autumn. Image credit: Thirst Press. In this episode of Wine for Normal People I catch up with Elizabeth to chat about Central Otago – an area my family has spent many years in. Although Central Otago accounted for only 2% of total production in New Zealand for 2016, the wine from this regionContinue reading “Wine for Normal People: Central Otago”

Halliday Magazine: Hong Kong

Written for Halliday Wine Companion Magazine Issue #36 October/November 2017. Eight is a lucky number in Chinese culture – a symbol of good fortune and wealth. With that in mind, here are eight bars to track down next time you’re in Hong Kong. Read full article here… …

Spirito di Vino: Viña Vik, Chile

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”

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”