Category Archives: wine and travel

Yarra Valley cellar doors – what’s changed?

Image designed by Freepik As restrictions ease in Victoria, cellar doors have been given the green light to open albeit under slightly different circumstances. With that in mind, I headed to the Yarra Valley to see how different things are, if at all. First stop was Giant Steps winery in the new pop-up cellar doorContinue reading “Yarra Valley cellar doors – what’s changed?”

Gourmet Traveller WINE: Getting Around Gisborne

Wainui Beach, Gisborne, New Zealand. © Simone Madden-Grey At the end of last year I visited Gisborne, on the east coast of New Zealand’s North Island. Pristine coastlines, outstanding local produce, delicious wine and the warmest of welcomes are to be found here. In the February/March issue of Gourmet Traveller WINE you can read aboutContinue reading “Gourmet Traveller WINE: Getting Around Gisborne”

Halliday Magazine: Mildura and the magic of the Murray River

Paddle Vessel Rothbury on the banks of the Murray River, Mildura. © Simone Madden-Grey Australia is doing it tough at the moment with communities across the country dealing with bushfires on a scale rarely seen. The long term effect on the people of Australia and the country’s industry has yet to be quantified and theContinue reading “Halliday Magazine: Mildura and the magic of the Murray River”

The future is very bright for Australian Sangiovese

Photo credit: Young Gun of Wine Photographer © James Morgan Recently I took part in a tasting organised by Young Gun of Wine. There were six of use, 36 wines and it was all about Sangiovese from Australia. The general consensus was very positive with the panel agreeing there was an impressive breadth of style onContinue reading “The future is very bright for Australian Sangiovese”

The 2019 AAVWS Fellowship: Why You Should Apply

Last year I had the privilege of being the Australian Alternative Varieties Wine Show Fellow and applications for this year’s Fellow are now open. The application deadline is August 30 2019 and if you are curious about what’s on offer, take a look at my post for the AAVWS Blog here.

Gourmet Traveller WINE: New Zealand Pinot Noir and Syrah

Gourmet Traveller WINE cover image: David Reist I’m very excited to have two articles in the latest edition of Gourmet Traveller WINE covering one of my favourite topics – New Zealand! Pinot Central takes a look at the latest news from Central Otago, while Syrah Sweet Spot focusses on just how good New Zealand SyrahContinue reading “Gourmet Traveller WINE: New Zealand Pinot Noir and Syrah”

SevenFifty Daily: The Rise of Australia’s Other Grapes

Yangarra Estate Grenache Vineyard, McLaren Vale. Image credit: © Milton Wordley Published by SevenFifty Daily, January 25 2019. The art of storytelling is a cornerstone of the wine industry. It has the ability to communicate a sense of lifestyle, culture and natural environment, which plays an increasingly important role in successful sales. What makes a storyContinue reading “SevenFifty Daily: The Rise of Australia’s Other Grapes”

SevenFifty Daily: Italy and Australia continue to battle it out over grape variety names

Photo courtesy of Chalmers Vineyard In my first article with the US-based online publication SevenFifty Daily I write about the latest in the battle between Italy and Australia over grape variety names. First it was Prosecco and now Nero d’Avola is in their sights as Italian producers ask UK merchants to ban Australian Nero d’Avola.Continue reading “SevenFifty Daily: Italy and Australia continue to battle it out over grape variety names”